Having trouble redeeming your Ticketmaster gift card? You’re not alone. Ticketmaster gift cards can be super convenient for purchasing tickets to shows and events, but sometimes there are issues that prevent you from using your gift card online or in person. Here are some of the main reasons you may be running into problems redeeming your Ticketmaster gift card and what you can do about it.
Your gift card has expired
Just like regular credit and debit cards, Ticketmaster gift cards have an expiration date. The expiration date is typically printed on the back of the physical gift card. For e-gift cards delivered by email, the expiration date should be visible when you pull up your gift card details online.
The expiration time period can vary, but Ticketmaster gift cards usually expire 12-24 months after activation. Make sure to check your gift card for the expiration date before trying to redeem it. An expired Ticketmaster gift card unfortunately can’t be used to make any purchases.
What to do if your Ticketmaster gift card is expired
If your gift card has passed the expiration date, you won’t be able to use it to complete any transactions. Ticketmaster does not make exceptions for expired gift cards. However, you may be able to get the remaining balance added back to the original credit card, account, or payment method used to purchase the gift card. To request this, contact Ticketmaster customer support.
You have an insufficient balance
Just like a debit card, most Ticketmaster gift cards can’t be used if they don’t have enough funds. The system will detect insufficient balance errors during checkout when you attempt to redeem your gift card. This usually happens if the ticket prices in your order exceed the remaining gift card balance.
Before selecting your payment method, make sure your gift card balance can fully cover the ticket purchase amount. You can check your balance at any time using My Account on Ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster app.
What to do if your Ticketmaster gift card balance is too low
If your order total exceeds your current gift card balance, you have a couple options:
- Use your gift card to pay for a portion of the order, then cover the remainder with a different payment method like a credit card.
- Add funds to your gift card balance by purchasing a reloadable Ticketmaster gift card.
- Modify your order to only include tickets/fees within your existing gift card balance.
You cannot complete the transaction if your gift card balance is insufficient to cover the full amount. Make sure to top up your card or supplement it with another payment method at checkout.
You’re entering the gift card number incorrectly
One simple explanation for gift card redemption failure is entering your card’s identification number incorrectly. Each Ticketmaster gift card has a unique account number printed on it. This long string of numbers must be accurately typed in during checkout for the system to recognize your balance.
It’s easy to mistype a character or two, especially if you’re rushing through checkout. Always double and triple check you’re entering the gift card’s ID number exactly as shown on the card. Copy and paste the number if possible to avoid any mistakes.
What to do if you’re entering the gift card number wrong
If you get an error indicating the gift card number is invalid, carefully re-enter the long card number and resubmit. Make sure to enter any spaces or dashes shown in the appropriate spots. You may need to contact the Ticketmaster gift card support line if you’re still having trouble with the number after multiple attempts.
You have multiple accounts under the same email
Confusion can arise if you have more than one Ticketmaster account registered with the same email address. When buying tickets, make sure you are logged into the Ticketmaster account that is linked specifically to the gift card you want to redeem.
Gift card funds and balances are tied to individual Ticketmaster accounts. If you are logged into a different account that doesn’t own the gift card, the system will not recognize your card or show your associated balance during checkout.
What to do if you have multiple Ticketmaster accounts
If you can’t seem to redeem your gift card properly, double check that you are logged into the correct Ticketmaster account – the one you used when purchasing and activating the gift card originally. You may need to recover or reset your password for the account in question.
Going forward, it may help to merge your multiple Ticketmaster accounts so your gift card balances are consolidated in one place for easier access and redemption.
Your billing address doesn’t match
For security purposes, the billing address you enter during checkout must match the address associated with the credit card, debit card, or payment method used to purchase the Ticketmaster gift card initially. If the addresses don’t match up in the ticketing system, this will block you from being able to redeem your gift card.
When buying tickets, carefully enter the billing address details exactly as they appear on the credit card statement, bank statement, or other payment records tied to the gift card funding source. Any discrepancies could lead to problems redeeming your card.
What to do if the billing address doesn’t match
If you get an error indicating billing address mismatch, re-enter the address details carefully to match the gift card funding source records. You may need to contact Ticketmaster support to update the address on file if you no longer have access to the payment accounts used to purchase the gift card.
You have an international gift card
Ticketmaster gift cards purchased from outside the U.S. often can’t be redeemed on the Ticketmaster U.S. website and app. Similarly, U.S. Ticketmaster gift cards only work for events within the United States.
Before buying tickets, check to make sure your gift card region matches the Ticketmaster domain you are using. An international gift card will not work to buy tickets for U.S. events on Ticketmaster.com.
