1. Scope

1.1. The Cartão Gulbenkian Programme

The Cartão Gulbenkian Programme (hereinafter referred to as the “Programme”) is a loyalty initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding individuals who regularly follow and participate in activities promoted by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

1.2. Management and Purpose

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “Foundation”), headquartered in Lisbon, is responsible for issuing and managing the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme. This programme offers two distinct, non-cumulative versions: the Cartão Gulbenkian (free version) and the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (paid version).

These Terms and Conditions define the rights, obligations, and conditions governing membership and use of the Programme.

1.3. Nature of the Programme

The Cartão Gulbenkian Programme is not a means of payment, but rather a loyalty scheme granting members access to specific benefits detailed in these Terms and Conditions, as well as in any subsequent regulations applicable to the Foundation’s initiatives.

2. Programme Versions

The Programme comprises two distinct and non-cumulative versions:

Cartão Gulbenkian (Free Version)

• No subscription fee required;
• Ability to earn points, access special offers, benefit from discounts, and reserve tickets for free activities.

Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (Paid Version)

• Subject to an annual subscription fee;
• Includes all the benefits of the free version, in addition to free admission to exhibition spaces, priority access queues, pre-sale access to the Gulbenkian Music Season, exclusive experiences, and other advantages detailed on the Foundation’s website.

Full details of each version’s specific benefits are provided in the following sections of these Terms and Conditions and on their dedicated pages on the Foundation’s website.

Prospective members should consider which option best matches their profile before subscribing.

3. Membership and Eligibility

3.1. Minimum Age

Membership of the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme is open to individuals aged 16 (sixteen) years or older.

3.2. Personal Data and Identification of Cardholders

Subscription to the Programme is limited to one registration per individual and requires submission of the following personal details: full name, email address, date of birth, and Tax Identification Number (NIF), the latter of which is required solely for the purpose of verifying the holders’s identity.

To access and benefit from both versions of the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme, holders must identify themselves by logging in with their credentials when interacting online or by presenting their card or the requested personal information when interacting in person. The Foundation reserves the right to request additional identification details to confirm the holder’s identity and eligibility status.

3.3. MyGulbenkian Account

Subscription to the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme is conducted exclusively via the Foundation’s website and requires the prior creation of a MyGulbenkian account, which is governed by its own specific terms and conditions also available on the Foundation’s website. The MyGulbenkian account enables holders to log in, manage their personal data, check their points balance, view available offers and consult their interaction history.

3.4. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

Enrolment in the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

The loyalty contract between the holder and the Foundation is deemed to become effective once the membership application has been submitted and validated by the Foundation. However, specific conditions governing particular events or other programmes offered by the Foundation may apply; in the event of any inconsistency, those specific terms and conditions shall prevail.

4. Accumulation and Use of Points

4.1. Accumulation of Points

The holder earns 1 (one) point for each eligible transaction carried out at the Foundation’s ticket offices and shops, whether on-site or online, provided that the holder is duly identified at the time of purchase, irrespective of holding a Cartão Gulbenkian (free version) or a Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (paid version). If the holder is not identified, has inactive status or lacks a registered profile on the Foundation’s website, no points will be awarded.

The holder can accumulate points through different channels of interaction with the Foundation (ticket offices, shops, or the website). The total number of points accumulated per day is limited to one point per channel.

To earn points, the holder must log into the Foundation’s website or identify themselves when purchasing at the Foundation’s ticket offices or shops. The points balance may take up to forty-eight (48) hours to be updated in the holder’s account after the transaction.

Points earned under the Programme are strictly personal and may not be transferred to third parties, refunded or converted into cash; they may only be used for the purposes outlined herein.

4.2. Points Validity

Accumulated points shall remain valid for as long as the holder’s membership in the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme is active.

4.3. Redeem Points

Accumulated points may be redeemed exclusively for special offers listed in the “Points and offers” section on the MyGulbenkian personal area of the Foundations website. Such offers may include tickets to exhibitions, concerts and educational activities and are at all times subject to availability and venue capacity.

