Quick Answer
The timing for refunds on Ticketmaster varies depending on the event and other factors. Generally speaking, refunds are issued 7-10 business days after the event has taken place or the refund request was submitted. However, it may take longer in some cases.
Refund Timing Factors
The speed of the Ticketmaster refund depends on several factors:
Type of Ticket
– For standard tickets, allow 7-10 business days for the refund to process after the event date or refund request submission.
– For resale/exchange tickets, the refund timing varies:
– If tickets were resold via Ticketmaster’s fan-to-fan exchange, allow 15 business days after the event for the refund.
– If tickets were resold via Ticketmaster’s fan resale marketplace, it depends on when the seller initiates the refund.
Method of Payment
– Credit card purchases are refunded back to the original card used for purchase. Allow 7-10 business days after the event or refund request.
– Debit card refunds follow the same 7-10 day timeline.
– Cash refunds are issued by check and take longer, up to 4-6 weeks.
Reason for Refund
– For event cancellations and date/venue changes, refunds are typically issued 7-10 business days after Ticketmaster receives official notification from the event organizer.
– For voluntary refund requests, the 7-10 day timeline starts after you formally request the refund from Ticketmaster.
How the Ticketmaster Refund Process Works
Here are the key steps in Ticketmaster’s refund process:
1. Refund initiation
The first step is initiating the refund, which starts the clock on the waiting period. Refunds may be initiated directly by the customer or by Ticketmaster if the event is canceled/rescheduled.
2. Refund review and approval
All refunds are carefully reviewed and verified before being approved. This is done to prevent fraudulent refund claims.
3. Refund issuance
Once approved, the refund will be issued via reversal of the original payment method. If paid by credit card, the funds are returned to that card.
Important: Any payment processing delays by the bank/card-issuer can prolong the refund issuance, even if Ticketmaster has approved and processed the refund on their end.
4. Receipt of refunded amount
How quickly the funds hit your account depend on your bank/card-issuer’s policies. Allow an extra 1-5 business days after Ticketmaster processes the refund.
Getting Refund Faster
While Ticketmaster’s stated refund timeline is 7-10 business days, there may be ways to potentially get your money back faster:
Request refund immediately
Start the clock earlier. Request the refund as soon as allowable instead of waiting.
Follow up politely
Contact Ticketmaster 2 weeks after requesting the refund if you still have not received it. Politely follow up.
Involve bank/card issuer
If it has been over 3 weeks, get your bank/card provider involved for assistance. The delay may be on their end.
File a formal complaint
If Ticketmaster is non-responsive to refund inquiries, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission. This can prompt them to take action.
Special Cases
There are a few unique cases where the standard Ticketmaster refund timing may not apply:
Refunds for minors
Tickets purchased on behalf of someone under 18 years old require extra verification before refunds are issued. This may add 1-2 weeks to the refund timeline.
International orders
For events outside the USA and Canada, international banking and customs regulations may lengthen the refund process to 15+ business days in some cases.
Very high-demand events
For extremely popular events like the Superbowl or Olympics where Ticketmaster processes tens of thousands of orders, refunds may take 15-30 days just due to the sheer volume.
Checking Refund Status
You can check the status of your pending Ticketmaster refund online or by phone:
Online
Log in to your Ticketmaster account and go to My Purchases. Any pending refunds will be noted here.
By phone
Call Ticketmaster Fan Support at +1 800-653-8000. Provide the order number and billing details.
Things to mention
When checking refund status, have your:
– Order number
– Billing name
– Email address used for purchase
– Last 4 digits of card used
This helps Ticketmaster identify your purchase and lookup the refund details faster.
Getting Refund Fee Waived
Typically Ticketmaster charges a non-refundable service fee on ticket orders. However, you may be able to get the refund fee waived in certain situations:
– If the event was canceled or postponed
– If there was a major artist change to the event
– If you are exchanging tickets for a more expensive option instead of fully refunding
– If the tickets sold were counterfeit or invalid
– If you can show you are medically unable to attend
Reach out to Ticketmaster Fan Support and politely explain your situation. If they are not willing to make an exception on the first try, politely ask for a supervisor who may have more discretion. Remaining calm and reasonable goes a long way towards getting the fees waived.
Alternatives to Refund
If you are having difficulty getting a timely refund from Ticketmaster, there are some other options to consider:
Ticket exchanges
Instead of a full refund, you may be able to exchange your tickets for a different event. This is often faster and avoids fees.
Sell tickets on a resale site
Use sites like StubHub, VividSeats, or Ticketmaster’s Own Resale Marketplace to resell your tickets. You may recoup more money this way.
Event credit
For a canceled event, ask Ticketmaster for credit towards a future event rather than a cash refund. This can be easier to obtain.
Donate tickets
You can donate unused tickets to charity and get a tax deduction. Organizations like Ticketstofreedom.org accept donated tickets.
Dispute charge with bank
If unable to get a refund after several weeks, dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Provide details on your efforts to obtain the refund from Ticketmaster.
Preventing Refund Issues
You can take proactive steps when purchasing tickets to help avoid refund problems down the line:
– Carefully check event details before ordering so you pick the right date, seats, etc. This prevents the need for refunds or exchanges.
– Read the refund policy before buying tickets. Understand any restrictions.
– Pay with a credit card if possible, not cash or debit card. Credit cards offer the most buyer protection.
– Save all documentation – order confirmation emails, receipts, ticket barcodes, etc. Keep records if you need to dispute a charge later.
– Only buy from official sources like Ticketmaster.com. Third-party resellers can cause issues.
– Avoid reselling tickets yourself. If you can’t attend an event, take advantage of Ticketmaster’s official resale options instead of informal resale.
Conclusion
The answer to “how soon can I get a refund from Ticketmaster” depends on several variables, but the typical timeline is 7-10 business days. You can get your refund faster by initiating it ASAP, following up politely with Ticketmaster if needed, and getting your bank involved after 3 weeks. For the smoothest experience, order carefully, save documentation, buy directly from Ticketmaster, and use their official resale options if needed. With preparation and diligence, you can get your live event refund back in a reasonable timeframe.
