[Albion] New fan zone - "The Terrace" [Opening 1/4/25 v Aston Villa]

[Napper]

I am 100% behind the club offering perks to Amex cardholders. Discounts, freebies, whatever you like.

I just really don't like that the chosen ones can go upstairs in our new fanzone and peer down on the plebs below unless the plebs get a credit card (after all it's super easy so why not eh?).

This isn't Heathrow Terminal 5.

chosen ones being those who filled out a 2 min website to get a free bit of plastic they are not obliged to spend on

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

its not a chosen one if it’s freely available. Chosen ones would mean selected surely

But it's not a nectar card or nandos card is it? You have to sign up for a credit card. So yes it's freely available if you want to get a credit card.

Listen I'm not hysterical about it. I just don't like the segregation of people based on this factor.

 

[jackalbion]

Just found this whilst loading the 10% stadium Cashback offer onto my Amex card. It's linked in the Amex T&C's

https://everyday.dynamify.com/store/22173

Looks like there's going to be some option for ordering online in the new fanzone

Possibly it's just a 'test' menu but Laurent Perrier Brut at £140 a bottle could be a game changer for my pre-match drinking routine

That Brixton Pale has potential rocket fuel energy.

 

[Napper]

waiting for Barber to come along with the rules of loaning cards to enter etc


also note in the clubs website , capacity is stated at 3,000

 

[schmunk]

I just really don't like that the chosen ones can go upstairs in our new fanzone and pee down on the plebs below

That's quite the perk.

 

[CheeseRolls]

I think this is just brilliant. The facilities look absolutely fantastic and a lot of effort has gone into getting the offering right. None of this means I am going to be a regular user of this place (I might or I might not). If this place is packed out every game and I only ever go in there once, it will just mean that some other places will be less busy, which is a bonus.

In the summer we went to one of the weekend Beach Festivals, sat on the pebbles and listend to the band. That there was a hospitality builidng on the side with people on a balcony with great views and short bar queues didn't bother me at all. I wouldn't want to spend my money on this and wouldn't particularly relish getting a freebie amongst all of the freeloaders, the surrounding conversation is almost always a tediously dull distraction.
Sorry - I digress I hope the AMEX VIPs love their new facility, either way it will not impact me.

 

[brightn'ove]

I imagine they will gauge the interest after the first few games of it being cardholder exclusive and adapt based on demand.

They will know how many cardholders come to games with payments data, I imagine there would be thousands at every match.

Mainly I wonder how they will staff it? Have a bouncer asking to see your Amex card?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

chosen ones being those who filled out a 2 min website to get a free bit of plastic they are not obliged to spend on

That was my thinking. Just sign up for the non-fee Amex card then just never use it, other than for an occasional foray onto the mezzanine to see the band and how the other half live. Tho doubtless the non-fee Amex card entry loophole will be closed sooner rather than later

 

[Man of Harveys]

I’m a bit meh about this whole thing but at the very least the queues on the concourses should be smaller with a lot of people cramming into this gaff instead.

 

[chaileyjem]

That was my thinking. Just sign up for the non-fee Amex card then just never use it, other than the occasional foray onto the mezzanine to see the band and how the other half live. Tho doubtless the non-fee Amex card entry loophole would be closed sooner rather than later

The band / the stage seem to be up there but its a balcony so effectively you can see the band from anywhere. In fact there's a better view of them on the ground floor (it looks like from the video at least)

 

[chaileyjem]

I imagine they will gauge the interest after the first few games of it being cardholder exclusive and adapt based on demand.

They will know how many cardholders come to games with payments data, I imagine there would be thousands at every match.

Mainly I wonder how they will staff it? Have a bouncer asking to see your Amex card?

In the mock up video there's a bouncer type bloke on the stairs

 

[Stuart Munday]

I imagine they will gauge the interest after the first few games of it being cardholder exclusive and adapt based on demand.

They will know how many cardholders come to games with payments data, I imagine there would be thousands at every match.

Mainly I wonder how they will staff it? Have a bouncer asking to see your Amex card?

The key will be how many spaces American Express will give to invited guests that are not necessarily card holders especially for the visits of Liverpool, Man U etc

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

The band / the stage seem to be up there but its a balcony so effectively you can see the band from anywhere. In fact there's a better view of them on the ground floor (it looks like from the video at least)

I watched that video and, inconclusive as it is, it seems to be a full-blown part of the upstairs. I guess we'll know more when a) @Bozza gets his answers from the club and b) on 1st April. Would be a bit daft if not everyone could see the live band, er, live

 

[ManOfSussex]

In the mock up video there's a bouncer type bloke on the stairs

Your name's not on an Amex card you're not coming in?

 

[el punal]

Just fills you with booooooooooze?

Very good!

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Re. The Amex cafrd thing.

For things like this I think we have to remember that we are in the minority, being people who will use their time reading, digesting and considering club statements or media reporting

The great majority of people who go to the Amex, just want to go and watch football. And we should be thinking of those people much more than the ones who will make it a part of their online life but don't pay to watch. And for these people clear messaging is important. "you have to have an Amex card to access certain parts of the fanzone" can easily morph into a general perception that you need an Amex card to access any of it.

I'm going to say the messaging has not been clear. Given that they've done a big press release and we've had to go back with a load of questions

I certainly don't think hardly anyone is going to go to the effort of applying for a credit card for this.

 

[Hotchilidog]

But it's not a nectar card or nandos card is it? You have to sign up for a credit card. So yes it's freely available if you want to get a credit card.

Listen I'm not hysterical about it. I just don't like the segregation of people based on this factor.

Segregation is an emotive word and just smacks of let's see if we can find something to moan about.
Given that Amex have been a great partner to the club (and employer in city) it's hardly a corporate lock out.

 

[jackalbion]

One thing I hope they don't do, is make me download another BLOODY APP to order in there, that will be my potential headloss.

 

[herecomesaregular]

Will people now be leaving the game on 85 mins to get a good spot in the Terrace?

 

[Bozza]

I've had a small it of to-and-fro. The club are putting together an expanded FAQ based on questions raised from me and, I'm sure, others, but a few bits...

- The downstairs is bigger
- It will not be the case that the Amex area is sparsely populated whilst the general area is rammed - this will be managed sensibly.
- (I was wrong) The club are hopeful of screening away games even if they are not UK-televised, but they need to ask for Premier League permission.