Once points have been redeemed, the corresponding offer may not be exchanged for another offer or reconverted into points, except in circumstances where the Foundation cancels or otherwise does not carry out an event.

4.4. Programme Cancellation

Holders will be emailed in advance should the programme be discontinued. No points will accrue after the effective date of termination. Accumulated points may still be redeemed for special offers during the thirty (30) calendar days following that date.

5. Cartão Gulbenkian (Free Version)

5.1. Subscription

Subscription to the Cartão Gulbenkian is entirely free of charge. Holders must meet the requirements set out in section “3. Membership and Eligibility”.

5.2. Nature

The Cartão Gulbenkian is issued exclusively in digital format, containing a QR code that identifies the holder, which is accessible at any time within the holder’s personal area on the Foundation’s website.

5.3. Benefits

Holders of the Cartão Gulbenkian accrue points through their interactions with the Foundation and may redeem them for special offers in accordance with section “4. Accumulation and Use of Points”.

Holders enjoy the following exclusive benefits at the Foundation’s ticket offices:

• Access to the subscription-sales phase of the Gulbenkian Music Season;
• Early reservation of tickets to free events published on the Foundation’s website. However, this benefit does not guarantee admission, as tickets are subject to venue capacity.
• More favourable age-specific discounts on tickets to exhibitions, concerts and other events advertised on the Foundation’s website; these discounts are extended to accompanying persons who satisfy the relevant age criteria.

The Cartão Gulbenkian holders further benefit from discounts when purchasing:

• Publications sold in the Foundation’s on-site and online shops;
• Guided tours and other events listed on the Foundation’s website;
• Activities included in the Gulbenkian Modern Art Centre’s Live Arts programme.

These discounts cannot be combined with any other promotions or campaigns; full details regarding eligibility and application of discounts are available on the Foundation’s website.

5.4. Validity and Expiry

The Cartão Gulbenkian has no predefined expiry date. Nevertheless, the subscription will be deemed inactive and automatically expire if the holder registers no interactions or activity for a continuous period of 3 (three) years, in which case all accumulated points, promotional codes, interaction history, and remaining benefits will be forfeited.

If a Cartão Gulbenkian holder subscribes to the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (paid version), the Cartão Gulbenkian will remain inactive for the duration of the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais subscription. Upon expiry of the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais, the free subscription is automatically reactivated.

The Cartão Gulbenkian may be cancelled at any time by the holder in the MyGulbenkian personal area.

6. Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (Paid Version)

6.1. Subscription

Subscription to the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais is subject to the payment of an annual fee, set out in the price list published on the Foundation’s website and due at the moment of subscription.

Membership is further conditional upon compliance with the conditions described in section “3. Membership and Eligibility” of this document.

6.2. Physical Card

Once the payment is confirmed, a personalised physical card will be issued and dispatched to the address provided by the holder within 10 (ten) working days.

The card is personal, non-transferable and identifies the holder at the Foundation’s various points of contact. It remains the exclusive property of the Foundation, which reserves the right to request its return or issue a replacement at any moment.

The holder must keep the card in good condition and use it with due care in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

6.3. Additional Benefits

In addition to the benefits provided under the Cartão Gulbenkian, holders of the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais enjoy the following additional privileges:

• Complimentary entry, limited to once per day, to all exhibition spaces within the Foundation, subject to room capacity;
• Advance purchase of individual tickets to concerts within the Gulbenkian Music Season and Educational Activities, prior to their release to the general public. This benefit does not guarantee admission, as availability is limited by venue capacity. Priority tickets must be purchased exclusively online and require authentication on the Foundation’s website;
• Special discounts on items sold in the Foundation’s shops, under the terms published on the Foundation’s website. These discounts are not cumulative with other promotional offers or campaigns;
• Participation – subject to prior online reservation and capacity limits – in exclusive experiences forming part of special and occasional programming. Unless otherwise stated, participation is personal, non-transferable and does not extend to accompanying persons.

