Buying tickets to concerts, shows, and sporting events through Ticketmaster can be a tricky process. There are many different ticket options to choose from, with verified tickets being one of the most common. But what exactly does it mean when a Ticketmaster ticket is “verified”? Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding verified tickets on Ticketmaster.
What are Verified Tickets on Ticketmaster?
Verified tickets on Ticketmaster refer to tickets that have been guaranteed as authentic and valid by Ticketmaster. This means the tickets have been checked to ensure they have not been duplicated or sold fraudulently. Ticketmaster’s verification process is designed to prevent counterfeit or unofficial tickets from being sold through their platform.
When you purchase a verified Ticketmaster ticket, you can be confident that the ticket will get you into the event. Verified tickets help protect both the buyer and the event organizer from ticket fraud. This gives buyers peace of mind that they are getting officially licensed tickets.
How Does Ticketmaster Verify Tickets?
Ticketmaster uses a few different methods to verify that tickets are valid and authentic:
- Ticketmaster generates a unique barcode for each ticket that is tied to the specific seat/section printed on the ticket. When the ticket is scanned at the venue, the system can cross-check that the barcode matches that seat for that event.
- Tickets may contain specific security features like holograms or watermarks that can be scanned to verify authenticity.
- Ticketmaster monitors ticket sales and transfer activity to identify suspicious patterns that could indicate scalping or duplication.
- For mobile tickets, Ticketmaster uses dynamic rotating barcodes that refresh periodically leading up to the event to prevent duplication.
By using these verification processes, Ticketmaster aims to cut down on the instances of fake tickets being sold and provide confidence that verified tickets will grant entry.
Common Ticketmaster Verification Levels
On Ticketmaster, there are a few common language and icons used to indicate the level of verification a ticket has undergone:
- Verified Ticket – This is Ticketmaster’s standard level of verification applied to all tickets. It means the ticket has undergone the standard fraud checks.
- Premium Verified Ticket – These tickets have gone through Ticketmaster’s enhanced verification process with more rigorous fraud screening.
- SafeTix – Tickets marked as “SafeTix” contain special security features embedded in the ticket to prevent duplication. This is usually used for high-profile events.
- Official Platinum – For high-demand events, Ticketmaster may release “Official Platinum” tickets which undergo extra verification. These tickets have dynamic pricing.
There may also be icons like checkmarks or ribbons that indicate the ticket verification status. The language and icons may vary across different sports leagues, concert promoters, and partner venues that list tickets through Ticketmaster.
Are there Non-Verified Ticket Options?
In some cases, there are Ticketmaster ticket options that do not go through the standard verification process:
- Fan-to-Fan Resale – Ticketmaster allows ticket holders to resell tickets through fan resale marketplaces. These resale tickets are not re-verified by Ticketmaster.
- Speculative Tickets – For popular events that are expected to sell out, Ticketmaster may list speculative ticket inventory before all tickets have been released. These have not yet been fully verified.
- Paper Tickets – Rarely, some venues may still issue paper print-at-home tickets without unique barcodes. These lack the verification of mobile entry tickets.
If buying these types of tickets, be especially cautious about signs of fraud or duplication. Some avoid the risk altogether by only buying primary verified tickets directly through Ticketmaster.
Benefits of Purchasing Verified Tickets
There are a few key benefits fans receive when buying Ticketmaster’s verified tickets:
- Guaranteed Valid Entry – Verified tickets provide peace of mind that your ticket will scan and grant entry at the venue on the day of the event.
- Consumer Protections – Ticketmaster’s Fan Support Program provides refunds in case of ticket fraud for verified tickets purchased on their site.
- Transferable Tickets – Ticketmaster allows transfer of verified tickets while still maintaining protections and validity of the ticket.
- Official Commemorative Tickets – For major events like championship games or music festivals, verified tickets may provide official keepsake ticket designs.
By using Ticketmaster’s trusted platform and verification processes, fans can buy and enjoy events knowing they hold valid tickets that will get them into the venue.
Risks of Purchasing Unverified Tickets
There are a few risks fans take when purchasing tickets that have not been verified:
- Invalid Tickets – One of the biggest risks is that unverified tickets may be invalid, already used, photocopied, or outright fake tickets that will be denied at the entry gates.
- Non-Transferrable Tickets – Some speculative inventory or resale tickets cannot be transferred or resold, leaving the buyer stuck with unusable tickets.
- No Refund Support – Ticketmaster’s refund protection program only applies to tickets purchased directly through their verified sales. There is no recourse for invalid speculative or resale tickets.
- Higher Risk of Fraud – Less scrupulous resellers are more likely to sell copied, unofficial, or misrepresented ticket inventory without verification.
While unverified tickets may be cheaper, it ends up being a risky gamble that could lead to being denied entry. The peace of mind of verified tickets is worth the cost for most fans.
Tips for Buying Verified Tickets on Ticketmaster
Follow these tips when purchasing tickets to ensure you are getting officially verified tickets:
- Buy tickets directly through Ticketmaster’s primary sales platforms, not through 3rd party resellers.
- Look for the “Verified Ticket” language and icons on the ticket listing.
- Avoid fan resale marketplaces on Ticketmaster to get primary verified ticket inventory.
- Be wary of print-at-home paper tickets that lack unique barcodes and validation.
- Enter the event early – fraudulent tickets are more likely to be detected at entry gates.
- For high-demand events, purchase “Official Platinum” tickets for optimal verification.
Following these best practices when buying tickets through Ticketmaster will help avoid the hassle of purchasing counterfeit or unverified tickets.
Can you sell a verified Ticketmaster ticket?
In most cases, Ticketmaster does allow the owner of a verified ticket to resell or transfer the ticket to another fan. However, there are some limitations on resale and transfers of Ticketmaster’s verified tickets:
- The ticket can only be posted for resale on Ticketmaster’s official safe resale marketplace, not on 3rd party reseller sites.
- Ticketmaster will not voluntarily re-verify or validate the ticket when it is resold, so protections are lost.
- Some exclusive ticketing rights partners like the NFL and AEG may prohibit transfers of their verified tickets.
- If the ticket contains sensitive entry info like a rotating barcode, that security will be lost when transferred.
- There are limits on how close to event time a ticket can be resold as transfers get restricted.
So while Ticketmaster does allow some resale and transfers, the new ticket holder loses some of the guarantees and protections associated with direct primary verified ticket sales. Buyers should be aware of the restrictions when purchasing resold verified tickets.
Can you refund a verified Ticketmaster ticket?
Ticketmaster does allow verified ticket holders to request refunds on tickets they can no longer use, with some limitations:
- Refunds are only allowed on verified tickets purchased directly from Ticketmaster’s primary sales.
- Each event and partner venue establish their own refund cutoff dates, usually weeks or months before the event.
- Refunds must be requested before the established cutoff date – after that, they are considered final sale.
- A refund will generally be processed back to the original payment method used to buy the tickets.
- If transferred, the current ticket holder must initiate the refund, not the original buyer.
- Refund service fees are non-refundable unless prohibited by state law.
In summary, Ticketmaster does issue refunds on verified tickets, but fans need to act before the deadline. Buyers should review the specific event refund policy before purchasing tickets if they think they may need to get their money back.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s verified ticket program aims to give fans peace of mind that the tickets they purchase will be valid and honored at the event. By undergoing Ticketmaster’s verification processes, ticket holders can enter events with confidence knowing that their tickets are authentic and protected from fraud. While there are some limitations if tickets are resold or transferred, focusing on purchasing primary verified tickets directly from Ticketmaster is the safest approach for avoiding hassles and ensuring entry.
