How to Get Broadway Ticket Refunds: Policies, Rules, and Tips

“No refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.” Dangerous words that accompany any ticket purchase for a Broadway show. But what happens if you can’t make the performance? You can:

• Find a friend to take your tickets
• Resell them on third party platforms like StubHub or newer platforms like Theatr.
• Post on a Broadway message board like BroadwayWorld or on a social media platform like Instagram or Facebook to find a stranger to take the tickets off your hands.

But if no one bites, you’re out the money AND the performance…right? Well, not necessarily. Despite the theaters’ strict no refund policy, there are a few loopholes and even a few times you’re guaranteed to get your money back. We’ll let you know when you can count on a refund, as well as a few lesser-known ways to reschedule your tickets if something comes up last minute.

When You Can Get a Refund

If The Show is Cancelled

If a show cancels due to weather, cast illness, or some other reason (like a fire at the Eugene O’Neill theater that disrupted The Book of Mormon), you will get a refund. Some shows will automatically refund tickets; others will send an email with information on how to switch dates or get your money back. And if a show closes early, all ticket holders who bought a ticket for a future performance will be refunded.

If The Star is Out

If the star is “above the title,” you can ask for a refund if they are unavailable to perform. And we do mean that literally – “above the title” means the star’s name will appear above the title on the marquee and in the playbill. In these cases, if the actor is out, you can ask the box office to refund your ticket or move it to a different day. But don’t always let a star’s absence keep you from seeing a show; understudies are incredibly talented, and you could be seeing the first time someone has ever performed on Broadway, a special moment that is often celebrated by the cast.

If You Purchased Ticket Protection

Some ticketing platforms offer ticket protection as a form of insurance. This allows you to cancel your ticket purchase up to 24 or 48 hours before show time. This can offer peace of mind and allows for much more flexibility, but it comes with a price tag, which is often a percentage of the cost of the ticket. Throwing an extra $20 after a $200 ticket can add up, especially if you are seeing multiple shows. But if you aren’t sure of your plans, getting ticket insurance can be worthwhile.

When You Can Reschedule

If You Are Sick, Miss a Flight, or Something Comes Up

We get it. Travel delays, inconvenient illness, a lot of things can derail the best laid plans. Officially, you might be out of luck. But unofficially, there are things you can do.

How to Reschedule your ticket

Many ticket sellers will rearrange tickets if possible. After all, theaters WANT audiences to see the show. The more popular a production is, the less flexibility the theater may have, but if you are polite and clear, it may be possible to find a new date for you. Call, send an email, or visit the box office and explain your situation. And here’s a tip: make it easy to help you. Know what other dates you are available, give options, and be understanding. A refund may not be possible, but rescheduling is usually easier. And know your original point of purchase – Telecharge, for example, will not be able to help you reschedule a ticket you purchased through StubHub.

Past Dating

This is our biggest hack. Past dating is a process where, AFTER the performance you were supposed to attend has already passed, you can ask for a “free” ticket for a different performance. You won’t be refunded for the unused ticket, but you might get a ticket for a later show. This is known as “past dating.” If you are in New York City, it can be helpful to go directly to the box office and ask in person, but you can also call Telecharge (if that is where you purchased the ticket) and ask about a show’s past dating policy. Some shows only offer this courtesy on weekday performances, and your seats may not be the same as the ones you purchased originally. And note this is NOT guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the box office. And third-party ticket sellers like StubHub do not offer this possibility.

Exchange Your Tickets Online

A few platforms and shows offer online forms and emails where you can ask about their past dating and ticket exchange policies. A tip: Try the online form, but don’t be afraid to visit the box office in person. Sometimes that can yield the best results.

ATG: https://us.help.atgtickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/48929681979291-What-can-I-do-if-I-missed-my-performance-of-a-Broadway-show-in-New-York

The Lion King: https://support.lionking.com/hc/en-us/articles/12795523691668-I-missed-my-performance-Can-my-tickets-still-be-used

Aladdin: https://support.aladdinthemusical.com/hc/en-us/articles/12679150427924-I-missed-my-performance-Can-my-tickets-still-be-used

Broadway Direct: https://help.broadwaydirect.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500010121141-How-do-I-exchange-or-refund-my-tickets

Roundabout Theatre Company: https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/shows/ticketing-faqs/

Reselling Your Broadway Ticket

If you can’t make the performance, you can always try reselling your ticket. For shows that are very popular, you might even walk away with a bit of extra cash! Or for last minute or less popular shows, you may have to sell the tickets at a discount. Below we’ve outlined some of the more popular resale sites, from community-oriented apps like Theatr, where you must sell your tickets either at or below the purchase price, to sites like StubHub or social media options like Facebook or Instagram.

Theatr

The theatr app is an opportunity to sell your tickets at or below the price you paid. Because there is no upcharge, and you must prove your original purchase price, this is one of the best ways to offload your ticket. Just download the app and follow the instructions – depending on if you purchased through Telecharge, TodayTix or some other platform, it may be possible to transfer the tickets digitally, or you can make plans to meet in person and hand the tickets to the buyer directly. We at Best Broadway Musicals have used this app and can confirm it’s legit.

Ticketmaster, Seatgeek, or StubHub

If you purchased through Ticketmaster or Seatgeek, log into your account and see if you see a “sell” button – if so, you may be able to sell your tickets digitally. Telecharge unfortunately does not offer this service. Otherwise, you can try reselling on StubHub, a popular secondary marketplace, but be prepared to be charged a sometimes-sizable commission fee.

Social Media

Use your own network to sell your tickets! Posting on Instagram or Facebook can prompt your own friends or friends-of-friends to buy tickets from you. You are ultimately responsible for getting the tickets to the purchaser, which could mean anything from a digital transfer of electronic tickets or meeting someone in-person to hand over physical tickets. Some box offices check ID to ensure that the person picking up the tickets matches the name of the person who bought them, so it’s not always as easy as telling someone to pick up tickets purchased in your name.

Can I Donate Unused Broadway Tickets?

Donating tickets can be surprisingly difficult and is sometimes restricted by certain platforms or theaters. For popular shows, there may be people waiting outside the theater explicitly asking if anyone has an extra ticket, and it’s easy to hand off tickets in person. But there are very few organized programs that are set up to handle donated digital tickets.

Discount Broadway Tickets

Looking for ways to save money on your next Broadway play or musical? Check out our article on last minute Broadway tickets, student discounts, and group tickets. We even have specifics on discounts for teachers and military discounts!