Getting a refund on event tickets can be a frustrating process, especially when purchased through a major ticket retailer like Ticketmaster. While each refund case is unique, Ticketmaster does provide some estimates on how long the refund process takes in different situations. Knowing what to expect can make getting your money back less stressful.
In general, Ticketmaster aims to process refunds within 30 days or less. However, the exact timeline depends on several factors, including how you purchased the tickets, the reason for the refund, and the original method of payment. Refunds may take longer for rescheduled or postponed events as opposed to canceled events.
Here is an overview of the key details on Ticketmaster’s refund process and timeline:
Refund Timeline for Canceled Events
If an event is outright canceled by the organizer, Ticketmaster will automatically issue a refund to the original purchaser within 30 days of the cancellation announcement in most cases. The refund is typically issued back to the original method of payment.
According to Ticketmaster’s purchase policy, refunds for canceled events should be processed within 7-10 business days in the U.S. and Canada, and within 14-21 business days internationally. However, it may take up to 30 full days to see the money back in your account.
Delays are possible if Ticketmaster experiences an unusually high volume of refunds to process, such as after a wave of COVID-related cancellations. You can check the status of your refund on your Ticketmaster account.
Refund Timeline for Rescheduled or Postponed Events
Refunds may take longer to process if an event is rescheduled or postponed rather than fully canceled.
In many cases of postponements, Ticketmaster will simply transfer your ticket purchase to the new event date. If you cannot attend the new date, you will have to formally request a refund from Ticketmaster. Refunds are not always guaranteed for rescheduled events.
After you request a refund, Ticketmaster aims to process it within 7-10 business days for U.S. and Canada orders, or 14-21 days internationally. Again, it may then take an additional 1-2 billing cycles for the money to appear back in your account.
If an event is rescheduled multiple times, Ticketmaster will only process refunds after the event is outright canceled by the organizer or if you cannot attend the final rescheduled date.
Refund Timeline for Personal Reasons
If you need to cancel your tickets for a personal reason, like an illness or scheduling conflict, refunds are not guaranteed. Ticketmaster’s policies on refunds for personal reasons vary by event.
In some cases, you may be able to resell your tickets through Ticketmaster’s verified resale program. This lets you recoup some of your costs by setting your resale price, with Ticketmaster taking a percentage fee.
If refunds are allowed for your specific event, you will have to formally request one from Ticketmaster. The refund can take 7-30 days to process, depending on the country and payment method.
In general, the sooner you can request a refund after purchasing tickets, the better chances you have of getting your money back. Refunds become less likely within 30-60 days of an event.
Factors That Impact Refund Timing
While Ticketmaster aims for 30 days or less on all refunds, several variables can result in a longer timeframe:
Method of Payment
Refunds to the original credit or debit card tend to be fastest, usually within 7-10 business days in the U.S. Refunds to electronic bank transfers, PayPal, or gift cards can take longer, around 21-30 days.
Refunds issued by check in the mail will have the longest timeline, sometimes 6-8 weeks. International refunds may also take longer to process back to the original payment method.
High Volume of Refunds
If a major event is canceled or rescheduled, Ticketmaster may be flooded with refund requests all at once. About 550,000 refunds had to be issued when COVID-19 affected events in 2020, for example. These exceptional circumstances can cause longer refund delays.
Verification of Refund Eligibility
For some events, Ticketmaster must verify with the event organizer that each refund request is eligible based on the current policy. This extra step can add to the overall timeline.
You may be asked to provide additional details, like evidence you cannot attend the new date for a postponed event. The organizer will approve or deny each request, which Ticketmaster then processes.
Method of Purchase
If you purchased tickets through a Ticketmaster resale marketplace, refunds can take longer to complete. This involves coordinating with the seller who listed the tickets and may require extra verification.
Tickets purchased at a ticket outlet, like a box office kiosk in a mall, will also take longer for any refunds. These require coordination with the off-site location.
Volume of Requests
During peak sales times, Ticketmaster’s customer service centers can become backlogged with high call and email volumes. This can slow response times if you need to inquire about a refund request. Allow 2-3 weeks for a response.
Similarly, if refund volume is exceptionally high for a canceled event, phone wait times will also increase. Consider using the online refund request form instead for faster processing.
How to Check Your Refund Status
Here are some options for tracking the status of your Ticketmaster refund request:
Check Your Ticketmaster Account
Log into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app. Under ‘My Tickets,’ look for your order. The status should be updated to “Refund Pending” after you submit the request. Eventually, it will show as “Refunded” with the dollar amount once processed.
Check Your Email
Ticketmaster will send you an email confirmation when they receive your refund request. Watch your inbox for additional emails on when the refund was issued and processed back to your payment method. These notices will include key details on the timeline.
Contact Your Payment Provider
To confirm when the money actually arrives, contact your bank, credit card company, or PayPal. refunds can still take 1-2 billing cycles to show up, even after Ticketmaster approves and sends it. Your payment provider can confirm it is on the way.
Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service
If it has been over 30 days or you have not received refund status notifications, reach out to Ticketmaster directly. You can call their customer service line or contact them via email or social media. Be prepared to provide your order number.
A customer service agent will be able to look into your specific case and provide updates on any delays. This is your best option if you feel the refund is taking unreasonably long compared to Ticketmaster’s promises.
Tips for Getting Faster Ticketmaster Refunds
Here are some tips to help expedite the refund process when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster:
– Request your refund as soon as possible when eligible. Refunds typically cannot be issued within 7 days of an event and are less likely the closer it gets to the event date.
– Choose credit card payments instead of electronic bank transfers. Credit card refunds are generally faster, taking 7-10 days for processing. Bank transfers can take 14-21 days.
