Quick Answer
If Ticketmaster cancels your show, you will automatically receive a refund for your tickets. The refund will go back to your original method of payment. If you paid with a credit card, the money will be refunded to that card. If you paid with a gift card or voucher, you will receive a refund in that form. If Ticketmaster cancels the event, you do not need to do anything to get your refund, it will happen automatically within 30 days of the cancellation announcement.
Refund Process
Here are the key things to know about getting a refund from Ticketmaster if your event is cancelled:
- Refunds are automatic – You do not need to request it or contact Ticketmaster.
- Refunds go to original payment method – Whether credit card, gift card, or other method.
- Refund timing – Within 30 days of the cancellation announcement.
- Refund includes all fees – The full cost of the ticket, including any service fees, will be refunded.
- No action required – Sit back and wait for your refund, you do not need to fill out any forms.
- Refund methods – Can take different forms depending on original payment.
- Contact Ticketmaster – Only if refund is not received within 30 days of cancellation.
The most important thing to remember is that you do not need to do anything to get your money back if Ticketmaster cancels the event. It is an automatic process that they will take care of. Just be patient as it may take up to 30 days to show up depending on your payment method.
What if the event organizer cancels vs. Ticketmaster?
There is an important difference between an event being cancelled by the organizer vs. by Ticketmaster.
If the event organizer cancels the event, Ticketmaster will process automatic refunds for all ticket purchasers. This is because the event is no longer happening at all.
However, if Ticketmaster has to cancel for reasons on their end, such as website issues that prevent ticket sales, then refunds are not guaranteed. Ticketmaster may provide refunds depending on the situation, but has no obligation.
The terms and conditions you agree to when purchasing tickets only obligate Ticketmaster to issue refunds if the event organizer cancels or reschedules the event. Issues on Ticketmaster’s end do not trigger the refund policy.
So it is important to pay attention to whether the cancellation notice says the event organizer cancelled vs. Ticketmaster being unable to sell or process tickets. In the first case, you are guaranteed a refund. In the second case, refunds are uncertain.
How will I receive my refund?
The way you receive your Ticketmaster refund depends on the original method of payment:
Credit or Debit Card Purchase
If you paid with a credit or debit card, the refund will be issued back to that same card. It typically takes 3-5 business days for the refund to post to your account once processed by Ticketmaster.
Gift Cards or Ticketmaster Vouchers
If you paid with a Ticketmaster gift card or voucher, your refund will be issued in the form of a new gift card or voucher for the full value. This typically takes 7-10 business days to receive by email after Ticketmaster processes the cancellation.
Other Payment Methods
For other payment methods like PayPal or checking account transfer, Ticketmaster will issue refunds back to the original payment method or account. Timing varies by method. Allow several weeks as it depends on how quickly the payment processor returns the funds to Ticketmaster.
The fastest way to receive your refund is if you paid by credit card. Debit cards and gift cards may take an extra few days to process. Refunds to third-party accounts often take the longest. But rest assured you will get your money back in full if Ticketmaster cancels the event.
When will I get my money back?
Timing on receiving Ticketmaster refunds for cancelled events can vary a bit depending on your purchase method:
- Credit card purchases – Refunds issued within 10-15 business days.
- Gift cards or vouchers – Refunds within 15-20 business days.
- PayPal or checking payments – Up to 30 days for refund.
The refund is not instant, so do not expect the money to appear back in your account right away. Ticketmaster says to allow 30 days to receive your refund after a cancellation is announced.
In most cases it will be sooner than this, but some payment methods take longer to process than others. Continue monitoring your account and card statements during the 30 days after cancellation.
If you have not received the refund after 30+ days, then it is appropriate to contact Ticketmaster customer support for assistance. But allow the full refund period to pass first before worrying.
Reasons Ticketmaster May Cancel an Event
There are a few key reasons Ticketmaster may have to cancel an event and issue refunds:
Low Ticket Sales
If an event is not selling enough tickets to meet costs or expectations, the promoter may make the decision to cancel. This usually happens weeks or months in advance if it appears sales are lagging. Ticketmaster would then cancel remaining tickets and process refunds.
Weather Issues
For outdoor venues and festivals, severe weather right before the event is grounds for cancellation. Events may be postponed or canceled entirely due to weather safety. Refunds are issued automatically.
Artist Cancellation
The musician, team, or band itself may have to pull out of a scheduled show or tour for any number of reasons. Illness, logistical issues, or other unforeseen factors can lead to last minute cancellations. Again, Ticketmaster will handle the refunds.
Venue Problems
Issues at the venue such as power outages, structural damage, or other circumstances can force the venue to cancel scheduled events. Ticket purchasers will receive refunds in this situation as well.
COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many events were cancelled to comply with health guidelines. Refunds were issued to ticketholders. Even as restrictions ease, isolated cancellations may still occur in response to changing conditions.
