Can you use promo code on resale tickets on Ticketmaster?

Ticketmaster is one of the largest primary ticket providers and secondary ticket marketplaces in the world. Many fans look to buy tickets to concerts, sports events, and more through Ticketmaster. However, the process of buying tickets, especially resale tickets, can be confusing with regards to the use of promo codes and other discounts.

What are primary tickets vs. resale tickets on Ticketmaster?

When buying tickets on Ticketmaster, it’s important to understand the difference between primary tickets and resale tickets:

• Primary tickets are the original tickets sold when an event first goes on sale. These tickets are sold directly by Ticketmaster on behalf of the event organizer or venue.
• Resale tickets refer to tickets that were originally purchased from Ticketmaster or elsewhere, but are now being resold by a third-party seller through Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace. These are tickets that have already been sold at least once before.

In most cases, primary tickets will be available at face value price, while resale tickets may be marked up significantly higher than face value depending on demand.

Can you use promo codes on Ticketmaster for primary tickets?

Yes, Ticketmaster does allow the use of promo codes and discounts on primary ticket purchases in many cases. Some ways you may be able to save on primary tickets include:

• Ticketmaster promotions and sales – Occasionally Ticketmaster will offer sitewide promo codes, discounts for select events, or other general sales open to all users.
• Fan club and venue presales – Artist fan clubs or venue members sometimes get special presale code access to tickets before the general public that unlock discounts.
• Group discounts – Buying primary tickets as a group (6+ tickets usually) can sometimes lead to percentage discounts off the ticket price.
• Verified resale – Some primary tickets are discounted through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program with an official “Discount” badge.

So in summary – yes, promo codes generally can be used on primary ticket purchases through Ticketmaster to help you save on costs.

Can you use promo codes on resale tickets on Ticketmaster?

Unfortunately, most Ticketmaster promo codes and discounts only apply to primary tickets, not resale tickets.

Once a ticket has already been sold through Ticketmaster and is posted for resale by a third party seller, any special codes or discounts no longer apply. The resale seller gets to set their own price and Ticketmaster does not provide promo codes that can be used on resale tickets.

There are a few exceptions where you may be able to use a code on Ticketmaster resale tickets:

• Verified Resale Discount tickets – As mentioned above, some tickets sold through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program are designated as “Discount” tickets and are primary tickets being resold officially at lower prices.
• Ticketmaster Resale promotions – While extremely rare, Ticketmaster has been known to offer sitewide discounts in the past that applied to resale inventory too.

Outside of limited exceptions like those, the majority of Ticketmaster promo codes unfortunately won’t be valid on resale tickets. The resale sellers control the pricing and are not obligated to honor any special offers.

Strategies for saving money on Ticketmaster resale tickets

While most promo codes won’t work, there are some other strategies fans can use to try to save on Ticketmaster resale tickets:

• Wait until last minute – Prices for hot events often drop dramatically in the final hours as sellers panic. You can score great deals on Ticketmaster resale, but it is risky.
• Avoid convenience fees – Opt for cheaper ticket delivery options to avoid the expensive convenience fees attached to eTickets and mobile tickets.
• Bid on auctions – Ticketmaster has some resale tickets listed as auctions, allowing you to score tickets for only slightly above the current bid price if you get lucky.
• Buy partially obstructed view tickets – Resale tickets with obstructed views command much lower prices but may still allow you to enjoy the show.

While promo codes won’t directly discount resale tickets, those strategies can help you get lower prices on the secondary market on Ticketmaster.

Does Ticketmaster charge service fees on resale tickets?

Yes, Ticketmaster does charge service fees on both primary tickets and resale tickets. These added fees are how they make additional revenue beyond just the base ticket price.

For resale tickets, there are two main types of fees charged:

• Buyer service fee – This is a flat service fee added to every resale ticket purchase on Ticketmaster. It is generally $14.99 per ticket.
• Order processing fee – On top of the per ticket buyer fee, there is also a percentage-based order processing fee. This is typically around 12-15% of the total ticket cost.

So the final price you pay on Ticketmaster resale tickets is:

Resale Ticket Price + Buyer Service Fee + Order Processing Fee

Those fees add up quickly, easily tacking on $20+ extra per ticket on a $100 resale ticket. There is no way around the fees unfortunately, even if you use a promo code that discounts the base ticket price.

Here is an example breakdown of fees on a hypothetical $400 resale ticket purchase for a group of 4 tickets on Ticketmaster:

As you can see, the fees can really add up, increasing your total cost by 30% or more in some cases after factoring them in.

Should you buy Ticketmaster resale tickets?

Here are some pros and cons of using Ticketmaster specifically for purchasing resale tickets:

Pros

• Reliable platform – Well established site with competitive marketplace.
• Purchase protection – Guaranteed valid ticket and full refund if issues.
• Largest inventory – Massive selection with millions of tickets.
• Convenience – Manages entire transaction with mobile ticketing.

Cons

• High fees – Expensive service and order processing fees added onto all resale tickets.
• Limited discounts – Promo codes largely don’t apply to resale ticket purchases.
• Counterfeit risk – Small chance of invalid or fraudulent ticket unless purchased Verified Resale.
• Not face value – Resale prices dictated by sellers; often marked up over original price.

Overall, Ticketmaster continues to be one of the most reputable sources of resale tickets due to its scale and reliability. However, buyers have to be willing to accept the higher costs and limited chances for discounts that come with using the secondary marketplace.

Conclusion

In summary, the ability to use promo codes and discounts on Ticketmaster is largely limited to primary ticket purchases only.

Once a ticket is posted for resale, the third party seller controls the price and Ticketmaster does not provide any special offer codes that apply to resale inventory in most cases.

Buyers can sometimes score Verified Resale discounted tickets on Ticketmaster or find special sitewide resale promotions, but they are very rare exceptions.

Instead of relying on promo codes, your best ways to save on Ticketmaster resale tickets are strategies like waiting last minute, avoiding fees, bidding on auctions, or buying obstructed view seats.

While promos don’t work on resales, Ticketmaster remains one of the top secondary ticket sources due to its massive inventory and purchase protections. Just be prepared to pay higher prices and fees compared to primary market tickets.