Ticketmaster transfer fees can vary depending on the event, venue, and several other factors. Here is a breakdown of the typical fees charged by Ticketmaster for transferring tickets:
Ticketmaster Standard Transfer Fee
For most events booked through Ticketmaster, there is a standard transfer fee of around $5-$10 per ticket transferred. This covers the cost of Ticketmaster facilitating the ticket transfer between the original purchaser and the recipient.
The exact transfer fee amount depends on factors like:
- The face value of the ticket – Higher value tickets tend to have higher transfer fees
- The event category – Sporting events and concerts typically have higher fees than theater shows
- The venue – Larger venues may charge higher fees
- The event demand – High demand events often have elevated transfer fees
But in most cases for major concerts, sporting events, festivals, etc., Ticketmaster charges a transfer fee of around $8-$10 per ticket when transferring tickets electronically through their system.
Season Ticket Transfer Fees
For season tickets to sporting events or theater subscriptions, Ticketmaster typically charges a higher transfer fee compared to single event tickets. This accounts for the transferring of multiple tickets through their system.
Season ticket transfer fees are commonly in the range of $15-$25 per account/order that is transferred. So whether you are transferring 2 season tickets or 4, you would pay a single flat transfer fee.
Third-Party Ticket Marketplaces
If you resell or transfer tickets through a third-party marketplace like StubHub instead of directly via Ticketmaster, different fees will apply. Sellers on StubHub typically pay a 10-15% commission fee when tickets are sold.
Buyers on StubHub also pay additional service and fulfillment fees that amount to around 10-20% of the ticket cost. So overall fees are higher when going through third-party exchanges instead of Ticketmaster itself.
Transfer Method
The method used to transfer tickets can also impact the fees charged:
- Mobile Transfer – $2.50 per ticket fee for transfer via Ticketmaster’s online system or mobile app
- Instant Print-at-Home PDF – $5.50 per ticket fee for email delivery of tickets to instantly print at home
- Overnight Delivery – $20-$25 per order fee for overnight shipment of tickets
- Will Call Pick-Up – $2-$5 per order fee for tickets left at venue box office
Electronic transfers tend to have lower fees compared to physical ticket shipment/delivery.
Timing of Transfer
Transferring tickets closer to the event date can also raise the fees. Ticketmaster tends to charge higher fees for rush transfers within weeks or days of an event compared to transfers months in advance.
Promotions and Discounts
Certain promotions can help reduce transfer fees. For example, Ticketmaster may offer discounted fees of $1-$3 per ticket for transfers during certain promotional periods.
Season ticket holders, VIP clients, and Ticketmaster rewards members may also get special offers for discounted transfer fees on a case-by-case basis.
Service Fees
In additional to the per ticket transfer fee, Ticketmaster also charges a service fee per order for processing the transaction. This is usually around $5-$15 per transaction.
Buyer Fees
The buyer receiving the transferred tickets may also be charged additional service, processing, and delivery fees on top of the base transfer fee.
Venue and Event Exceptions
In some cases, the venue hosting the event or the event promoter/producer may set their own policies regarding transfers that override Ticketmaster’s standard fees. This can result in higher or lower transfer fees on a case-by-case basis for certain events and venues.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster transfer fees typically range from $5-$25 per ticket depending on:
- Ticket value
- Event category
- Venue
- Demand
- Season/single tickets
- Transfer method
- Timing
- Discounts
- Service fees
- Buyer fees
- Venue and event policies
The standard fee for an electronic transfer is around $8-$10 per ticket for major concerts, sports, and other hot events. But fees can be higher or lower depending on the factors outlined above.
It is always best to check the official transfer policies and any associated fees directly through Ticketmaster when looking to transfer tickets. This will provide the exact fees for your specific event and transfer method.
Some tips to save on fees where possible:
- Transfer tickets early to avoid rush fees closer to event date
- Use electronic mobile transfer over physical delivery
- Look for promotional discounts that temporarily reduce fees
Understanding the ins and outs of Ticketmaster’s transfer fee structure can help you better account for costs when reselling or transferring tickets.
Table of Estimated Ticketmaster Transfer Fees
| Transfer Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Electronic Transfer | $8-$10 per ticket |
| Season Ticket Transfer | $15-$25 per order |
| Instant Print-at-Home PDF | $5.50 per ticket |
| Overnight Delivery | $20-$25 per order |
| Will Call Delivery | $2-$5 per order |
Note that additional service, processing, and delivery fees may also apply on top of the base transfer fee in some cases.
Variables That Can Impact Fees
| Variable | Impact on Fees |
|---|---|
| Ticket Value | Higher value = Higher fees |
| Event Category | Sports & Concerts = Higher fees |
| Venue Size | Larger venue = Higher fees |
| Event Demand | High demand = Higher fees |
| Season vs Single Tickets | Season tickets have higher fees |
| Transfer Method | Electronic cheaper than physical delivery |
| Timing | Close to event date = Higher fees |
| Promotions | Discounts can lower fees |
As you can see, fees can vary significantly depending on the specifics of the transfer. Always check directly with Ticketmaster for the exact fees before transferring tickets.
