If they hadn't paid they would not have had pass and no guarantee of retaining their seat hen things return to normal. Sunderland had to stop applications as they had reached 12,000.
Norwich have a 12 month direct debit scheme. I bet not many stop paying theirs - they have sold out for the last 10 seasons including time in League One. Some places are more of a football city than others and therefore have fanbases which make the more attractive to buyers.
Cardiff have announced they will not any refunds even if every game is played behind closed doors or if the season is curtailed.
As I put in another post Portsmouth have a good scheme
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/...ise-over-sensible-flexi-season-ticket-2939258 but no doubt you, and others,would have objected to paying £25 up front.