Loyalty Points - something needs to change.

[mybloodisclaret]

Went down to the ticket office today to get Huddersfield tickets, 4 adults and 2 juniors - My lads 8 and 10.

The adults all had plenty of points to qualify, but obviously my lads have nowhere near 6000 as it is impossible for them to achieve them until they are around 17-18. They have had season tickets continually for several years. They were the youngest Burnley supporters at Olympiacos. They travelled with us to Newcastle, Brentford, Watford, City and United last year, and prior to that have been to Spurs, Villa, West Brom and others but they do not have 6000.

The ticket office refused to sell tickets for my lads as they don't have 6000 points, I was even told, I could by the 4 adult ones today and come back at the weekend (like there will be any left for the Junior tickets) , which obviously won't be anywhere near the other 4 even if we could get them.

I understand rewarding loyalty but the system is outdated and in this scenario quite simply not fit for purpose, but you can absolutely guarantee that there will be a number of boys and girls the same age as my lads at Huddersfield who will definitely not have the required 6000. Surely it is time to remove this 6000 point criteria for youngsters, as otherwise they will struggle getting to any of the big away matches.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Go sit in the home end, apparently the average attendance across the championship is 60%.

The club aren't going to change it anytime soon, they can't even make the current system work 100% of the time.

My entire sales history has been wiped out, I discovered last season, and for the game I did attend they failed to add the points that would've enabled me to qualify for our final home game against Newcastle.

[Zlatan]

It does seem absurd that junior clarets have a requirement of 6000 points in order to be eligible to buy away tickets.

Perhaps the criteria needs reviewing along the lines of the adult needs 6000 points, but can purchase an additional ticket for a junior providing they have a season ticket - just scrub the points for juniors (obviously allow them to accumulate though for when they’re older).

[UpTheClaretsFCBK]

Junior tickets should be exempt from the points scheme when purchased with an adult ticket that has enough qualified points, at a maximum of one additional ticket for a junior per qualifying adult. It's not that hard of a solution to think up. Club is useless in this respect and always has been.

[ClaretTony]

You would have got those tickets last year - the ticket office assisted in those cases.

[timel0veandtendayi]

I'd agree that the loyalty points system should be something like a rolling 3/5 year thing, to allow younger fans a chance to catch up with us oldies. Or maybe allow adults the option to designate a child so you could club points together and split somehow? There's endless options and someone will always be unhappy somehow.

[claretonthecoast1882]

It does seem absurd that junior clarets have a requirement of 6000 points in order to be eligible to buy away tickets.

Perhaps the criteria needs reviewing along the lines of the adult needs 6000 points, but can purchase an additional ticket for a junior providing they have a season ticket - just scrub the points for juniors (obviously allow them to accumulate though for when they’re older).

What happens if the club does this and someone still misses out ? Do we have to change it again ?

What happens if someone say aged 15 has 4000 - 6000 points, goes week in week out misses out on one of the more attractive away games because someone wants to take their lad to that game but has no interest in many others ?

There isn't a system that would make sure anyone who wants a ticket gets one. Personally had I been in this position this morning I would have bought 2 adults and 2 juniors (which he could have done) and then hoped for 2 further adult tickets if possible. If it is all about the kids getting a ticket then if you miss out on the other 2 tickets you work out which 2 adults go and which 2 don't.

There will be 3 maybe 4 games this season where there is a big demand, do you change a whole system for those few games ?

[Burnley Ace]

Is there a fixed number of adult and junior tickets that we are provided with or is it X number of tickets and we can apportion them as we see fit? Presumably the club would rather sell 3,000 adult tickets rather than 2k adult and 1k children?

[ClaretMov]

One of our party has been a season ticket holder for 40+ years but because they sold his seat some how and wouldn't move that person until the season after they some how reset his points total and after all these years later he's still short of the 6k and we have to wait for the 4k, I agree with the children points and mabe under 12's etc should receive 1k points on all season tickets bought to help them catch up

[claretbob]

Very many of us in the same boat but I guess if they cater for us parents other fans with more points than the kids will miss out. How will they feel?

[wilks_bfc]

I'd agree that the loyalty points system should be something like a rolling 3/5 year thing, to allow younger fans a chance to catch up with us oldies. Or maybe allow adults the option to designate a child so you could club points together and split somehow? There's endless options and someone will always be unhappy somehow.