How to Contact Ticketmaster for Refund Help
If your Ticketmaster refund has not appeared after 30+ days following a cancellation, it is appropriate to contact them. Here are the best ways to reach out for refund help:
Online Customer Service Form
The fastest way is to complete Ticketmaster’s online customer service form detailing your refund issue. You can upload your order for review. An agent will contact you directly to assist.
By Phone
You can call Ticketmaster customer service at (800) 653-8000. Be prepared for long hold times as many others may be calling about cancellations and refunds.
Tweeting @Ticketmaster with your order details often gets a response from their social media team. They may be able to expedite or look into your missing refund.
Contact Event Venue
For a very large event, you may have luck contacting the venue directly if Ticketmaster has failed to address your refund concerns. They can contact the promoter on your behalf.
Patience is Key When Waiting for Refunds
The most important thing is to be patient after a cancellation. While it is frustrating to wait for a refund, it can take Ticketmaster up to 30 days to fully process based on high volume. Continue monitoring your credit card statements and account activity. If you do not receive your refund within 30 days, then it is definitely time to contact them through one of the above methods.
How Ticketmaster Handled Refunds for COVID Cancellations
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented disruption to live events. Thousands of concerts, festivals, sports events, and more were cancelled starting in March 2020 as health guidelines prohibited large gatherings. Ticketmaster had to process refunds for millions of tickets.
Initially, Ticketmaster provided voucher credits in place of cash refunds at many organizers’ requests. This allowed venues and promoters to hold onto revenue during uncertainty. Fans were issued 120% credit vouchers usable for future events.
However, lawsuits and complaints filed against Ticketmaster led to policy changes. Ticketmaster began offering full cash refunds to customers whose events were cancelled during COVID-19 starting in May 2020. Refunds were processed automatically over the following months.
They prioritized the largest events first. Refund timing ranged from as fast as 30 days to as long as 120 days in some cases. It was an ongoing process through 2020 and 2021 to complete all COVID cancellation refunds.
In total, Ticketmaster had to process over 11 million ticket refunds amounting to more than $2 billion during COVID. It was an unprecedented challenge, leading to significant delays in refunds being issued. Their COVID cancellation policy continues to evolve as conditions change.
How Will I Know if My Event is Cancelled?
If your ticketed event is cancelled, Ticketmaster will notify you directly by:
- Email – Send an email to your address associated with the Ticketmaster account.
- Push Notification – Send a notification through the Ticketmaster mobile app if you have it installed.
- Text Message – Send an SMS text notification to the phone number used for order verification.
In most cases they will attempt to notify you through multiple methods if possible. Keep an eye out for these cancellation notices.
You can also monitor the event’s Ticketmaster page for any cancellation announcements. News of the cancellation will be posted there prominently if the show is called off.
Don’t rely on hearsay or rumors that an event is cancelled. Wait for an official notification directly from Ticketmaster through one of their official contact methods. This ensures you have accurate information on the status of your tickets.
Quick Tips forHandling Ticketmaster Cancellations
Here are some quick tips for dealing with a cancellation from Ticketmaster:
- Don’t panic if you hear rumors of a cancellation – Wait for official notice from Ticketmaster before assuming the event is off.
- Watch for cancellation notices by email, text, app push, and on the Ticketmaster event page.
- Know your refund will be processed automatically within 30 days in most cases.
- Be patient as refund timing depends on your purchase method, with credit cards fastest.
- Mark your calendar 30 days out to follow up if the refund has not appeared yet.
- Contact customer service by phone, online form, or Twitter if refund is still missing after 30 days.
- If offered vouchers instead of refund, understand you can still request an actual refund in cash.
Staying calm and knowing what to expect with the cancellation and refund process will help minimize frustrations. Ticketmaster will make it right, but it takes time depending on the enormous volume of customers affected.
Can I Get a Refund if I Can’t Attend a Rescheduled Event?
If your event gets postponed or rescheduled instead of fully cancelled, your ticket will automatically remain valid for the new event date and time. However, if you are unable to attend on the new date, you can still get a refund by:
- Logging into your Ticketmaster account.
- Navigating to your order history and selecting the rescheduled event.
- Selecting “I Can’t Go” and filling out the online form.
- Your refund will be processed within 30 days after submitting the form.
So if a scheduling conflict prevents you from using your ticket on the new date, simply complete Ticketmaster’s “I Can’t Go” request form.
This is different from a full cancellation where refunds are automatic. For rescheduled events, you need to proactively submit the refund request before the 30 day cutoff.
Conclusion
Having your event cancelled and tickets refunded by Ticketmaster can be frustrating. But take comfort in knowing they are obligated to provide full refunds in the case of cancellations. Allow time for their process – you will get your money back. Just carefully watch for official communication, know how refund timing works for different purchase methods, and don’t hesitate to contact them with any issues past 30 days. Patience and understanding goes a long way when navigating a cancellation!