When you buy tickets online for an event like a concert, play, or sports game, you may see an option to “protect your ticket purchase.” This refers to protections put in place by the ticket seller to ensure your purchase is safe and secure. There are a few key things this type of protection typically covers:
Guaranteed valid tickets
If you purchase ticket protection, the seller guarantees your tickets will be valid for the event you bought them for. This means if the event is canceled, postponed, or your tickets have an issue that prevents you from using them, the seller will provide alternate tickets or give you a refund. Protecting your purchase ensures you either gain entry to the event or get your money back.
Refund for canceled or postponed events
One of the main protections offered is a refund if the event is canceled or postponed. Sometimes events get canceled due to low ticket sales, scheduling conflicts, or other issues. Postponements often occur due to weather, production setbacks, or other changes. If this happens, you’ll get a full refund for the original ticket price if you protected the purchase upfront.
Alternate tickets if yours have an issue
Another scenario covered is if your specific tickets end up having an issue that prevents you from using them. For example, there could be a duplicate ticket issue, lost or delayed delivery, or your seats could be deemed unusable. If you run into any problems like this, the seller will work to get you comparable replacement tickets so you can still attend.
Protection against price drops
Many ticket sellers also offer price drop protection with the purchase protection option. This guarantees you’ll get a refund for the difference if ticket prices go down between the time you buy yours and the event date. For very popular events, prices sometimes start high when tickets first go on sale, then may drop as it gets closer or more seats are released. With price protection, you’ll always pay the lowest price even if you bought early.
Automatic refunds for price decreases
Sellers with price protection will automatically process a refund if they lower prices across the board for an event. You don’t have to keep checking back – they’ll monitor it and issue refunds to eligible customers.
Refunds up to 14 days before the event
Most companies with purchase protection will issue price drop refunds up until around 2 weeks before the event starts. This gives you plenty of time to take advantage of any decreasing prices. Just know policies can vary, so check the details when buying your protected tickets.
Protection if you can’t attend
Some ticket sellers also allow you to get a full refund even if you simply can’t make it to the event for personal reasons. This is less common but can provide helpful flexibility in case something comes up. Examples may include:
- You or someone you’re going with gets sick and can’t attend
- You have a conflicting event come up like a wedding or work commitment
- Severe weather in your area makes travel unsafe
If the ticket seller offers a “can’t go” guarantee, you’ll typically have a set window where you can get a refund by providing notice you no longer can attend. Policies vary, so read the details carefully when you make your purchase.
May come with an extra fee
The option to refund for personal reasons is less common since it costs the seller money when customers cancel. Some companies provide it as part of their standard protection package, but most charge an extra non-refundable fee to add this kind of flexible cancellation coverage.
Typically must request 7-14 days in advance
If you know in advance you can’t make it, these policies usually require 1-2 weeks notice to get your refund. This ensures the seller has time to try to resell your seats to someone else. Last minute cancellations usually can’t be refunded unless you have a documented emergency.
Protecting against fraud
When you purchase ticket protection, it also activates fraud prevention measures to keep your tickets secure. This provides important peace of mind and covers you in the unlikely case someone tries to scam you or steal your tickets.
Guarantee against invalid or lost tickets
Sellers will guarantee your tickets are valid and the seats are actually yours. This means you don’t have to worry about someone selling you fake or duplicated tickets that won’t scan. It also covers situations where tickets are lost or incorrectly delivered so you end up without a valid way to enter.
Coverage if you are a victim of fraud
You’ll also be protected if you buy tickets that end up being fraudulent. For example, a scammer might list an event and convince you to send payment, but they never had real tickets to sell. If you accidentally buy from a fraudulent seller, you’ll get a refund under purchase protection policies.
Common ticket protection questions
Here are some common questions people have about protecting their ticket purchases:
Is ticket protection worth it?
Whether it’s worth it depends on the cost and your risk tolerance. It provides useful coverage, but adds a fee. If you’d be very upset risking losing your money, it can be worth a few extra dollars for the peace of mind.
What if I buy insurance from my credit card company?
Some credit cards provide event ticket coverage as part of their benefits. If you plan to pay by credit card, check whether it includes insurance before buying ticket protection separately.
Can I get a refund if I just change my mind?
Unless you specifically paid for flexible cancellation coverage, you typically can’t get a refund if you just decided you no longer want to go. Purchase protection is primarily for unforeseen issues.
How soon before the event can I get a refund?
Deadlines vary by seller. Most will issue refunds up until a week or two before the event starts. After that, you likely can only get a refund if the event is canceled or your tickets have an official issue.
Summary of ticket purchase protection
Here is an overview of some key things covered by ticket purchase protection:
Protection Feature | What It Means |
---|---|
Valid ticket guarantee | Guaranteed valid tickets that will get you into the event or a refund |
Refund for event cancellation | Full refund if the event is canceled before it occurs |
Alternate tickets if yours have issues | Replacement tickets if yours have delivery issues, duplicates, or other problems |
Price drop refunds | Automatic refunds if ticket prices decrease after you purchase |
Can’t go refunds (less common) | Refunds allowed if you can’t attend for personal reasons, with notice |
Fraud coverage | Coverage if you are the victim of a ticket scammer or fraud |
Conclusion
Protecting your ticket purchase provides important coverage against things like canceled events, price drops, and fraud. While it often comes with an extra fee, it can be worth it for expensive tickets or high-demand events where tickets may be scarce. Understanding exactly what protection options your ticket seller provides allows you to decide if the added peace of mind is worthwhile.