I do think we should be able to "pool" points between yourself and a junior STH.

I'll admit it has never been something I've had to think about until recently since both my nephew & godson, have started coming on and had a ST.
More so now with the godson who is older and asking to go to away games

[Elizabeth]

This should definitely be taken up with the club and even Mr Pace directly

[mybloodisclaret]

You would have got those tickets last year - the ticket office assisted in those cases.

I did last year Tony, that's how they got to Newcastle. I am really angry with it tbh. My lads are Burnley mad and now it's like they just don't count through no fault of their own.

[Sproggy]

Any changes would discriminate against those of us that have been through the painful 15 year process of rearing 6000 point holders.

[wilks_bfc]

Is there a fixed number of adult and junior tickets that we are provided with or is it X number of tickets and we can apportion them as we see fit? Presumably the club would rather sell 3,000 adult tickets rather than 2k adult and 1k children?

Ticket category wont be allocated until bought.
In theory there would be nothing to stop them all being sold as juniors

[Burnley1989]

I know I'd have had enough points but over the years I've had multiple clarets numbers and never really bothered collecting points as I've always got a ticket for any game I wanted to.

Really understand the frustration though, the juniors are our future and shouldn't be felt hard done by for something out of their control

[mybloodisclaret]

What happens if the club does this and someone still misses out ? Do we have to change it again ?

What happens if someone say aged 15 has 4000 - 6000 points, goes week in week out misses out on one of the more attractive away games because someone wants to take their lad to that game but has no interest in many others ?

There isn't a system that would make sure anyone who wants a ticket gets one. Personally had I been in this position this morning I would have bought 2 adults and 2 juniors (which he could have done) and then hoped for 2 further adult tickets if possible. If it is all about the kids getting a ticket then if you miss out on the other 2 tickets you work out which 2 adults go and which 2 don't.

There will be 3 maybe 4 games this season where there is a big demand, do you change a whole system for those few games ?

I couldn't have done that as the Juniors don't have 6000 points, so I couldn't have bought the Junior tickets.I bought the 4 adults, but in honesty am probably going to return mine and the Mrs' as it isn't fair for my lads to miss out, so will probably end up watching it on TV at home.

[MACCA]

Its been done to death..

However, the "loyalty" system has been floored for a very long time now, sadly those who have 6k+ points and don't have the problem of trying to take on a child/grandchild don't really need, nor want it to change.

I asked the ticket office several years ago if they couldn't do something where an adult with 6k points could take 1 child ( per parent with over 6k ) with a current season ticket and say 1000 points along with them, even if it only set a side 10% of tickets for under 16s to accompany their parent(s)

Sadly it fell on deaf ears.

Now we are left with people using various season tickets off friends and family to make sure they get tickets with their mates.

I know a 75 year old chap who's not travelled away since Wembley 09, however it shows he goes on about 80% of away games as he hands his number to a relative

Other cases of similar happen in the big games ( like Huddersfield ) where there are several people going who are NOT season ticket holders, even 1s a Man Utd "supporter" but due to getting permission to use someone else's number , they can go on the Huddersfield and any other big game they like without a worry.

How that rewards "loyalty" I'll never know, but its their ticket/points, and they can do as they please with it.

As the old saying goes, if you can't beat them join them.

[SalisburyClaret]

The loyalty system is fine - providing a club has the IT System to support it. They didn't when it was introduced and it hasn't improved much. My points have been lost many times. I've been a season ticket for decades but I can't get near 6000 points

[distortiondave]

It does seem fairly ridiculous that I, having been to a grand total of 2 away games since Wembley in 09, could get a ticket for any game I wanted, but these lads can't go the 30 miles to Huddersfield with their dad.

[ClaretMov]

I couldn't have done that as the Juniors don't have 6000 points, so I couldn't have bought the Junior tickets.I bought the 4 adults, but in honesty am probably going to return mine and the Mrs' as it isn't fair for my lads to miss out, so will probably end up watching it on TV at home.

I'll buy them off you

[claretonthecoast1882]

I couldn't have done that as the Juniors don't have 6000 points, so I couldn't have bought the Junior tickets.I bought the 4 adults, but in honesty am probably going to return mine and the Mrs' as it isn't fair for my lads to miss out, so will probably end up watching it on TV at home.

