Guess difference is that at Blackpool you pay per ride anyway (well, if you don't buy a wristband)? So Merlin couldn't really implement something like this (unless they did an ERT thing, but tbh they should just bring back Premiere Screaming events for MAP holders)...
Like yeah, it's a weird thing, since surely it's being included on the wristband? Guess you're mostly paying for the certificate (which a big majority of goons will lap up)...