How to redeem a Go City card

What does it mean?

Go City is a global multi-attraction digital sightseeing pass operating across major tourism destinations worldwide. Customers purchase a single pass granting admission to participating tours, attractions, and activities within a chosen destination.

How does the integration work?

With the Go City Direct Connect API integration, Palisis mobile point-of-sale (POS) devices can scan the QR code on a customer's Go City pass, validate its entitlements in real time against the Go City platform, and automatically issue the corresponding tour ticket without manual voucher handling or separate settlement steps.

Pass types and entitlements

Go City offers two primary pass models:

• All-inclusive pass: Allows entry to any participating attraction over a specified number of consecutive calendar days (e.g., 1-Day, 2-Day, 3-Day, 5-Day passes).
• Explorer pass: Allows customers to select a fixed number of attractions (e.g., 3, 4, 5, or 7 activities) valid over a 60-day period.

Passenger categories supported

• Adult
• Child
• Familiarisation (FAM): Special media, trade, or PR promotional passes issued by Go City for single individuals (these are not family tickets; each FAM pass admits exactly one person).

Key operational rules to keep in mind

1. One visit per attraction per Pass: A customer can visit a specific attraction or tour only once per pass. Once an offer is redeemed, that entitlement is permanently spent on Go City's platform.
2. First scan activates the pass: Unused passes are generally valid for up to two years from purchase. The very first scan at any attraction activates the pass and starts the countdown clock for consecutive days (e.g., a 5-day pass activates on first scan and expires at midnight on the 5th day).
3. Single transaction per redemption (no mixed baskets): Each Go City pass scan processes admission for that specific cardholder. Mixed basket transactions (e.g., combining a Go City pass redemption with a standard cash/card retail ticket in the same transaction) are strictly prohibited on the device.

Here is an example of how a Go City pass looks:

What should I do?

Follow these step-by-step instructions to enable and configure Go City card redemption for an operator account:

Step 1: Set up passenger categories

Ensure the operator's account has matching passenger categories configured under Account > Passenger categories:

• Adult
• Child
• Familiarisation (optional): Must be configured with the exact name and code Familiarisation so that PR/media passes scanned by the device are recognised and mapped seamlessly.

Step 2: Connect the partner in Partner Management

Navigate to Sales channels > Partner management:

1. Search for and connect the partner Go City [API] (or GoCity [API]).

   

2. Set the Deposit to 100%. (Because the customer has already paid Go City, Palisis records a 100% partner deposit so that tickets print immediately with zero outstanding balance to collect at the POS).

   
3. Set the Commission percentage according to the commercial contract between the tour operator and Go City.

For more information, visit the following article about partnering:

How to manage your partners and resellers

Step 3: Create the external voucher wildcard rule

Navigate to Sales channels > Partner management > External Voucher:

1. Select the partner GoCity [API].
2. Create a voucher block with:
   • Voucher Type: WILDCARD

   • Pattern: Can be left blank for open wildcard matching, or set to Go City's standard 12-digit regex format (e.g. ^\d{11,12}$).

     
   • From / To fields: Leave empty.
   • Status: ACTIVE.

⚠️ Note: Only one WILDCARD without a pattern is permitted per operator account for the Go City partner.

For more information, visit the following article about external vouchers:

How to setup your "External Vouchers"

Step 4: Map Go City attraction offers to Palisis products

Go City assigns unique Offer UUIDs to each attraction activity (for example, Keukenhof Express Shuttle or City Centre Canal Cruise).

In Setup > Mapping, map each of your products with the Go City Offer UUID to your corresponding Palisis Product, Price Plan, and Passenger Category Price. To do this, just select the corresponding Go City Offers from the dropdown for product, price and passenger category. To add more, just click the plus icon and all of the necessary offers.

Once mapped, any scan matching that offer will automatically pull the correct Palisis ticket price plan into the basket.

How does the redemption process work?

The frontline redemption process on the Palisis handheld device or mobile terminal is fully automated:

1. Step-by-Step POS operation

1. The driver or ticket sales agent opens the Palisis sales application and taps the QR Code / Scanner icon.
2. Scan the customer's Go City digital pass (from their smartphone screen) or printed paper voucher.
3. The device queries the Go City API in real time.
4. When validated successfully:
   • The device will display available offers per the mapping. The sales user must manually select the correct offer on the device screen.
   • The terminal displays a green confirmation screen indicating "Valid" along with the partner "GoCity [API]" and passenger type (e.g. Adult, Child).
   • Once the sales user clicks OK, the 100% deposit is applied, leaving a balance of £0.00 / €0.00.
   • Tapping the Print icon prints the boarding pass/receipt immediately without prompting for payment.
   • The visit is recorded in Go City's backend, permanently consuming that attraction entitlement for the pass.

2. Error and rejection scenarios

If a pass cannot be accepted, the device displays a red screen accompanied by the exact refusal reason returned by Go City:

Scenario / Error Message	Meaning & Operational Action	1st Device Screen	2nd Device Screen
Admittance Denied - No entry. Already visited today.	The customer has already visited this specific attraction earlier in the day. Each attraction is single-entry per pass.	-	-
Admittance Denied - No entry. Already visited on a previous day.	The pass entitlement for this tour was already spent on a previous day. The customer cannot re-enter on the same pass.	-	-
Pass not found for pass number: XXXXXXXXXXXX	The scanned barcode is not recognised by Go City or belongs to a different destination. Prompt the customer to verify their booking in the Go City app.		-
Pass Inactive / Cancelled	The pass was refunded or cancelled in Go City's system. The customer must contact Go City customer care.
Pass Expired	The consecutive-day validity window (e.g. 5 days from first activation) has lapsed.
Network / Timeout Error	The terminal failed to reach the Go City API within 10 seconds. Check mobile network connectivity and retry.	-	-
Pass partially cancelled	-