IMTU, Passage warrants are bearer documents, much as the initial post of this thread. BUT, IMTU, they are issued by the IMoT (Trade), and are redeemed for 80% face value in cash, rest in payment in kind for fuel and LS reloads, and docking fees.
Starports usually bulk purchase, and thus can sell coupons for less than face value.
TAS coupons work the same way, and are issued not only to TAS members, but also to other concerns. While TAS coupons can only be redeemed at A-B-C ports, they will often be accepted elewhere and cashed at later ports.
I allow TAS members to buy extras for 500Cr off High and Mid, and Cr 50 off Low; TAS ports stock the chemicals in bulk, so they're puchasing the goods for 20-30% discount on what amounts to about 20% of costs., , or between 4% and 6% off, and TAS ports engender buisiness deals for 5% off berthing, so when coupons are cashed in, they're actually paying less than full face.
Non TAS Members can buy coupons at full face. THe advantages of coupons are that they're backed by TAS or IMoT.
The drawbacks: IMTU, If you accept coupons for any passengers (you can refuse them, but in so doing, can't cash any on-world for 28 days of either type), you can not charge higher rates for any passengers on board. If you are accepting coupons, you're required to notify passengers prior to boarding. The port will notify them of coupon regulations and their right to be charged no more than coupon rates.
Accepting more than coupon rates for passengers on a coupon accepting run is punishable by forfeiture of the ship, ship's cargo and stores, or fines totaling far more than 10x the value of all fares and cargos, possibly even incarceration. It varies widely and wildly, on purpose. The lottery aspect of being tried in the Local Noble's court by whatever courtiers may be present, with whatever press covering it who happen to be trusted enough to be allowed in, and only as many lawyers as the Noble cares to allow. (The defense is guaranteed one. The law may or may not be relevant to the court...)
Of course MTU is pretty much an "Evil Empire" who rigs trade for it's own benefit (specifically to keep worlds at each others' throats). Forget all that hype about maximizing trade; MTU wants trade to flow, but not to flow free, because free flowing trade will build alliances... long range ones.
Starports usually bulk purchase, and thus can sell coupons for less than face value.
TAS coupons work the same way, and are issued not only to TAS members, but also to other concerns. While TAS coupons can only be redeemed at A-B-C ports, they will often be accepted elewhere and cashed at later ports.
I allow TAS members to buy extras for 500Cr off High and Mid, and Cr 50 off Low; TAS ports stock the chemicals in bulk, so they're puchasing the goods for 20-30% discount on what amounts to about 20% of costs., , or between 4% and 6% off, and TAS ports engender buisiness deals for 5% off berthing, so when coupons are cashed in, they're actually paying less than full face.
Non TAS Members can buy coupons at full face. THe advantages of coupons are that they're backed by TAS or IMoT.
The drawbacks: IMTU, If you accept coupons for any passengers (you can refuse them, but in so doing, can't cash any on-world for 28 days of either type), you can not charge higher rates for any passengers on board. If you are accepting coupons, you're required to notify passengers prior to boarding. The port will notify them of coupon regulations and their right to be charged no more than coupon rates.
Accepting more than coupon rates for passengers on a coupon accepting run is punishable by forfeiture of the ship, ship's cargo and stores, or fines totaling far more than 10x the value of all fares and cargos, possibly even incarceration. It varies widely and wildly, on purpose. The lottery aspect of being tried in the Local Noble's court by whatever courtiers may be present, with whatever press covering it who happen to be trusted enough to be allowed in, and only as many lawyers as the Noble cares to allow. (The defense is guaranteed one. The law may or may not be relevant to the court...)
Of course MTU is pretty much an "Evil Empire" who rigs trade for it's own benefit (specifically to keep worlds at each others' throats). Forget all that hype about maximizing trade; MTU wants trade to flow, but not to flow free, because free flowing trade will build alliances... long range ones.
somewhere. They turn it in, only to have the actual noble concerned present. This is a problem because that particular warrant was issued to: sibling/lover/child who has now disappeared; rival for safe passage to negotiations (at which the rival never showed); hero/trusted servant who has turned up dead near the characters last port of call; etc....