What to do if you have an international gift card
If you are trying to use a Ticketmaster gift card purchased abroad to buy tickets on the U.S. site, you will need to exchange it for a U.S. Ticketmaster gift card instead. Contact Ticketmaster support to inquire about possible exchange options for international gift cards.
You received an error during checkout
If you enter your Ticketmaster gift card during checkout but receive some kind of error message before the transaction can be completed, there is likely a technical issue or system bug preventing redemption.
Error messages you may encounter include:
- “Invalid gift card number.”
- “There was a problem redeeming your gift card. Please try again.”
- “An error occurred. Please contact Ticketmaster Customer Service.”
Don’t panic if you encounter a vague checkout error. There are a few different troubleshooting steps you can take.
What to do if you get a checkout error using your gift card
Here are some things to try if you receive an error while attempting to checkout with a Ticketmaster gift card:
- Refresh the page and try re-entering your gift card information.
- Use an alternative web browser or device.
- Clear your browser cookies and cache.
- Try a different payment method like credit card first.
- Contact Ticketmaster Customer Support for assistance.
Checkout errors are often intermittent technical problems that get resolved quickly. You may be able to redeem your Ticketmaster gift card successfully by trying again a bit later.
You’re missing the CVV security code
To help prevent fraud, you will need to enter the 3-digit CVV security code found on the back of the gift card when redeeming your Ticketmaster card online.
The CVV code is required during virtual checkout, similar to redeeming a credit or debit card. If your gift card doesn’t have a visible security code, you won’t be able to use it for online ticket purchases.
What to do if you’re missing the CVV security code
Unfortunately there is no way around the CVV security requirement. If your Ticketmaster gift card does not show a 3-digit code, you will need to exchange it.
Contact Ticketmaster support to inquire about a replacement gift card with a CVV code properly included so you can complete online purchases.
You’re trying to split payment with another card
While Ticketmaster allows splitting an order across multiple payment methods under certain circumstances, gift cards have some limitations.
Specifically, Ticketmaster gift cards cannot be used in split payment checkout scenarios. You must use the gift card to cover the full amount of your ticket order.
If your order total exceeds your available gift card balance, you’ll need to use a different payment method or modify your cart.
What to do if you want to split payment
If you want to use a Ticketmaster gift card as partial payment for your order, you have a couple options:
- Cover the full amount within your current gift card balance, then book a separate order with additional tickets/fees charged to a different payment card.
- Add funds to your existing gift card to expand the balance enough to cover the full order.
Just keep in mind you cannot split a single Ticketmaster order across your gift card and another payment method.
You have a physical gift card
While digital Ticketmaster gift cards can be easily redeemed online, physical gift cards work a bit differently.
When you have a plastic gift card, you will need to redeem it in person at a Ticketmaster ticket office or sales outlet instead of online.
The gift card number is not enough – your physical card must be scanned or swiped at the time of ticket pickup and redemption.
What to do if you have a physical gift card
If you received a plastic Ticketmaster gift card, you will need to bring it with you to an approved Ticketmaster ticket office or sales outlet in order to redeem it in person for event tickets.
Contact your local arena box office, concert venue, or Ticketmaster retail location to ask about their gift card redemption policy. You will likely need to bring the physical card and show photo ID.
You’re trying to use it for resale tickets
Ticketmaster gift cards work for purchasing tickets directly through Ticketmaster’s primary market only. They cannot be used for ticket resale transactions.
If you are trying to redeem your Ticketmaster gift card on a ticket resale site like Vivid Seats or StubHub, this is why it is declining. Resale platforms have separate gift card and payment systems.
What to do if you want to buy resale tickets
If you are looking to purchase Ticketmaster resale tickets from a third-party vendor, you will need to use a different payment method. Ticketmaster gift cards are only valid on Ticketmaster’s primary ticket sales platforms.
Buy your resale tickets using an alternative payment option, then use your Ticketmaster gift card later to purchase different primary tickets through an official Ticketmaster channel.
Conclusion
Trouble redeeming Ticketmaster gift cards is frustrating, but the issue likely stems from one of these common situations. As long as your card hasn’t expired, carries sufficient balance, and meets other requirements, you should be able to use it successfully in most cases.
To redeem your Ticketmaster gift card, remember to:
- Check the expiration date
- Verify your current balance covers the order total
- Enter the gift card number carefully
- Use the correct Ticketmaster account
- Match the billing address exactly
- Only redeem domestically purchased gift cards on Ticketmaster U.S.
- Contact support if you encounter unclear checkout errors
- Have the physical card to redeem in person
With the proper troubleshooting, you should hopefully get your Ticketmaster gift card working so you can enjoy the live event. Just reach out to their customer service team if any problems persist.
