Season Plan Changes

[schittenden]

Unless I'm missing something, the Orioles don't seem to want me to renew my season plan.  We have historically bought the 13-game Sunday plan in the left field picnic perch.  It doesn't appear that you can buy a season plan in the picnic perch anymore based on this...

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets#seating-pricing

Also, they've changed the rules for buying tickets to extra games (which we typically did several times a year), to limit the ability of 13-game plan holders to buy tickets to only 5 extra games per year...

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets

They've also added a bunch of new benefits for 29 and especially full-season plan holders, but none for 13-game plan holders.  That's true even though our 13-game plan typically cost more than double what the cheapest 29-game plans cost.  I think they've reduced post-season priority, but that doesn't seem likely to matter much for this year (at best).

I was already on the fence about renewing (we didn't buy playoff tickets last year), I don't think this is going to push me over the top.  

[TradeAngelos]

It is very clear that the Orioles priorities don't really include doing much to actually get fans at the park. They know they have a "baseline" floor number for attendance that will give them what they need from it every season, a few hundred thousand either way isn't going to make a difference. It is a pretty small piece of the revenue pie when you own not only one, but most of two TV markets and can just sit back and watch the money roll in from that. 

Ticket sale revenue share has dropped 25% over the past 10 years over MLB, coincidentally mirroring the rise of RSN's and the revenue they generate. That trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Moreso for the Orioles and other large TV revenue generating teams. That is where all the easy money is. 

[josh35b]

This is interesting. Did you log in and check your invoice out to see if they gave you your same location? I have a 29 game plan and a 13 game plan and what frustrates me is they don't give me anything extra for having the additional 13 game plan. I can't purchase extra opening day or playoff tickets like I used to before 2014(I think). What I recommend to people is to buy a cheap 2 ticket, 29 game plan, and then trade in most if not all the games on nicer more expensive seats for the games you actually want to go to. In your situation, you could trade in several upper reserve seats to get the Sunday games in the picnic perch. That way, you still have the same, if not less out of pocket, you get all the 29 game plan perks, and you get to sit where you want. Or, if you aren't bothered about the perks, just get a cheap 13 game plan and trade those in on a handful of nice games.

I'm excited that they are bringing back the early entry for season ticket holders, and very curious about the new incentives for the 29 and full season ticket holders. Also happy they didn't raise prices. I think if they try to raise prices for season ticket holders before winning a world series, that would probably be it for me.

Also, I could be wrong, but I don't think they have reduced the post season priority for 13 game plan holders, but like you said, it's not like that matters anytime soon.

[Going Underground]

My tickets are not showing in my account. No biggie because I think I am done anyhow. I. might go to 1 or 2 games this year.I can see a drop in attendance between the Orioles play last year and the city in a state if disrepair. 

[ThomasTomasz]

I was saying in other threads this year that we were woefully behind other MLB teams (in our region especially) and other sports as far as STH rewards and benefits.  This is a small step in the right direction, but there is so much more we can do........we're still in the Stone Age compared to most other teams.  

Bringing back early access?  It depends on how they do it.  I for one enjoyed having all of the gates open at the same time to get in easily.  They are doing this primarily for the ballhawks, who already buy season tickets (or show up at most games anyway) but provide little else in terms of revenue, as they tend to buy the cheaper seats on most occasions.  For only 50-75 people mostly in LF that I can remember, it's not worth it.  

Otherwise, what else do the 29 gamers get?  On-field access potentially- they phrase it "opportunity" but that's it.  Everything else is really the same.  It seems 13 gamers get the shaft.  I wish they had a split 41 game package.  I would love to go up a level, but I have no desire to go to Sunday games, and 35-40 games is about what I attend each year.  They also started putting limits last season on the number of additional tickets you can buy at the reduced rate, which also counted exchanges as well.  

The benefits just aren't here to attract anyone to them.  Full season ticket holders only get the Swing for your seats- I'd love the details on that- but besides that, only get "preferred" options for seating, parking and eating.  The latter is a nice revenue builder but those should be open to the 13/29 gamers, who are coming fewer times and are more likely to spend more money there.  

[ThomasTomasz]

1 hour ago, schittenden said:

Unless I'm missing something, the Orioles don't seem to want me to renew my season plan.  We have historically bought the 13-game Sunday plan in the left field picnic perch.  It doesn't appear that you can buy a season plan in the picnic perch anymore based on this...

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets#seating-pricing

Also, they've changed the rules for buying tickets to extra games (which we typically did several times a year), to limit the ability of 13-game plan holders to buy tickets to only 5 extra games per year...

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets

They've also added a bunch of new benefits for 29 and especially full-season plan holders, but none for 13-game plan holders.  That's true even though our 13-game plan typically cost more than double what the cheapest 29-game plans cost.  I think they've reduced post-season priority, but that doesn't seem likely to matter much for this year (at best).

I was already on the fence about renewing (we didn't buy playoff tickets last year), I don't think this is going to push me over the top.  

I would email any point of contact or email the ticket office right away to see if they still have it.  I know that certain seats are blocked off (like the dugout club uppers) so they might have a hold on things right now.  

They changed the rules last year for buying tickets, at least for 29 game holders.  I had 20 transactions I believe, and included in those were exchanges.  

What you mention about your 13 game plan costing more is why I wish they would do a different benefits package.  Something based off reward points, which would reward you for paying early, paying in full, showing up, cost of ticket, etc and then you could trade in those points for the special experiences.  Especially since not only are you giving them more revenue at the gate, but you are also likely spending more because you are coming once a week instead of 2-3 times a week or more.  

