Having your card declined when trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster can be stressful and embarrassing. However, it does not necessarily mean you’ve lost your chance to get tickets. Here’s an overview of what happens when your card is declined on Ticketmaster and what you can do about it.
Why Your Card May Be Declined
There are a few common reasons why your card might be declined on Ticketmaster:
Insufficient Funds
The most obvious reason is that there are not enough funds available in your account to cover the ticket purchase. Ticketmaster tickets can range from $20 to hundreds of dollars per ticket, so double check your account balance before purchasing.
Expired Card
Your credit or debit card may have recently expired without you realizing it. Entering an expired card will lead to a decline.
Fraud Protection
If your bank detects suspicious charges that seem out of the ordinary for your spending patterns, they may temporarily disable the card. Purchasing high-demand concert or event tickets can sometimes trigger fraud protection.
Billing Address Mismatch
Your billing address on file with Ticketmaster must match the billing address associated with your credit/debit card. Any mismatch between the two addresses can result in a decline.
Exceeding Daily Transaction Limits
Most banks set a cap on your daily spending limit on debit and credit cards to reduce fraud risk. If you exceed this limit, your transaction is likely to be declined.
What Happens When Your Card is Declined on Ticketmaster
When your card is declined on Ticketmaster, here’s a timeline of what happens:
1. Initial Decline Message
You’ll immediately see a screen message indicating your card was declined. The message does not provide details on the reason for the decline.
2. Hold Placed on Tickets
The tickets remain on hold for a set amount of time, usually around 10 minutes. During this hold period only you can purchase the tickets.
3. Option to Retry Purchase
Ticketmaster gives you the option to retry entering your credit/debit card information if you believe you can resolve the issue quickly. You may need to enter a different card or correct your billing address.
4. If Purchase Not Completed, Tickets Released
If you do not complete the transaction within the hold period, the tickets are released back into the general inventory for others to purchase.
5. Notification Email Sent
Approximately 15 minutes after the initial decline, Ticketmaster sends you an email notification that the tickets were released back to the public. The email will include a link to retry the purchase in case tickets are still available.
What to Do When Your Card is Declined
Don’t panic if your card is declined on Ticketmaster. Here are some steps to take:
1. Contact Your Bank
Call your bank’s customer service line as soon as possible. They can look into the reason for the decline and possibly remove any holds on your account. The faster you call, the more time you’ll have to complete the Ticketmaster purchase.
2. Use a Different Card
If you have another credit or debit card handy, retry the purchase on Ticketmaster using the new card. Make sure the billing address is up to date.
3. Update Your Billing Address
If you recently moved, update your billing address immediately on Ticketmaster and with your bank. Any mismatch between addresses can lead to declined transactions.
4. Review Your Account Balance
Log into your bank account online or on your mobile app to confirm your account balance. Transfer funds between accounts if needed to cover the ticket purchase amount.
5. Contact Ticketmaster
Reach out to Ticketmaster directly via phone or online chat. They may be able to extend the hold period on the tickets if you are working to resolve the decline issue.
Does Ticketmaster Charge Your Card Right Away?
Ticketmaster does not immediately charge your credit/debit card when you purchase tickets. Here is the typical timeline:
1. Card Authorized at Purchase
Your card is authorized for the ticket amount when you checkout. This means the funds are temporarily held but not charged yet.
2. Card Charged Days Later
The actual charge will appear on your card statement a few days later, once the order is processed and confirmed.
3. Charge Appears as Pending
Until the charge fully processes, it will show as “pending” on your debit/credit card ledger.
Does Declining Affect Your Ticketmaster Account?
Having your card declined once on Ticketmaster will not get your account suspended or penalized in any way. However, repeated declined cards could potentially lead to restrictions. Here are some implications to be aware of:
Account Monitoring
Ticketmaster may temporarily monitor accounts with multiple declined orders to prevent potential fraud. Too many declines could trigger account review.
Purchase Limits
If your card is declined several times, Ticketmaster may implement temporary purchase limits or holds on your account as a precaution.
Account Suspension
In severe cases of repeated declines where fraud may be suspected, Ticketmaster can suspend your account access. This is more common with new accounts.
Blacklisting
Being “blacklisted” from Ticketmaster is rare, but could happen after dozens of declined transactions or clear evidence of account misuse. Blacklisting permanently closes the account.
Tips for Avoiding Declined Cards on Ticketmaster
Here are some tips to help avoid having your card declined on Ticketmaster:
Check Account Balances Frequently
Log into your bank account often to monitor your spending. Make sure you have enough funds to cover upcoming Ticketmaster purchases.