6.4. Validity and Expiry

The Cartão Gulbenkian Mais remains valid for a period of 1 (one) year from the subscription date. Upon expiry, the holder may renew the subscription for a further year by paying the annual fee in force on the renewal date, as published on the Foundation’s website.

Failure to renew immediately terminates access to all benefits associated with the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais. Any unused points or promotional codes shall remain available for 3 (three) months after expiry and may be used during that period.

Should the holder previously have a Cartão Gulbenkian (free version) that became inactive on subscribing to the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais (paid version), that subscription is automatically reactivated when the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais expires.

6.5. Cancellation and Refund

The holder may cancel their Cartão Gulbenkian Mais subscription at any time via the MyGulbenkian personal area. Such cancellation will not entitle the holder to a full or partial refund of the annual fee already paid, except in circumstances where cancellation is prompted by a unilateral alteration to these Terms and Conditions by the Foundation. In such a case, the holder may request cancellation and a pro rata reimbursement of the annual fee within 30 (thirty) days of receiving notification of the amendment, by completing the form provided for that purpose.

7. Fair Usage Policy

Within the scope of the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme, holders are entitled to reserve tickets for free events and exclusive programming (hereinafter jointly referred to as “activities”). To ensure the fair allocation of resources and to provide an optimal experience for all participants, the following rules apply:

7.1. Booking and Use of Tickets

The Foundation may set – and will announce in advance – a maximum number of tickets/activities that each holder may reserve, to ensure a fair usage policy.

Holders should reserve tickets only when they genuinely intend to attend the respective activities. Should a holder, after booking, become unable to attend an activity, they must cancel their reserved ticket(s) in good time: at least 3 (three) hours before the scheduled start time for free events and at least 48 (forty-eight) hours before the scheduled start time for exclusive programming events.

Detailed instructions and cancellation procedures are available in the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of the Foundation’s website.

7.2. Consequences of Successive Absences

Repeated failure to attend activities for which tickets have been reserved, without timely cancellations in accordance with the conditions set out in section 7.1, deprives other interested holders of attending and jeopardises activities that require a minimum number of participants.

Consequently, if a holder records successive unjustified absences, the Foundation reserves the right to implement corrective actions, including the temporary or permanent suspension of the holder’s access to the Programme benefits, in accordance with the procedures described in section “8.2. Cancellation, Suspension and Exclusion”.

7.3. Monitoring and Notifications

The Foundation continually monitors reservations and attendance in order to detect possible misuse or repeated absences.

Where non-compliance with this Fair Usage Policy is identified, the Foundation will issue a formal warning via email outlining the potential consequences of continued non-compliance.

If non-compliance persists, the Foundation may temporarily or permanently suspend the holder’s access to Programme benefits; any such decision, together with its grounds, will be emailed to the holder at least 15 (fifteen) days before it takes effect.

By accepting these Terms and Conditions, holders expressly commit to adhering to the Fair Usage Policy and thereby contributing to the successful execution of the Foundation’s activities.

8. General Terms

8.1. Liabilities of the Parties

8.1.1. Responsibility of the Foundation

The Foundation does not guarantee uninterrupted availability or continuous operation of the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme. Should technical failures, connectivity problems or other disruptions prevent normal operation, the Foundation will make reasonable efforts to minimise their impact and restore normal service as swiftly as possible.

The Foundation shall not be liable for any consequences arising from the loss, theft, or unauthorised use of the physical card or for any malfunction or suspension of the Programme, except in cases where liability cannot be lawfully excluded or limited.

8.1.2. Holder Responsibilities

The holder is responsible for providing accurate and truthful personal information upon registration and ensuring that this data remains up to date.

The holder must safeguard the confidentiality of their access credentials, ensuring these details are neither disclosed to third parties nor used by any unauthorised individual. The holder remains fully accountable for all actions performed through their account.

