If you’re seeing a Ticketmaster code when trying to purchase tickets online, there are a few potential reasons why this may be happening. The most common reasons are:
You need a presale code
Many major concerts and events require special presale codes to purchase tickets before the general public on-sale. Presale codes allow certain groups like fan club members, credit card holders, spotify listeners, etc. to access tickets early. If you attempt to purchase tickets during a presale without the proper code, you’ll encounter an error asking for a valid code.
How to get presale codes
There are a few ways to get presale codes for Ticketmaster events:
- Join the artist’s official fan club – Fan club members often get first access to presales.
- Sign up for the venue’s email list – Venues will email presale codes to their mailing lists.
- Follow the event on social media – Presale codes are sometimes announced on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts.
- Check the artist’s website – Presale info is often posted on the artist’s official website.
- Search online – Presale code sites aggregate and share codes publicly.
- Use a special Ticketmaster presale – There are presales for Tickets for the Troops, Chase cardholders, Citi cardholders and more.
If you have the correct presale code, simply enter it during checkout on Ticketmaster when prompted. This will unlock ticket access during the presale window before the general on-sale.
You need a verified fan code
For very high demand events, Ticketmaster utilizes their Verified Fan system. This requires fans to register ahead of time and get a unique code to access the ticket on-sale. Without a Verified Fan code, you will not be able to purchase tickets when they go on sale.
How to get a Verified Fan code
Here is the process to get a Verified Fan code:
- When Ticketmaster announces a Verified Fan on-sale, fans must register on their website with their name, contact info and payment details.
- Ticketmaster will then select certain registered fans to receive a Verified Fan code via text and email 1-2 days before the on-sale.
- On the ticket on-sale date and time, return to Ticketmaster’s site and enter your unique Verified Fan code when prompted.
- Submit your code and access will be granted to search tickets.
Unfortunately, registering for Verified Fan does not guarantee you will receive a code. Ticketmaster’s system selects fans randomly based on their propriety algorithms. Your best chance is to register immediately when the Verified Fan registration period opens.
There’s an error with your Ticketmaster account
If you have an existing Ticketmaster account, an error code may indicate there is a problem preventing you from accessing tickets. Here are some potential account issues and fixes:
Verify your login info
Double check that you are entering the correct email/password for your Ticketmaster account. Resetting your password or having them send a password reset email can help resolve login issues.
Update your payment method
Your Ticketmaster account may have an expired/declined payment method saved. Updating your credit card details or adding a new valid card should allow ticket purchases to go through.
Review account restrictions
Ticketmaster may restrict your account for violations of their terms, like suspected scalping activity or fraud. You may need to contact their customer service to understand any restrictions on your account.
Contact Ticketmaster Support
If you cannot resolve your account issues, reach out to Ticketmaster Fan Support. They can further troubleshoot and identify any problems with your specific account.
You encountered a technical error
Sometimes error codes are not caused by the user, but rather a technical glitch on Ticketmaster’s end. With millions of fans flocking to buy tickets, their website can have intermittent technical issues. Here are some tips to handle site errors:
Refresh and retry
Click refresh and attempt to purchase again. Often this will resolve transient glitches as you get routed to a new server.
Use a different browser
Switch to a different web browser like Firefox, Safari or Chrome and retry your purchase. This will reset any cached errors that may be browser specific.
Try again later
During peak on-sale times, it may be impossible to complete purchases until initial demand dies down. Waiting an hour or more can sometimes allow processes to complete once traffic has reduced.
Contact support
If system errors persist more than an hour, reach out to Ticketmaster support. They may need to escalate website issues to their technical team for troubleshooting.
You’re blocked for suspicious activity
To combat scalpers and bots, Ticketmaster has advanced fraud monitoring that can flag suspicious activity. Getting blocked can happen if you:
- Attempt to purchase an abnormally high number of tickets
- Use VPNs or proxy IP addresses to disguise your location
- Have credit cards or billing addresses that don’t match
- Share the same Ticketmaster account across many users
If you are erroneously flagged for suspicious activity, you will need to contact Ticketmaster support for assistance unblocking your account. Provide them any details you have to clarify the valid reasons behind your ticket purchases.
The tickets sold out
The dreaded words that no fan wants to see…TICKETS SOLD OUT. Despite your best efforts, the tickets you wanted simply exhausted their available inventory before you could complete your purchase. Some tips for next time:
Buy early
Get tickets as early as possible when they initially go on sale to the general public. Sign up for presales that give early access before everyone else.
Use faster devices
Purchase from a computer rather than mobile device and ensure you have a strong wifi/cellular connection.
Check for restocks
Often last minute tickets will be released as production releases additional inventory. Set email alerts and keep checking back.
Try resellers
Authorized resellers like StubHub may have tickets, though likely at an inflated price. Use caution to avoid potential scams.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster codes when purchasing tickets generally indicate either you need access credentials for a presale, there is an issue with your Ticketmaster account, you encountered a technical error on Ticketmaster’s website, or the tickets already sold out. With high demand events selling out in seconds, errors are common. Persistence and troubleshooting your specific situation are key to getting tickets.
Frequently Asked Additional Questions
Why do I need a code to buy tickets on Ticketmaster?
