When it comes to transferring tickets on Ticketmaster, one of the most common questions is whether a transfer can be reversed. The short answer is yes, in some cases a Ticketmaster transfer can be reversed. However, there are some important caveats to be aware of.
What is a Ticketmaster transfer?
A Ticketmaster transfer allows the original ticket purchaser to electronically transfer tickets to someone else. This enables the tickets to change ownership and allows someone other than the original purchaser to use the tickets. Some key things to know about Ticketmaster transfers:
- Transfers are only available for ticket purchases made through Ticketmaster online or via the Ticketmaster app. Tickets purchased in person or over the phone are not transferable.
- There is usually a 24-48 hour wait period after purchasing tickets before the transfer option becomes available.
- Transfer recipients must accept the tickets within 7 days or the transfer expires.
- Once a transfer is completed, the recipient becomes the new owner of the tickets.
When can a transfer be reversed?
In most cases, once a Ticketmaster transfer is completed it cannot be undone. However, there are a few scenarios where a transfer reversal may be possible:
- If the transfer expires because the recipient did not accept the tickets within 7 days, the tickets revert back to the sender who can then transfer them to someone else.
- If the event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled, Ticketmaster will generally invalidate all transfers and the original purchaser regains ownership of the tickets.
- If the recipient chooses to refuse the tickets, they may be able to send them back to the sender reversing the transfer.
- In very rare cases, if the transfer was accidental or unauthorized, the sender can contact Ticketmaster customer service to request reversing the transfer.
How to reverse a transfer on Ticketmaster
If you meet one of the above conditions that allow reversing a transfer, here are the steps to complete the reversal:
- The original ticket purchaser should contact Ticketmaster Fan Support by phone and explain that you need to reverse a transfer. Be prepared to provide the order number, seat details, event details and reason for reversal.
- If the transfer recipient refused the tickets, they may also need to contact Ticketmaster by phone and formally reject the tickets back to the sender.
- Ticketmaster will review the details and determine if a reversal can be done based on the circumstances.
- If approved, Ticketmaster will cancel the initial transfer and reassign the tickets back to the original purchaser’s Ticketmaster account.
- The original purchaser will regain access to the tickets as if the transfer never happened.
- From there, the tickets can be transferred to someone else if still needed.
Important notes about transfer reversals
- There is no guarantee a transfer reversal request will be approved. Ticketmaster reviews these requests on a case by case basis.
- Do not cancel or attempt to resell transferred tickets unless the transfer has been officially reversed. This can lead to canceled orders or other complications.
- Transfers can only be reversed if the tickets have not been used to enter the event. Once the transfer recipient uses the tickets, no reversal is possible.
- Transfer reversal requests must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event start time as a general rule.
- If the tickets were transferred multiple times, each recipient would have to reverse the transfer in succession to fully revert the tickets.
Steps the original purchaser should take
If you need to reverse a Ticketmaster transfer as the original ticket buyer, here are the steps you should take:
- Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support by phone and ask for a transfer reversal. Explain why you need the reversal based on the allowable reasons.
- Provide the representative with the order number, ticket details, event details and any other information they request.
- Clearly state how many tickets you need reversed back to your account if it was a multi-ticket purchase.
- Ask the representative to confirm if the reversal request can be approved before ending the call.
- Follow up via email with Ticketmaster Fan Support reiterating your reversal request if needed.
- If approved, check your Ticketmaster account online to confirm the tickets show up again under your orders.
- Do not attempt to transfer the tickets again until the reversals are confirmed.
Steps the transfer recipient should take
If you are the person who received a Ticketmaster transfer that needs to be reversed, follow these steps:
- Wait for the original purchaser to contact you and explain that they need the transfer reversed.
- If you have not yet accepted the transfer, simply let it expire after 7 days.
- If you already accepted the tickets, call Ticketmaster Fan Support to formally reject and reverse the transfer.
- Provide the representative with the order number, ticket details and explain that the sender has requested a reversal.
- Make it clear that you will not use the tickets and voluntary reject them back to the sender.
- Once the reversal is confirmed, you should delete the tickets from your Ticketmaster account.
Troubleshooting issues
Some common issues that can come up when trying to reverse Ticketmaster transfers:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Transfer recipient won’t reverse their end | The original purchaser needs to contact support and request the forceable cancellation of the transfer if recipient won’t cooperate. |
| Multiple transfers have occured | Each recipient has to reverse in succession from last to first for tickets to fully revert. |
| Transfer was done through a Ticketmaster reseller | Contact the reseller’s customer service as Ticketmaster may not have capability to reverse 3rd party transfers. |
| Tickets have already been used for event entry | Transfers cannot be reversed once the tickets have been scanned and used to enter the event. |
| Event is soon and reversal request denied | Leaving too little time before the event date can result in a rejected reversal request. |
How long does a transfer reversal take?
