Complimentary Pass Update Q&A

Your membership is critically important to the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association and we very much appreciate your continuing support and understanding. Please refer to the following information:

  1. VBGA complimentary (Bring a Friend) Guest passes were provided to members as a benefit up until March 16th, 2020.
  2. Since March 16th, 2020 there have been no complimentary guest passes distributed.
  3. VBGA no longer offers the membership benefit of complimentary guest passes. There are no passes to provide to you by the Membership Department or in the VanDusen Visitor Centre.
  4. Expired Complimentary passes will not be extended or honoured. Only physical valid not-expired complimentary passes can be redeemed.
  5. The complimentary pass redemption applies only for VanDusen Botanical Garden visits and cannot be redeemed for Bloedel Conservatory visits.
  6. To redeem your valid not-expired complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass(es) at the VanDusen admission desk along with your accompanying guest(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why has the complimentary pass been eliminated as a membership benefit?
A. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association in several ways. Despite what you see in the lovely gardens, we are working in a ‘new normal’ and business is not as usual. Membership services resources have been markedly reduced in order to administer benefits in a contactless environment and most of our Association staff continue to work remotely.

Q. The complimentary passes that were provided to me when I purchased a membership expired since March 16th when the Gardens closed – can I request an extension? 
A. After much discussion and consultation with the Vancouver Park Board, the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) informed the membership that we have made changes to our complimentary guest passes policy as a benefit upon membership purchase or renewal. We will not be able to honour expired complimentary passes. This decision is retroactive to March 16, 2020 when the Gardens were initially closed.

We recognize that not extending these passes is a disappointment for those members who are holding complimentary cards that have now expired.

Q. The complimentary pass states redemption at either VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory, can I redeem my complimentary pass to visit Bloedel Conservatory? 
A. Please redeem your valid not-expired complimentary guest pass at VanDusen Botanical Garden. At this time complimentary passes will not be accepted to visit Bloedel Conservatory due to limited capacity to adhere to Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

Q. I am a longstanding VBGA member and upon renewal and receipt of the complimentary passes, I have always enjoyed bringing my friend / family member with me on a visit. How can I now visit with my friend or family member? 
A. We understand and appreciate your concerns. As highlighted in Q 1, the Association’s resources have been affected by Covid-19 and the administration of some benefits is being adjusted so that we can continue to support our mission.

For your friends or family who had visited with you in the past, we welcome them to purchase a membership so they can continue to experience an oasis of nature within Vancouver at both VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. Alternatively, they can purchase a single day admission to VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory.

Q. I purchased a membership as complimentary passes were a benefit, and now that benefit no longer exists. Can I be compensated for my expired pass? 
A. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer compensation or refunds for expired passes, as this was a value-added membership benefit. Membership provides year-round access to VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory during regular open hours and we look forward to your continued visits. Please know that VBGA staff are working hard to find alternate benefits for our members as we continue living and working with Covid-19 in our lives.

Q. I purchased a membership online prior to March 16th 2020 and did not collect my complimentary pass. Can I collect it now?  
A. The VBGA no longer offers the membership benefit of complimentary passes as of March 16, 2020 and will no longer distribute complimentary passes as part of a membership transaction. For those who did not pick up their complimentary passes before March 16, 2020, this benefit is no longer offered and complimentary cards will not be distributed.

We recognize that this is a disappointment to our members and hope you will continue to support the Association.

Q. I lost my complimentary passes which expire between August 31 2020 and March 31 2022 – can these be replaced?    
A. The VBGA no longer offers the membership benefit of complimentary passes as of March 16, 2020 and will no longer distribute complimentary passes as part of a membership transaction. We have no complimentary cards available to provide to you to replace the ones lost.

We recognize that this is a disappointment and we hope you will continue to support the Association.

Q. How do I redeem a complimentary pass (that has not expired) on the VanDusen Botanical Garden ticketzone reservation website?    
A. To redeem your valid not-expired complimentary (Bring a Friend) guest pass, present the pass(es) at the VanDusen admission desk along with your accompanying guest(s). Please note that these passes will be accepted on a first come first served basis due to current Covid capacity limitations and protocols. 

Q. I have a Premium Membership – do these changes affect me?    
A. There is no change to your current process. As a Premium Member, you are entitled to bring a guest of your choice for each visit to VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory.

Q. I gave my complimentary passes to a friend and these complimentary passes will expire prior to March 31 2022. How can these cards be redeemed?  
A. The complimentary cards were provided to you as a Member to bring your friend or family member with you to the Garden. Your guest must accompany you to redeem your valid not-expired complimentary guest passes. To enter the Garden, you must show your valid membership card and the guest(s) must show a valid complimentary pass that has not expired.

Q. I have more questions – who can I contact?  
A. Email our Membership Team at membership@vandusen.org and they will contact you by email or phone.