As expected, Merlin’s Annual Pass sale kicked off today, although the pricing structure has resulted in complaints from many.
Along with a new website, a new advertising slogan was also launched. “Vote Fun in 2015”, presumably a nod to next year’s UK General Elections, encourages customers to ‘Vote Silly, Vote Noisy, Vote Fun’ by visiting Merlin’s attractions.
However, the launch of the sale has attracted a flurry of complaints from current pass holders across Merlin’s Facebook pages.
For pass renewals, the main bone of contention lies with e-mails which were sent out over the last few weeks to those who had passes due for renewal. The e-mail advertised individual Standard passes for £111.30, and Premium for £119.40. However, now the passes are on ‘sale’, both renewals and new passes are £119 for Standard and £149 for Premium.
The changes represent a just under 7% increase on standard passes, and just under 25% increase on Premium passes compared to those prices sent out in recent e-mails. Family passes have seen the largest increase, with recent renewal e-mails advertising Standard renewals at £83.30 per person and Premium at £93.60 per person. This year’s prices for Standard and Premium are £99 and £119 per person, representing an increase of just under 19% and just over 27% respectively.
Traditionally, many renewers held off buying their passes until the yearly Boxing Day sale as it usually represented a significant saving on standard renewal prices. Understandably, many feel aggrieved that this year’s sale has actually brought in a price hike rather than significant savings.
Prices for new passes have also seen an increase. Compared to last year’s sale prices, Standard passes are £119 (compared to £105 last year 13.3% increase) and Premium passes are £149 (compared to £125 last year, 19.2% increase).
Many on Merlin Annual Pass’s Facebook page are stating they will not be buying a pass this year as a result of the price increase. Will you be doing the same, or do you believe the pass still represents value for money despite the price increase? Let us know on our forum.
