2010 Ticket Information - Page 19

Lover Fighter · #**361** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 2:10 AM**

Hmm, good point, That would probably be the Bon Jovi concert I imagine.

On another note, just tried buying tickets to a random night but they only accept VISA cards. Probably the biggest joke I've ever witnessed, are there no other methods of buying tickets? Maybe I will boycott the olympics after all!

sacrifice333 · #**362** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 2:22 AM**

Any idea when concert performers will be announced?

johnjimbc · #**363** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 2:25 AM**

Visa is the official Olympic sponsor from the credit card industry. I think they have been my whole life . . . that tag-line is drilled into my head. "Visa . . . the official Olympic sponsor"

Even the Olympic Store at the Bay only accepts Visa, though the rest of the store accepts everything else.

It is what it is.

Yume-sama · #**364** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 2:33 AM**

Why would you have anything BUT Visa

?

Ok, so I have a MasterCard and AMEX, but VISA is my favorite

Lover Fighter · #**365** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 3:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjimbc

Visa is the official Olympic sponsor from the credit card industry. I think they have been my whole life . . . that tag-line is drilled into my head. "Visa . . . the official Olympic sponsor"

Even the Olympic Store at the Bay only accepts Visa, though the rest of the store accepts everything else.

It is what it is.

I understand that, but I'm just wondering what the alternative is. Obviously not everyone has Visa, is there no way to buy tickets with debit or cash?

Yume-sama · #**366** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 3:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lover Fighter

I understand that, but I'm just wondering what the alternative is. Obviously not everyone has Visa, is there no way to buy tickets with debit or cash?

You can try buying "day of" tickets. I'm sure the booths will accept cash.

But you have 85 days to apply for a VISA!!!

And don't be shocked when you can't buy a Pepsi at any Olympic event, either.

Lover Fighter · #**367** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 6:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

You can try buying "day of" tickets. I'm sure the booths will accept cash.

But you have 85 days to apply for a VISA!!!

And don't be shocked when you can't buy a Pepsi at any Olympic event, either.

See, stuff like Coke being the official sponsor I can understand, but if they wouldn't let me enter the venue without first buying a can a coke, and then drinking the whole can in front of them, then I would think the analogy applies.

(This isn't going to happen, is it!? I really don't like cola...)

I obviously won't be applying for a VISA, I already hate myself for having one credit card!

Yume-sama · #**368** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 7:26 PM**

Well, technically, VISA is not getting anything from *YOU* unless you don't pay your bill. Credit cards are good if you have the funds to actually purchase what you buy. The merchant, in this case VANOC, is being charged a fee for each transaction (ranging from 2% to up and over 10% depending on how "risky" the business is). I would assume VISA, being an official sponsor, gave them a better rate, though

GeeCee · #**369** Posted **Nov 19, 2009, 7:37 PM**

Lover Fighter, if you don't want to get a Visa credit card, you can always buy a prepaid Visa card. It's accepted the same way that a regular Visa credit card is, you just need to load it with money before using it.

Also, we could be seeing Visa (and MasterCard for that matter) debit cards being offered in the near future in Canada..

Smooth · #**370** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 6:30 PM**

Anyone else notice that the date for purchasing olympic bus network tickets has been quietly bumped back to November 30th?

Zassk · #**371** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 6:40 PM**

VISA paid handsomely for exclusivity. We can wish for other payment methods, but it is a fact that the IOC would have less sponsorship money in that case. Regardless, VISA is the most ubiquitous credit card, so it's no great hardship. If you don't want another credit card, then try for a prepaid VISA.

# As of March 31, 2009, there were 318 million Visa credit cards and 346 million Visa debit cards in circulation in the United States.

# As of June 30, 2009, there were 220 million MasterCard credit cards and 127 million MasterCard debit cards in circulation in the United States.