How Ticket Transfer Fees Compare to Similar Companies
Ticketmaster is not the only major ticket retailer that charges fees for transferring tickets. Here is a look at how their fees compare to some competitors:
StubHub
StubHub acts as a ticket resale marketplace, while Ticketmaster is the primary seller. Sellers on StubHub typically pay a 10-15% commission fee when tickets are resold.
Buyers pay around 10-20% of the ticket cost in additional service and fulfillment fees.
Overall StubHub fees may be higher, but prices can also reflect market demand rather than be fixed fees like Ticketmaster.
VividSeats
Similar to StubHub, VividSeats is a secondary ticket marketplace. Sellers pay a 10-20% commission on resold tickets. Buyers pay around 10-25% of ticket price in service/fulfillment fees.
VividSeats does cap maximum fees at $95 per order. Their fee structure is very comparable to StubHub.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek is another secondary ticket marketplace. Sellers pay 10-20% commission on sales. Buyers pay 10-20% of ticket price in additional fees.
A notable difference is that SeatGeek offers some tickets with “Deal Score” that has no fees for the buyer, saving buyers up to 20% on some transactions versus StubHub/Vivid.
AXS
AXS is Ticketmaster’s main competitor as a primary ticket seller. They charge comparable transfer fees in the $5-$12 per ticket range typically.
AXS season ticket transfers are around $10-$20 per account as well.
As a newer platform, AXS still has less market share and availability than Ticketmaster currently.
Key Takeaways
- Secondary marketplaces have higher total fees when including both buyer and seller
- Secondary market prices reflect demand more than primary sellers
- Among secondary sites, fees are very similar overall
- AXS has comparable base transfer fees to Ticketmaster
So Ticketmaster’s transfer fees tend to be lower than secondary resellers, but have less price flexibility. Secondary markets provide dynamic pricing but have higher total fees when combining buyer and seller costs.
Tips for Saving on Ticketmaster Transfer Fees
While Ticketmaster’s transfer fees may seem unavoidable, here are some tips that can potentially help you save:
1. Transfer Early
Transferring tickets well in advance of an event results in lower fees compared to last minute transfers. Give yourself several weeks or months of lead time before an event to minimize rush transfer fees.
2. Use Mobile Transfer
Using Ticketmaster’s online mobile ticket transfer system has lower flat fees ($2.50 per ticket) versus having physical tickets express mailed ($20+ per order). Opting for digital transfers reduces fees substantially.
3. Watch for Discounts
Ticketmaster occasionally offers promotions with discounted transfer fees around $1-$3 per ticket for limited periods. Keep an eye out for coupons or special offers tied to certain events or venues.
4. Sell in Batches
When reselling large volumes of season tickets, consider breaking up sales/transfers into smaller batches. This allows you to spread out the per order service fees over multiple transactions to reduce the cumulative amount.
5. Avoid Paper Tickets
Opt for mobile entry e-tickets when purchasing tickets directly from Ticketmaster. Paper tickets have added shipping/handling fees if you need to transfer them later.
6. Consider Alternatives
In some cases, selling tickets on a secondary marketplace site like StubHub may result in lower net fees after factoring in higher resale value in demand-driven pricing.
Future Outlook for Ticketmaster Fees
Looking ahead, will Ticketmaster fees likely increase or decrease? Here are some key factors:
Live Event Demand
As live events continue recovering from the pandemic, demand is surging. Higher demand typically means venues can charge more, including higher fee markups.
Vertical Integration
Ticketmaster’s pending merger with promoter/venue giant Live Nation may allow them to bundle services and fees more aggressively.
Mobile Ticketing
The shift from paper tickets to mobile ticketing reduces production costs, allowing lower pass-through transfer fees.
Competition
Newer rivals like AXS may put competitive pressure on Ticketmaster to minimize fees to attract market share.
Regulations
Potential tighter restrictions on junk fees in live events/travel industries could limit how much vendors can charge.
The interplay of these trends will likely result in some continued fee increases in the near term. But competitive and regulatory pressures may help slow the growth longer term. The best approach is monitoring fees closely during each ticket purchase and transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Ticketmaster transfer fees typically range from $5-$25 per ticket
- Exact fees depend on ticket value, event type, demand, season vs single tickets, transfer method and timing
- Electronic transfers have lower fees than physical ticket shipping/delivery
- Additional service, processing, and delivery fees often apply on top of the transfer fee
- Transferring early and opting for mobile entry can reduce fees paid
- Fees may rise modestly near term but new competitive and regulatory pressures could help constrain costs longer term
Understanding the Ticketmaster transfer fee structure allows you to better budget for costs when reselling or transferring tickets. While the fees can seem excessive at times, there are ways to minimize the expense through early planning and convenient electronic delivery methods.
Check directly with Ticketmaster when completing any ticket transfers to get an accurate quote for your specific event, tickets, and delivery method. This ensures there are no unexpected costs when facilitating ticket exchanges.