[ThomasTomasz]

1 hour ago, TradeAngelos said:

It is very clear that the Orioles priorities don't really include doing much to actually get fans at the park. They know they have a "baseline" floor number for attendance that will give them what they need from it every season, a few hundred thousand either way isn't going to make a difference. It is a pretty small piece of the revenue pie when you own not only one, but most of two TV markets and can just sit back and watch the money roll in from that. 

Ticket sale revenue share has dropped 25% over the past 10 years over MLB, coincidentally mirroring the rise of RSN's and the revenue they generate. That trend will continue for the foreseeable future. Moreso for the Orioles and other large TV revenue generating teams. That is where all the easy money is. 

Agreed.....it seems that they want to let things happen organically, like when sales go up when the Yankees/Red Sox/Nationals are in time, or rely on the standard T-Shirt/Bobble Head giveaways.  They could do so much more if they would modernize and get with the times here.  The Pirates are a great example of STH packages and benefits, not to mention they are running 5-6 bobblehead promotions this year too.  

[schittenden]

40 minutes ago, josh35b said:

This is interesting. Did you log in and check your invoice out to see if they gave you your same location? I have a 29 game plan and a 13 game plan and what frustrates me is they don't give me anything extra for having the additional 13 game plan. I can't purchase extra opening day or playoff tickets like I used to before 2014(I think). What I recommend to people is to buy a cheap 2 ticket, 29 game plan, and then trade in most if not all the games on nicer more expensive seats for the games you actually want to go to. In your situation, you could trade in several upper reserve seats to get the Sunday games in the picnic perch. That way, you still have the same, if not less out of pocket, you get all the 29 game plan perks, and you get to sit where you want. Or, if you aren't bothered about the perks, just get a cheap 13 game plan and trade those in on a handful of nice games.

I'm excited that they are bringing back the early entry for season ticket holders, and very curious about the new incentives for the 29 and full season ticket holders. Also happy they didn't raise prices. I think if they try to raise prices for season ticket holders before winning a world series, that would probably be it for me.

Also, I could be wrong, but I don't think they have reduced the post season priority for 13 game plan holders, but like you said, it's not like that matters anytime soon.

That's what we did two years ago.  The system was a pain though because it wouldn't let you swap tickets from multiple games or maybe to multiple games.  I think they fixed that issue last year, but they would still issue credits for the overage in the form of paper vouchers that had to be traded in at the box office.  For two guys who live in DC that was a hassle.  We also had a lot of trouble getting the seats we wanted.  They would show that nothing was available in the section we wanted, and then on game day it would be half empty.  We always had first row on the aisle, and we really wanted to swap for similar seats, but it was difficult even when on game day, no one would be in them.  Last year, we switched back to the 13-game plan where we wanted the seats.  

[Going Underground]

You can renew your membership at the same low price you enjoyed in 2017 to experience another great summer of Orioles Baseball by clicking the link below.

My Sunday plan with the service fee went from $1,012.00 in 2017 to $1,106.00 in 2018. I guess the tickets did not go up but more prime and select games on Sunday. Can't tell yet because they did not send out an invoice that breaks down the games by prime,select,etc. Last year they moved more games from the cheaper tiers to upper tiers. I guess when they release the single game tickets , I can tell if they did that again. This is a way they can say ticket prices stayed the same but move games into the more expensive upper tier. The Oriole way.

[MDtransplant757]

7 hours ago, Going Underground said:

You can renew your membership at the same low price you enjoyed in 2017 to experience another great summer of Orioles Baseball by clicking the link below.

My Sunday plan with the service fee went from $1,012.00 in 2017 to $1,106.00 in 2018. I guess the tickets did not go up but more prime and select games on Sunday. Can't tell yet because they did not send out an invoice that breaks down the games by prime,select,etc. Last year they moved more games from the cheaper tiers to upper tiers. I guess when they release the single game tickets , I can tell if they did that again. This is a way they can say ticket prices stayed the same but move games into the more expensive upper tier. The Oriole way.

That's just a stupid way of doing business.

[Going Underground]

16 hours ago, MDtransplant757 said:

That's just a stupid way of doing business.

Ok. I take it back but do check your invoice. The prices did stay about the same and some plans went up as little and some went down. The 81 game plan is exactly the same as last year.Plan D went up the most. Some went down. Please check your invoice because when they put in mine they switched the 0 and 1. Showed an increase when there was none. My tickets when down a $1.00. Those computer cliches.

 

Here are the prices from 2017 and 2018. As you can see some prices went up a little on specific plans and some went down.

 

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/downloads/y2017/seating.pdf

 

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets

[MDtransplant757]

1 hour ago, Going Underground said:

Ok. I take it back but do check your invoice. The prices did stay about the same and some plans went up as little and some went down. The 81 game plan is exactly the same as last year.Plan D went up the most. Some went down. Please check your invoice because when they put in mine they switched the 0 and 1. Showed an increase when there was none. My tickets when down a $1.00. Those computer cliches.

 

Here are the prices from 2017 and 2018. As you can see some prices went up a little on specific plans and some went down.

 

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/bal/downloads/y2017/seating.pdf

 

https://www.mlb.com/orioles/tickets/season-tickets

i live in Norfolk. I'm not buying a plan just because of where I live

[MDtransplant757]

Also, any idea when the promo schedule comes out?

[CallMeBrooksie]

Living in DC, I've never bought a season plan before. Just went on the site to check out the options, and here's what I hate:

I want to give you $$ in advance to attend 13 games this season (this applies to the 29 game as well), and you won't let me choose which games I want to attend? Am I missing something here?

[Going Underground]

3 hours ago, MDtransplant757 said:

Also, any idea when the promo schedule comes out?

i heard around the same time as last year,give or take a few days. Early February.