Loyalty points

[Gannon's perm]

I think I am in the few that has quite a number of loyalty points but also want a revamp of the system.

I think a different system for kids and teens to that of 18+

Under 10s should get higher points to start with - almost like a "manufacturer contribution" when buying a car. Otherwise, Mum/Dads will always struggle to take their Boys/Girls to matches away. They could have up to 3 'linked' adults and can only purchase away tickets if one of those linked adults are going to the game with them.. This could enable kids to build up enough points ready for when they turn 16 and can go alone.

Maybe u/10s get triple the loyalty points of an adult and 16-18 get double? But they also get a bit of a head start with like 10k loyalty points - this would mean that a trip to Hillsborough, adults get 50pts, u/10s 150pts, young adults 100pts

What about the 10-15 year olds?
An interesting idea and I'm sure many families have this issue, including mine. But to please one group, you end up annoying another and it can never be totally fair for everyone.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

They could massively over-complicate it to factor in age, distance travelled etc etc, what about money spent in shop, where do you draw the line. There are a few things they could change but the ship has sailed without a reboot and I can't see them doing that, particularly when the system works for the most part.

 

[Houston_Blade]

My issue with this will be when I want to take my kids to matches. I have around 30k points and haven't had a ST for the last few years, 2 of these because I had a young kid and 2 more because I've been overseas.

I'm resigned to the fact that it will take a few years for my kids to build up loyalty points and I don't have massive issues with this. When I'm back in the UK for good I'll buy a ST for me and the kids (if they want them). I figure that while they are younger they'll not be going to many away games, maybe the odd one here and there. By the time they are early teens they'll have around 20k points and at that time I might have 50k points. Will just have to go to the away games with the lower points requirements and build up that way.

I honestly don't think there's another way to do it that doesn't punish those who have been going since the loyalty points were launched.

 

[Rob86]

The Bristol game should have accrued more loyalty points than the Derby game. Factors such as distance, mid week games and for allocations unlikely to sell out, should have more loyalty points attached.
I think that although there are problems with the current set up, it works pretty well. It's impossible that a scheme can please everybody and which ever way you do it, there are always going to be winners and losers.

Maybe calculate it miles from Bramall Lane X 2, plus 50 bonus points for midweek games. Appreciate as Jim Chimmerney says it’ll not be as far for everyone depending on where they live. Another good point Jim Chimmerney is that’s it’s unlikely to change so not sure why I’m thinking about it so much. Well actually, I can’t be arsed at work is the reason !

 

[LoughboroBlade]

We use to do the same 1 lad went down for 4 or 5 tickets. whoever is buying just needs to give the name and partial address of the others and they'll add the ticket under that person, therefore getting points.

I have the ability to order online for 4 “customer numbers”. One is mine, one is a mate I used to go to games regularly with, one is a deceased relative, and one is a completely fictitious creation that doesn’t exist. I very often will go to home games with friends that will support other teams but are happy to join me to watch United – as we don’t sell out, I’ve never had any ethical dilemma with this...

 

[Blade for Sale]

Surely the common sense approach here is to count points for a certain number of years only (10 would be my suggestion) rather than have them accumulate indefinitely? So at the beginning of this season, only points accumulated from 2008/9 onwards count towards your total, and every new season, the 10 year validity period shifts on a season. You could argue that this is unfair on 70 year old Stan who has been a loyal supporter for years but can't get to as many now, and gradually sees his total dwindle. Alternatively you could argue that the current system is unfair on 12 year old Billy who has been to loads more games than Stan over the last 6 years but is still miles behind him in the queue for tickets.

Seems a reasonable compromise to me though.

 

[mattbianco1]

What about the 10-15 year olds?

Oh...

They're not allowed in. Bad age !

 

[mattbianco1]

Maybe calculate it miles from Bramall Lane X 2, plus 50 bonus points for midweek games. Appreciate as Jim Chimmerney says it’ll not be as far for everyone depending on where they live. Another good point Jim Chimmerney is that’s it’s unlikely to change so not sure why I’m thinking about it so much. Well actually, I can’t be arsed at work is the reason !

But what if you are sooooo loyal to SUFC, that you bought a house on Shoreham Street?

