Ceremony of the Keys Tickets

The same way they did two years ago - get international reply postage from the post office here.

That thread listed several problems that people were having getting the international coupons. I was hoping for some updated information rather than a smart aleck response. No wonder the number of postings here are way down. Thanks a lot.

Dale - International Reply Coupons (IRCs) sell for $2.10 each. IRCs are exchangeable in any other Universal Postal Union member country for stamps equal to the minimum postage for an air letter. You will need to buy 2 IRC's. Place them in the envelope along with your requested dates, and you should have a reply in 6-8 weeks.

I attended the Ceremony of the keys this past May and had a great time.
The biggest problem I had with the International Reply Coupons was figuring out which post offices carried them, I called a few before I found one that had them. When I arrived at the post office the clerk didn't know what they were, but after asking around to a few co-workers she found them and I was on my way. I put them, along with a self-addressed envelope and my written request in an envelope and within 2-3 weeks I had my requested dates and tickets in hand.
Have fun!

I have attended the Ceremony about 13 times now and its always a neat thing to see. The IRC coupons are usually found at a bigger post office, we live near Sacramento and the main Sacramento office is the only one with them. Sometimes you have to talk to the actual postmaster too as the clerks sometimes have no knowledge of what they are. Also, when you attend the Ceremony, when its finished there is a little question and answer period with the Beefeater. I always ask for a ghost story, they all have them and some are creepy.

One more thing, I have made it the habit to add two names ( make them up etc. )on the list, as we always meet people in our travels and I have invited unsuspecting people to join us for the Ceremony and they are blown away at such a exclusive event. The tickets now only have one name of them with number of guests.

Dale - I remember the thread, but the procedure for getting the tickets has not changed, whether or not people had trouble getting them at that time. There was nothing "smart aleck" intended in my answer. You asked how to get postage, and I told you - the same way they did in the posting you already saw.

Dale-I think the confusion is the self-addressed envelope-don't put any stamps on it. The ones who issue the tickets will apply the International Reply Coupons (that you purchase at the post orrice) to your envelope. Just put them in your envelope with your letter of request and your self-addressed envelope. The post office will let you know how much it costs to post the final envelope. I debated doing an expedited amount because my window of time was less than the recommended timeframe. I chose not to, but received my tickets in plenty of time anyway. Enjoy your evening!

I have not been able to find the International Response Coupons either. I live in Tacoma, Washington and have tried every post office around me and they all say they don't have any. I went to USPS.com and found pricing for them but there was no way to order them. I called the 800 number and the US postoffice rep on the phone couldn't find any way to order them or get them. Does anyone have any idea where I can get them around here?

Lisa,

You can indeed order the International Reply Coupons from the USPS website. Try this link: http://bit.ly/9LoC0P

Or go to www.usps.com --> Buy Stamps & Shop --> For Mailing/Shipping ---> International and then look for the International Reply Coupon.

The Item number is 330800, and they cost $2.10 each.

If you go to a post office, they can also use that item number to see if they have any on hand to sell you.

I walked into the post office with my letter already stamped and asked for an International Reply Coupon. The clerk (Downtown Redmond, WA) just reached behind her, grabbed one and I stuffed it in the envelope with my letter and self-addressed envelope and sent all of it off right there and then. Got my tickets in about 3 weeks. From what I've read there are a lot of postal clerks who don't have any experience with them. Ask him/her to ask a colleague if they don't know. The official web site has pretty specific instructions on how to do this.