Digital Away Tickets

[ClaretTony]

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace this weekend.

Villa have made the lower tier for the away fans digital tickets only and Palace were not permitted to sell upper tier until the lower tier was sold out.

Also expected that Liverpool and both Manchester clubs will be digital tickets only, the Palace supporter groups have been advised by their ticket office.

[ClaretsPadiham]

Forcing people to get a smart phone ?

[ClaretTony]

On a personal note, I’m ok with it but it’s not right to force it on everyone. Some clubs now have digital only for season tickets, Brighton for one.

[IanMcL]

So it's 2000 points and a smartphone!

[Jamesy]

Man United have had digital season tickets for several years now.

[ClaretLoup]

Sunderland and Newcastle are digital tickets only via smartphones.

I went to Sunderland vs Ipswich recently and my ticket was digital via smartphone. I have to say that passing through the turnstile was very quick.

[The Hung Juror]

Not great for those of us who like to save our tickets. Used to save my tickets to gigs, but no longer.

[NewClaret]

Miles better system. Wish we had a digital ST option although think there should be an option for a physical ST for those who don’t have smartphones (which can’t be many).

[Pickles]

Isn't every phone a smartphone now?

[ClaretTony]

Man United have had digital season tickets for several years now.

United still have cards I believe for some. Man City and Brighton are definitely two clubs whose season tickets and home tickets are digital although Brighton, for now, still issue paper tickets for away fans but are looking to move away from it.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Isn't every phone a smartphone now?

I've just set a new high score on my Nokia 3210 playing snake

[ClaretTony]

Miles better system. Wish we had a digital ST option although think there should be an option for a physical ST for those who don’t have smartphones (which can’t be many).

Should always be an option. I know a good number of our season ticket holders who don't have smartphones. Two Burnley fans were left struggling recently for the LSC final because of this. It's a better system for you maybe, and I'd be fine with it because I'd use it, but for a lot of people it isn't at all.

[Spijed]

Looking at Brighton's website their attitude seems to be make it as difficult as possible for those without a smart phone.

https://tickets.brightonandhovealbion.c ... phone.html

[dsr]

Isn't every phone a smartphone now?

Not only is not every phone a smartphone, but also not everyone even has a phonbe.

There are many people, not least those selling tickets for various events, who reckon that people who aren't willing to shell out bare minimum £100 p.a. (and probably a lot more) for an unwanted electronic device, aren't people worthy of their consideration. It's a rotten attitude.

[dsr]

Looking at Brighton's website their attitude seems to be make it as difficult as possible for those without a smart phone.

https://tickets.brightonandhovealbion.c ... phone.html

Brighton's attitude generally is to keep people away if at all possible. They ban sharing of season tickets, with a half-season ban for anyone caught out. So if for example father can't take child to the match for any reason, and mother takes child instead, then all three of them get a ban.

[wilks_bfc]

All tickets are now digital, it’s just the method of use that causes the issue

There’s no reason why a physical ticket can’t be provided with the QR/barcode on it to scan for those that require it.

They may argue that there’s a cost involved in that, but if they stopped sending out replacement ST cards every 2 years for no logical reason, they would save some money there

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Brighton's attitude generally is to keep people away if at all possible. They ban sharing of season tickets, with a half-season ban for anyone caught out. So if for example father can't take child to the match for any reason, and mother takes child instead, then all three of them get a ban.

Most clubs could do that if they wished, the terms and conditions generally make that clear
Just most clubs don’t enforce it

[Spijed]

All tickets are now digital, it’s just the method of use that causes the issue

There’s no reason why a physical ticket can’t be provided with the QR/barcode on it to scan for those that require it.

They may argue that there’s a cost involved in that, but if they stopped sending out replacement ST cards every 2 years for no logical reason, they would save some money there

I've never understood the reason for sending them out every two years when plastic cards now last far longer than that.

[NewClaret]

Should always be an option. I know a good number of our season ticket holders who don't have smartphones. Two Burnley fans were left struggling recently for the LSC final because of this. It's a better system for you maybe, and I'd be fine with it because I'd use it, but for a lot of people it isn't at all.

No, appreciate that, hence my point that alternative options should remain.

But for ST’s I’d prefer not to have a plastic card to remember/lose, not to mention the environmental impacts of producing 16,500 every two years. And Away tickets even more so, especially if it meant I didn’t have to pay P&P and rely on Royal Mail.

So I think in general it’s a good direction that the club should look in to developing.

[Leisure]

What happens when people buy say 6 tickets. Do all the 6 appear on 1 phone?

[dsr]

Most clubs could do that if they wished, the terms and conditions generally make that clear
Just most clubs don’t enforce it

That's right. And it's so stupid when they do enforce it - Burnley FC have three current season ticket holders whose first game was a freebie on my (or my parents') season ticket. If they hadn't had that freebie first game, and had been expected to pay £50 for it, they might never have gone on.