Unless it has changed this season if you had 4 adult season tickets with over 6000 points you could have bought 2 adult and 2 junior. With an adult number you can buy a ticket in any age group

[Lancasterclaret]

I'm torn on this one

I am in exactly the same position as the thread starter, but I see the other side as well

I think there has to be some way that you can divide up your families points so that you can go

[ClaretMov]

We should go back to the good old day's of queues

Screenshot_20220706-124204_Chrome.jpg (167 KiB) Viewed 3966 times

[quoonbeatz]

It does seem absurd that junior clarets have a requirement of 6000 points in order to be eligible to buy away tickets.

Perhaps the criteria needs reviewing along the lines of the adult needs 6000 points, but can purchase an additional ticket for a junior providing they have a season ticket - just scrub the points for juniors (obviously allow them to accumulate though for when they’re older).

Not sure why a kid with less points should have priority over an adult who has more points. People have spent a lot of time and money accruing those points.

Our crew have to wait until Friday to buy tickets to make sure we can all get them. No idea if they'll still be on sale by then but thems the breaks and it has to be consistent for everyone.

[Zlatan]

Won’t somebody think of the children…

[Quickenthetempo]

We have had this many times on here and everyone argues what's best for them.

I think a 3yr rolling points is the best system.

My Dad for Everton aways has to be a ST holder then have attended the last 20 away games in a row. Then it goes to 19 etc..
Man Utd, you have to apply and get drawn out of a ballot.

[claretonthecoast1882]

We have had this many times on here and everyone argues what's best for them.

I think a 3yr rolling points is the best system.

My Dad for Everton aways has to be a ST holder then have attended the last 20 away games in a row. Then it goes to 19 etc..
Man Utd, you have to apply and get drawn out of a ballot.

You also have to sign up to the cup scheme where you automatically buy tickets for all rounds at Man Utd to even apply for away tickets, even though you aren't assured of one.

We could do that here too, for the 3-4 big away games this season

[ArmchairDetective]

There has been talk recently about moving to a rolling points system, e.g. those who have had a season ticket for the last 3/4/5 years would be in the higher category.

I can see both the benefits and drawbacks of both systems.

My impression is that those within the club are aware the current system doesn't work for everybody, but that changes also wouldn't work for everybody. I don't envy the person who has the ultimate say on any changes.

[Quickenthetempo]

You also have to sign up to the cup scheme where you automatically buy tickets for all rounds at Man Utd to even apply for away tickets, even though you aren't assured of one.

We could do that here too, for the 3-4 big away games this season

Luckily, the big away games this year, all have bigger than normal away ends.
Preston, Blackburn and Wigan over 5k.

I'm not sure on Blackpool. They have recently given big away allocations but limited Preston fans when they had a small allocation themselves. With us only giving 2200 to away fans, Blackpool might do the same?

[quoonbeatz]

If you want to make it fairer then do away with loyalty points, allocations to supporters clubs and whatever freebies are dished out these days, and just put them on sale to ST holders for a couple of days then on general sale. You won't get a more inclusive system than that, whilst retaining the benefit of buying a season ticket.

[timel0veandtendayi]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but priority goes to season ticket holders anyway. You need 6000 points and a season ticket, 4000 points and a season ticket, so on and so on, before they end up on general sale. That seems fair enough to me.

If the club are sending out these fan questionnaires to get our opinions on stuff, this topic might be a good one to have.

[fidelcastro]

This cost of living crisis mustn't be as bad as the media are making out when people are squabbling over match tickets.

[bumba]

We have had this many times on here and everyone argues what's best for them.

I think a 3yr rolling points is the best system.

My Dad for Everton aways has to be a ST holder then have attended the last 20 away games in a row. Then it goes to 19 etc..
Man Utd, you have to apply and get drawn out of a ballot.

Man United do the ballot but still somehow some fans manage to go to every away game which means the club must also fix it in some way.

Not sure the Everton one sounds a good idea either what if you attend 20+ matches then miss one thru illness or due to an emergency then you'd have to start again.

I'm not sure what the best idea is if I'm honest but think it could be looked at.

I've had a season ticket every year in the last 35 apart from 3/4 seasons when I was playing myself yet don't have enough points but attend most away games. Problem is I can't build my own points back up because I have to borrow a ticket to guarantee I get to go.

