How to Get Broadway Ticket Refunds During a Strike

What to do? What to do? You made elaborate plans to visit New York City this week, purchased your Broadway show tickets way in advance, and now there's a stagehands' strike that has closed most of the shows currently playing on Broadway. The answer is simple and unavoidable, at least for the time being: Get a refund for those tickets, and then make some changes to your well-thought-out plans. Here's how to do that.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Websites or phone numbers for the companies that sold you your tickets.
• Your credit card information nearby.
• A whole lot of patience.

1. First, check to make sure the show you've chosen is actually closed during the strike. There are many good sources of information available on the web, including entertainment-link.com and livebroadway.com. Both sites include lists of shows still running and those that are closed. You can also check for the latest information on both the Telecharge and Ticketmaster websites.
2. Getting ticket refunds will depend heavily on where you purchased your tickets, and whether you paid by credit card or cash. If you used a credit card and purchased your tickets through Telecharge, your card will be automatically credited for the full amount about two days after the performance date. If you purchased your tickets through Ticketmaster, your card will be credited in 7 to 10 days.
3. If you purchased your tickets at the theater box office, you can return to the box office for a refund. If the box office is closed, you should mail your tickets for credit or an exchange for the first available date to: Telecharge.com, 411 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack NJ 07601.
4. Now things get a bit more complicated. If you purchased your show tickets from a theater broker, go back to the broker or the website and read the fine print. Most legitimate ticket brokers will refund your purchase or offer you a credit for a future purchase.
5. If you purchased your ticket through an eBay vendor, the item listing should have included a clear refund policy in case an event is canceled. According to eBay, many of its sellers offer refunds for tickets returned within 15 days of the announced event cancellation. If an item listing does not have a refund policy, click on the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile and email your question to the seller.
6. If your trip to New York City is otherwise set in stone, try to find an alternative show to enjoy. Broadway and Off-Broadway shows that are open are listed on the websites we've already mentioned. Don't forget that two big holiday shows -- the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular" and "Cirque du Soleil's "Wintuk" -- have not been affected by the strike and remain open.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on the latest news about the strike. Although some Broadway-watchers are pessimistic, others say that both sides want to end the strike before the busy Thanksgiving weekend.