NATS PLUS membership program

[eastie]

I think they're doing two 41-game plans next year, with each plan being a combination of two of the 20-game plans. But yeah, with only two "Marquee" games next year, they'll find some creative way to maximize their revenue.

That was my point previously.  In past years there have not been split half season plans.  For any given seat, you could have the 41-game plan or one of two 20-game plans.  If they are planning on offering two half-season (41 and 40, or 40/40 with some other way to divvy up the pre-season game) they are being pretty crappy to folks who have had the same 41-game plan on seats since 2008.  It's tone deaf (surprise!) to not give those folks a heads up and offer first dibs on which half season slate they want.   Not that I'm surprised ...

I did speak to our rep, and for our specific seats he mentioned that the renewals are in for our seats and it's the same 41+20+20 split (e.g. everybody renewed their 2015 plans for the same seats).  So it's a moot point for our group specifically, but it would be nice if they would clarify the plans for people who had to renew to a specific half season plan when another plan on the same seats might have games they would prefer.

[wj73]

they are being pretty crappy to folks who have had the same 41-game plan on seats since 2008.

Sounds like they've made an organizational decision not to give a rat's patootie about the impact of any of these changes on long term STH. 

NatsPlus is sounding more and more like NatsMinus.

[Baseball is Life]

Sounds like they've made an organizational decision not to give a rat's patootie about the impact of any of these changes on long term STH. 

Sure, that's how businesses succeed.

[wj73]

Sure, that's how businesses succeed.

In the short term, yep.  But screwing your long term customers doesn't make for a good long term business strategy, but that seems to be the strategy they've adopted at this point.   

[varoadking]

Ya think Ford cares if you have bought a new one every year since the Model T?  It's a "What have you done for me lately world."

I believe the Lerners are gonna blow this team up if they win a World Series...or see that they can't on their budget.  Loyal fans will head for the hills if / when that happens anyway.

Market share is big enough that this is not a gamble for the Lerners...especially since they stole all of Angelos' former fans.   

[Displaced Bucco]

Just as a point of comparison for postseason priority, here's how the Cardinals :drink: do it.  We're not so bad off.

What Postseason ticket rights are associated with each plan?

Full Season:

Full Season Ticket Holders have the option to purchase their exact season ticket seating locations for all Postseason games, including the World Series.

Half Season:

Half Season Season Ticket Holders- Those who purchase two Half Season season tickets will have the option to purchase two tickets for all potential Postseason games in a location determined by the St Louis Cardinals.

Half Season Ticket Holders- Those who purchase a minimum of four seats will have the option to purchase half of their exact season ticket seating locations for all potential Postseason games.

Example: If you own Half Season Plan A in Section 133, Row 14, Seats 1-4, you will have the option of purchasing Section 133, Row 14, Seats 1-2 for all Postseason games.

The Season Ticket Holder who owns Half Season Plan B in Section 133, Row 14, Seats 1-4 will have the option of purchasing seats 3-4 for all Postseason games.

27 Game Plans:

27 Game Season Ticket Holders who own 2 or more seats receive the option to purchase 2 tickets for all potential Postseason games in a location will be determined by the Cardinals.

27 Game Season Ticket Holders who own 1 seat receive the option to purchase 1 ticket for all potential Postseason games in a location to be determined by the Cardinals.

Will Season Ticket Holders be able to purchase additional Postseason tickets?

Due to the Postseason commitments to Season Ticket Holders and Major League Baseball requirements, the Cardinals are unable to offer additional Postseason tickets.

[wj73]

Ford doesn't care if you buy a new care every year, but hotels, airlines, and similar businesses do seek to reward long term customers in an effort to keep their loyalty.  Different business models. 

The Nats have apparently moved away from the hotel and airline model and more towards the Ford model.  They've chosen to gamble that when things turn bad, they won't need those long term customers or that those customers would abandon them anyway.  It's a perfectly legitimate business decision, and it may work out for them.  Or it may not - Angelos made a similar decision in the 90's.   

[varoadking]

Ford doesn't care if you buy a new care every year, but hotels, airlines, and similar businesses do seek to reward long term customers in an effort to keep their loyalty.  Different business models. 

Good point...god bless the Marriott brand, United Airlines and Delta Airlines...

[Baseball is Life]

Ford doesn't care if you buy a new care every year, but hotels, airlines, and similar businesses do seek to reward long term customers in an effort to keep their loyalty.  Different business models. 

The Nats have apparently moved away from the hotel and airline model and more towards the Ford model.   

Can you give me an example of how long term customers are rewarded by those businesses? It seems to me those business don't reward points based on how long you've been with them. They reward their customers based on how much they spend with them. For example, I don't get frequent flier points because I've used United for thirty years. I get frequent flier points when I actually buy an airplane ticket.

The Nats are rewarding the customers who spend the most, many of whom also happen to be long term customers, by the way. These are not mutually exclusive concepts. There are just as many full season SPH that have been there since Day 1 as partial SPH, I suspect.

[varoadking]

Can you give me an example of how long term customers are rewarded by those businesses? It seems to me those business don't reward points based on how long you've been with them. They reward their customers based on how much they spend with them. For example, I don't get frequent flier points because I've used United for thirty years. I get frequent flier points when I actually buy an airplane ticket.

The Nats are rewarding the customers who spend the most, many of whom also happen to be long term customers, by the way. These are not mutually exclusive concepts. There are just as many full season SPH that have been there since Day 1 as partial SPH, I suspect.

I am a Lifetime Platinum Member with Marriott.  I get extraordinary consideration whether I now stay 1 or 100 nights a year in one of their hotels.