 

[Brighton Blade]

I suppose only getting to 3 games a season doesn't warrant the membership renewal. Do you make it to any home games? If you get to 5 games, you get a 6th game free as part of the membership. If you get to that sort of number of games, it's worth getting just for your loyalty points. If not, then you're probably best off as you are.

I do go to home games too but typically only 3 or 4 a season; one or two at Xmas when I'm back up, plus Wednesday and then any others which coincide with me being up seeing friends/family so can never guarantee it. I have spoken with the ticket office a hundred times about looking in to different membership types but always falls on deaf ears. I appreciate the system they do works for the vast majority so just have to suck it up!

 

[nopigfansintown]

Surely the common sense approach here is to count points for a certain number of years only (10 would be my suggestion) rather than have them accumulate indefinitely? So at the beginning of this season, only points accumulated from 2008/9 onwards count towards your total, and every new season, the 10 year validity period shifts on a season. You could argue that this is unfair on 70 year old Stan who has been a loyal supporter for years but can't get to as many now, and gradually sees his total dwindle. Alternatively you could argue that the current system is unfair on 12 year old Billy who has been to loads more games than Stan over the last 6 years but is still miles behind him in the queue for tickets.

Seems a reasonable compromise to me though.

A lot of clubs use that system. I think with the pigs it's three or four years. Our club has mitigated this slightly in recent year by making people at least have a membership or season ticket to access points. If not fans could build up points, then not go at all for several years until we play a big game, before getting a ticket for that specific game. A bit shitty for those who've been all season.Having that outlay may put them off.
I know of somebody who has died but passed his card on to his kids so they can get to the big games. Said kid has 30,000 points on his own card but now uses his dad's.Can't blame him.

 

[TJB.]

Last season there were Blades buying extras to pass on to their pig mates

What the fuck?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Surely the common sense approach here is to count points for a certain number of years only (10 would be my suggestion) rather than have them accumulate indefinitely? So at the beginning of this season, only points accumulated from 2008/9 onwards count towards your total, and every new season, the 10 year validity period shifts on a season. You could argue that this is unfair on 70 year old Stan who has been a loyal supporter for years but can't get to as many now, and gradually sees his total dwindle. Alternatively you could argue that the current system is unfair on 12 year old Billy who has been to loads more games than Stan over the last 6 years but is still miles behind him in the queue for tickets.

Seems a reasonable compromise to me though.

Absolutely. The bulk of my loyalty points are from the 2007/08 to 2009/10 season when I had a season ticket. I’ve not had one since, and while I have been to a reasonable number of games in the years since, the reality is that I’ve probably got a similar number of customer points to someone that’s attended everything the last three seasons. I don’t think I should have equal status for ticket purchasing – I’d be fully supportive of us deciding a cut-off point where you essentially get rid of old points, even though I fully accept it’ll reduce the ease I have of getting tickets. 10 years seems wholly reasonable at the very least – there’s an argument 5 years would be far better for reflecting recent loyalty rather than past loyalty.

 

[CarlingBlade]

I've got 34500 loyalty points, does that make me the biggest Blade

 

[Rob86]

But what if you are sooooo loyal to SUFC, that you bought a house on Shoreham Street?

Haha no I meant for away games. Just use the Lane as a marker. So it’s be 300 for Bristol, 5 for pigs away, 15 Rovrum, 90 Leeds etc.

 

[1993]

The system will never please everyone but the way I've seen a few teams do it is if fans have been to a certain amount of away games that season they have priority. So e.g. Blades who have been to 4 away games can get on the first day, 3 away games 2nd day etc.

I think with the points system we already have we should award loyalty for both points already accumulated and recent loyalty. So a fair way would be first day of sale fans with 40k+ points and 4 away games. 2nd day 30k+ points with 3 away games. Something along those lines.

Saying that, Derby will be the first away game we've sold out for this season so I'd say for at least 15 away games in the Championship, if you want a ticket you'll get one.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Spare a thought for those Liverpool fans.
If you're after a ticket for their away Champions League games, you need to have been to several previous away Champions League/Euro games to even get a sniff of a ticket. Success has a price.

