New Away Ticket Scheme

[exigo]

Nah, i mean like the 'Black Country Lions' supporters club (as a made up example)

Who would take a coach away to all away matches. I was somehow under the impression they all got their hands on as many away tickets as needed. I don't know why i have that impression and it could be miles off, hence asking

Being a member of the aforementioned club, I 'think' they are allowed a set number of tickets. I don't think they can have as many as they want but i'll ask the question next time i see them.

It's six per club, except for small allocations where it gets reduced. And everyone has to have a Villa reference.

[Clampy]

There is now a Q&A on the website about this.

[Lambert and Payne]

Can I just point out that we don't sell out most games as people are pointing out. Bristol, Cardiff, Barnsley, Preston, Bolton and Sunderland didn't sell out. Most other games went down to season ticket holders and some onto gen sale. Its only the games such as Blues and Albion that will be a mad rush to get tickets for. I don't even think Stoke will be that difficult to get tickets for.

Works out well for me, I wasn't going to bother with away scheme as the chaos of not knowing when and how much was due to come out of my account. I'm seriously considering buying into this scheme as I can select my seats and see when I need the money in my account by.

All those who've built up their booking history will still have that there for them. I just want that little extra security in knowing I won't panic about whether I'll get tickets for certain games.

[amfy]

All evening KOs except Cardiff which was very early in the season when many are still on holiday.

Admittedly a couple on a Saturday at 5.30, but pretty slim pickings overall.

[sirlordbaltimore]

When you think about it, £40 (or £25) for priority access to 23 matches isn't a big amount really

I do like the idea of other supporters being able to get a chance for the more in demand games as well as some have already stated

I think i may sign up myself

[wittonwarrior]

It is plainly not right that someone who simply pays £70 to the  Villa (£40 plus £2.00 transaction and postage) can have  preference to the likes of supporters who follow the Villa to the shitholes such as the New Den, Bristol City/Leeds on a  Friday night and sneek in front of others when it comes to the Sty and olbion away.

[sirlordbaltimore]

It is plainly not right that someone who simply pays £70 to the  Villa (£40 plus £2.00 transaction and postage) can have  preference to the likes of supporters who follow the Villa to the shitholes such as the New Den, Bristol City/Leeds on a  Friday night and sneek in front of others when it comes to the Sty and olbion away.

Can't those people join the scheme as well ?

Where did £70 come from ?

[andrew08]

If you went to most games last season and put it on the correct reference, you’ll easy get tickets for the early games even if your not in the scheme. After that it’s just a case of building up history as the season goes by, the way it’s always been.

It’s not massively surprising that we now have a scheme that provides early access to tickets for a fee. I would imagine that executive box holders can get access to away tickets as well for the bigger games without having to worry too much.

[amfy]

If you went to most games last season and put it on the correct reference, you’ll easy get tickets for the early games even if your not in the scheme. After that it’s just a case of building up history as the season goes by, the way it’s always been.

It’s not massively surprising that we now have a scheme that provides early access to tickets for a fee. I would imagine that executive box holders can get access to away tickets as well for the bigger games without having to worry too much.

It starts by looking at last season's history, then a combination of the 2, then this season's. Once you're out you're out.

The 6 or non- sell outs mentioned earlier, even if you coulfd get to them all, don't get you back in.

[wittonwarrior]

It is plainly not right that someone who simply pays £70 to the  Villa (£40 plus £2.00 transaction and postage) can have  preference to the likes of supporters who follow the Villa to the shitholes such as the New Den, Bristol City/Leeds on a  Friday night and sneek in front of others when it comes to the Sty and olbion away.

Can't those people join the scheme as well ?

Where did £70 come from

As mentioned £40 joining fee  plus £2 a game transaction fee /postage

[cheltenhamlion]

Nah, i mean like the 'Black Country Lions' supporters club (as a made up example)

Who would take a coach away to all away matches. I was somehow under the impression they all got their hands on as many away tickets as needed. I don't know why i have that impression and it could be miles off, hence asking

Being a member of the aforementioned club, I 'think' they are allowed a set number of tickets. I don't think they can have as many as they want but i'll ask the question next time i see them.

They only get low single digit numbers of tickets. The Gloucestershire branch can't just phone Villa Park and ask for 200, for example.

[kippaxvilla2]

From the official site.

Ticket Office head Lynne O’Reardon: Q&A on Away Season Ticket membership
Ticket Office head Lynne O’Reardon: Q&A on Away Season Ticket membership
Head of Ticketing Operations, Lynne O’Reardon, talks to us about the Away Season Ticket membership scheme.