# As of December 31, 2008, there were 54 million American Express credit cards in circulation in the United States.

johnjimbc · #**372** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 6:42 PM**

Hadn't noticed but thanks for pointing it out. For folks needing them it certainly seems like a good idea to book them early. There continue to be rumblings about the transportation network. They said the reason no tickets were sold for Whistler events this recent round of sales was because they felt the transportation network to get to Whistler from Vancouver was already at capacity from earlier ticket sales.

Though a bit of a bummer, it was probably good for the residents of Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and surrounding areas since it increased their chances of attending events. They even had a special weekend for residents to buy remaining tickets a few weeks back, from my recollection.

twoNeurons · #**373** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 6:55 PM**

I think Mastercard is more common overseas, isn't it?

There are also other ways of purchasing, if I recall correctly. I believe you can mail a check.

Yume-sama · #**374** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 7:12 PM**

It generally depends what the major bank in that Country uses. In the USA & Canada it is VISA. While there may be some Countries where Mastercard is more common, you will never find yourself somewhere where they do not accept VISA. You may, however, commonly find yourself in places that do not accept Mastercard or AMEX, no matter where you are. Pre-paid VISA cards are an excellent solution if you don't want the real thing.

twoNeurons · #**375** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 8:00 PM**

I have both... but for years I only had MC. I never had a problem. AMEX on the other hand...

The only problem I had is overseas when using it to get cash out of a machine. Most of the machines take one or the other, but not both.

I'd imagine, though, despite VISA having more issued cards, pretty much all vendors will take both cards.

I can only think of two times in my life where it was a problem. Costco ( which doesn't take EITHER card, just AMEX ) and the Olympics.

Doesn't Tim Horton's only take Mastercard?

Where credit cards are concerned, I'd put MC and Visa on par with each other. And AMEX goes a tier down.

usog · #**376** Posted **Nov 24, 2009, 8:07 PM**

Visa is bringing out their contact-less card anytime now right? Still haven't seen any terminals for them yet...

jlousa · #**377** Posted **Nov 25, 2009, 2:58 AM**

Mastercard was the most common card in Europe and it's not uncommon to see places that only accept it.

GeeCee · #**378** Posted **Nov 25, 2009, 3:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by usog

Visa is bringing out their contact-less card anytime now right? Still haven't seen any terminals for them yet...

Visa PayWave.. you can request one now if you have an RBC or TD Visa. I've never seen a Visa terminal either, though.

I've got a contactless MasterCard, but the only places that I've seen the readers for those are at Petro-Canada, Cineplex, and Tim Hortons.

Radster · #**379** Posted **Nov 25, 2009, 9:13 PM**

Can someone msg me if they have any event tickets for sale at a decent price? Also, is that ridebooker bus monopoly thing the only way I have, as a visitor from out of town, to get from Vancouver to Whistler for a day of snowboarding during the Games?

johnjimbc · #**380** Posted **Nov 25, 2009, 9:28 PM**

Sorry can't help with tickets.

But I doubt the ridebooker is the only option. Here are a couple:

www.pacificcoach.com
www.greyhound.ca
www.snowbus.ca

Pacific Coach is pretty much the same price as ridebooker (a couple dollars more actually). Greyhound is a bit cheaper, but perhaps not as convenient (doesn't leave from hotels, etc). Snowbus might be a good option to check out as well, and the rates look just a tad cheaper (not as late a return time though if you want to stick around Whistler after a day on the slopes). They do have some options for combo shuttle and lift prices though that might be worth a look (I have no idea if they save you anything).

I'm sure there must be other options as well, particularly if you can arrange to get to the airport and take some type of direct shuttle from there. But I imagine there are other options from downtown also.

I only suggested ridebooker because the price is pretty reasonable, and they seem to have a wider variety of convenient times - earlier departure and later return than Pacific Coach for example. They also have plenty of pick-up locations, at least around downtown. I doubt you'll find many lower price options for public transportation to Whistler from Vancouver during the Games.

I also expect prices for any options may increase at some point, possibly as soon as Dec 1. I think I read something about ridebooker possibly increasing fare rates in December (though I may be mistaken). It wouldn't surprise me to see the rates increase as we get closer to the event.