Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies, providing ticketing services for many of the major entertainment events around the world. With high demand for tickets to concerts, sports games, and other events, fans are always looking for ways to finance their ticket purchases. One payment option some are wondering about is Pay in 4, an installment loan service offered by PayPal at checkout. So does Ticketmaster take Pay in 4 as a payment method when purchasing tickets online?
What is Pay in 4?
Pay in 4 is a relatively new virtual payment option offered by PayPal to allow buyers to spread out payments over time. Similar to Layaway and Afterpay, Pay in 4 allows you to purchase items while paying the total off in four interest-free payments made every two weeks. The service has the following main features:
- Available for purchases between $30-$1500
- Allows four interest-free payments paid every two weeks
- First payment due at time of checkout
- Uses soft credit check which does not impact credit score
- No late fees
- Can use with credit card or PayPal balance
- Transactions processed by WebBank as lender
Pay in 4 gives buyers more flexibility in purchasing higher priced items over time without paying interest like a credit card. It is an easy and inexpensive financing option. PayPal began offering Pay in 4 starting in 2020, so it is still a relatively new service but growing in availability.
Does Ticketmaster Accept Pay in 4?
Ticketmaster does NOT currently accept Pay in 4 as a payment method for ticket purchases as of October 2022. On the Ticketmaster website there is no option given for using Pay in 4 when checking out.
Ticketmaster accepts the following payment methods:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
- Gift Cards
While PayPal is accepted, the Pay in 4 installment option is not able to be chosen during checkout on Ticketmaster. So if you were hoping to use Pay in 4 to finance your ticket purchases, unfortunately Ticketmaster does not offer it.
Why Doesn’t Ticketmaster Take Pay in 4?
There are a few possible reasons why Ticketmaster does not accept Pay in 4 at this time:
- Slow adoption – Pay in 4 is still new and growing, soTicketmaster may not have integrated it yet.
- Costs – Pay in 4 charges merchant fees that are likely higher than credit cards.
- Risk – There is financial risk in offering installment payments on high priced tickets.
- Timing – Payments occur over 6 weeks, so timing is problematic matching Ticketmaster’s upfront collection needs.
Integrating with a new financial service takes time and has costs associated with it. For a big company like Ticketmaster, taking the time to thoroughly vet and integrate Pay in 4 across their global ticketing platform is a lengthy process. The costs may still be prohibitive as well.
There are also financial risks with installment payments that likely make Ticketmaster hesitant to offer the service. For high priced tickets, collectors may have to eat losses if buyers fail to make all their Pay in 4 payments. The timing also does not fit with Ticketmaster’s business model which relies on immediately collecting full ticket payments upfront before events occur.
Could Ticketmaster Add Pay in 4 in the Future?
While Ticketmaster currently does not take Pay in 4, there is a possibility they could integrate it in the future. As Pay in 4 grows in availability, popularity, and improves its merchant offerings, it does seem like a logical payment option for Ticketmaster to eventually add.
Some of the reasons Ticketmaster could add Pay in 4 in the future include:
- Consumer demand – As more consumers look to use Pay in 4, Ticketmaster may add it to remain competitive.
- Maturing product – Improvements and vetting could make it more appealing to Ticketmaster down the line.
- Expansion of installment services – If PayPal or others create installment payment services more compatible with Ticketmaster’s needs, they may sign on.
Installment payments seem to align well with high-priced event tickets that buyers may have trouble paying for all at once. If Pay in 4 or similar services are able to grow and create a payment model fitting Ticketmaster’s business, they may very well begin accepting such payments.
Other Financing Options for Ticketmaster Tickets
While you currently can’t use Pay in 4 for Ticketmaster purchases, there are some other financing options buyers can consider:
- Credit Cards – Higher limit cards can be used to finance major purchases over time for users with good credit.
- Ticketmaster Gift Cards – Purchasing gift cards over time allows you to put money towards future events.
- Layaway – Some live event organizers offer layaway plans to purchase tickets over installments.
- Loans – Personal loans or credit lines can provide a lump sum for major ticket purchases.
Using one of these other financing options can allow you to spread out payment on Ticketmaster orders over time rather than paying the full amount upfront. They each come with their own pros and cons to weigh when financing tickets.
Conclusion
As of late 2022, Ticketmaster still does not accept Pay in 4 as an online payment method during checkout. This new payment service by PayPal has not yet been integrated by Ticketmaster, likely due to a combination of slow adoption, costs, risks, and incompatible timing for Ticketmaster’s business model. However, as Pay in 4 grows and matures, it remains a possibility that Ticketmaster could add it as a payment option in the future to meet consumer demand. But for now, those hoping to finance major Ticketmaster ticket purchases will need to look to alternative financing options like credit cards, gift cards, layaway plans, or personal loans.