Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster app, your payment goes through a processing system before the tickets are delivered to you. So how long does it actually take for Ticketmaster to process your payment?
The Ticket Buying Process
When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, the process typically goes like this:
- You search for and select tickets on Ticketmaster.com or in the app.
- You enter your payment information and complete the transaction.
- Ticketmaster processes your payment.
- The tickets are delivered to you via email, mobile app, or UPS.
The key step we are interested in is #3, when Ticketmaster processes your payment. The length of time it takes to complete this step can vary depending on the payment method you used.
Payment Processing Times for Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and debit/prepaid cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. They provide estimated processing times for each payment type:
Credit Cards
For Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards, Ticketmaster states that payments are processed instantly in most cases. Sometimes there may be a short delay of a few minutes if additional verification is needed, but typically credit card payments go through right away.
PayPal
If you pay with PayPal, the payment is processed instantly and tickets are delivered to you immediately. PayPal withdrawals from your bank account take the same amount of time as a standard PayPal purchase, with funds typically available within a few minutes.
Debit/Prepaid Cards
For Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover branded debit and prepaid cards, Ticketmaster says to allow 24-48 hours for payments to fully process. This delay is due to the need to verify funds availability on your card. Once the payment goes through, ticket delivery time is the same as other purchase methods.
Gift Cards
If redeeming a Ticketmaster gift card, there is no payment processing time since the card already has funds added to it. Tickets are delivered instantly.
TicketFast Delivery
Ticketmaster offers an expedited ticket delivery service called TicketFast that allows instant processing and delivery of tickets to your mobile device. To use TicketFast, you must pay with a Visa or Mastercard credit card. Your payment will be processed right away and tickets delivered directly to your smartphone in real time. There is a fee of $5.95 per ticket order to use TicketFast delivery.
Factors That Impact Processing Time
While Ticketmaster gives general time estimates for payment processing, there are some variables that can impact the specific timing:
Your Bank
The speed at which your bank or credit card issuer approves the transaction can cause slight delays in processing. Ticketmaster does not have direct control over how quickly your bank verifies the purchase. Rarely, a bank rejection could lead to a much longer processing time.
High Demand Events
For extremely popular events where ticket demand far outweighs supply, Ticketmaster will sometimes take a few minutes longer to handle the high volume of orders. This prevents system crashes and ensures fair processing for everyone.
System Issues
In the rare instance where Ticketmaster experiences technical difficulties or system outages, payment processing can be halted completely until service is restored. These are usually resolved quickly, but can occasionally add hours or longer to order processing.
How to Check Order Status
Wondering if your Ticketmaster payment has gone through yet? Here are a couple ways to check on the status:
Order History
Log in to your Ticketmaster account and look for your purchase under Order History. Recent orders will show a status like “In Process” or “Paid” when payment has been successfully processed.
Contact Customer Service
You can call Ticketmaster Customer Service at (800) 653-8000 (US & Canada) or (435) 655-6404 (International) for help with your order status. Wait times may be long for high demand events.
Check Your Email
Once your payment processes, Ticketmaster will email you a detailed receipt with order confirmation. If you don’t see the email, your order is likely still processing.
Does Ticketmaster Charge My Card Immediately?
Yes, Ticketmaster will immediately charge your credit or debit card when you complete a transaction on their site. This allows them to verify sufficient funds and begin processing your payment quickly.
The charge that appears on your card statement will have a status of “pending” until the payment is fully processed. If Ticketmaster is unable to confirm the order for any reason, the pending charge will drop off your account after a few days.
Tips for Faster Payment Processing
Here are some tips to help expedite your Ticketmaster payment process:
- Use a credit card when possible – credit cards get verified faster than debit cards or bank transfers
- Make sure your billing address matches your credit card – mismatches can require additional verification
- Log in to your Ticketmaster account – saved payment info speeds things up
- Avoid high traffic times – big onsales see slower processing with high volume
- Use TicketFast – pay a small fee for instant processing and delivery
Ticketmaster Payment Plan
For very expensive tickets, Ticketmaster offers a payment plan that allows you to split the cost into multiple smaller payments over time. Here’s an overview of how their payment plan works:
Eligibility
The payment plan is only available for ticket orders over $99. You must use a credit or debit card to sign up for the plan.
Down Payment
When you purchase tickets, you must make a down payment of 25-30% of the total ticket cost. This down payment is processed immediately just like a normal order.
Remaining Payments
The remainder of your balance is spread out over a set number of monthly payments using the card you entered. There are no fees or interest associated with the Ticketmaster payment plan.
Payment Processing
The initial down payment processes immediately. The future scheduled payments process automatically each month on the same date as your original purchase.
Alternatives for Buying Tickets
If you don’t want to deal with waiting for Ticketmaster to process payments, there are some alternative places you can purchase event tickets. However, availability and pricing may vary.
Official Event or Venue Box Office
Buying tickets directly through the box office will allow immediate payment processing and delivery. However, box office hours are limited and they may not have all the same inventory that Ticketmaster does. There are also likely convenience fees.
Reseller Marketplaces
Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats let you buy tickets from other fans. Payments happen instantly, but prices are inflated and you must trust the seller is legitimate.
Ticket Resale Groups on Social Media
Joining ticket resale groups on Facebook allows you to buy from real people. This offers quick payment and secure delivery through the app, but does come with risks related to dealing with strangers.
The Bottom Line
So when you purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, how long does the payment take to fully process?
In most cases, Ticketmaster completes payment processing instantly for credit cards or within 24-48 hours for debit cards. PayPal is instant as well. Factors like high traffic events or technical issues can sometimes delay processing times. Your best bet is to use an instant payment method and avoid peak order times.
If you need your tickets right away, services like TicketFast offer expedited delivery for a fee. And for expensive tickets, you can use Ticketmaster’s payment plan to spread out costs over multiple months.
Knowing the expected processing times allows you to plan your purchase appropriately so you get your tickets and event entry confirmed as quickly as possible!
