Getting a refund on Ticketmaster if an event date is changed can be tricky. Ticketmaster’s refund policy varies depending on the event and the organizer. Generally speaking, if the event is postponed or rescheduled, Ticketmaster will allow ticket holders to get a refund within a certain window of time before the new event date. However, the exact refund rules can be complex and are not always made clear upfront when purchasing tickets. In this article, we’ll break down Ticketmaster’s refund policies when an event date is changed and provide tips on how to get your money back.
Ticketmaster’s Official Refund Policy for Date Changes
According to Ticketmaster’s website, if an event is postponed, rescheduled, or canceled, tickets are usually valid for the new date. However, refund availability depends on the organizer’s refund policy for the event. Organizers can choose from the following refund policies when an event date changes:
Automatic Refund
If the organizer offers automatic refunds, Ticketmaster will process refunds automatically within 7-10 business days of the postponement or rescheduling announcement. Ticket holders do not need to take any action to get their money back.
Requested Refund
For events with a requested refund policy, ticket holders must actively request a refund within 30 days once the new event date is announced. Refund requests can be submitted on Ticketmaster’s website. Ticketmaster aims to process these refunds within 30 business days.
No Refunds
Some organizers do not offer any refunds when an event is postponed or rescheduled. In this case, tickets for the original event date will automatically be valid for the new date. If ticket holders absolutely cannot attend on the new date, they will need to resell their tickets instead of getting a refund directly from Ticketmaster.
The best way to find out the official refund policy for a specific event is to check the event page on Ticketmaster. The refund rules are usually stated somewhere on the page, under the “Event Info” or “Additional Info” sections.
However, the policy is not always made clear during the ticket purchasing process. It’s important to double check the refund policy before buying tickets, especially for expensive events or events being held farther in the future, as the date could potentially change.
How to Get a Refund from Ticketmaster for a Date Change
If the event organizer is offering refunds, here are some tips for successfully getting your money back from Ticketmaster:
Request the Refund Within the Time Window
Act fast – make sure to request a refund within 30 days of the new event date being announced if the organizer has a “requested refund” policy. If you miss the 30 day cutoff, you’ll no longer be eligible for a refund.
Check Your Email
Carefully check the email address associated with your Ticketmaster account for any notifications about refund instructions from Ticketmaster. Sometimes the steps to request a refund are outlined in an email rather than on the event page.
Submit the Request Online
Ticketmaster requires you to submit refund requests through your online account. You’ll need to log into your Ticketmaster account and follow the instructions provided to submit the request digitally. Refund requests cannot be made over the phone or in person at a box office.
Provide Your Payment Details
To receive your refund, you’ll need to provide Ticketmaster with the payment details you used to purchase the tickets originally. This includes the card number if you paid with a credit card. Make sure your payment information is up to date in your Ticketmaster account.
Follow Up if Needed
If it’s been over 30 business days since you requested the refund and you still haven’t received your money back, follow up with Ticketmaster’s customer service department. You may need to submit additional information or resend your request.
Refund Timelines to Expect
How long does it take to get a refund on Ticketmaster when an event date changes? Here are the typical processing times:
Automatic Refunds
For events with an automatic refund policy, expect to see the money back in your account within 7-10 business days after the new event date is posted.
Requested Refunds
Ticketmaster aims to process requested refunds within 30 business days of receiving a complete refund request. However, high request volumes can sometimes delay processing.
Refunds to Original Form of Payment
Refunds are typically returned to the original payment method used to purchase the tickets. For credit card purchases, expect the refund to post to your account within 1-2 billing cycles after Ticketmaster processes it. For debit cards, expect the money back in your bank account within 10 business days.
Refunds via Check
If you paid with cash at a box office, your refund may be issued via check and take 4-6 weeks for delivery. E-checks can also take several weeks to process and deposit.
Partial Refunds
In some cases, Ticketmaster may only offer partial refunds when an event date changes. Reasons could include:
- You purchased a ticket package that included add-ons like parking or merchandise that can still be used on the new date.
- You purchased non-refundable tickets at a discounted price.
- The new event date or seat location is still acceptable to you.
If Ticketmaster determines you are only eligible for a partial refund, the amount will be clearly stated when you submit your request online. Make sure to double check the partial refund amount before completing the process.
