Purchasing concert tickets can be an exciting experience, especially when it’s for your favorite artist or band. However, sometimes plans change or you have second thoughts about the purchase. This leads many ticket buyers to wonder: is there a cooling off period for concert tickets?
The Short Answer
Unfortunately, there is generally no official cooling off period for concert tickets in the United States. Once you purchase a ticket, you are usually committed to that purchase, regardless of when the event takes place.
Examining the Reasons for No Cooling Off Period
There are a few key reasons why concert tickets are generally non-refundable:
- Concert promoters and venues want to ensure they can fill all the seats that have been sold for a particular event. Allowing buyers to freely return tickets prior to the event date could undermine this.
- Many major concert tickets are sold through ticket brokers like Ticketmaster rather than directly by the venue. These third party sellers likely do not want to deal with having to resell returned tickets.
- Artists and promoters spend lots of time and money preparing for a specific sized audience, from lighting and effects to merchandising. Unpredictable changes due to buyers returning tickets could negatively impact the event.
Essentially, once a concert ticket has been purchased, the promoter is relying on that revenue whether the buyer actually attends or not. They are not incentivized to make refunds easy.
Policies Vary for Different Sellers
While most concert tickets are non-refundable once purchased, policies can vary somewhat depending on the specific seller.
Direct from the Venue
If you purchased tickets directly from the concert venue’s box office, their own internal policies may allow for returns, exchanges, or credit on a case-by-case basis. This is less common with major touring acts. But for local events, the venue may be willing to work with you if you need to cancel your plans.
Third Party Sellers
Major ticket brokers like Ticketmaster or Stubhub generally consider all sales to be final. However, some may allow you to re-list your tickets on their resale platform. You’d have to go through the trouble of finding another buyer willing to purchase them from you at the current market price though.
Artist Fan Clubs
If you purchased tickets through an official artist fan club, they sometimes have more generous policies about returns or exchanges. Check directly with the fan club organization.
Credit Card Purchase Protection
One option that is sometimes overlooked – if you purchased tickets with a credit card, check whether the card provides any purchase protection benefits. Some cards will refund you the cost if you are unable to use the tickets for a covered reason, like illness or travel issues.
Getting Refunds in Special Cases
While standard policy is for concert tickets sales to be final, buyers can sometimes get refunds in certain exceptional cases:
- Event is postponed or canceled – If the concert is rescheduled or called off altogether, ticketholders are generally entitled to get their money back.
- You resell the tickets – Rather than returning tickets, you may be able to sell them through a ticket resale platform and recoup some of your costs.
- Medical emergency – For serious health reasons that prevent you from attending, some sellers may grant exceptions and refunds on a case-by-case basis.
Outside of situations like these though, buyers should not expect to be able to return or exchange tickets simply because they changed their mind or made other plans.
Policies for Season Tickets and Multi-Show Packages
If you purchase season tickets for a concert series or a multi-show ticket package, you may have more flexibility in terms of getting refunds or exchanges. But again, this depends on the specific seller.
For example, a symphony that sells subscription packages for their entire season will likely have an exchange system in place. If you can’t make a certain performance, you may be able to trade those tickets in for seats at another show in the package.
On the other hand, a rock band selling a prepaid three-show pass may not offer any refunds or changes once the package is purchased. Be sure to understand the full policy before buying.
Bottom Line
Except for the scenarios outlined above, there is no general cooling-off period for concert tickets. Once purchased, you are committed to that ticket purchase. Before buying tickets, consider:
- Purchase refundable airline tickets or hotel rates in case your plans fall through.
- Ask your credit card company about purchase protection policies that may cover the ticket cost.
- Only buy from authorized sellers rather than scalpers to better ensure valid tickets.
While you can’t necessarily get your money back, you may be able to sell unwanted tickets through a ticket resale platform if needed.
A non-refundable ticket purchase is essentially a gamble that you will be able to attend the event as planned. Buy only what you are sure you can use and budget accordingly. With no official cooling period, concert tickets are a commitment once they are bought!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you return concert tickets?
In most cases, no. Once concert tickets have been purchased, they are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable. The sale is usually considered final, even if the event is months or years away.
Can concert tickets be refunded if the event is postponed?
Yes, if a concert is rescheduled for a new date, ticketholders can typically get a refund if they are unable to attend on the new date. The original seller will have policies in place for how to obtain a refund in this scenario.
What if I bought tickets but then can’t go to the concert?
Unless the event is canceled completely, personal situations that prevent you from attending typically do not qualify you for a refund. Your options would be trying to resell the tickets or absorbing the loss yourself.
Can I exchange my tickets for a different show?
Some concert venues and season ticket sellers allow exchanging tickets from one show to another. But for standard single-event tickets, exchanges are usually not allowed after purchase.
What if the performer changes before the event?
A lineup change, like the headlining artist dropping out, does not generally qualify as grounds for refunds on tickets. Unless canceled, the event is still taking place regardless of who is performing.
Key Takeaways
- There is usually no official cooling off period for concert tickets, meaning sales are final.
- Policies vary between venues, ticket brokers, fan clubs, etc., but refunds are rarely offered.
- For multi-show packages, subscription series, or season tickets, exchanges may be allowed.
- Postponements or cancellations allow for refunds, as do rare medical emergencies.
- Consider ticket protection, refundable travel, and only buying from authorized sellers.
Seller | Refund Policy |
---|---|
Concert Venue | May allow exchanges or refunds on a limited basis |
Ticket Broker | Typically no refunds allowed |
Artist Fan Club | Sometimes offer more flexible exchange or refund policies |
Package Deals | Often allow ticket exchanges within the package |
This summarizes the key things to know about cooling off periods and refund policies for concert tickets. Unless the event is changed significantly or canceled altogether, ticket purchases are considered binding contracts. Buy only what you are confident you can use!
Conclusion
When it comes to concert tickets, you need to be absolutely sure about your purchase before buying. Except in very rare circumstances, tickets cannot be returned or refunded after purchase. There is essentially no “cooling off period” once you complete the ticket transaction. To avoid losing money on unused tickets, only buy what you are positive you can attend. And if plans fall through, immediately consider reselling options to try to recoup some of the cost. While concert tickets make great gifts and are fun to have, you need to be comfortable with the fact that the purchase is final in nearly all cases.