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AIBU?

Miffed to be an annual pass holder

91 replies

namechangeaga1n · 14/04/2021 17:53

So...any other annual pass holders for attractions where you could turn up when you liked for the duration of your pass cheesed off that pass tickets are like gold dust, yet you can still buy day tickets!

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HelpMeh · 14/04/2021 17:58

I'm not a pass holder but I'd definitely be annoyed if I was. Is this Merlin attractions?

Are they also still charging pass holders to book these gold dust tickets? I remember last year they were charging £1 for something that should be free...

I guess they need to recoup money somehow so they do need paying guests, but it it does seem a bit shit.

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OwlinaTree · 14/04/2021 18:00

What annual passes are you talking about? Different places have different rules...

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rulesofthecar · 14/04/2021 18:05

Yes! I am, and am seriously pissed off about it! Passes were extended but the season ticket slots have all gone, despite there being day tickets still available. AND we have to pay £1 per person per visit to book our place. We used to love popping in for an hour when it got quiet, but can’t justify do that any more. Dare I ask where you are talking about OP??

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rulesofthecar · 14/04/2021 18:05

*doing

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onthinice · 14/04/2021 18:08

I have an annual pass for our local zoo. I have to book but don't need to pay any extra. Also the pass is being extended to make up for the period they were closed. It is a bit annoying not being able to just turn up as it now requires a bit more of planning, but I get why it's happening. I would not be happy if I was being asked to pay extra for entry when already a member.

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karenb40 · 14/04/2021 18:09

Longleat?

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Lulu1919 · 14/04/2021 18:14

I'm still miffed I STILL can't just pop in to NT properties yet I'm being charged £10 a month

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namechangeaga1n · 14/04/2021 18:14

Merlin and Woburn safari. Passes have been extended for periods of closure, but it's hard to get ticket availability

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Elieza · 14/04/2021 18:14

Is it not just about ensuring numbers of visitors are appropriate during the pandemic? Your names not down your not getting in.

I wouldn’t quibble about a quid to book. Annoying, but a quid isn’t that much. Unless you attend more than once a week, in which case I see your point.

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stablefeet · 14/04/2021 18:15

I'm afraid that I kept my National Trust membership for a year, then cancelled it. It felt wrong to me that loyal supporters had to enter the same lottery to gain entrance to properties as people who didn't pay for membership.

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rulesofthecar · 14/04/2021 18:20

The National Trust offered to suspend charges. Our problem one is Paultons Park, who will not give any pro-rata refund (that’s if they can even bother to reply to season ticket holders questions). I would happily suspend my season ticket for when they don’t have to limit numbers any more, but they won’t give that as an option.
And to the PP, yes, we would often go weekly, just for an hour or so at the end of the day. I don’t like spending a full day there.

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AuditAngel · 14/04/2021 18:21

I mentioned to my youngest that I am not planning on renewing this year. We have had passes for 12 years.

Still need to discuss with older kids, as had hoped they could start going together.

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Eminybob · 14/04/2021 18:21

I’ve been miffed about NT. All of my local places have to be booked at the crack of dawn on the Friday before the weekend we want to go, so I’ve only managed to secure a few tickets over the last year.

That said, I have continued paying for my membership as we really do get our money’s worth in normal times.

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ItsSnowJokes · 14/04/2021 18:23

We have Paultons Park season tickets and we now have to pay £1 to book (if you can get availability!). This is on top of the 3 price increases they have done since last July to renew your season ticket so it now costs £185 per person where as in July last year it was £135!!!! We used to go weekly for a few hours but it's costing so much now with the £1 fee on top of the season ticket.

These places will be begging for season ticket holders when everything has settled down but for now they are showing disdain for us and that we are really not wanted.

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SmednotaSmoo · 14/04/2021 18:24

We’re not renewing Paultons Park for the same reason; it was an after school or end of the day treat. And friends who did go last year said it felt very crowded.

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namechangeaga1n · 14/04/2021 18:24

It's not the quid. It's that I could for example book in half term if I was just buying a ticket, but can't use my pass. Last summer for example, I managed to get one ticket for the safari park. I could purchase day tickets though etc. A lot of the other time only the road safari was opened, which with travel time and young kids is too long in a car without a break etc.

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namechangeaga1n · 14/04/2021 18:26

I understand the need to limit numbers, so offer a partial refund or a longer extension or priority to available tickets.

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Notavegan · 14/04/2021 18:29

I went to Chessington world of adventures (hell) last year, paying a fortune and it was the worst day out I've ever had..no number restrictions at all. Pure madness. I wouldn't go to Merlin again if you paid me.

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OwlinaTree · 14/04/2021 18:31

You should be able to book tickets and declare your membership at the point of payment, that would be fairest.

I expect they have had cases of people booking for every day of the holidays and then only actually turning up once when they could have sold the tickets.

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Janaih · 14/04/2021 18:35

Also not renewing NT and paultons for this reason!

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ShatnersWig · 14/04/2021 18:35

£185 for individual membership of Paulton Park? Just one place?? A family of two adults and any number of children can get family membership of the National Trust for £126 and visit hundreds of places. Sweet Jesus.

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namechangeaga1n · 14/04/2021 18:35

If you don't turn up, they could charge you a fee.

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Saffzy · 14/04/2021 18:36

I cancelled National Trust for this reason. Could never book in anywhere I wanted to go and paid for a year to literally go to one place.

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Gizlotsmum · 14/04/2021 18:36

I have a Merlin pass, I have managed to get some dates booked and there is still availability for a lot of summer and they are releasing pass holder slots a couple of days before, however it is frustrating not being able to choose which park on the day. I suspect as time goes on and they don’t sell out of day tickets pass holder slots will continue to increase. Booking this time is simpler and free so that is an improvement and pass linked and limited so no one can book up loads of spaces and not take them.

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MargaretThatcherMilkSnatcher · 14/04/2021 18:36

I had similar with the V&A museum after the first lockdown. I had an annual membership (paid in advance). They refused to suspend the membership to cover the missed months and, when I emailed very politely to ask if this would be possible, they sent me a really rude email implying that I was being tight and unsupportive in asking, and that it was something I just had to suck up. They weren't offering priority spaces to members when they reopened, so what was the point of the membership?! I didn't renew. Shame, because it's an absolutely wonderful museum, and I will go again but on a pay-as-you-go basis (or I will just go in and see the free stuff!).