When buying tickets from Ticketmaster, customers often wonder if there is a cooling off period that allows them to cancel or return tickets if they change their mind. Understanding Ticketmaster’s policies around returns and refunds can help buyers make informed purchasing decisions.
Is there a cooling off period for Ticketmaster tickets?
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not offer any official cooling off period for ticket purchases. Once tickets are bought from Ticketmaster, whether online, over the phone, or at a box office outlet, they are considered final sales according to Ticketmaster’s purchase policy.
This means there is no set time period after the transaction during which buyers can automatically return or refund tickets if they simply change their mind. Ticketmaster does not allow no-questions-asked returns or cancellations purely at the buyer’s discretion within a certain number of days or weeks of purchase.
Can you return or refund Ticketmaster tickets?
While there is no universal cooling off period, Ticketmaster does allow ticket returns or refunds in certain limited circumstances. Buyers cannot return tickets just because they want to, but there are some scenarios where tickets can be refunded if specific criteria are met.
Some of the most common situations where Ticketmaster tickets may be refundable include:
- The event is canceled or rescheduled – Refunds are generally available if the event is canceled, postponed, or rescheduled. Refund eligibility depends on the original ticket terms set by the event organizer.
- You purchased duplicate tickets – If you accidentally bought tickets twice for the same event, refunds are often available for the duplicate purchase.
- There is a lineup change – For some events, especially concerts, a refund may be offered if major performers drop out or the lineup changes substantially.
- You’re sick or have an emergency – If you can no longer attend due to unforeseen illness, injury, or emergency, refunds may be offered depending on the event’s policies.
- The tickets are defective – Damaged, defective, or incorrect tickets may be eligible for a refund or exchange.
How to request a refund or return for Ticketmaster tickets
If your situation fits one of the above eligible scenarios for a refund, here are the steps to request one from Ticketmaster:
- Check your event confirmation email – This will contain details on the refund policy for that specific event.
- Contact Ticketmaster customer service – Visit Ticketmaster’s contact page or call their fan support line. Explain why you require a refund or return.
- Provide supporting documentation – You may need to submit documents like a doctor’s note if the refund is for illness.
- Mail back tickets, if applicable – For ticket refunds, physical ticket copies must usually be returned via certified mail.
- Allow processing time – It can take up to 30 days after Ticketmaster receives the returned tickets to get your refund.
Keep in mind that for most events, there are no guarantees of a refund, even for emergencies. Tickets are treated as a binding purchase contract. However, it does not hurt to contact Ticketmaster and politely request a refund when circumstances prevent you from attending.
Reasons refunds may be denied
Ticketmaster always reserves the right to deny a refund request, even if the above criteria are met. Some reasons a refund could still be refused include:
- Tickets were resold – Refunds are not given if tickets were already resold through a ticket exchange or secondary sellers.
- The request is after the event – Refunds are generally only considered before the event takes place.
- Tickets were labeled “No refunds” – Some tickets are sold as final sale with no refunds whatsoever.
- Lack of documentation – Failure to provide documentation like a doctor’s note can result in a denied refund.
- The event still occurs – If the event proceeds as scheduled, refunds are less likely to be approved.
Unfortunately, once a ticket refund is refused, there are very limited options. You may be able to resell the tickets yourself to try to recoup some costs. But Ticketmaster is under no obligation to provide refunds outside of their policies.
Alternatives to look into before purchasing tickets
With Ticketmaster’s no-refund policy, it is wise to consider all options before committing to a major ticket purchase:
- Ticket insurance – Some third party services offer ticket insurance to reimburse the cost if you cannot attend an event for a covered reason.
- Credit card benefits – Premium credit cards sometimes include entertainment and travel protections that may help recover ticket costs in emergencies.
- Resale options – When buying tickets from Ticketmaster directly, you lose control over transfers or resales.
- Wait to buy – If unsure about your availability, you can wait closer to the event to purchase tickets, though prices may rise.
Buying directly from Ticketmaster locks you into their strict no-refunds policy. Having a backup plan or waiting to buy can be wise approaches in case your plans change unexpectedly.
Can you exchange Ticketmaster tickets for a different date?
Exchanging tickets for a different showing of the same event is sometimes possible with Ticketmaster. Options vary depending on the specific event policies established by the event organizer.
In many cases, exchanges can only be processed if:
- It is for the exact same event, just a different date or time.