Brighton let you transfer season tickets up to 3 times a season but only if the other person is a member (cost £25) and it has to be arranged in advance, not on the day. With a 6 month ban for "offenders". I hope we never go down that route.

[Tall Paul]

Not only is not every phone a smartphone, but also not everyone even has a phonbe.

There are many people, not least those selling tickets for various events, who reckon that people who aren't willing to shell out bare minimum £100 p.a. (and probably a lot more) for an unwanted electronic device, aren't people worthy of their consideration. It's a rotten attitude.

You can buy a PAYG smart phone off Amazon for less than the price of a ticket to a Premier League match.

[RT88]

My dad doesn't have a smartphone but attends a few away games.

If he wanted to attend an away game where only digital tickets were offered, does anyone know if he would he be able to print the ticket with the QR code on it at home?

[Sharbtastic]

Miles better system. Wish we had a digital ST option although think there should be an option for a physical ST for those who don’t have smartphones (which can’t be many).

You know that if you have the Burnley FC app you can get your ticket on there for each match. So no need to have your season card at all anyway.

[Spike]

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace this weekend.

Villa have made the lower tier for the away fans digital tickets only and Palace were not permitted to sell upper tier until the lower tier was sold out.

Also expected that Liverpool and both Manchester clubs will be digital tickets only, the Palace supporter groups have been advised by their ticket office.

Pity the thugs didn’t throw digital bricks at their coach

[dsr]

You can buy a PAYG smart phone off Amazon for less than the price of a ticket to a Premier League match.

If it came with a ticket attached, I might be interested.

The point is, whatever system they come up with that forces me to own and pay for something that I don't want, I'm not interested.

[dsr]

You know that if you have the Burnley FC app you can get your ticket on there for each match. So no need to have your season card at all anyway.

If you don't have a smartphone, how would you have an app?

[Sharbtastic]

If you don't have a smartphone, how would you have an app?

Well you wouldn't, but my reply was to someone saying they wished we had a digital option for our home season tickets.

I was just pointing out that we do

[dandeclaret]

Imagine making things easier for the 98%…..

Where people are referring to “a lot”, I think they really mean, a few.

[aggi]

Imagine making things easier for the 98%…..

Where people are referring to “a lot”, I think they really mean, a few.

Who's defining easier?

Personally I find sticking a few paper tickets in my wallet and then passing them out at the turnstiles very easy.

Digital tickets on the other hand, particularly the modern ones which update every minute or so and require an app and an internet connection for validation, can be a real hassle.

Let's be honest, the main move to digital tickets is so that the seller can have far more control over the ticket and detailed metrics on their use. "Benefits" for customers are a by-product of that, not the driving force.

[dandeclaret]

Who's defining easier?

Personally I find sticking a few paper tickets in my wallet and then passing them out at the turnstiles very easy.

Digital tickets on the other hand, particularly the modern ones which update every minute or so and require an app and an internet connection for validation, can be a real hassle.

Let's be honest, the main move to digital tickets is so that the seller can have far more control over the ticket and detailed metrics on their use. "Benefits" for customers are a by-product of that, not the driving force.

There's very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts.... If you're going to compare the downloading a ticket journey, then factor in the delivery of tickets element as well. Are you still a paper boarding pass person for flights as well?

[dsr]

Imagine making things easier for the 98%…..

Where people are referring to “a lot”, I think they really mean, a few.

You shouldn't include non-smartphones in the stats for people who can get BFC apps and digital tickets.

About 13% of adults don't own a smartphone, according to this site.

https://www.finder.com/uk/mobile-intern ... smartphone.

[quoonbeatz]

There's very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts.... If you're going to compare the downloading a ticket journey, then factor in the delivery of tickets element as well. Are you still a paper boarding pass person for flights as well?

Almost every time I've got my boarding pass on my phone I get given a paper one anyway. Odd.

[ChrisG]

You shouldn't include non-smartphones in the stats for people who can get BFC apps and digital tickets.

About 13% of adults don't own a smartphone, according to this site.

https://www.finder.com/uk/mobile-intern ... smartphone.

I would imagine the percentage of those who don't have a smartphone but can afford a Premier League ticket is much less than 13%

[GodIsADeeJay81]

There's very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts.... If you're going to compare the downloading a ticket journey, then factor in the delivery of tickets element as well. Are you still a paper boarding pass person for flights as well?

I had to scan my digital pass to then get the paper one for the airport, which was odd

I do agree about taking things digital for football games though

[dsr]

I would imagine the percentage of those who don't have a smartphone but can afford a Premier League ticket is much less than 13%

Smartphone ownership is 96% among people under 24, it's 69% among people over 65. I suspect that isn't because young people have more money than old people.

