Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticket marketplace. If you’ve ever bought tickets to a show or event through them, you may have wondered – can I upgrade to better seats if they become available?
The short answer is – yes, Ticketmaster does allow you to upgrade or exchange your tickets in certain situations. But there are specific policies and restrictions you need to be aware of.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll talk about how to upgrade tickets on Ticketmaster, including:
- The difference between upgrades, exchanges and VIP packages
- When upgrades/exchanges are allowed
- Eligibility requirements
- Associated fees
- Step-by-step process
- FAQs on common ticket upgrade questions
Let’s dive in!
What Does It Mean to Upgrade or Exchange Tickets on Ticketmaster?
Before getting into the details, it’s important to understand the difference between a ticket upgrade versus an exchange on Ticketmaster:
- Upgrades allow you to move to better seats for the same event, date, and venue that you already purchased tickets for. This usually means closer seats in a lower section.
- Exchanges let you change the date or time of the event you have tickets for, while keeping the same seat location. For example, exchanging Friday night tickets for a Saturday show instead.
It’s also possible to upgrade and exchange your tickets if needed.
Upgrades and exchanges are different from buying special VIP packages which include add-on experiences like meet and greets, early access, limited merch and more. We’ll cover VIP upgrades separately later on.
When Are Ticketmaster Upgrades and Exchanges Allowed?
Ticketmaster does put restrictions in place on when you can upgrade or exchange your tickets:
- There must be at least 7 days left until the event date to process an exchange.
- You may be able to request an upgrade 24 hours before the show if seats are still available.
- Every event organizer has to approve upgrades and exchanges as well.
So it’s crucial you make any change requests well in advance of the event start time, or you may not be able to switch your tickets.
Reselling platforms like StubHub also offer last minute upgrades within hours of showtime in some cases.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Upgrades on Ticketmaster?
To be eligible for a ticket upgrade, a few key criteria must be met:
- You must have purchased tickets directly through one of Ticketmaster’s official channels – their website, app, box office or fan-to-fan resale marketplace.
- Your order number needs to follow a 12-1234/FLO format. This confirms it’s an official Ticketmaster order.
- The tickets can’t have been transferred or resold through an unauthorized 3rd party site.
- If buying additional tickets, they need to be available for purchase (not sold out).
As long as those requirements are met, you should be able to upgrade your seats on Ticketmaster!
How Much Does a Ticket Upgrade Cost on Ticketmaster?
Upgrading your tickets on Ticketmaster does come at an additional cost:
- You will need to pay an upgrade fee, usually around $10 USD per ticket being upgraded.
- If your new seats are a higher price level than your original ones, you’ll pay the price difference per ticket as well.
So while upgraded tickets may offer you a better view or experience, keep the extra fees in mind too!
VIP upgrades also require purchasing the full VIP package price, not just the upgrade fee.
Can You Upgrade to VIP Tickets on Ticketmaster?
Many major concerts and tours offer special VIP packages exclusively on Ticketmaster. These usually guarantee amenities like:
- Premium seating near the stage
- Backstage tour access
- Exclusive merchandise
- Pre-show parties with food/drinks
- Meet and greets with artists
There are two main ways to score VIP treatment:
- Purchase a VIP Package Initially
VIP options will be highlighted on Ticketmaster’s event seat maps. You can buy packages during your original ticket transaction.
- Purchase a VIP Upgrade Afterwards
Some artists let you upgrade existing tickets by adding on VIP perks separately. Check your “My Tickets” account section for upgrade opportunities.
Upgrading to VIP mid-way does mean paying full price for that premium package though.
Tips and Tricks for Upgrading Your Tickets
If you already have tickets and want better seats, here are some savvy ideas to snag an upgrade:
Use the Virtual Venue Tool
If seats are being resold for an event, Ticketmaster offers a virtual venue map showing available options. You can preview open seats and complete an upgrade online.
Call Customer Service
Reaching out to Ticketmaster’s customer service team opens up more flexibility in finding and securing better seats. Explain what you’re looking for and they can check system inventories.
Check Seat Maps Frequently
Ticketmaster’s event seat maps are live updated. Keep checking back as fans return tickets closer to show dates, opening up last minute upgrades.
Buy Fan-to-Fan Resale Tickets
Can’t upgrade your exact seats? You may be able to purchase better resale tickets instead through Ticketmaster’s safe verified marketplace.
What If You Want to Downgrade Your Tickets?
Downgrading to cheaper ticket prices is not something officially supported by Ticketmaster unfortunately.
If an event doesn’t sell out and cheaper seats emerge, you essentially have two options:
- Resell your original higher priced tickets to recoup some costs (and eat the fees).
- Eat the cost of the tickets you already bought unfortunately.
Always double check seat maps and prices before locking in initial purchases!
Can You Exchange Tickets for a Different Date?
If an event you bought tickets for has multiple show dates, exchanges may be allowed to switch to a different date. But policies are determined on an event-by-event basis here.
Some key points on exchanging tickets:
- There is usually an exchange fee around $10 USD per ticket.
- Your new tickets must be the same or higher price level for the same event.
- Availability can’t be guaranteed for other dates, requiring some flexibility.
So while not always possible, exchanging your ticket purchase for a different concert date is something to look into!
FAQs: Common Ticket Upgrade Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions around upgrading tickets through Ticketmaster’s platform:
Can I get a refund if ticket prices drop after I purchase?
Unfortunately Ticketmaster does not allow refunds if the base ticket prices for your specific seats happen to decrease. The best option is trying to resell them through their fan exchange to recoup some costs.
What if I realize I purchased the wrong event date – can I exchange the tickets?
If you purchase the wrong event date, reach out to Ticketmaster support immediately explaining the mix up. They may be able to assist with an exchange depending on availability. But this isn’t guaranteed.
How long does it take to process a ticket upgrade or exchange?
Timing depends on many factors, but expect anywhere from a few hours to 7-10 business days in some cases. The sooner you make requests the better!
Can I upgrade my tickets to a totally different concert or event?
No – Ticketmaster strictly allows ticket upgrades/exchanges for the exact same event, venue and performers. The only change can be to seating quality and/or date/time. Not between events.
Conclusion
We hope this guide gave you insight into how the ticket upgrade and exchange process works on Ticketmaster. The requirements and restrictions can be tricky, but there are deals to take advantage of! Just be sure to make any change requests early, and double check you meet eligibility guidelines.
Have any other questions on upgrading your seats through Ticketmaster? Let us know in the comments!
