If you have tickets to an event purchased through Ticketmaster and find you can no longer attend, you may be wondering about your options for selling or transferring the tickets. The main options available are reselling them on Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace, transferring them to someone else, or in some cases getting a refund. Here is an in-depth look at when and how you can sell or transfer tickets purchased on Ticketmaster.
Overview of Ticketmaster’s Policies
In general, for most events, if you can no longer attend you have the option to resell or transfer tickets through Ticketmaster. The specifics depend on the event and venue policies. Some key things to be aware of:
- Tickets can only be resold or transferred through Ticketmaster, not on 3rd party sites.
- For many major concerts, sports games, and other high-demand events, tickets are “non-transferable” which means you cannot transfer them at all, only resell them on Ticketmaster’s marketplace.
- Whether you can get a refund depends on the event’s refund policy – many events have a no refund policy.
- There are deadline dates by which you have to resell or transfer tickets before the event.
Always check the specific event page on Ticketmaster for the official policies. The options can also vary depending on how you purchased the tickets, for example season ticket packages may have different policies than individual game tickets. Now let’s go over the details…
Reselling Tickets on Ticketmaster
For most events purchased through Ticketmaster, you have the option to resell any unused tickets. This is done through Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace. As the original ticket purchaser, you can list your tickets for resale at any price you want.
The main things to keep in mind for reselling Ticketmaster tickets:
- Non-transferable tickets must be resold this way: For many major events, the tickets are “non-transferable” which means you cannot transfer them to someone else. Your only option is to resell them on Ticketmaster’s marketplace.
- Deadlines to resell: Check for any deadline dates by which you have to resell tickets before the event. This is often 1-3 days beforehand.
- Fees: There is a fee to resell charged per ticket, typically around 10-15% of the resale price.
- No guarantees of selling: Just because you relist the tickets does not guarantee they will sell. You may have to lower your asking price as the event nears. Unsold tickets revert back to you.
- Delivery method: When reselling tickets, you can choose electronic or express/overnight delivery. Buyers pay the delivery fees.
Overall the convenience of reselling through Ticketmaster directly comes with the drawback of fees. But it’s the only option for non-transferable tickets. Also, Ticketmaster’s marketplace has a large buyer audience already searching for tickets there.
Transferring Tickets on Ticketmaster
For events where tickets are transferable, you can transfer ticket ownership to someone else through Ticketmaster. This allows you to sell or give away tickets to anyone you’d like.
Here are some key things to understand about transferring tickets:
- No fees to transfer: Unlike reselling, there are no fees to transfer tickets. It’s free to send them to someone else.
- Non-transferable tickets cannot be transferred: If an event has a non-transferable policy, you cannot transfer tickets no matter what.
- Deadlines to transfer: Similar to reselling, there is usually a deadline by which you must transfer tickets before the event occurs.
- How to transfer: Login to your Ticketmaster account online or in the app, go to your tickets, select transfer, enter the recipient’s info. They must accept the transfer.
- Transfer limits: There may be limits to how many times a single ticket can be transferred, often around 4-5 times.
Transferring tickets is the most flexible, lowest hassle option since there are no fees. But it’s not available for all events, so check policies first. Plan ahead to transfer them before deadlines.
Getting Ticket Refunds on Ticketmaster
For most live events, concerts, and sports games, there is a no refund policy on tickets purchased through Ticketmaster. But in some limited cases refunds may be available:
- Canceled or rescheduled events – If an event is outright canceled or rescheduled, refunds are generally available for a limited time. You must request a refund within the specified window.
- Special exceptions – For medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances where you cannot attend, you can contact Ticketmaster to submit a refund request. This is evaluated case-by-case, so refunds are not guaranteed.
- NFL games – Tickets to NFL games can be refunded up to 72 hours prior to the event. One of the few leagues with a refund policy.
- Includes all fees – Refunds when approved include the full ticket price and all associated fees and order charges.
Outside of the limited cases above, most events are a firm no refund policy. Carefully review policies before purchasing tickets, as you cannot count on getting your money back if plans change.
Other Alternatives for Unused Tickets
If reselling or transferring is not an option, here are few last ditch things you can try with tickets you can’t use:
- Find a buyer – You can always try to find someone (like a friend or coworker) to purchase or take the tickets even if official transfers are not allowed. You would have to physically hand off printed tickets.
- Donate tickets – Some teams, concert promoters, and venues allow donating tickets to charity foundations that distribute them to schools, veterans, underprivileged youth, etc. Ask your ticket provider if they offer a donation program.
- Eat the cost – As a truly last resort, you may have to accept eating the full cost of the tickets if you cannot attend and have no options to resell, transfer or refund.
Your best bets are always going to be reselling through Ticketmaster if possible, or transferring if the event allows it. But the above options are good to know as backups. The key is acting early before deadlines pass.
Tips for Reselling or Transferring Tickets
To have the best odds of recouping your costs on unused tickets purchased through Ticketmaster, keep these tips in mind:
- Act quickly, don’t wait to list them for sale or transfer to improve chances of selling or giving them away in time.
- Always carefully review the event policies up front before buying tickets. Understand your options if you can’t go.
- Avoid buying tickets for events where reselling restrictions may make them hard to unload, unless you are 100% sure you can attend.
- Be reasonable with pricing if reselling – price tickets competitively based on current market rates for the event.
- List tickets for hot, high-demand events at the earliest moment. These sell fastest with longest visibility.
- For less in-demand events, you may need to incrementally lower prices as the event nears. Some income is better than none.
- When transferring tickets, communicate clearly with the recipient to ensure they complete the transfer acceptance.
- Regularly check back on any tickets listed for resale to manage pricing and answer buyer questions quickly.
While Ticketmaster does provide official options to recover value on most unused tickets, you have to exercise those options responsibly and strategically to actually recoup costs. Understand all policies and limitations around reselling, transferring, and refunds before purchasing any tickets you may not be able to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tickets be sold on sites like StubHub or VividSeats instead of Ticketmaster?
No. Ticketmaster strictly prohibits reselling anywhere but their official resale marketplace. Any tickets sold externally could be canceled without refund.
Why can’t some events’ tickets be transferred?
For high-demand concerts, games, shows, etc. the event organizer or team might prohibit transfers to limit scalping and inflated resale prices. Non-transferable tickets must be resold only on Ticketmaster.
How does the waitlist work if I can’t resell tickets?
If you relist tickets but they don’t sell, Ticketmaster has an option to add buyers to a waitlist. If you end up not being able to attend, the next waitlisted buyer is notified to purchase.
Can I resell a ticket after the event starts?
No, tickets can only be resold on Ticketmaster prior to the event’s start time. Once an event starts, no transfers or sales are allowed.
What if I miss the deadline to resell or transfer tickets?
If you fail to resell or transfer tickets before the event’s posted deadlines, your only option is to try finding someone to purchase or take them offline. But officially your Ticketmaster options expire.
Are season ticket holders subject to different policies?
Yes, season tickets and multi-game packages typically have special policies. As a season ticket holder, contact your team or sales rep directly about options for reselling unused tickets.
Can I request a refund for reasons other than cancellation?
Outside of cancellations, refunds are only granted on a very limited basis for extenuating circumstances. You can call and submit a request but approval is not guaranteed whatsoever.