Refund Denials
There are a few scenarios where your refund request could be denied by Ticketmaster:
- You miss the 30 day cutoff period to request a refund.
- Your tickets are non-refundable or resellable only.
- You are trying to exchange your tickets for a different event rather than get a refund.
- Your request is incomplete – you need to provide more information.
If your refund request is denied, carefully review the reason provided by Ticketmaster. If you think it was denied incorrectly, file a formal complaint with Ticketmaster customer service and clearly explain your situation. Provide supporting documentation if possible.
Refunds if You Can’t Attend the New Date
What if you absolutely can’t make the rescheduled event date work no matter what?
Unfortunately, if the organizer has a “no refunds” policy, you will not be able to get your money back through Ticketmaster if you can no longer attend. Your only option is to resell your tickets on a resale site like the Ticketmaster Exchange or Stubhub. You will likely have to sell them for less than face value.
If the event was canceled altogether rather than postponed, Ticketmaster will generally offer refunds even for “no refunds” events.
Alternatives to Refunds from Ticketmaster
If you aren’t able to get a full refund from Ticketmaster for a date change, here are some other options to recoup your money:
Ticketmaster Voucher
Sometimes Ticketmaster will offer a voucher instead of a cash refund, which you can use to buy tickets for another event on their site. Vouchers may expire, so pay attention to the fine print.
Resell Your Tickets
Use Ticketmaster’s own resale platform or sites like StubHub, VividSeats, or Craigslist to resell your tickets. Be aware you’ll likely have to sell them at a discount from face value.
Event Insurance
Some travel insurance policies or specialty ticket insurance products will cover refunds if you can’t attend a rescheduled event. Read policies carefully for date change coverage details.
Credit Card Benefits
Check if the credit card you purchased the tickets with offers any trip, event, or entertainment coverage that could help recover the cost.
Small Claims Court
Taking Ticketmaster to small claims court over the refund denial is an option but will take time and effort. You’ll need evidence to prove your case.
Tips to Avoid Refund Problems
Here are some tips to avoid headaches getting refunds when event dates change:
- Carefully check the refund policy before purchasing tickets.
- Pay with a credit card to better dispute any issues.
- Buy ticket insurance for expensive or far-off events.
- Don’t wait too long to request a refund after a postponement.
- Make sure your contact and payment info are up to date at Ticketmaster.
- Don’t close the credit card you paid with so refunds can process.
- Save copies of all receipts, emails, and refund request paperwork.
Contact Ticketmaster for Help
If you have any issues receiving a refund you believe you are owed, reach out to Ticketmaster’s customer service department for assistance:
- Phone: 1-800-653-8000
- Online Support Form: https://am.ticketmaster.com/contact
- Chat: Available 24/7 on Ticketmaster’s website during business hours
- In-person: Visit a Ticketmaster box office location
A customer service agent can look into the status of your refund request, explain any denial reasons, or help resubmit a request if needed.
How to File a Complaint Against Ticketmaster
If you feel Ticketmaster improperly denied your refund request, you can file a formal complaint against them in writing. Here are some tips:
- Submit the complaint online via Ticketmaster’s contact form.
- Include key details like order number, ticket info, event details, and refund request dates.
- Explain clearly why you believe you deserve a refund.
- Attach supporting documents like receipts, emails, and refund denials.
- Follow up if you don’t receive a satisfactory response.
- Contact agencies like your state’s attorney general or the Better Business Bureau to raise the issue if needed.
Well-documented, legitimate complaints can potentially lead to Ticketmaster reevaluating a refund denial. However, keep in mind that Ticketmaster does reserve the right to enforce organizers’ no refund policies if applicable.
Conclusion
Navigating Ticketmaster’s refund policies can be frustrating when event dates are changed or postponed. Make sure to carefully check refund eligibility for any tickets you purchase, as the rules vary widely between different shows, concerts, and events. Act quickly if you need to request a refund, provide complete details, and follow up diligently with customer service if issues arise. With persistence, you should be able to either recoup your money or find alternative options like reselling tickets if the new date truly does not work for you. Carefully reviewing policies in advance and knowing the process for requesting refunds will also give you more peace of mind next time you purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.