– Avoid refunds by gift card if possible. Gift card refunds can take over 30 days to process and reissue. Opt for credit cards instead for the quickest turnaround.
– Double check all your personal information is accurate when purchasing tickets. Incorrect account or billing details can slow down processing refunds.
– Only purchase tickets from official sources like Ticketmaster. Refunds for resale tickets must be approved by the seller, requiring extra steps.
– Keep proof of purchase and cancellation handy in case you need to contact customer service for refund help. Having your order number can get answers faster.
– Be patient once approved. It still takes 1-2 billing cycles for the money to actually get back to your account, even after Ticketmaster processes the refund.
– Avoid Peak times when contacting Ticketmaster support, such as right after a major cancellation. Wait times for assistance will be longer.
Common Ticketmaster Refund Issues
Despite Ticketmaster’s posted timelines, some fans still report lengthy delays or complications getting refunds approved. Here are some common problems that can hinder the refund process:
– Purchased from an unofficial ticket resale source, like Craigslist or eBay. Refunds are only issued to original Ticketmaster customers.
– Tried to resell non-transferrable tickets on a resale platform against policy. Refunds are forfeited.
– Event considered postponed instead of canceled, so refund was denied.
– Refund requested after 30-60 day cutoff period.
– Original payment method expired or closed since ticket purchase.
– Ticketmaster overwhelmed by high volume of refunds due to major event cancellations.
– Billing address inaccuracies delaying refund issue.
– Purchased international tickets that require extended processing periods.
– Difficulty contacting Ticketmaster customer support during peak times.
– Refund method is by check in mail, which can take 6-8 weeks for delivery.
If you run into issues receiving your expected Ticketmaster refund, it is best to keep trying to contact their customer service team. While delays are common, they are obligated to eventually process eligible refunds. Persistence and following up regularly can help get resolution.
Next Steps If Your Refund Is Delayed
In most cases, Ticketmaster will process your eligible refund within 7-30 days as promised. But if you have waited beyond 30 days with no update, these are your next best steps:
– Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service. You can call, email, or reach out on social media to inquire about the delay. Provide your order number and inquire about expected timeframe.
– Check for Errors. Ensure you entered all personal and payment details correctly. Incorrect information can hold up processing. Report any errors to Ticketmaster.
– Dispute the charges. If it has been over 30 days since an event cancellation, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company or bank. Provide details on the refund policies and delays.
– File a complaint. If customer service is unhelpful, file a formal complaint against Ticketmaster with organizations like your state attorney general’s office or the Better Business Bureau.
– Request a chargeback. As a last resort if a refund seems unlikely, request a chargeback from your credit card provider to forcibly return the money. Beware this may get your Ticketmaster account banned.
– Be patient. Although delays are frustrating, major cancellations can overwhelm Ticketmaster’s systems. Allow extra time before taking legal action or disputes. But do keep attempting to contact them.
With persistence and detailed records, you can receive your owed refund – even if it takes longer than Ticketmaster estimates. Reach out to customer service and allow time for errors and busy periods, but take action if the refund delays indefinitely with no updates provided.
Does Ticketmaster Do Refunds for Rescheduled Events?
Ticketmaster’s refund policies for rescheduled or postponed events vary case-by-case:
– If an event simply changes dates, your original tickets automatically transfer to the new date in most cases. Refunds are not issued automatically.
– If you cannot attend the new rescheduled date, you must formally request a refund from Ticketmaster. There is no guarantee refunds will be offered.
– Approval for rescheduled event refunds depends on the event organizer’s policies, not Ticketmaster’s. The organizer ultimately decides if refunds will be allowed for their event.
– If a rescheduled event is eventually canceled outright, refunds will be issued within 30 days in most cases, similar to any other cancellation.
– Request refunds for rescheduled events as early as possible. The chance of approval decreases the closer it gets to the new event date.
– If allowed, refunds for rescheduled events take 7-30 days to process after approval, the same timeline as regular refunds.
In summary, refunds for rescheduled events are never guaranteed and are harder to get approved compared to outright cancellations. But you can submit a refund request if you cannot attend the new date, and should get an answer from Ticketmaster within their standard timeline. Keep expectations in check, as the organizer may deny many refund requests depending on their policy.
Can You Get a Refund If You Simply Cannot Attend the Event?
If you cannot attend an event for personal reasons, you typically cannot get a guaranteed full refund through Ticketmaster. However, you may have a few options:
– Ticketmaster’s Fan to Fan Ticket Resale lets you relist tickets for sale, which lets you recoup some of the costs if the tickets resell. Ticketmaster takes a cut of around 15%.
– Some events allow you to donate tickets you cannot use to charity organizations through Ticketmaster’s Charity Listings program. This is considered a tax deductible donation.
– A select number of events will allow refunds for personal reasons if requested far in advance, such as within the first 30 days after initial purchase. Restrictions apply.
– Credit card purchase protection may refund customers who cannot attend events due to covered incidents, like illness or unavoidable scheduling conflicts.
– If an event is not sold out, you may be able to swap out your ticket for a ticket to another event through Ticketmaster’s Official Ticket Exchange. Fees apply.
Outside of the above options, Ticketmaster generally only offers full refunds if an event is canceled or you are unable to attend a rescheduled date. Personal commitments are usually not grounds for a guaranteed refund. Carefully review policies before purchasing tickets you may need to cancel.
Conclusion
While waiting for ticket refunds is often aggravating, being aware of Ticketmaster’s timeline and policies can help set expectations. In most scenarios, eligible refunds are issued within 30 days – but could take longer during unusually busy periods. If your refund is delayed beyond 30 days or you are running into issues getting a refund approved, persistently contact customer service and be prepared to file disputes if necessary. With patience and diligence, you can get back the money spent on event tickets you were unable to use.