Codes are Ticketmaster’s method of controlling access to tickets and combating bots. Presale codes grant early access to ticket inventory before the general public. Verified Fan codes randomly select buyers during high demand on-sales. Without the proper code during a presale or Verified Fan event, you will be unable to purchase tickets.
What do Ticketmaster error codes mean?
Common Ticketmaster error codes include:
- Invalid Code – You don’t have the correct presale or Verified Fan code.
- Unavailable Tickets – The tickets sold out before you could buy.
- Account Restricted – There is a block on your Ticketmaster account.
- Payment Failed – Your payment method on file was declined.
- Too Many Requests – You made too many searches/requests too quickly.
Error codes indicate there is some type of problem preventing your ticket transaction from completing. Refer to the specific error for more details.
Why does Ticketmaster require Verified Fan?
For extremely popular events that sell out instantly, Ticketmaster uses Verified Fan to randomly allocate tickets rather than just rewarding whoever can click fastest. Fans must register ahead of time and get selected for a code to buy tickets. This aims to level the playing field and get more tickets directly to real fans.
How do I avoid Ticketmaster codes and errors?
Here are some tips to avoid running into codes and errors on Ticketmaster:
- Purchase during presales to get tickets before they sell out.
- Ensure your Ticketmaster account details are up to date.
- Use a strong/reliable internet connection on a desktop computer.
- Be ready right at the on-sale time to buy immediately.
- If errors occur, keep refreshing and trying again.
What do I do if tickets sell out?
If a Ticketmaster event shows “tickets unavailable” or “sold out”, try these options:
- Get on the waitlist in case more tickets are released.
- Check resale sites like StubHub for marked up ticket prices
- Follow event social accounts for special ticket releases.
- Consider a different show date if the artist is performing multiple times.
How does Ticketmaster verify fans?
Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan process involves these steps:
- Fans register with personal info like name, email, billing details.
- Ticketmaster analyzes registration data to filter potential scammers/bots.
- Qualified registrants are emailed a Verified Fan code to use during the on-sale.
- Codes are granted randomly regardless of registration order.
While not perfect, Verified Fan aims to get more tickets to genuine fans vs scalpers/bots.
Can Ticketmaster codes be shared?
In most cases, Ticketmaster codes are tied to a specific account and cannot be shared or transferred to another fan. However, some artist presale codes are generic and distributed publicly, allowing anyone with the code to access the presale. Code sharing is prohibited by Ticketmaster though due to anti-scalping policies.
How are Ticketmaster presale codes obtained?
There are a few ways to get presale codes for Ticketmaster sales:
- Join the artist’s fan club to get member presales
- Sign up for venue/promoter email lists
- Follow event social media accounts that may share codes
- Use special Ticketmaster presales through Amex, Chase, etc
- Find codes on presale code aggregator sites
Having an advantage like fan club membership or Citi card are the most reliable ways to access presales and get tickets before the general public.
Why is Ticketmaster so difficult?
Getting tickets on Ticketmaster can be frustrating for several reasons:
- Very high demand for hot events – scarcity drives competition
- Bots and scalpers trying to buy up tickets
- Overloaded servers crashing from traffic spikes
- Presales and Verified Fan systems add complications
- Resellers drive up prices if initial sales fall short
Ultimately, the ticketing process is difficult because of skewed supply and demand. Until events stop selling out instantly, Ticketmaster will need complex processes to handle the frenzy.
What are some tips and tricks for using Ticketmaster?
Tips for improving your Ticketmaster experience:
- Set up account ahead of on-sales – store payment info, etc
- Use desktop browser rather than mobile app
- Make sure billing/shipping addresses match
- Buy during presales before general public
- Refresh browser if errors occur
- Don’t panic click – go slow and steady
Little things like using Google Chrome, staying on Wifi, and having updated payment methods on file can make a big difference in scoring tickets.
Is Ticketmaster the only way to get tickets?
Ticketmaster has major ticket distribution power, but they are not the only option. Other places you may be able to get tickets include:
- Direct from the venue’s box office
- Artist or promoter direct presales
- Other authorized ticket retailers like AXS and SeatGeek
- Resale sites like StubHub
- Outside the venue from scalpers (risky)
Checking all presale options and sales channels gives you the best shot at getting tickets at or below face value prices.
What happens if my Ticketmaster purchase doesn’t go through?
If your Ticketmaster transaction gets interrupted or fails, typically no tickets are issued or held for you. Your purchase is simply canceled without completion. Some potential scenarios:
- Error during presales – you lose out on those limited tickets
- Payment processing failure – your cart is emptied
- Timed out from taking too long – tickets released back to inventory
- Technical errors – transaction rolled back
You have to start the purchase process all over again from scratch. To avoid wasted efforts, be sure to resolve any account issues and use reliable internet to reduce errors occurring mid-transaction.
Is Ticketmaster designed to make buying tickets difficult?
Ticketmaster is in a challenging position trying to balance serving fans while combating scalpers and bots. Some of their measures like presales and Verified Fan seem designed to make getting tickets tough, but are really just efforts to get more tickets directly into the hands of genuine fans. The difficulty mostly stems from overwhelming demand that instantly exceeds supply for hot events. While not perfect, Ticketmaster wants real fans to get tickets just as much as they do.
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