Q] Tell us about the Away Season Ticket Membership scheme?

There’s been some misunderstanding regarding the scheme since we went out to supporters with information on it earlier this week.

In essence, it’s not a new scheme. It’s a revamped version of what we had before – with improvements.

We’ve had the Away Scheme for many years but this enhanced membership is a much more efficient service.

Q] Who is it open to?

It’s open to previous Away Scheme members for £25 – the same cost they’ve paid over the past few years.

For new members who want to join, it’s £40, subject to having a home season ticket.

For me, it’s important to open it up to new fans who want to experience the buzz of matchday on the road.

Fans at LeedsQ] What are the main advantages of the scheme?

The main advantage for me is that it gives autonomy to our supporters – it takes advantage of new technology to allow supporters to self-manage their account.

During their window, they would sign into their account through the on-line box office and then select and purchase their ticket at the away game.In previous seasons – back from 2003/04 onwards, they would provide us with their details and we would complete the transaction on their behalf.

There were many disadvantages to this. Fans had their account debited at a time they weren’t always ready for, expectation that ‘best available’ seats would be provided wasn’t always met and if fans wanted to be seated together this wasn’t always possible.

The fan can now select their seat and choose who they sit with, because the power is in their hands.

Selecting the concession price applicable to the supporter is another advantage ensuring price reductions available are enjoyed.

Also, if there was a game you were unable to attend, you’d then have to return the ticket for refund – but now you can choose which matches you attend proactively rather than cancelling reactively.

There’s ease of use for fans – and also, from my perspective too, it’s a better use of resources for Ticket Office staff.

The only consideration for the fan is that it will require more time-management. They will have to keep an eye on their specific windows. But we are committed to help with that by sending email reminders of the dates the priority windows open and close so benefits far outweigh.

Q] Were they any other reasons for the updated scheme?

The new scheme followed consultation with away ticket fan group, it needed an upgrade and enhancement and we’re confident we have delivered that.

As I said earlier, it also improves efficiency within the Ticket Office.

It was very time-consuming previously to go through a spreadsheet with names, fan IDs, credit card numbers – it was a painful system, we’re just improving and enhancing the whole process.

Q] Will there be tickets left after the Away Season Ticket Membership windows?

Absolutely, yes, there will be.

There will be a cap that ensures a high proportion of tickets are still available even extending for some matches to members and general public.

At present, just over 400 have signed up to the scheme.

The smallest allocation we’re likely to receive is 1,500+ for somewhere like Brentford.

With that game, we will have structured priority windows following the Away Season Ticket Scheme window.

Rest assured, there will be tickets that filter down to further priority windows, home season ticket holders will still be prioritised based on away attendance for the bigger games.

WBAGatesQ] What if someone joins just to buy Baggies and Blues tickets?

This is a simple one to answer.

We will be monitoring the scheme incredibly closely and, if it becomes obvious that members are only interested in buying tickets for the ‘big’ games on the road, they will be removed from the scheme without refund.

We will not allow anyone to abuse the scheme in that way. It wouldn’t be right for the rest of our fans and we won’t accept it.

On the same note, if away season ticket members are buying for other games and then selling them on to ensure they stay on the scheme, they will be removed too.

Q] Why all the noise on social media?

Last season, if you wanted to join the Away Scheme you had to have been to matches in the previous campaign as there were new opposition - Burton for example where the allocation is very low however previous years we always permitted new applicants.

If you want to be a home season ticket holder, great. If you want to be an away season ticket holder, great.

We are giving fans the opportunity to support the club, home and away. It’s the club they love.

[wittonwarrior]

And how are they going to monitor the scheme. Since inception people have been selling there tickets on.  The fact that simply for money yoU can queue jump and be the best supporter in b6 gained my acess to St. Andrews and the hawthorns whilst deciding Leeds away n a Friday night is a step too far is all wrong

[sirlordbaltimore]

They only get low single digit numbers of tickets. The Gloucestershire branch can't just phone Villa Park and ask for 200, for example.

Appreciate this reply. Can i ask do those in the branch have to be season ticket holders in order to obtain away tickets or do they just get them for being in any supporters club ?

[wittonwarrior]

Branches get single digit tickets, which are assigned to fan ids. In reality with such a small number they generally go to people who fill the minibuses / coaches each other week on a regular basis.