Ticketmaster temporarily authorizes a small amount when you purchase tickets as a way to verify your card is valid. This is a common practice among many online retailers and ticketing services.
What is the $1 authorization charge?
When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, they will temporarily authorize a small amount, usually $1, on your credit or debit card. This is not an actual charge but rather a temporary hold to validate your card.
The pending $1 authorization serves as a way for Ticketmaster to verify your card is legitimate and has enough available funds to cover the ticket purchase. It allows them to confirm the card is valid before finalizing the full charge.
Why do they authorize $1?
There are a few key reasons Ticketmaster authorizes $1 when you buy tickets:
- To verify your card is legitimate and not fraudulent.
- To check that your card has enough available funds to cover the ticket price.
- To confirm with the bank that the card can be charged for the transaction.
The small $1 amount is easier for banks to approve than the full ticket total, allowing Ticketmaster to validate your card quickly. It reduces the risk of the transaction later declining or failing.
Is this a charge or hold?
The $1 authorization is not an actual charge, but rather a temporary hold placed on the account. This hold will eventually drop off, although the timing varies by bank.
On your account, it may initially show as a pending transaction. Once the full ticket charge goes through, the $1 hold will disappear and only the final ticket purchase amount will reflect.
When will the $1 hold be removed?
The $1 pre-authorization hold is temporary and will eventually drop off the account, typically within a few days. However, the exact hold duration can vary by bank.
Here are some general guidelines for when the $1 authorization hold will be removed:
- Within 24-48 hours – For most banks, the hold will be removed 1-2 days after purchase.
- After 5-7 days – Some banks may take up to a week to release the hold.
- After final charge posts – Once the full ticket charge goes through, the hold will immediately drop off.
- Upon order cancellation – If the ticket purchase is cancelled, the hold will disappear right away.
If the pending $1 charge remains longer than expected, you may want to contact your bank to inquire about removing it.
Does the $1 come out of my account?
While the $1 is a temporary authorization, it can impact your available account balance. Here is how it typically works:
- Your available balance decreases by $1 when authorized.
- The $1 will be “on hold” and not available to spend.
- Once released, the available balance increases by $1.
- No actual funds are deducted from your account.
So while Ticketmaster does not permanently take the $1 from your account, it can temporarily reduce your available funds. This hold will be removed once it clears based on your bank’s policies.
Does Ticketmaster charge the $1 for all purchases?
Ticketmaster will pre-authorize $1 for most ticket purchases made online or through their mobile app. However, there are some exceptions where the $1 authorization may not occur:
- In-person purchases at the box office – No hold is needed for in-person transactions.
- Some promoter events – For certain concerts, sporting events, or partners, the hold may not apply.
- Verified Fan presales – These presales sometimes skip the authorization.
- Fan-to-fan ticket exchanges – Purchases via Ticketmaster’s transfer system often do not include the $1 hold.
While most Ticketmaster purchases will include the authorization, policies can vary for certain events or purchase methods.
Can I get the $1 authorization waived?
Unfortunately there is no way to get Ticketmaster to waive the $1 authorization charge for online or mobile app purchases. The hold is part of their standard process for validating cards.
Some options if you wish to avoid the hold include:
- Purchase tickets in-person at the venue box office when available.
- Use a prepaid credit card with only the exact ticket amount loaded.
- Pay with a virtual credit card number that can have a limit placed.
However, for most fans buying tickets online, the $1 hold will be applied. Just be aware it is temporary and will eventually disappear from your account.
Does Ticketmaster benefit from the $1 hold?
While one could assume Ticketmaster benefits by holding $1 from customers, they actually do not gain anything financial from the authorizations. Here is why:
- No revenue – Ticketmaster does not keep the $1 or earn interest.
- Covers processing costs – The hold helps validate cards to reduce unsuccessful charges.
- Industry standard practice – Small authorizations are common across many merchants and ticketing platforms.
The goal is solely to validate cards and improve the checkout process. Ticketmaster does not make money directly from the $1 authorizations.
Is the $1 authorization refundable?
Since the $1 is just a temporary hold and not an actual charge, there is nothing to refund. The hold will simply drop off your account within a few days based on your bank’s policies.
If your ticket order is cancelled for any reason and refunded, you will be refunded the entire ticket amount. The $1 authorization is not an additional refund as it was never collected by Ticketmaster in the first place.
Summary
In summary, the $1 authorization charge by Ticketmaster serves to validate your card and ensure it has sufficient funds. While temporarily annoying, it is standard practice for online retailers and ticketing platforms. The hold will disappear within a few days and is not actually deducted from your account. Just be aware the pending charge may briefly reduce your available balance.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the $1 charge? | A temporary authorization hold to validate your card. |
| Does Ticketmaster deduct $1? | No, they only put a pending hold that drops off. |
| How long does the hold last? | Usually 24-48 hours but can take up to 7 days. |
| Can I get the $1 waived? | No, it’s part of their standard verification process. |
| Do they profit from the $1? | No, it does not generate revenue for Ticketmaster. |
Conclusion
The mysterious $1 charge from Ticketmaster is simply a short-term pending authorization. While it may temporarily pending on your account, no actual funds are deducted. This is a common practice for online retailers to validate cards before purchase. Just be aware the hold may briefly impact your available balance until it clears automatically within a few days.