 

[SB_90]

loyalty points are always going to be tough & someone always going to come out of it badly. I feel it potentially the lesser of 2 evils. but the youngsters is always going to be a problem, because like a lot of people potentially in same boat Im sure,ive got 40000ish points but my niece only has 8 or 9000 because shes only 10, which means If I can get to an away game which is rare 1 or 2 a season because like a lot of people work, home or finalical situations can stop. so effectively I only have 9000pts because I have to buy 2 tickets. ive thought for a while that maybe they should tinker it maybe have the 1st day divided up Season tickets with 45000 pts, then afternoon ST with 20000 pts. then go next morning ST & members 40000 pts. then in afternoon carry on with current loyalty points system

I get away fans but season ticket holders should always be priority it might help ease the systems flaw of next generation of fans. because ST holders, are the bread & butter, they turn up everyweek to bramall lane always renew at whether its dark times with robson weir & adkins or glory times with Warnock & wilder

 

[nopigfansintown]

Absolutely. The bulk of my loyalty points are from the 2007/08 to 2009/10 season when I had a season ticket. I’ve not had one since, and while I have been to a reasonable number of games in the years since, the reality is that I’ve probably got a similar number of customer points to someone that’s attended everything the last three seasons. I don’t think I should have equal status for ticket purchasing – I’d be fully supportive of us deciding a cut-off point where you essentially get rid of old points, even though I fully accept it’ll reduce the ease I have of getting tickets. 10 years seems wholly reasonable at the very least – there’s an argument 5 years would be far better for reflecting recent loyalty rather than past loyalty.

A good example being my deceased mate, whose son is now using his father's season ticket for away games - despite having attended most of our games since our league one days. At this point, he should be ok using his own but he's up against those like myself who have points from when the system first came into play. This type of abuse of the system will become the norm, unless a cut off point is brought in at some juncture.My own son has been going regularly since the relegation season and uses my points for the hard to get away games: Forest, Wendy Northampton etc.I reckon I could not attend a United game for three years, and still get a ticket for the away derby the following season.That can't be right?
On a different note, I think Sky tv and the ridiculous prices, have resulted in this issue not being as big as it might have been.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

A good example being my deceased mate, whose son is now using his father's season ticket for away games - despite having attended most of our games since our league one days.

This answers the age-old question of “Are the dead counted in attendance figures?”

Based on this, and my earlier post, the answer would appear to be “Yes”.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Spare a thought for those Liverpool fans.
If you're after a ticket for their away Champions League games, you need to have been to several previous away Champions League/Euro games to even get a sniff of a ticket. Success has a price.

Liverpool have had a ticket amnesty for season ticket holders who have season tickets under other people's names.They are passed down from father to son etc because it is almost impossible to get a season ticket. They now do on the spot checks and are mooting needing an identity card as well as a season ticket: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/foot...ld-launch-controversial-photographic-12000340
People buy tickets for away matches that they have no desire to attend just so they don't lose their place in the queue at these big clubsThey also buy cup tickets (see Arsenal's "sold out" cup matches last season).The tickets then go on the black market and the cycle continues.United will have a similar scenario with points cards the longer the system remains in its current guise.They will become heirlooms that are passed on, shared etc.

 

[Its magnet you idiot]

How about 2 days before an away game say around 10 am having a mass brawl in the car park a sort of survival of the fittest competition the last 1500 standing get the tickets. It might also put off a few old people who just clog up the points system. And those who can't make the brawl because of work commitments can fuck right off

 

[Sean Thornton]

What the fuck?

I've only paid for one season ticket for league games. Why should I be allowed to get another one for a Unitedite who's hardly been and just wants a ticket for the Grunters game, at the expense of a regular, let alone getting a ticket for a pig?

I don't have an answer regarding youngsters lagging behind on points but say for the Sty game, ST holders who never go away shouldn't have priority over ones who do. How to work it is another thing though.

If there is an issue with using other people's cards, ID checks should be done at the point of sale , rather than just strip points off people who do adhere to the rules.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Absolutely. The bulk of my loyalty points are from the 2007/08 to 2009/10 season when I had a season ticket. I’ve not had one since, and while I have been to a reasonable number of games in the years since, the reality is that I’ve probably got a similar number of customer points to someone that’s attended everything the last three seasons. I don’t think I should have equal status for ticket purchasing – I’d be fully supportive of us deciding a cut-off point where you essentially get rid of old points, even though I fully accept it’ll reduce the ease I have of getting tickets. 10 years seems wholly reasonable at the very least – there’s an argument 5 years would be far better for reflecting recent loyalty rather than past loyalty.