Airlines have Million Miler Clubs.  I am a bit shy of that and will not make it in my lifetime, so not sure what all it means.

[Baseball is Life]

I am a Lifetime Platinum Member with Marriott.  I get extraordinary consideration whether I now stay 1 or 100 nights a year in one of their hotels.

Not clear what this means. Do you get extra stuff when you spend money at one of their hotels? Or do they just send you free stuff?

[varoadking]

Not clear what this means. Do you get extra stuff when you spend money at one of their hotels? Or do they just send you free stuff?

Free upgrades in rooms and other perks, and more points towards free stays.  Also supposed to even book me into my choice of hotel even if "sold out."

[Baseball is Life]

Free upgrades in rooms and other perks, and more points towards free stays.  Also supposed to even book me into my choice of hotel even if "sold out."

Is this because you spent X amount at some point or is it because you stayed with them consistently over the years? I go back to the frequent flier programs. If you don't keep flying with them, not only do they stop giving you stuff, they take away points you've already earned.

[PowerBoater69]

Ford doesn't care if you buy a new care every year

Think this one through a bit more.

[varoadking]

Think this one through a bit more.

Do they give you a discount from year to year because you are a loyal buyer?

[Mathguy]

Your all off base here.  This is a simple economic model of supply & demand.  Nats management is raising the bar for fans as they raise the bar for team performance.  Maybe more like the Redskins, the Nats are betting demand for tickets will continue, particularly for seats on the lower bowl.  Then also, they are giving up on the partial ticket model because it takes more effort on their part.  Fans will move toward full season ticket groups.

[wpa2629]

Your all off base here. 

uh oh 

[Baseball is Life]

That reminds me our group will be doing our playoff draft this Friday.

How are you doing your draft without knowing where the team will be seeded?

[BossDetwiler]

they take away points you've already earned.

Not JetBlue, another reason why they are awesome! 

[wj73]

Another puff piece from the Post on the Nats Plus plan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/washington-nationals-woo-season-ticket-fans-with-photos-autographs-discounts/2014/09/26/b2d51efe-435e-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html

[OldChelsea]

Another puff piece from the Post on the Nats Plus plan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/washington-nationals-woo-season-ticket-fans-with-photos-autographs-discounts/2014/09/26/b2d51efe-435e-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html

Some aspects of the Nats' ticketing operation are taking on a disturbingly Leonsian appearance...esoterica over substance. (I'm a charter full STH and didn't even have a dedicated ticket rep till a few months ago.)

[Galah]

My email to my ticket Rep.

I know it wasn't YOUR idea but this NATS PLUS program is really elitist!  You can't tell me that someone who just signs up for a full plan or Half season plan THIS YEAR is MORE of a fan than like My friend and I who have been Season Ticket Holders since the get-go (signed up in 2004) !!!!  There was a column in the Sports Bog how they aren't in it for the money!  LIARS!  Those Plans cost more!   So of course they are in it for the money!  Some of us can ill afford to go to that many games a year.  NO!  I don't want to manage having people on my account taking games and the whole draft and lottery and dividing points and such.  It's a major head ache.  Why don't they reward those who have been Season Ticket holders the longest, and then the number of games?!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/11/04/nats-launch-10-moments-of-thanks-campaign-to-honor-longest-standing-season-ticket-holders/

Here you go, now you guys get to be the most loyalist fans in the ball park :-)

[wj73]

Got my email today.  I think the blowback about the way they branded the Nats Plus program as being for "the most loyal" fans while pointedly excluding partial plan holders had some impact.  They're actually including all long term STH in the 10 year campaign, even those lowly partial plan holders like me who weren't deemed "loyal" or "enthusiastic" enough to be part of Nats Plus. 

Dear 10 Year Season Plan Holder,

In advance of the Washington Nationals historic 10 year anniversary, today we unveiled the 10 Moments Of Thanks campaign, an exciting initiative that will recognize and celebrate 10 year continuous Season Plan Holders. Beginning today, loyal fans like you will have access to exclusive offers and events through the end of the 2015 season.

The campaign will officially kick off when 10 year Season Plan Holders receive a special invitation to participate in a ticket lottery opportunity for the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

Check back throughout the year for more details and event information at nationals.com/10moments.

The full 10 Moments of Thanks campaign includes:

    A chance to register for the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 2015 Bridgestone Winter Classic
    A pregame parade on the warning track prior to a game during the 2015 season
    A commemorative 10 year pin
    In-park signage featuring the names of all 10 year continuous Season Plan Holders
    A special parcel of dirt from the pitcher's mound used on Opening Day 2015
    An opportunity to experience on-field events during 10 Year Tuesdays
    An exclusive opportunity to run the bases
    A commemorative Opening Day 2005 printed game ticket
    Access to 10 special eCash campaign offers featuring exclusive in-game concession and merchandise offers
    Early entry to Nationals Park to attend a VIP pregame batting practice viewing from dugout box seats

We look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary with you every step of the way!

Sincerely,
Washington Nationals Ticket Sales & Service Team

[Galah]

Got my email today.  I think the blowback about the way they branded the Nats Plus program as being for "the most loyal" fans while pointedly excluding partial plan holders had some impact.  They're actually including all long term STH in the 10 year campaign, even those lowly partial plan holders like me who weren't deemed "loyal" or "enthusiastic" enough to be part of Nats Plus. 

Actually, only if you've been in since 2005.

[wj73]

You're right.  And of course once this 10 Years campaign is done and we're into 2016, the Class of 2005 partial plan holders will revert to pond scum status.