When purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster, you have a few options for accessing your tickets for the event. Printing tickets at home is no longer required, as Ticketmaster now offers mobile tickets that can be displayed on your phone. However, printed tickets are still an option if you prefer having a paper ticket.
Can you use your phone instead of printing Ticketmaster tickets?
Yes, you can use your phone instead of printing your Ticketmaster tickets. Ticketmaster offers mobile tickets for most events now. With mobile tickets, you can download your tickets to your phone through the Ticketmaster app and show your phone screen at the event venue for entry. This eliminates the need to print paper tickets.
Some key things to know about using mobile tickets from Ticketmaster:
- You must download the Ticketmaster app on your smartphone and ensure you have an account.
- Tickets will be visible in your app account up to 30 days before the event.
- You’ll access your tickets by signing into your Ticketmaster account on the app.
- Make sure to have your phone charged and screen brightness turned up when entering the event.
- You may need to temporarily disable auto-lock on your phone so the ticket remains displayed.
- Only one mobile ticket can be displayed per device.
If you run into any problems accessing your mobile tickets, you can connect with Ticketmaster customer support for troubleshooting assistance. As long as your Ticketmaster account shows you have tickets for the event, you don’t necessarily need a printed backup.
Can you still print tickets from Ticketmaster?
Yes, Ticketmaster still gives you the option to print your tickets at home if you prefer having paper tickets instead of going mobile. When you complete your ticket purchase on Ticketmaster, you’ll see a “Print Tickets” option.
Here are some tips for printing Ticketmaster tickets:
- You can print anytime after purchasing – printouts will include a barcode for entry.
- Print in color if possible, not black and white, for maximum readability.
- Use normal 8.5 x 11 printer paper.
- Ensure no alignment or size issues when printing to avoid problems scanning the barcode.
- Print one copy per ticket – do not photocopy one ticket printout for multiple people.
- Purchase ticket insurance in case printed tickets are lost or damaged before the event.
Also be aware that Ticketmaster does charge a reprint fee if your printed tickets are lost and you need new hard copies. Mobile tickets can’t get physically lost or damaged, so that’s one advantage over printed tickets.
Do venues accept only mobile tickets now?
Most venues do not require mobile Ticketmaster tickets and still accept printed tickets. However, some venues may go completely mobile-only for certain events or seasons. It’s a good idea to check if any mobile ticket requirements are noted when purchasing your tickets on Ticketmaster.
You can also contact the specific venue where your event is taking place to ask about their current Ticketmaster ticket acceptance policy. Some venues will post details on their website FAQ pages too.
In general, unless indicated otherwise, venues will accept printed Ticketmaster tickets as well as mobile tickets. If a venue is mobile-only, you would need to ensure you download your tickets to your phone through the app instead of printing at home.
What if my printed Ticketmaster tickets don’t scan properly?
If you have printed paper tickets from Ticketmaster that don’t properly scan at the event entrance for any reason, don’t panic. As long as you legally purchased the tickets and have a receipt or order number to reference, the venue staff should be able to assist you and find your ticket purchase in their Ticketmaster system.
Some things that can go wrong with printed Ticketmaster tickets:
- Barcode is damaged or crumpled
- Printer alignment made barcode unscannable
- You printed in black and white instead of color
- You photocopied instead of printing an original
Venues are used to helping attendees troubleshoot ticket scanner issues. Be prepared to show ID and your proof of ticket purchase via receipt, order number, or Ticketmaster account. As long as your ticket purchase is verified, they can check you in and update their records to invalidate the printed tickets having problems.
Can you transfer printed Ticketmaster tickets?
Printed tickets from Ticketmaster can be transferred or resold as long as they have not already been scanned at the event entrance gate. Each printed ticket barcode is valid for one-time use only. After that, it is considered invalid even if resold.
To legally transfer or sell Ticketmaster printed tickets, you will need to physically hand over or mail the ticket printouts. The recipient will then have valid tickets to use. Be sure to only sell tickets via authorized resale marketplaces.
Transferring mobile tickets works differently – the recipient must be added via Ticketmaster’s ticket transfer process in the app. Overall, printed tickets tend to be easier to transfer since they involve physically handing them off instead of app account changes.
Risks of transferring printed tickets
There are some risks to be aware of when transferring printed event tickets:
- No guarantee the tickets are valid until scanned upon entry
- Recipient could sell the same tickets to multiple buyers
- You remain liable if recipient makes unauthorized duplicates
- Tricky to verify if tickets were already used before transfer
- No tracking of ownership like with mobile ticket transfers
To reduce risks only transfer tickets to those you trust. Discuss expectations clearly before transferring tickets. And if possible, utilize mobile ticket transfers instead.
Can you donate printed Ticketmaster tickets?
You may be able to donate printed Ticketmaster tickets, such as to a charity auction or underprivileged community group. However, it requires working closely with Ticketmaster and the event venue.
Here is the process for donating printed tickets purchased through Ticketmaster:
- Contact Ticketmaster and ask to speak with a donation coordinator.
- Provide details on the event, your purchased tickets, and the intended recipient of donated tickets.
- If approved, Ticketmaster will reissue the tickets in the recipient’s name and void yours.
- The tickets will be transitioned to “mobile-only” for security.
- Your original printed tickets will no longer be valid.
- The donation recipient must have their own Ticketmaster account to receive mobile tickets.
This formal donation process helps ensure the tickets end up with the intended recipient and aren’t fraudulently reused. Printed tickets require extra layers of security when being donated versus mobile tickets that can be transferred instantly.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster does provide the option to print event tickets at home or go mobile-only. Printed tickets are still accepted for most venues alongside mobile tickets. Only in certain isolated cases would a venue refuse printed Ticketmaster tickets. Going mobile-only improves convenience and security. But printed tickets allow for easy transfers and may be the only way to go if the recipient can’t or won’t use mobile.
Be sure to check ahead of time if any mobile ticket requirements exist for your specific event and venue. And if you run into any problems with printed Ticketmaster tickets at the entrance gate, just talk to staff to find a solution.
