As the MLB and MLBPA work on a deal that could bring baseball back without fans at stadiums during the July 4 weekend, the Washington Nationals sent out an email to season-ticket holders giving them an update on how they would handle canceled games.

Fans will be able to apply credits towards the 2021 regular season. Refunds are also available.

The email writes:

The reigning World Series Champions have World Champion fans—and you deserve the best ticket offer in Major League Baseball! As a demonstration of our Gratitude for your Natitude, we are offering a loyalty bonus for your commitment to the Washington Nationals in 2020.

You will receive a 100% credit for the amount you spent on tickets and parking passes during the 2020 season (less certain associated fees) for any games you are unable to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will also receive a free 50% bonus credit as a token of our Gratitude for your Natitude.* You decide how to spend your loyalty bonus during the 2020 or 2021 regular season: Get additional tickets, upgrade your seats, or convert your bonus for more food, refreshments, and merchandise.^ Alternatively, use your bonus credit to donate tickets to first responders and frontline workers, youth from local communities, and military service members and their families.

No action is required on your end. When MLB provides updated information around the 2020 schedule, the Nationals will reach out to you regarding your credit. If you have urgent questions, please contact your Nationals representative. We are monitoring voicemails and email and will do our best to return your message within three business days. For full ticket and bonus offer information, please visit www.nationals.com/LoyaltyBonus; full program terms can be found at www.nationals.com/CreditTerms.

The Nationals announced the refund aspect in a FAQ on their website which also applies to single-game ticket buyers, season plan holders, and group ticket buyers. Those ticket holders must fill out a Credit Form.

The FAQ reads:

If you are a Season Plan Holder or Group Ticket Buyer seeking a refund, please reach out to your Nationals account representative to discuss refund and credit options.

If you are a Single-Game ticket buyer (including buyers of Holiday Packs, Black Friday Packs, Cyber Monday Packs and 5-Game Classic Plans) seeking a refund, please visit www.nationals.com/CreditForm to review and submit any credit or refund requests.

It’s worth noting that fans that get refunds are not eligible for the 50 percent credit.

Most teams began rolling out their plans in late April while the Nationals were the final MLB organization to update their ticket policies, according to The Washington Post.

“I’m happy with the Nats’ plans for season-ticket holders,” Stephanie W., a Nationals’ 40-game plan holder and a Washington Capitals’ season-ticket holder, said in an interview with RMNB. “It seems fair and I like that I don’t have to take any action on my end. Everything will be taken care of. They’ve always done a good job at making you feel like you matter and they care.”

She added, “I love the Capitals obviously but I think Nats’ season ticket holders get way more perks.”

The Capitals announced their updated ticket policies last week. Fans could apply their remaining credit towards plans next season with a 3 percent bonus (of the net ticket credit) or ask for refunds.

While Stephanie was pleased with the result, not all Nationals plan holders appreciated how long it took the Nationals to respond. Some fans shared in a Reddit thread that they filed a consumer protection complaint against the Nats with the DC Office of the Attorney General.

“We don’t need the money back,” Chris Earls said to the Washington Post. “It’s just the principle that has got me so worked up. It’s just irritating not to have any information at all from the Nationals.”

The Nats’ 50 percent bonus is 25 percent more than what the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles are offering their plan holders.

Headline photo: Ian Oland/RMNB