How many ways can I book my tickets?
People can book their tickets online through BOCOG's official
ticketing website (www.tickets.beijing2008.cn) or fill out a
printed order form.
The form can be found at any domestic Bank of China branch. It
can also be downloaded from the official website or cut out from
local newspapers.
When should I submit my order?
For the first stage of ticketing you can submit your order at
any time between April 14 and June 30, 2007, as it will make no
difference to the outcome.
Can I cancel the order?
You cannot cancel or change the order once it has been
submitted. Please check the competition schedule, venues and ticket
prices and make sure you have filled out the form correctly before
applying.
When will I know the tickets are mine?
After BOCOG awards the tickets through a lottery it will inform
the successful applicants by sending them a letter, email or text
message. When the payment is settled, a confirmation letter will be
sent out. From November 2007, the results will be posted on the
official website.
Can my friends and I get seats next to each other at the
same event?
While we will try to seat groups together, we cannot guarantee
this will be possible.
How can I confirm my seat number and
position?
Since most of the venues are still under construction, we cannot
provide detailed seating arrangements yet. The seat numbers will be
on the tickets.
If I change my address or telephone number, do I have to
inform BOCOG?
Yes. To ensure you receive any information in a timely fashion
you should contact BOCOG via the website or by calling the service
center to update your details.
Can I use my Visa card or bank account to buy tickets
for other people?
No. The name of the account holder must correspond with whoever
is claiming the ticket(s).
Which events will see the highest demand?
Based on previous Games and local interest from the Chinese
people as barometers, demand is expected to be high for events like
swimming, diving, track and field, basketball, badminton and table
tennis.
If an individual successfully books tickets during the
first stage, can he or she book more tickets for the same event at
later stages?
Yes. There are different buying restrictions for each stage of
ticketing. As long as there are tickets to spare, more can be
purchased later, although supply will obviously thin out.
How will the tickets be allocated for oversubscribed
events?
A computer-operated draw will determine who gets what. Each
order will be given a number, and the system will randomly select
numbers.
As ticket prices for the opening and closing ceremonies
are staggered into five levels, will I have a better chance by
opting for a cheaper or more expensive ticket?
You stand a better chance by going for a higher-priced ticket.
The drawing system will then automatically degrade your order to a
lower price level if it hasn't been picked -- giving you more
chances to be successful.
Are any of the tickets reserved for people with
disabilities?
There are seats for people with disabilities at all the Olympic
venues, including those offering wheelchair access. People should
indicate whether they want one of these seats when placing their
orders.
If some of these special tickets are not sold, will they
be offered to the general public?
No. They will be awarded to those accompanying the people with
disabilities.
How will BOCOG protect people's personal information,
bearing in mind that applicants have to leave their credit card or
bank information on the order form?
We have worked hard to ensure security by encrypting the sales
system. When the payment information is displayed, only a few of
the numbers will appear.
How will BOCOG use all of this personal information,
including photos?
BOCOG will protect people's privacy in accordance with the law,
only using their personal information to identify spectators. All
the information in any format will be deleted and destroyed after
the conclusion of the Games.
Can the tickets be transferred or refunded?
According to common practice, tickets can only be refunded if an
event is canceled in advance.
In most cases, refunds are not allowed, but tickets can be
transferred provided BOCOG gives its consent in advance.
Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies can be
transferred once, but only by the original buyers.
Other events require BOCOG's consent.
As only one person is allowed to buy one ticket for the
opening ceremony, what happens when complications arise, for
example involving children who can't go to the event by
themselves?
The opening ceremony will see the highest demand so we are
imposing ticket restrictions to ensure the largest number of people
get the opportunity to see it.
When the Games get under way, BOCOG will run special services at
different venues for people with special requirements.
For those who have a ticket but cannot attend the event, we will
help them transfer their ticket.
(China Daily April 25, 2007)