Code of Conduct for Payments at Festivals

Transparency in festival payments: how Beyond Ordering is committed to fair cashless payment systems

More and more festivals are opting for cashless payment systems. This offers speed, convenience, and security. But it also raises legitimate questions among festival-goers: What about hidden costs? How do I get my balance back? And why am I required to pay with a festival card?

At Beyond Ordering, we believe that cashless payments should be fair, transparent, and consumer-centric. That's why we fully endorse the code of conduct for payments at festivals, as proposed by the Minister of Consumer Protection and published by the Federal Public Service Economy.

Read the full code of conduct: Code of Conduct for Payments at Festivals – Event Confederation

What does this code of conduct entail?

The code of conduct imposes clear guidelines for organizers who use their own payment methods, such as a cashless card or wristband. The system is based on four key principles.

Clear communication

Visitors must know before purchasing their ticket whether a cashless system is mandatory, and what the potential costs are for activation, use, or refund.

Right to refund

Visitors must be able to easily request a refund for their remaining balance, without unnecessary hurdles or unreasonable administrative fees.

Price clarity

If a virtual currency such as coins is used, the euro price must also be directly visible, with logical and understandable conversions.

Freedom of choice

Visitors must be able to use at least one electronic and one cash payment method on site, unless specific, valid reasons require otherwise.

How Beyond Ordering puts this into practice

For us, transparency is not a promise, but a standard. In collaboration with festivals, we ensure that:

• the activation cost of a card is clearly stated before the first top-up;
• no minimum amount is required for top-ups or refunds;
• the refund process is simple, digital, and timely;
• prices are displayed in both euros and local currency (optional);
• visitors can check their remaining balance via a simple QR code scan or free of charge can request a refund.

A Shared Responsibility

The code of conduct primarily targets festival organizers. However, as a supplier, we also bear significant responsibility. We build systems that enable organizers to comply with this code correctly, and we encourage them to do so.

With Beyond Ordering, we provide not only a high-performance closed-loop payment solution, but also the knowledge, tools, and guidance to truly put the consumer first.

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Why this is important

Public trust is invaluable for any event. By being transparent about costs, rights, and refunds, we create a fair playing field. Ultimately, everyone benefits: the visitor, the organizer, and the supplier.

Want to know more about the code of conduct or how we can support your event with a transparent payment system? Contact us or schedule a personalized demo.

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