Can You Exchange Ticketmaster Tickets? The Complete Guide

Have you ever bought tickets to a show through Ticketmaster, only to have your plans change and not be able to attend? You may be wondering if Ticketmaster allows you to exchange those tickets for a different event.

The short answer is yes, Ticketmaster does have an exchange policy in certain cases that allows you to upgrade your tickets for the price difference plus a small fee.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about exchanging tickets on Ticketmaster, including:

• How Ticketmaster’s exchange policy works
• When you can and can’t exchange tickets
• Step-by-step instructions for exchanging tickets
• Troubleshooting problems with ticket exchanges
• Types of events that allow exchanges
• Strategies to save money when exchanging tickets
• If you can get refunds instead of exchanges

Let’s start by looking at the details of Ticketmaster’s ticket exchange policy.

What is Ticketmaster’s Exchange Policy?

Ticketmaster does have an exchange policy that gives fans some flexibility if their plans change and they can no longer attend an event they have tickets for.

Here are the key points:

• You can exchange your tickets for tickets to another event by paying the price difference + a $10 exchange fee
• The ability to exchange tickets depends on the event organizer enabling exchanges
• Ticketmaster also facilitates ticket resales through its Ticket Exchange platform

So if the event organizer allows it, you can exchange your tickets by upgrading to more expensive tickets for a different event and paying the price difference plus Ticketmaster’s $10 exchange fee.

This is useful if you want to exchange cheaper tickets you can no longer use for more expensive tickets to another event you now want to attend instead.

Ticketmaster also has a Face Value Ticket Exchange which allows fans who can no longer attend events to sell their tickets to other fans for the original face value price printed on the tickets.

This allows fans to recoup their costs if they can’t attend an event, while giving other fans a chance to buy tickets at original prices, avoiding marked up prices on secondary market sites.

So in summary, Ticketmaster does facilitate ticket exchanges, but the exact exchange policies can vary depending on the event.

When Can Tickets Be Exchanged on Ticketmaster?

While Ticketmaster allows exchanges in many cases, there are limitations on when you can exchange tickets:

• There are typically time limits, such as only being able to list tickets for exchange up to 24-48 hour after an event starts
• For the Face Value Ticket Exchange, any tickets still unsold 24 hour after event start are returned to the original purchaser
• The ability to exchange also relies on organizers enabling it, which isn’t always the case

So before deciding to exchange your tickets, first check that the event allows exchanges and that you are within the required time frame to list them on Ticketmaster’s exchange platform.

You don’t want to mistakenly assume your tickets are eligible for exchange when they are not.

If an event doesn’t allow ticket exchanges or you miss the exchange deadline, your only other option may be trying to resell them privately.

But when done properly within policy guidelines, exchanging tickets through Ticketmaster can be a smooth process.

How Does Reselling Work on Ticketmaster?

In addition to ticket exchanges, Ticketmaster also facilitates ticket resales through their Ticket Exchange platform. This functions similar to secondary market sites like StubHub.

Some key things to know about reselling tickets on Ticketmaster’s Ticket Exchange:

• It allows ticket holders to resell tickets at market-driven prices, which are typically higher than original face value
• Buyers pay more but gain access to high demand tickets hard to find elsewhere
• Similar to StubHub, Ticketmaster charges sellers fees when tickets successfully resell

So in many ways, Ticketmaster competes with secondary market resellers through its Ticket Exchange. This gives fans a resale option without needing to use 3rd party sites, with the assurance that the tickets are valid since they originate from Ticketmaster.

The downside is buyers often pay very inflated prices compared to original face values. But for hard to find tickets, it can provide buyer access that is otherwise unavailable.

Understanding the difference between Ticketmaster’s ticket exchanges and resales can ensure you choose the right option.

Step-By-Step Guide to Exchanging Tickets on Ticketmaster

Ready to exchange your Ticketmaster tickets? Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Log into your Ticketmaster account and access your order history
2. Find the event for the tickets you want to exchange
3. Click on the “Exchange” or “Sell” button to list them
4. Select if you want to exchange one or all of your tickets for the event
5. Pick the new event and exact tickets you want to exchange for
6. Enter payment details to cover the price difference between events
7. Review and finalize the exchange

Once complete, your original tickets will be invalidated and you’ll have new tickets for the event you exchanged into.

Be sure to complete the exchange before the cutoff times noted for the event you are exchanging tickets from. And remember that prices are set automatically based on the face value differences between the old and new tickets.

Following those step-by-step instructions, you can seamlessly exchange eligible tickets on Ticketmaster.

