Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket vendors for concerts, sporting events, and more. When buying tickets on Ticketmaster, customers have a few different payment options to choose from.
Payment Options on Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit card – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Debit card – Must have a Visa or Mastercard logo
- PayPal – Connect PayPal account to pay directly from balance or linked cards/bank account
- Ticketmaster gift card – Physical or eGift card purchased from Ticketmaster
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
So can you pay for Ticketmaster tickets in payments? Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not currently offer a payment plan or installment option when purchasing tickets. The entire ticket amount must be paid upfront at the time of purchase using one of the payment methods listed above.
Why Ticketmaster Doesn’t Offer Payment Plans
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster does not allow customers to finance ticket purchases:
High fees
Ticketmaster already charges high fees on every ticket purchase. These include an order processing fee, service fee, and sometimes a delivery fee depending on the shipping option. Adding financing fees on top would make the total cost quite expensive.
Risk of nonpayment
Installment billing comes with the risk that the customer fails to make all scheduled payments. This would cause issues trying to collect the full amount if the tickets have already been issued.
Timing of events
Many events sell out quickly, so installments may not align with the on-sale dates. Events also take place within a short timeframe of the tickets going on sale, so there is a small window for spreading payments.
Administrative costs
Offering payment plans requires additional staff, infrastructure, and administrative expenses to manage. These costs would likely get passed on to customers through fees.
Ticketmaster’s business model is optimized for simple one-time transactions. While payment plans may improve affordability for some customers, the additional costs and risks do not outweigh the benefits from Ticketmaster’s perspective.
Alternatives for Buying Tickets in Payments
If you cannot afford to pay for Ticketmaster tickets upfront, all hope is not lost. Here are some alternative options that allow you to spread payments over time:
Layaway Programs
Some event organizers and venues offer their own layaway or payment plan programs. This allows you to pay for the tickets in installments over a set period leading up to the event. Each payment goes towards securing your tickets. Examples include:
- Disney World – Disney Layaway program for Walt Disney World tickets
- Theaters – Payment plans for season theater subscriptions
- Sporting events – Payment plans directly through team box offices
Prepaid Gift Cards
You can purchase Visa or Mastercard gift cards over time and use them to pay for your entire Ticketmaster purchase. This spreads the cost over multiple pay periods without finance charges or credit checks.
Ticket Resale Sites
Many ticket resale sites like Vivid Seats, StubHub, and SeatGeek allow you to pay for tickets in 2-6 interest-free installments. While prices are higher than face value, this can be an option for financing more expensive tickets.
Credit Cards
Making the purchase with a credit card allows you to pay it off over time. Just be wary of high interest rates. Consider an introductory 0% APR card to finance the purchase for several months interest-free.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster currently does not offer payment plan options for ticket purchases. Your options for buying tickets in installments are limited to layaway programs, gift cards, ticket resale sites, or credit cards. For the regular price, you will need to pay for Ticketmaster tickets in full upfront using their accepted payment methods. Carefully consider your budget beforehand if you cannot afford to pay all at once.
Payment Method | Allows Installments? |
---|---|
Ticketmaster Credit Card | No |
Ticketmaster Gift Card | No |
PayPal | No |
Venue Layaway Plan | Yes |
Prepaid Gift Cards | Yes |
Ticket Resale Site | Yes |
In summary, Ticketmaster does not directly offer payment plans for ticket purchases. If you need to pay over time, look into layaway programs, prepaid gift cards, ticket resale sites, or a 0% APR credit card. Otherwise, you must pay the full amount upfront using their accepted payment methods of credit/debit card, PayPal, or Ticketmaster gift card.
Ticketmaster is one of the most popular websites for purchasing tickets to concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events. With high fees and ticket demand, many prospective buyers wonder if Ticketmaster offers payment plans that allow customers to split the cost into multiple installments over time.
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster currently does not provide any kind of payment plan or installment billing options for tickets. Purchases must be paid in full upfront using credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Ticketmaster gift cards. Cash payments are not accepted either online or at Ticketmaster box office locations.
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster only accepts one-time payments:
- Payment plans would incur additional fees, making tickets less affordable.
- There’s risk of nonpayment before the event takes place.
- It complicates timing with quick on-sales and short event timeframes.
- Managing installment billing requires substantial administrative expenses.
Their website ticketing model is designed for fast, simple transactions rather than financing options. While this may pose challenges if you cannot pay the full amount at once, there are some alternative routes that allow you to pay for tickets over time:
Alternatives for Paying Ticketmaster in Installments
Layaway Programs
Some venues, sports teams, and event organizers offer their own layaway or payment plans for ticket purchases. The tickets are put on hold while you pay towards them in increments.
Prepaid Gift Cards
Purchasing prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards with each paycheck is a way to gradually set aside funds. You can then use the gift card balance to pay for Ticketmaster tickets in one transaction.
Ticket Resale Sites
Many ticket resale websites allow buyers to split the cost into interest-free monthly payments. Prices are higher than face value, but it gives you more time to pay.
Credit Cards
Spreading the purchase across a new credit card with a 0% introductory APR period can essentially act as a short-term financing plan.
Save Up Over Time
The most straightforward option is slowly setting aside money until you have enough saved to buy the tickets outright. However, this runs the risk of missing out on hot-selling events.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster does not offer payment plans or installments. You must pay the full ticket amount upfront using their accepted payment methods. If these one-time payment options don’t work with your budget, look into layaway programs, prepaid gift cards, ticket resale sites, introductory credit card offers, or saving up over a longer period of time.