Update Your Billing Address
Double check that your billing address is current with your bank and on your Ticketmaster account. Inconsistencies can lead to declines.
Alert Your Bank Before Large Purchases
A quick call to your bank before buying expensive tickets can prevent false fraud alarms on their end.
Pay with Debit Instead of Credit
Debit cards are more likely to be approved, as the funds are immediately withdrawn from your account balance.
Remove International Transaction Blocks
If you have any blocks on international purchases, remove them temporarily when ordering tickets. Some blocks can affect domestic online orders too.
Can You Get Your Tickets Back After a Decline?
It is possible to still get your Ticketmaster tickets back even after having your initial order declined. However, there is no guarantee available tickets will remain. Here are some last ditch efforts:
Use the Reservation Link
The email you receive after 15 minutes will contain a link putting the tickets back in your reservations. Use this link and act quickly if funds allow you to complete the purchase.
Call Ticketmaster
A phone call to Ticketmaster support can determine if they can further extend the hold period or re-reserve tickets that were released.
Check if Tickets Reappear
Keep checking Ticketmaster leading up to the event, as previously purchased tickets can sometimes reappear for sale.
Try General Public Onsale
If tickets were immediately bought up during the pre-sale, try your luck again when they are released to the general public.
What to Do if Your Tickets Get Released
If you are unable to complete the Ticketmaster transaction within the time limit after a decline, here are some options once the tickets are released from your order:
Contact Your Bank Immediately
Call your bank to resolve any outstanding holds or fraud alerts right away to allow future Ticketmaster purchases.
Search for Resale Tickets
Ticketmaster provides an official resale marketplace for people to resell extra tickets. Be prepared to pay over face value.
Check Other Retailers
Tickets for major concerts and events are sometimes available across multiple websites like StubHub or VividSeats.
Consider Ticket Transfer Options
If purchasing for a group, see if anyone else from your party can buy tickets and transfer them to you later.
Join Waitlists if Available
Some shows or venues offer waitlists you can join for a chance at last minute ticket releases.
Is There Anyone You Can Call for Help?
If your card gets declined on Ticketmaster, there are customer service teams you can call for assistance:
Your Bank
Contact your bank or credit card company’s customer service line. They can look into the decline reason and remove restrictions.
Ticketmaster Support
Ticketmaster has a customer service phone number and online chat you can use for inquiries. They can explain decline reasons in more detail.
Event Venue Box Office
For sold out shows, try calling the venue’s box office directly. They sometimes hold back tickets that can be released.
Key Takeaways
Getting declined on Ticketmaster can be stressful, but is usually manageable with prompt action. Here are some key tips to remember:
- Call your bank immediately to resolve any holds or restrictions on your card.
- Use alternate payment methods if possible before the ticket hold expires.
- Act quickly within the 10-15 minute time window before tickets are released.
- Check for resale tickets if your order falls through.
- Contact Ticketmaster support who may be able to re-reserve tickets.
With rapid response, there is a good chance of completing your ticket transaction even after an initial decline on Ticketmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Ticketmaster declines happen?
Common reasons for Ticketmaster declines include insufficient account balances, expired cards, billing address mismatches, fraud protection blocks, or exceeding your daily transaction limit.
What is the time limit after a decline on Ticketmaster?
You typically have around 10 minutes to complete the transaction before the ticket hold expires. The tickets then get released back to the general public.
Can you use a different card after a decline?
Yes, Ticketmaster allows you to enter new credit/debit card information to retry the purchase if you act quickly within the time limit.
Do banks reopen instantly if you get declined?
No, you will need to actively contact your bank’s customer service to remove any instant fraud blocks or restrictions on your card after a declined purchase.
Can someone else buy the Ticketmaster tickets if you get declined?
Yes, once released the tickets can be purchased by other customers if they act fast enough to beat other buyers.
Does Ticketmaster limit your account after declines?
In severe cases of repeated declines or suspected fraud, Ticketmaster may implement purchase limits or suspend your account access. This is very rare with one-off declines.
Conclusion
Having your card declined on Ticketmaster can be shocking in the moment, but does not have to ruin your chances of getting tickets. Now that you know the time window and process when cards are declined, you can take quick action like contacting your bank or using alternate payment methods. With fast troubleshooting, you can often still complete your ticket transaction. Just stay calm, act quickly, and leverage help from bank and Ticketmaster support as soon as possible.