Troubleshooting Problems with Exchanging Tickets

Despite the process being straightforward in most cases, you may encounter some problems trying to exchange tickets on Ticketmaster:

• If the Exchange or Sell button is missing from your order, exchanges are not enabled for that event
• If you receive a message that exchanges are unavailable, double check the event allows them and you are within timing guidelines
• If your new desired tickets are showing unavailable, try checking back often as new seats may be released over time

So what should you do if your tickets aren’t eligible for exchange or you missed the cutoff window?

Your options may be limited, but you can try:

• Reaching out to the event organizer to ask for an exception or accommodation
• Reselling them privately through social networks, forums or classifieds listings
• Selling them back to Ticketmaster via their resale Ticket Exchange at a discount

While not always possible, if you act quickly enough in some cases you may still find alternative solutions. Checking directly with the event organizer is smart first step when troubleshooting problems exchanging tickets.

Types of Events That Allow Ticket Exchanges

What types of events commonly allow ticket exchanges? Here’s an overview:

• Concerts – Depends on artist policies, can range from all types of exchanges/refunded to none at all
• Sports Games – Season tickets commonly allow exchanges, individual games less flexible
• Theater Shows – Broadway often allows exchanges with fees, smaller productions set policies individually
• VIP/Premium Tickets – Typically state clearly if included options can allow exchanges or not after purchase

There really is significant variability in exchange policies across different event types. High profile artists and productions more commonly restrict exchanges, while smaller venues and teams tend to allow more flexibility.

When buying tickets, you should always check the fine print for the specific event’s exchange and resale rules. Things like premium seat packages, platinum level dynamic pricing tickets, and credit card presales may have special restrictions too.

Clear communication of what does or does not qualify for post-purchase exchanges ultimately provides the best experience for fans.

Strategies to Get the Best Deals on Ticket Exchanges

While Ticketmaster sets exchange pricing algorithmically based on the face value differences, you may still be able to save some money.

Here are helpful tips:

• Monitor listings to buy cheaper: If your original tickets were expensive, buying cheaper seats to exchange into first can lower your overall costs
• Timing matters: Listings are dynamic, so check frequently for price drops or new postings
• Set alerts: Use notification options to receive emails or texts when desired tickets meeting your budget become available
• Avoid convenience fees: Pick standard mail versus print-at-home to avoid fee premiums
• Buy early: Last minute exchanges mean fewer options so plan ahead

Remember, exchanges through the Face Value Exchange prevent buyers from paying inflated secondary market prices. But applying some smart shopping strategies can further help save money relative to costs of initial tickets purchased.

A bit of effort goes a long way when exchanging tickets!

Can You Get Refunds Instead of Exchanges on Ticketmaster?

In some cases Ticketmaster will allow refunds for ticket orders, providing an alternative to exchanging into different events.

Here is what you need to know about refunds:

• Event cancellation is the most common trigger enabling refunds
• Postponements typically only offer exchanges unless organizers explicitly offer refunds
• Qualifying reasons like medical emergencies may allow case-by-case refund approvals
• Changing your mind is generally not grounds for a refund on its own

The process for requesting a refund will depend on why you qualify:

• Start by checking your order in your Ticketmaster account for visible refund options
• If none shown, use the contact us form to inquire about eligibility
• Provide documentation supporting your refund request if asked
• Allow 2 weeks for review and processing

Unlike exchanges which swap tickets out, refunds effectively cancel the transaction. Outside of events cancelled altogether or rescheduled, your reasons for seeking a refund typically need to meet a higher bar through verification.

But it is possible in some scenarios if you provide the right evidence.

Final Thoughts: Exchanging Ticketmaster Tickets

Having reached the end of this guide, let’s recap the key things to remember:

• Ticketmaster does facilitate ticket exchanges in many cases by allowing upgrades to more expensive tickets
• Enabling by event organizers and timing cutoff windows impact eligibility
• Reselling tickets through Ticket Exchange has tradeoffs of higher prices but access
• Step-by-step process is easy when exchanges enabled
• Troubleshooting unavailable listings requires checking policies
• Event type plays a major role in exchange flexibility
• Smart shopping can save money compared to initial purchases
• Refunds have a higher bar than exchanges for approval

We hope this guide gave you clarity on what you need to know for changing plans and exchanging tickets purchased on Ticketmaster. Reselling and refunds also provide options in certain scenarios.

The key is always to carefully check event policies before assuming your tickets qualify for any kind of post-purchase modifications. With preparation and understanding of the nuances involved, modifying your Ticketmaster order can go smoothly.

Let us know if have any other questions!