Having an event cancelled can be disappointing, especially if you were looking forward to attending. If you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, you may be wondering how to get a refund. The good news is that Ticketmaster does offer refunds for cancelled events. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get your money back if an event you bought tickets for gets cancelled.
Understanding Ticketmaster’s Refund Policy
Ticketmaster has a refund policy in place for cancelled events. Here are the key things to know:
- Refunds are available if the event is cancelled, not rescheduled. If an event is rescheduled, your tickets will typically be valid for the new date.
- Refunds will be issued to the original method of payment used to purchase the tickets. This means if you paid with a credit card, the refund will go back to that same credit card.
- Refunds are typically processed within 30 days after the event’s cancellation has been confirmed and communicated.
- If you purchased ticket insurance, you may be eligible for a faster refund. Ticket insurance can provide refunds in as little as 15 days.
- If the tickets were transferred to you from the original purchaser, you must have the original purchaser request the refund from Ticketmaster.
As long as the event is outright cancelled and not postponed or rescheduled, Ticketmaster will issue a refund. It’s important to note that neither Ticketmaster nor the event venue/organizer is responsible if an event is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Steps to Request a Refund from Ticketmaster
Here is the process to request your refund step-by-step:
- Check if the event is officially cancelled. Don’t request a refund until the event is confirmed as cancelled with no plans to reschedule. Ticketmaster will not issue refunds for events that may still happen at a later date.
- Log in to your Ticketmaster account. You’ll need to access your account that you used to purchase the tickets in order to manage the order.
- Find the cancelled event under “Your Orders.” Look for the event in your list of ticket orders and select “Request Refund.”
- Select refund method. You’ll be given options on how you want your refund issued – as a credit on your Ticketmaster account, back to your original payment method, or by check.
- Submit refund request. After selecting your refund method, complete the request process. You’ll receive a confirmation that your request is being processed.
- Wait for refund processing. It typically takes 15-30 days for Ticketmaster to verify the event cancellation and issue refunds. If you bought ticket insurance, it may be sooner.
- Follow up if needed. If it has been over 30 days since you requested the refund with no updates, reach out to Ticketmaster customer service for assistance.
The most important thing is initiating the refund request as soon as possible after the event cancellation is announced. Ticketmaster requires customers to request the refund – it is not an automatic process.
How to Check the Status of Your Ticketmaster Refund
As you wait for your Ticketmaster refund to be processed, you may be wondering how to check the status. Here are some options:
- Check your Ticketmaster account. Log in to the Ticketmaster website or mobile app and go to your order history. There should be status updates on any pending refund requests.
- Look for refund alerts. Ticketmaster will send you emails or push notifications when your refund request is approved and processed. Watch for those alerts.
- Check your original payment account. In many cases the refund will go back to the same payment method used to buy the tickets. Look for credits on your credit card or PayPal account, for example.
- Call customer service. If you cannot find clear status updates, you can call Ticketmaster customer service at 800-653-8000 for refund status details.
To expedite refund processing, only reach out to customer service if your request has been pending more than 30 days with no updates. Calling them too frequently can slow down the process.
Important Tips for Getting Your Ticketmaster Refund
To ensure you get your refund for a cancelled event in a timely manner, keep these tips in mind:
- Request the refund as soon as the cancellation is announced for fastest processing.
- Have your Ticketmaster order number ready when submitting the request.
- Only request the refund through official Ticketmaster channels like your account, customer service, or an authorized retailer.
- If you transferred tickets, the original purchaser must request the refund.
- Don’t resell tickets to a cancelled event, as the new buyer will not be able to redeem the tickets.
- If you encounter any issues with your refund request, persistently follow up with Ticketmaster customer service for help.
The most frequent reasons for delayed Ticketmaster refunds typically involve untimely requests, improperly transferred tickets, or errors in submitting the refund request. Carefully following Ticketmaster policies can help avoid these snags in the process.
Options Beyond Ticketmaster for Refunds
For those instances where Ticketmaster is unable to process your refund in a timely manner, there are a couple last resort options:
- File a chargeback. If you paid with a credit card, you can contact your credit card issuer to file a chargeback and dispute the Ticketmaster charge. This forces their hand to process a refund or have the credit card reverse the charge.
- Contact your state attorney general. Each state has a process to submit consumer complaints to the attorney general’s office. They can provide assistance for instances of refused or delayed refunds.
It’s best to exhaust all options with Ticketmaster directly first before taking these extra steps. Typically Ticketmaster will work diligently to process all eligible refunds for cancelled events. But for rare cases where they are unresponsive, a chargeback or complaint to the attorney general can provide resolution.
What to Do If Your Event Is Rescheduled (Not Cancelled)
The Ticketmaster refund policy only applies if an event is outright cancelled with no plans to reschedule. If your event is simply rescheduled for a later date, here are your options:
- Keep your tickets for the new event date.
- Resell or transfer your tickets if you cannot attend the new date.
- In some cases, you may be able to request a refund if you cannot attend the new date. Check with Ticketmaster customer service on the specifics of the rescheduling.
You do not have an automatic right to a refund if the event is postponed or rescheduled for a later date. But if the new timing simply does not work for you, try contacting Ticketmaster to discuss a refund. Every situation is handled on a case-by-case basis.
Preventing Ticketmaster Cancellation Issues
While getting a refund for cancelled events is frustrating, there are some things you can do to avoid potential cancellation issues when purchasing tickets in the first place:
- Only buy from trusted vendors like Ticketmaster to ensure authenticity.
- Read the fine print on any ticket insurance or refund guarantees.
- Avoid resellers offering tickets at inflated prices with no guarantees.
- When in doubt, contact Ticketmaster directly to verify policies before purchasing.
Following these tips will help minimize the chances of problems down the road if an event ends up cancelled. Keep the focus on dealing directly through official channels like Ticketmaster.com for the purchasing and refund processes.
Conclusion
Having an event cancelled at the last minute can certainly be a letdown. But if you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, getting a refund for the cancelled show is a straightforward process. Just make the request promptly upon cancellation, select your refund method, and allow up to 30 days for processing. With upfront planning and quick action as soon as the event is cancelled, you can securely get your money back without issue. Reach out to Ticketmaster customer service if your refund takes longer than expected so you don’t miss out.