Double bookings happen more often than you might think. Maybe you clicked "buy" twice in a panic, or perhaps you booked two events on the same date without realising. Either way, you now have tickets you cannot use -- and you want your money back. Here is how to handle it.
This guide covers general approaches to resolving double bookings. Check the specific platform's terms for their policy.
Scenario 1: You accidentally bought the same ticket twice
This is surprisingly common, especially during high-demand on-sales when websites are slow and you are not sure if your first order went through.
What to do immediately
- Check your email -- Look for order confirmations. If you have two separate order numbers for the same event, you have a duplicate purchase.
- Contact the platform immediately -- Most platforms will cancel and refund a duplicate order if you contact them quickly. Explain that you accidentally purchased twice and provide both order numbers.
- Check your bank statement -- Verify whether you were actually charged twice. Sometimes what looks like a duplicate charge is actually a pending authorisation that will drop off.
Your rights
If you bought online, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 give you a 14-day cooling-off period for most online purchases. However, event tickets are specifically exempt from this cooling-off period in most cases -- the regulations exclude contracts for leisure activities on a specific date.
That said, most reasonable platforms will refund a genuine accidental duplicate. It is in their interest to do so -- the seat or ticket allocation will go back into inventory and can be sold to someone else.
Scenario 2: You booked two different events on the same date
This is a scheduling clash rather than a duplicate purchase. Your options are:
- Check refund policies -- One or both platforms may allow refunds or changes. Check the terms for each booking.
- Transfer or resell -- If refunds are not available, transfer the ticket you cannot use to a friend, or sell it through an official resale channel.
- Contact the platform -- Even if their official policy says no refunds, explaining the situation politely sometimes gets a result, especially if you contact them well before the event.
Scenario 3: The platform charged you twice by mistake
If the platform charged you twice for a single order (a system error, not a user error):
- Contact the platform -- This is their error and they should refund the duplicate charge immediately.
- Check if it is a pending hold -- Card payments sometimes show a temporary authorisation followed by the actual charge. Wait 3 to 5 business days to see if the duplicate drops off.
- Contact your bank -- If the platform does not resolve a genuine duplicate charge, your bank can help through the chargeback process.
Prevention tips
- Wait for the confirmation page -- Even if the website is slow, do not click "buy" again. Wait for the process to complete.
- Check your email before buying again -- If you are unsure whether the first order went through, check for a confirmation email before starting a new purchase.
- Use a calendar -- Before buying tickets, check your calendar for date clashes with other events, travel, or commitments.
- Buy from platforms with clear order tracking -- On Tickts, every order is immediately visible in your account with a confirmation email sent instantly. You always know whether your purchase went through.
What if the platform will not help?
If you are stuck with a duplicate purchase and the platform refuses to refund:
- Try transferring the extra ticket -- Give it to a friend or family member.
- Sell it on an official resale channel -- Twickets or the platform's own resale feature.
- Chargeback -- For genuine duplicate charges (not buyer error), a chargeback through your bank is an option.
Summary
Double bookings are stressful but usually fixable. Contact the platform as quickly as possible, check whether the charge is a duplicate or a pending authorisation, and use transfer or resale options if a refund is not available. A little patience at the checkout stage -- waiting for the confirmation page before clicking again -- prevents most accidental duplicates.