[Leisure]

What happens when people buy say 6 tickets. Do all the 6 appear on 1 phone?

Can anyone answer this?

[claretonthecoast1882]

Can anyone answer this?

Would imagine they would be sent to the phone of the person ordering and for you to the forward on, bit like train tickets or boarding passes when booking flights

[Bosscat]

Can anyone answer this?

Have seen groups going through the turnstiles using one phone ... the person with the phone last through having scanned each QR code individually probably

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Can anyone answer this?

Seeing as you need a clarets number to buy a ticket, I’d assume a ticket would get sent to each individual email address registered on the system
That’s the most logical

Failing that they’ll go to one person who has to forward them on

[aggi]

There's very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts.... If you're going to compare the downloading a ticket journey, then factor in the delivery of tickets element as well. Are you still a paper boarding pass person for flights as well?

It's not that surprising that there are very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts given that none of the clubs have away digital tickets ... (Although even if there were you would imagine a fair proportion of those having issues with digital tickets wouldn't be going on the internet to talk about it.)

Coincidentally the other week when I was flying I did print the boarding passes as there were three of us flying, only two with phones. Printed passes were easier than passing a phone around.

[ChrisG]

It's not that surprising that there are very few "Anybody received their digital tickets in the post" threads, or "I've had to pick my digital ticket up at the away ticket office" posts given that none of the clubs have away digital tickets ... (Although even if there were you would imagine a fair proportion of those having issues with digital tickets wouldn't be going on the internet to talk about it.)

Coincidentally the other week when I was flying I did print the boarding passes as there were three of us flying, only two with phones. Printed passes were easier than passing a phone around.

I generally get a printed one with Lufthansa as they offer it at check in, but last time from Manchester I didn't have a checked in bag. It's simple enough using the phone, you just make sure the one with the codes is the last on and scans everyone else in. Was no faff at all.

[Pickles]

Each to their own but I don't really get the fuss people make about using QR codes and tapping instead of handing over cash for example. It's a bit like cavemen complaining about fire or shoes or something.

It is nice to have something tactile and something to keep and collect but on the whole digital tickets, for the vast majority of people, are significantly easier and more efficient.

And anything which means we can avoid printers is a thumbs up from me. As tech moves along at a quicker and quicker pace, I swear printers haven't developed since about 2001.

[dsr]

Each to their own but I don't really get the fuss people make about using QR codes and tapping instead of handing over cash for example. It's a bit like cavemen complaining about fire or shoes or something.

It is nice to have something tactile and something to keep and collect but on the whole digital tickets, for the vast majority of people, are significantly easier and more efficient.

And anything which means we can avoid printers is a thumbs up from me. As tech moves along at a quicker and quicker pace, I swear printers haven't developed since about 2001.

Why do printers need to develop? They work. I know Apple and other tech companies like to introduce new models every 3 weeks, but surely that's more because they want to sell new stuff rather than because the old stuff doesn't work?

The comment about cavemen isn't a valid comment. Letting pass the inference that people without smartphones are inferior, the more valid comparison would be a caveman complaining if he wasn't allowed a fire because they have invented central heating. If you have a house (or cave) without central heating, being told that is the only way you can keep warm would be unhelpful.

The fuss people make is that, for someone who does not have a smartphone, tapping a QR code is not easier than handing over cash. It's easy to be blase about the majority being OK and the rest don't really matter, but one day you might be in a minority when the majority don't care, and it won't be as comfortable.

[aggi]

Each to their own but I don't really get the fuss people make about using QR codes and tapping instead of handing over cash for example. It's a bit like cavemen complaining about fire or shoes or something.

It is nice to have something tactile and something to keep and collect but on the whole digital tickets, for the vast majority of people, are significantly easier and more efficient.

And anything which means we can avoid printers is a thumbs up from me. As tech moves along at a quicker and quicker pace, I swear printers haven't developed since about 2001.

It's more the slippery slope. Static QR codes aren't bad but the next step is the app based, updating barcodes where you can't share without using the vendor's platform and everyone having the app and an account.

Agreed about printers though.

[dandeclaret]

Why do printers need to develop? They work. I know Apple and other tech companies like to introduce new models every 3 weeks, but surely that's more because they want to sell new stuff rather than because the old stuff doesn't work?

The comment about cavemen isn't a valid comment. Letting pass the inference that people without smartphones are inferior, the more valid comparison would be a caveman complaining if he wasn't allowed a fire because they have invented central heating. If you have a house (or cave) without central heating, being told that is the only way you can keep warm would be unhelpful.

The fuss people make is that, for someone who does not have a smartphone, tapping a QR code is not easier than handing over cash. It's easy to be blase about the majority being OK and the rest don't really matter, but one day you might be in a minority when the majority don't care, and it won't be as comfortable.

