Transferring tickets on Ticketmaster can allow you to send tickets you purchased to someone else if you can no longer attend an event. However, there are some limitations and requirements for transferring tickets, so it’s important to understand the process before attempting a transfer.
Can All Tickets be Transferred?
Not all tickets can be transferred through Ticketmaster. Here are some key things to keep in mind about ticket transfers:
- Tickets can only be transferred if the event organizer and original ticket issuer allow it. This option must be enabled for the specific event.
- Typically only tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster can be transferred through their system. If you purchased from a third-party reseller you’ll need to check with them on transfer options.
- Some tickets have restrictions from the organizer or issuer that prohibit transfers, like paperless/mobile entry only tickets.
- Season tickets or other bundled packages may have different policies for transfers.
So before attempting a transfer, you’ll want to check if the tickets are even eligible. You can log into your Ticketmaster account and go to your order history to view the details for your tickets. If a “Transfer Tickets” option is available, then a transfer through Ticketmaster should be possible.
Requirements for Transferring Tickets
In order to complete a ticket transfer on Ticketmaster, there are some requirements that must be met:
- The tickets must be paid for in full by the original purchaser.
- Ticketmaster typically charges a transfer fee to the sender. This can range from $5-$20 per ticket depending on the event.
- Tickets can only be transferred electronically through Ticketmaster systems. Hard copy paper tickets can’t be transferred.
- Tickets can generally only be transferred once. The recipient isn’t able to transfer it to someone else.
- Ticket transfers must be completed before the event occurs. Deadlines are set by the organizer.
- Both the sender and recipient must have a Ticketmaster account to log into for the transfer process.
If these requirements are met, you can proceed with a ticket transfer on Ticketmaster’s site or mobile app.
The Ticket Transfer Process
Here is an overview of the process for transferring tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Sender logs into their Ticketmaster account and selects the eligible ticket order.
- Click or tap the “Transfer Tickets” option or button.
- Enter the recipient’s email address and the number of tickets you want to transfer.
- Enter a price per ticket (face value or a discount). This will send a payment request to the recipient.
- Add a personal message if desired.
- Accept the transfer fees that will be charged to your payment method.
- Click or tap the “Next” buttons to preview the transfer details.
- Confirm the transfer to send the request to the recipient.
Once the ticket transfer request is made, the process continues on the recipient’s end:
- Recipient receives email notification of the ticket transfer request.
- They log into their Ticketmaster account and find the transfer under “Pending Requests”.
- The recipient reviews the details like seat locations and total price.
- If they wish to accept, they enter in their payment info for the ticket cost.
- Accept any ticket transfer fees charged to the recipient.
- Tickets are electronically transferred to the recipient’s account if approved.
The original ticket holder should receive confirmation emails or notifications when the recipient accepts the transfers. At that point, the recipient has full control over the tickets on their account.
Transferring Partial Ticket Orders
For some events, you may wish to only transfer some of the tickets you purchased rather than your whole order. Here are some things to keep in mind when doing a partial transfer:
- Partial transfers may not be allowed if the tickets were purchased as a special package. You likely need to transfer the whole bundle.
- Groupings of tickets, like pairs or sets of 3, 4, etc. should stay together in partial transfers when possible.
- The remaining tickets stay on the sender’s account after a partial transfer.
- Make sure seats aren’t separated in a way that prevents people from sitting together.
- Communicate details clearly with the recipient so they know exactly which seats they are getting.
Follow the same transfer process, but only select the specific number of tickets you wish to transfer from your order. Keep the ticket groupings together if possible.
Transferring Tickets Close to Event Date
You can still transfer tickets close to the event date as long as it is before the organizer’s set deadline. However, some things to keep in mind include:
- Less time for the recipient to accept and process the transfer before the event.
- Rush fees may apply to transfers within 72 hours of an event.
- Less time to resolve any potential issues with transfers.
- Shipping is not available for hard tickets, only electronic transfers.
Make sure to give the recipient as much advance notice as possible. Alert them to accept the transfer request quickly. Deadlines for transfers are usually 1-3 days before an event occurs.
Transferring Tickets Already in Your Possession
If you already have printed hard tickets in your possession, you cannot transfer them electronically through Ticketmaster. Instead, you have a couple options:
- Physically hand over the printed tickets directly to someone else to use.
- List the tickets for resale on a ticket exchange or reseller marketplace.
- Return tickets to the box office so they can be redistributed (if time allows).
To enable electronic Ticketmaster transfers in the future, make sure to select “eTickets” or “Mobile Entry” when purchasing tickets. This provides the digital access needed for online ticket transfers.
Troubleshooting Ticket Transfers
Here are some common troubleshooting tips for issues that may occur during the transfer process:
- If transfers are timing out or not going through, have both parties log out and log back into Ticketmaster accounts. Then try again.
- If the transfer option is not available, contact Ticketmaster to confirm the event allows transfers before the order is placed.
- If fees are higher than expected, contact Ticketmaster as there may be errors in their listed fees.
- If tickets are not showing up properly in the recipient’s account, confirm they fully completed the acceptance process.
- If you cannot complete transfers close to the event date, the cutoff time set by the organizer may have passed already.
Reach out to Ticketmaster Fan Support if any other issues come up during the transfer process that you cannot resolve. They are typically able to investigate and provide solutions.
Refunds for Transferred Tickets
If you transfer a ticket to someone else, only they can request a refund once the transfer is complete. The original purchaser no longer has control over those tickets. Make sure you fully trust the recipient before transferring tickets to them.
However, refunds and cancellations initiated before the transfer can still be processed by the original purchaser. So if the event is cancelled before the transfer, you would handle the refund as the original ticket holder.
Reselling Transferred Tickets
Recipients of transferred tickets are not able to resell those same tickets on Ticketmaster or other reseller marketplaces. This prevents scalping of transfers. As the original purchaser, you maintain responsibility for how your tickets are distributed.
If you think you may need to resell tickets later, it is best not to do an initial transfer. Simply resell them yourself when needed on an authorized ticket resale platform.
Tracking Ticket Transfers
As the sender, you can closely track the progress of your ticket transfers in your Ticketmaster account:
- See the transfer request under your “Upcoming Events”.
- Once accepted, event will disappear from your “Upcoming Events”.
- Transfer history will show the recipient’s details and final status.
- Order history will reflect number of tickets transferred away.
- Emails confirm when recipient accepts the transfer request.
Carefully monitoring the transfer status ensures it completes properly before the event occurs.
Getting Help with Transfers
If any issues come up, Ticketmaster provides the following resources for help with ticket transfers:
- Online knowledge base articles for FAQs and how-tos.
- Fan Support phone line at 800-653-8000 (open daily 7am – 8pm PST).
- Direct messaging available through online Ticketmaster accounts.
- Contact email: [email protected]
Be sure to reach out for assistance if you encounter any problems with the transfer process before or after you send or accept a transfer. The support team can walk through options or troubleshooting as needed.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when transferring tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Confirm tickets are transferable before purchasing and attempting to send.
- Complete transfers before deadlines set by the event organizer.
- Only electronic tickets can be transferred online, not paper hard tickets.
- Communicate clearly with recipients during partial transfers.
- Monitor your account to ensure your transfers go through.
- Reach out to their support for any issues during the process.
Following Ticketmaster’s transfer policies carefully allows you to easily and securely transfer tickets you can no longer use to another fan or friend. Understanding the ins and outs of the process ahead of time makes for smooth, successful ticket transfers.