National Trust Membership

[bednobs]

Hi, i got NT membership for xmas and i'm ashamed to say i haven't used it yet. Friends of mine have asked if they can borrow it for a one off visit.
As i have never used it yet do you ususally have to prove who you are when you turn up at a place, or do they just see the card and let you in?

[hc4361]

No, you just show your card on entry and that's it.

[diddlydo]

You just go in with the card - no proof of identity necessary. However, if you've got a "Seniors" card, don't lend it to a 30 year old as they might notice!

[jno]

not surprisiing you haven't used it, the weather hasn't exactly been great for strolling around great coutnry estates... make sure you lend it to someone of the same gender, though, they might notice it if some George Clooney lookalike turns up with a card saying "Miss Bednobs".

[Marshwarble]

You wouldn't be able to use it in the winter anyway-nowhere is open. They usually give you a sticker/coin/another pass if you show them the card. Have you never visited any historical property ever, bednobs?

[bednobs]

yes, why?

[Marshwarble]

Just wondering if it's the gift for you.

[bednobs]

christ, i just haven't used it this year yet. Perhaps YOU would like to be in charge of all the presents i receive in future?

[hc4361]

Marshwarble, more and more NT properties are open throughout the year, nowadays. I visited Dunham Massey last November and all of it was open.

http://www.ntsouthwest.co.uk/2012/11/more-national-trust-places-staying-open-into-the-winter/

[Ann]

I wish you could get NT membership with Tesco vouchers but I just got English Heritage membership with mine - only £20 worth of vouchers for a joint membership for a year - brilliant!

[whiskeryron]

bednobs, if you really like doing something that is not quite legal go ahead & lend your card to someone else but I tell you quite honestly if I had bought the membership for you I would not like it one little bit. It doesn't matter one jot that you have never used the card the principle is you do not let someone else use it. In my honest opinion it is as bad as allowing someone else to use your disabled Blue Badge for parking their car & there is so much of that going on, please don't rock the boat.

[bednobs]

would it make you feel better if i told you the person who wanted to borrow it was the same person who gave it to me ron?

[whiskeryron]

NO it's still a matter of principle, if the person has bought one for you then let him/her buy their own.

[hc4361]

I'm sure whoever uses it will be spending money in the cafe (the cakes and coffee are fab) and maybe the shop. There are usually raffle tickets to be bought, too.

[EcclesCake]

I am struggling to fathom what heinous crime is being committed by sharing a membership card!

[sherrardk]

If the NT were that bothered about people lending out their passes they would personalise them. Even ten years ago, you had to have your photo taken for a Legoland annual pass.

[Baldric]

NT have been paid for a Membership for X number of people, if X number of people use that pass it will cost NT nothing yet they will most likely benefit from extra takings in the Cafes and Shops on Site.
I do not see a problem!

[hc4361]

Exactly, Baldric. If the membership card were cloned so that other people could use it at the same time as the genuine member then that would be very wrong and illegal.

Don't forget that footfall counts at each NT property so it is better the card is used by someone, even if it isn't the member.

[whiskeryron]

I give up I'm obviously fighting a losing battle here. The facts to me are quite simple, you are not holding an open ticket you have a members pass with YOUR name on it & it is not transferable therefore it is illegal for someone who is not you to use it. End of.

[hc4361]

WR, it may breach NTs terms and conditions but it isn't illegal.