Yeah me too, me and Jnr had season tickets when the scheme came in but stopped a few years after so are only a few levels higher than general sale.

I think the rolling 5 years is a great idea (I'm sure someone cleverer than me could work out the maths to achieve maximum 'fairness') and whilst some would lose out, it does mean that current/more recent loyalty is rewarded over someone who, say, stopped going 4 years ago but cherry picks now because they were in at the start of the system.

 

[Northyorksblade]

I've got 34500 loyalty points, does that make me the biggest Blade

Foxy how big a Blade are you

 

[Sean Thornton]

Yeah me too, me and Jnr had season tickets when the scheme came in but stopped a few years after so are only a few levels higher than general sale.

I think the rolling 5 years is a great idea (I'm sure someone cleverer than me could work out the maths to achieve maximum 'fairness') and whilst some would lose out, it does mean that current/more recent loyalty is rewarded over someone who, say, stopped going 4 years ago but cherry picks now because they were in at the start of the system.

Then again, why should those who were in from the off and stuck with it suffer because some opted out for a while?

If someone without a season ticket is still attending home games regularly, they're still collecting loyalty points.

Should we go up, there will be plenty moaning about points despite not having been near BL regularly in years.

 

[Foxy]

Foxy how big a Blade are you

CarlingBlade needs to over double his Bladeyness to get anywhere near

 

[bartman]

Surely the common sense approach here is to count points for a certain number of years only (10 would be my suggestion) rather than have them accumulate indefinitely? So at the beginning of this season, only points accumulated from 2008/9 onwards count towards your total, and every new season, the 10 year validity period shifts on a season. You could argue that this is unfair on 70 year old Stan who has been a loyal supporter for years but can't get to as many now, and gradually sees his total dwindle. Alternatively you could argue that the current system is unfair on 12 year old Billy who has been to loads more games than Stan over the last 6 years but is still miles behind him in the queue for tickets.

Seems a reasonable compromise to me though.

Is it really and issue thou ? Derby is the first game to sell out this season and the majority didn't sell out last season. Plenty of opportunity for fans to go to away games

 

[bartman]

The system will never please everyone but the way I've seen a few teams do it is if fans have been to a certain amount of away games that season they have priority. So e.g. Blades who have been to 4 away games can get on the first day, 3 away games 2nd day etc.

I think with the points system we already have we should award loyalty for both points already accumulated and recent loyalty. So a fair way would be first day of sale fans with 40k+ points and 4 away games. 2nd day 30k+ points with 3 away games. Something along those lines.

Saying that, Derby will be the first away game we've sold out for this season so I'd say for at least 15 away games in the Championship, if you want a ticket you'll get one.

You think our ticket office would have a computer system that would cope with that ? they'd be in metdown

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Then again, why should those who were in from the off and stuck with it suffer because some opted out for a while?

If someone without a season ticket is still attending home games regularly, they're still collecting loyalty points.

Should we go up, there will be plenty moaning about points despite not having been near BL regularly in years.

If people have regularly attended for 10 years, and continue to do so, bringing in a rolling 5 year scheme won't make a difference but if they stop going for 1 year, 2 years, their points would reduce which is arguably fairer ?

The problem you have is that, as it stands, someone who got their 1st season ticket in the Prem but has not been since the Huddersfield play-off fiasco gets preference over someone who has had one for the last 5 years. How should 'loyalty' apply there ?

 

[bartman]

Absolutely. The bulk of my loyalty points are from the 2007/08 to 2009/10 season when I had a season ticket. I’ve not had one since, and while I have been to a reasonable number of games in the years since, the reality is that I’ve probably got a similar number of customer points to someone that’s attended everything the last three seasons. I don’t think I should have equal status for ticket purchasing – I’d be fully supportive of us deciding a cut-off point where you essentially get rid of old points, even though I fully accept it’ll reduce the ease I have of getting tickets. 10 years seems wholly reasonable at the very least – there’s an argument 5 years would be far better for reflecting recent loyalty rather than past loyalty.

I think 5 vears is too short as it is easy to follow a team when they are doing well. 10 years is a fair cut off I think and sucess( or otherwise in the case of the Blades) will be more evenly spread