If approved, a Ticketmaster transfer reversal typically processes within 48 hours at most. The tickets revert back to the original purchaser’s Ticketmaster account and show up as available on their order details. However, it can take up to 7-10 business days in some cases depending on:
- How many transfers took place that have to be sequentially reversed.
- How quickly each transfer recipient responds and completes their portion of the reversal.
- The overall Ticketmaster volume and requests at the time of the reversal request.
- Whether there are any complications or investigations needed by Ticketmaster in processing the request.
Keep in mind transfer reversals are not instantaneous. The various steps and coordination with recipients takes some time. Plan ahead when possible if you know a transfer will need reversing.
Does a transfer reversal cost anything?
Reversing a Ticketmaster transfer is normally free and does not incur any fees or charges. The exception would be if you purchased Ticketmaster’s premium Ticket Transfer service which offers enhanced transfer capabilities and protections for a fee. In that case, any applicable service fees would still apply. Outside of those scenarios, there are typically no costs associated with a standard transfer reversal done through Ticketmaster’s general policy.
Reasons a transfer reversal may be denied
While reversals are possible in certain situations, they are not guaranteed to be approved. Some reasons why Ticketmaster may deny a transfer reversal request include:
- The tickets have already been used to enter the event venue.
- The request is made less than 48 hours before event start time.
- The transfer recipient provides proof they purchased the tickets from original buyer.
- The event is now sold out and reversing would displace other buyers.
- There have been multiple transfers made already that cannot be reliably tracked.
- The reversal circumvents other Ticketmaster policies or fees in some way.
Ticketmaster aims to honour valid reversal requests when feasible, but does reserve the right to turn them down based on logical factors. Having a justified reason and contacting them early helps improve the odds of success.
Alternatives if a reversal is denied
If Ticketmaster denies a transfer reversal request, there are still some options to consider:
- The original purchaser can list the tickets for resale on a site like Ticketmaster Resale or Stubhub. This lets them recoup the cost while transferring to another buyer.
- The recipient can transfer the tickets to someone else if they are unable to attend. This gets use out of the tickets.
- For high demand events, Ticketmaster may list the tickets on fan exchange for resale if a reversal cannot be done.
- As a last resort, the value of the tickets can potentially be recouped if insurance was purchased or the tickets qualify for reimbursement guarantees.
While not always ideal, looking at alternative options can help make the best out of the situation following a denied reversal request.
Can a transfer be reversed multiple times?
It is generally only possible to reverse a specific Ticketmaster transfer one time. Once the tickets revert back to the original purchaser, subsequent reversals for that same transaction are rarely, if ever, granted. Some key points on multiple reversals:
- The original reversal sets things back to the original state as if no transfer occurred.
- Once reversed initially, the purchaser has their tickets back and ownership restored.
- If they transfer again and want another reversal, Ticketmaster will deny it as the original reversal opportunity was already used.
- The only exception is if Ticketmaster cancels all transfers globally due to a postponed event or other exceptional circumstance.
It is important to choose transfer recipients carefully the first time. Unless there are unavoidable extenuating circumstances, buyers will generally only get one chance at a transfer reversal.
How to prevent the need to reverse transfers
While it is reassuring that reversals are sometimes possible, it is always best to try to avoid the situation entirely if you can. Some tips to prevent the need to reverse Ticketmaster transfers:
- Only transfer tickets to recipients you know and trust. Verify their identity.
- Communicate clearly about the details, expectations and policies to avoid misunderstandings.
- Make use of Ticketmaster’s secure ticket transfer options for added protection when needed.
- Avoid transfers too close to the event date in case issues arise with little time to fix.
- If reselling, use an authorized ticket resale platform instead of person-to-person transfers.
- Only transfer the exact number of tickets the recipient needs rather than the whole order.
Taking appropriate precautions goes a long way towards avoiding situations where transfers may need reversing after the fact due to problems or confusion. Do your due diligence when transferring tickets.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster ticket transfers offer great convenience but do come with some risks. Thankfully, reversals provide a limited remedy to undo transfers if certain conditions are met. While there is no guarantee a reversal request will be approved, it is possible in select cases if initiated properly. Understand the policies, limitations and alternatives to make the most informed decisions around Ticketmaster transfer reversals.