[Quickenthetempo]

This cost of living crisis mustn't be as bad as the media are making out when people are squabbling over match tickets.

Whoever has a match ticket, certainly won't be buying Lurpak this week.

[jrgbfc]

Didn't think it would take long for posts like this to start. Luckily there's only 2 or 3 away games a season that will sell out quickly. Unfortunately the popular games someone has to end up disappointed.

[Leisure]

I couldn't have done that as the Juniors don't have 6000 points, so I couldn't have bought the Junior tickets.I bought the 4 adults, but in honesty am probably going to return mine and the Mrs' as it isn't fair for my lads to miss out, so will probably end up watching it on TV at home.

If you'd bought them online through Friends and Family you could have used the numbers of the 4 adults with 6k points and then changed the category of 2 of them to juniors.

[BFC88]

The club should scrap loyalty points and set up away membership instead. Anybody who purchases a years membership is entitled to a ticket- first come first served.

Leeds and Derby do it this way, to name a few.

[wilks_bfc]

If you'd bought them online through Friends and Family you could have used the numbers of the 4 adults with 6k points and then changed the category of 2 of them to juniors.

You can and I’ve done that myself on occasions, but it doesn’t help build up the point of the person actually using it so will be in that constant cycle

[aggi]

The obvious, which most clubs with high demand do, is have points expire. Points from 15 years ago being worth the same as points from last week is unusual (not just in football).

[1989_claret]

We should go back to the good old day's of queues


Screenshot_20220706-124204_Chrome.jpg

Did this for Spurs away in the League Cup and then Reading away in the play offs the same season. Much prefer the current system

[Nori1958]

The club should scrap loyalty points and set up away membership instead. Anybody who purchases a years membership is entitled to a ticket- first come first served.

Leeds and Derby do it this way, to name a few.

I've said this many times, it's the best way, season ticket holders can still have first dibs at home cup games.
Some tickets would still be available for away games, as I don't think the away membership would be that big, but those who go to away games get rewarded.

[1989_claret]

I have no issues with the current system as I have plenty of points however, I think it would be fairer to be a three year rolling system or something similar or as mentioned above and adult can buy one junior with his ticket.

[boyyanno]

I've said this many times, it's the best way, season ticket holders can still have first dibs at home cup games.
Some tickets would still be available for away games, as I don't think the away membership would be that big, but those who go to away games get rewarded.

I actually think this is a much better way of doing things to be honest.

If memory serves you used to be able to get tickets if you were a member of the Clarets Foundation but I think they scrapped that too.

[Rileybobs]

This is only a problem for about 3 games a season. It really isn’t an issue.

[Quickenthetempo]

I actually think this is a much better way of doing things to be honest.

If memory serves you used to be able to get tickets if you were a member of the Clarets Foundation but I think they scrapped that too.

I heard there is no foundation bar now either (gone corporate).

Members are getting a discount in the fanzone.

[Leisure]

Through the BFC Supporters Groups we've done a lot of research on this topic over the past couple of years. The only club which we found which seems to have addressed the issue of parents with enough points with children with not enough points, was Watford. They ring-fenced 5% of the away tickets for each game to deal with this issue. So they had a set number of tickets for each away game from which parents with points could also get tickets for their children. Which is great for those parents but it does reduce the number of tickets available for people who have the correct points. As someone stated earlier in the thread, any changes to address perceived shortcomings in the system will be to the detriment of others.

[ClaretInLeeds]

The club should scrap loyalty points and set up away membership instead. Anybody who purchases a years membership is entitled to a ticket- first come first served.

Leeds and Derby do it this way, to name a few.

Leeds fans pay something like £3000 for an away season ticket and it the most incestuous process you’ll ever see. Also, their fan base is much larger than ours and their fans are all over the country in big numbers.

[Barlickclaret]

Be interesting to see if there's a thread similar to this when we play teams like Millwall, Watford and Reading, away.

[Quickenthetempo]

Leeds fans pay something like £3000 for an away season ticket and it the most incestuous process you’ll ever see. Also, their fan base is much larger than ours and their fans are all over the country in big numbers.

3 grand for 570 quids worth of tickets?

Or does that include chauffer driven transport as well?