Fans with blackmarket U2 tickets face loss

The Edge, whose daughter reportedly has leukemia

Fans who bought blackmarket U2 tickets are finding themselves hundreds of dollars out of pocket following the postponement of the Irish mega band's much-anticipated Auckland concerts.

Confusion reigned yesterday as disappointed U2 fans flooded tour promoters, airlines and travel agents demanding answers.

Travel agents were advising package trip holders to hang tight until they could get more information, while Air New Zealand and Qantas have offered an amnesty on rebooking fees for non-refundable ticket holders caught out by the announcement.

The band's New Zealand promoters were unable to say if refunds would be offered for the March 17 and 18 concerts at Ericsson Stadium, nor if new concert dates would be announced - although the change is billed as a postponement rather than a cancellation.

Promoters also could not say if the 76,000 tickets would be valid for any rescheduled concerts.

A statement from the band's tour organisers, The Next Adventure, said the decision to postpone the final 10 dates of the band's Vertigo tour was not taken lightly. It said one of the band's immediate family members had taken ill.

Internet speculation was rife that it could be guitarist The Edge's 8-year-old daughter, Sian, who is reportedly suffering from leukemia. The Edge last year went to court to prevent an Irish newspaper from reporting on a family member's illness. The court battle delayed the US start of the Vertigo tour by four weeks.

Ticket holders left in the lurch yesterday made their disappointment clear.

Graeme Hepburn, who was due to fly from Indonesia to Auckland on Saturday, was "completely gutted". He was coming here with his girlfriend, who required a difficult to obtain and expensive visa to visit New Zealand, with the primary purpose of catching the St Patrick's Day concert.

He said it was too late to change their flights, and with only two weeks to spend in Auckland, they are unlikely to see the rescheduled concerts.

Hairdresser Nicola Rogers and her husband, meanwhile, are playing the waiting game, having paid $7000 to catch U2's final concert in Hawaii on April 8. Having missed out on tickets to both Auckland concerts, the pair decided to buy a package which included a four-night stay on the island.

Her travel agent has advised her to wait as they seek more information.

Luck was not with one punter who paid $290 for two tickets worth $130 each from Trade Me yesterday. He paid the money into the seller's account at lunchtime and arrived back to find the concert had been postponed.

Those who missed out paid a premium on scalped tickets on Trade Me. Pairs of general admission tickets worth $99 each were selling at between $670 and $850, while single tickets were going for up to $600.

Most fans were, however, understanding. Catherine Essex said she almost cried, having missed out twice, and later paying $270 for a concert package.

The fan of more than 20 years said the reason must be very serious, considering frontman Bono's decision to go on stage at London's Earls Court in 2001 just hours after his father died.

What to do

Ticket holders: New Zealand promoters, de Launay Enterprises, will announce new concert dates and ticket refund details as soon as they are known.

Out of towners: Holders of non-refundable Air New Zealand and Qantas tickets to Auckland can transfer their fare without incurring the usual penalties. Affected customers should visit their booking agent with their tickets before the flight date to change their booking. Due to demand, additional charges may apply if the same fare class is not available. In the event the concerts are cancelled, customers who visited their booking agent would have their tickets held in credit for 12 months.

Package tour holders: Customers will be advised once travel agents have been told of new concert dates and ticketing details.