If the physical card is lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised, the holder must immediately notify the Foundation by telephone or via the designated online form and request a replacement. The cost of the replacement card is set out in the price list published on the Foundation’s website.

The holder shall comply with the terms outlined in section “7. Fair Usage Policy” and all applicable laws and regulations. Misuse of the Programme for illicit purposes or in violation of these Terms and Conditions is strictly prohibited.

8.2. Cancellation, Suspension and Exclusion

The holder may cancel their subscription to the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme at any time, without incurring additional costs, through the MyGulbenkian personal area. Cancellation takes immediate effect, terminates all Programme benefits and any accumulated points balance is forfeited.

The Foundation reserves the right to temporarily suspend the holder’s access to Programme benefits in the event of non-compliance with the Fair Usage Policy detailed in section 7. In such circumstances, the Foundation will provide prior notification as described in section “7.3 Monitoring and Notifications”.

Furthermore, the Foundation may permanently exclude any holder who violates any of the provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions or who provides false, inaccurate or misleading information, either directly or indirectly through a third party.

In the event of cancellation or exclusion, the holder’s MyGulbenkian account will remain active, retaining only the personal data strictly necessary for its maintenance.

8.3. Communication

By subscribing to the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme, the holder acknowledges that they will receive operational communications concerning the Programme’s functioning and points redemptions. Such communications may be sent by email, SMS, telephone, or postal service and may include informational notices, updates on points balances, promotional codes, or other pertinent Programme-related information.

Marketing communications will only be sent if the holder has explicitly provided consent at the time of subscription; in that case, and only with such consent, the Foundation may periodically send tailored information regarding activities, promotions or campaigns that align with the holder’s profile.

8.4. Personal Data Protection

The holder’s personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and with the rights afforded to data subjects.

By subscribing to the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme, the holder expressly consents to the Foundation processing their personal data in accordance with the Privacy and Cookies Policy.

The Foundation processes the holder’s personal data – such as full name, NIF, date of birth, email address, telephone and postal address – for a range of purposes that include but are not limited to the following:

• Managing the subscription and execution of the Programme on a contractual basis;
• Preventing fraud related to the creation of multiple accounts, in the Foundation’s legitimate interest;
• Sending operational communications using the contact details provided;
• Compiling statistics on the impact of the Foundation’s activities, likewise on legitimate interest.

The holder’s personal data may be shared with third-party processors contracted by the Foundation (e.g., for card issuance, technical support, and related services), which are bound by confidentiality and security obligations. Data will not be disclosed to third parties for unrelated purposes without the holder’s explicit consent, except when legally required.

Personal data will be retained only for the duration necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including the duration of the subscription and any statutory retention periods, after which they will be anonymised or securely deleted.

The holder may update their personal data at any time via their MyGulbenkian account.

As a data subject, the holder may exercise their rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, portability, objection, or withdrawal of consent by using the dedicated form provided on the Foundation’s website. Further details on data processing and related rights are available in the Privacy and Cookies Policy area of the Foundation’s website.

If the holder believes their rights have been violated, they may lodge a complaint with the Portuguese Data Protection Authority (CNPD).

8.5. Changes to the Terms and Conditions

The Foundation reserves the right to amend, suspend, or discontinue the Cartão Gulbenkian Programme or to modify these Terms and Conditions at its discretion. Any modifications will become effective thirty (30) days after they are communicated to the holder via the Foundation’s website, e-mail, or another appropriate channel.

Should the holder disagree with an amendment to the Terms and Conditions, they may cancel their subscription at any time, without incurring any charges. Holders of the Cartão Gulbenkian Mais are subject to the specific refund provisions described in section “6.5. Cancellation and Refund”.

8.6. Governing Law and Jurisdiction.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Portuguese law. Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions shall be subject exclusively to the jurisdiction of the Lisbon District Court, with the holder expressly waiving the right to submit disputes to any other jurisdiction.

 

Last review date: 23 May 2025
Release date: 23 November 2023

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