- The new date still has available inventory to exchange into.
- The request is made before the original purchased tickets’ event occurs.
- There is no difference in ticket value between the dates.
Exchanges are essentially a type of refund used to book new tickets for an alternate event date in one transaction. As with refunds, supporting documentation may be required, and the same denial reasons apply. Exchanges also frequently incur processing fees.
Can you resell or transfer Ticketmaster tickets?
Reselling or transferring tickets is allowed in most cases for Ticketmaster tickets. However, the options vary depending on how and where the tickets were originally purchased.
Tickets bought online directly through Ticketmaster can be easily transferred to a new buyer through Ticketmaster’s online ticket exchange. Sellers can set their own resale price, and Ticketmaster charges a percentage fee. Tickets must usually be listed for resale before the event occurs.
For tickets bought in person or over the phone through a Ticketmaster outlet, the options are more limited. These tickets cannot be listed for resale through Ticketmaster’s online exchange. Instead, they must be transferred in person or resold through a secondary ticket marketplace.
In general, Ticketmaster tickets can be resold, transferred, or given away at the ticket holder’s discretion, unless expressly prohibited for a specific event. But the method of transfer depends on the original purchase mechanism.
What fees and charges apply to Ticketmaster returns and refunds?
When returning or exchanging tickets with Ticketmaster, buyers should be aware of any additional fees that may be incurred as part of the process:
- Return shipping fees – For mailed ticket refunds, you must pay postage to return tickets via certified mail. Ticketmaster does not cover shipping costs.
- Exchange/reissue fees – Exchanging tickets for new tickets often incurs a reissue fee per ticket from Ticketmaster.
- Credit card processing fees – Ticketmaster may assess a credit card fee for refunds to account for processing costs.
- Loss of service fees – Convenience fees and other service charges on the original purchase are non-refundable.
- Resale fees – If reselling tickets through Ticketmaster’s exchange, selling fees apply.
Ticket buyers should account for these potential fees when considering a return or exchange. While the base ticket price may be refunded, extra costs may still apply to complete the return or exchange transaction.
How long does it take to get a Ticketmaster refund?
It typically takes Ticketmaster between 2-4 weeks to process refund requests and issue refund payments. The full timeline includes:
- 2-5 days for Ticketmaster to receive and review the request
- 7-10 days for Ticketmaster to receive and authenticate any mailed tickets
- 5-10 days for the refund amount to be approved and processed
- 5-10 days for banks and credit card companies to post the refunded amount
In total, expect around 15-30 days from initiating the request to seeing the money back in your account. Delays are possible if there are issues with the documentation or validity of the return request.
If the refund still has not appeared after 30 days, reach back out to Ticketmaster to inquire about the status. For mailed physical tickets, be sure to send via certified mail with tracking to confirm Ticketmaster received them.
Policies for special Ticketmaster ticket types
Some special Ticketmaster ticket types and programs have unique policies when it comes to refunds and exchanges:
Platinum Tickets
Platinum tickets purchased through Ticketmaster cannot be returned or refunded under any circumstance, except if the event is fully canceled with no makeup date. All platinum ticket sales are final.
Official Platinum Exchanges
For standard non-platinum tickets purchased via Ticketmaster’s Official Platinum Exchanges, the same return policies generally apply. However, the timeframe may be more condensed with exchanges required within hours or 1-2 days in some cases.
Verified Resale Tickets
Return policies for Verified Resale tickets bought through Ticketmaster depend on the seller’s preferences. Some provide flexible returns while others do not allow refunds. Buyers should carefully review return policies before purchasing resale tickets.
Season and Multi-Event Ticket Packages
For multi-event ticket bundles like season ticket packages, refunds and exchanges get more complicated. Options vary case-by-case based on sport, venue, etc. Contact customer support for sport-specific resale and return assistance.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster provides very limited options for ticket buyers to return or refund tickets purely at their discretion within an automatic cooling off period. While refunds are sometimes available in extenuating personal circumstances, buyers should not purchase tickets through Ticketmaster assuming they can easily cancel or return them later.
Carefully reviewing the transfer, refund, and resale policies before purchasing tickets can help avoid surprises down the road. Alternatively, buyers may consider supplemental insurance or waiting to buy closer to events when plans are more certain. With few exceptions, Ticketmaster ticket purchases are binding contracts, so consumers must make informed purchasing decisions upfront.