Or.... for too long society has moved forward at the slowest common denominator. Imagine if the new QR code tech, stopped the selling of tickets at over face value.... would that be progress? Or are we happy to just whinge at Viagogo et al for doing it, whilst not actually moving on solving the problem?

On printers.... I recently had to change a driving licence here in Ireland....in person appointment...oh sorry, we can't take downloaded documents, they have to be printed. I had to go to a shop, pay for them to print it out, take it back to the appointment centre, for them to scan it and save the file, to attach to the application. The whole thing was pointless. As are the backward airlines that make you swap a digital QR code for a paper ticket. I'm quite happy having everything stored on my tech device thanks, I don't need crumpled up tickets that tear apart, get lost in bags or other documents etc... there's no find my ticket app if I lose it, I can't ping it to see where it is.

[dougcollins]

Brighton's attitude generally is to keep people away if at all possible. They ban sharing of season tickets, with a half-season ban for anyone caught out. So if for example father can't take child to the match for any reason, and mother takes child instead, then all three of them get a ban.

I remember chucking money in a bucket for them because they had no ground.

I think I'll ask for it to be repaid. Digitally, of course.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

For Principality Stadium all of your group tickets appear in the purchaser’s account and you can either swipe through all of the tickets on the gate or transfer the ticket to another account. Or print them off. It’s still digital.

[Leon_C]

I had to scan my digital pass to then get the paper one for the airport, which was odd

I do agree about taking things digital for football games though

I know that airline boarding passes are the strawman in this post, but I always take a printed boarding pass.
Given that you have to carry your physical passport, and you need to show your boarding pass at least 3 times, having a printed copy makes reasonable sense. When I'm travelling with the family (4 of us) and I'm in charge of documentation, the printed pass is significantly more practical.

On the topic of digital tickets, I'm in the "great idea, but there needs to be a contingency for those who can't use them" camp. We're talking a few years until smartphone usage is truly ubiquitous. Print-at-home tickets, I note, are £2.50 a time on Brighton's website, which feels like a squeeze to me.

If we were forced to use digital tickets, it would almost certainly be a catastrophe if these were directly through BFC's own native app. Low-rent apps often have problems maintaining user-state (ie keeping you logged in) so imagine the nightmare at the turnstiles at 14.50, as thousands queued behind yer uncle Eddy, who couldn't remember his password to get into the app? (Eddy's password is almost certainly 'burnley' btw. Also, I don't know anybody called Eddy, so apologies if you are.)

I've just looked at the Burnley app, and it has a clunky implementation in there, which is entirely incomplete. Apparently, it's sent a verification email to d321b78g5-6b95-4e2a:ghost - which isn't my email, last time I checked. (Nobody has really tested this, clearly.)

There is also a "Teamcard" section, which asks for a username/password with no narrative around WHICH creds I'm entering. Not knowing whether this is securely hooked up to BFC's ticketing is worrying. Ultimately, entering personal details (with payment information stored beyond) into a rogue login page can lead to all kinds of nonsense.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I know that airline boarding passes are the strawman in this post, but I always take a printed boarding pass.
Given that you have to carry your physical passport, and you need to show your boarding pass at least 3 times, having a printed copy makes reasonable sense. When I'm travelling with the family (4 of us) and I'm in charge of documentation, the printed pass is significantly more practical.

On the topic of digital tickets, I'm in the "great idea, but there needs to be a contingency for those who can't use them" camp. We're talking a few years until smartphone usage is truly ubiquitous. Print-at-home tickets, I note, are £2.50 a time on Brighton's website, which feels like a squeeze to me.

If we were forced to use digital tickets, it would almost certainly be a catastrophe if these were directly through BFC's own native app. Low-rent apps often have problems maintaining user-state (ie keeping you logged in) so imagine the nightmare at the turnstiles at 14.50, as thousands queued behind yer uncle Eddy, who couldn't remember his password to get into the app? (Eddy's password is almost certainly 'burnley' btw. Also, I don't know anybody called Eddy, so apologies if you are.)

I've just looked at the Burnley app, and it has a clunky implementation in there, which is entirely incomplete. Apparently, it's sent a verification email to d321b78g5-6b95-4e2a:ghost - which isn't my email, last time I checked. (Nobody has really tested this, clearly.)

There is also a "Teamcard" section, which asks for a username/password with no narrative around WHICH creds I'm entering. Not knowing whether this is securely hooked up to BFC's ticketing is worrying. Ultimately, entering personal details (with payment information stored beyond) into a rogue login page can lead to all kinds of nonsense.

With NFL and NHL tickets you download them to the Wallet on your phone and they can be stored/accessed at anytime without the need to worry if the app doesn’t work

If the same is done to football tickets I’d hope they can be downloaded the same way

I’ve had an e-ticket the other year but I can’t remember if i downloaded it or just opened the email etc