Airline tickets and train tickets are because they want to identify the person, for tracking/supposed national security purposes. Also, you typically can transfer train tickets. Depends on the country.

Dinner reservations: I’ve literally never had an issue “transferring” a reservation. There’s no verification, often, and the reservation tools typically let you change contact details. If I present myself as John Smith, I’ve never once had anyone question that.

Concert tickets are almost certainly in the 'dinner reservation' category. They have no need to identify me for national security reasons, so transferring them should not be a problem.

I like the combined suggestions of three other commenters:

1) Allow transfers during a very short window (e.g. 24h before the event)

2) Allow full refunds up to x days before the event

3) Release a small batch of tickets 24h before the event, as a way of reducing the chance for scalpers to make money, and giving real fans a last chance without paying exorbitant prices

All three together offer a reasonable tradeoff. The tickets will go (mostly) to real fans, yet still giving you flexibility in case your plans change (work, sick, etc). And if you know well in advance, you can get a full refund, without having to worry with reselling, paying commission, etc.

Also prohibit secondary markets entirely. Similar to airlines, there's no reselling of tickets.

Of course, this is just wishful thinking. Too many intermediaries benefit from screwing showgoers, so this will never be implemented.

Pretty sure with air travel it's just a security issue, and all the other ones you can totally do.

I think they do kinda work that way. When you buy an airline ticket through some third-party website, the price is lower than the main site, yet they're making a profit. They must be hoarding then reselling tickets with the airline's permission, right? Same with cruises.

The thing is, you as an individual can't transfer tickets because of what the other person said.