Cinemark might not be as big as AMC theaters, but it also has a subscription if you want cheaper access to movie tickets. There aren’t that many cinemas, but if there isn’t an AMC around you, there will likely be a Cinemark to save the day. But is the price of his Movie Club package worth it?
While most people wouldn’t think so, Cinemark actually unveiled its subscription plan more than six months before AMC. While its service is a bit modest, there are other perks that are worth it if a Cinemark cinema is nearby. And since Cinemark owns its theaters and concession stands, it’s not a sinking ship like MoviePass, and it may even do better than AMC’s Stubs A-List offering.
Before we go any further, let’s go over the details of the app. The Cinemark Movie Club subscription is accessible through the standard Cinemark Theaters app for iPhone and Android phones. For iPhone users, you need to be running iOS 9 or later. For Android users, it would be Android 5.0 and later.
- Install Cinemark Theaters: Android | iOS (subscription required for access to List A)
Current package and price
The Cinemark Movie Club only has one plan available, and it’s a bit modest with just one standard 2D movie per month for a monthly fee of $ 8.99. That said, if you don’t use your allocated ticket for the month, it continues, so you’ll be racking up 12 movie passes per year on Cinemark’s service no matter what. There are no family plan options to choose from.
Unlike MoviePass and Sinemia, Cinemark does not send you any Cinemark branded debit cards. Instead, like AMC’s offer, you use any debit or credit card you want to pay. As soon as you sign up you can start using the service immediately which is another big plus. And there is no initiation fee.
When you join Movie Club, you are automatically enrolled in Cinemark’s loyalty program, Connections. If you are already a Connections member, you will keep the same account.
Movies available
As mentioned above, you can see a standard 2D movie every month, however, for an additional charge to cover the cost difference, you can go for a premium format like XD, 3D, D-Box, or IMAX. Besides formats, you may also be charged additional fees when using your pass at certain theaters where ticket costs are high, such as Cinemark Playa Vista and XD in Playa Vista, CA.
The best part of Cinemark’s plan is that you choose when to see your movie, so there are no blackouts for dates or times. And you can use the map in all Cinemark, Century, CinéArts, Tinseltown, and Rave locations. You can even see multiple movies in one day if you have the credits available to do so.
For example, if you haven’t used Movie Club for three months, you can use those three credits for a movie with friends. You can also choose to see three different movies in one day (you’re limited to three transactions per day) or just use them one by one whenever you have time to watch movies again. If you liked a movie a lot, you can even watch it as many times as you want.
Whether you choose to use your passes in person at the box office or by ordering online or through the app, there is no charge. Even after your allocated tickets are used up, you will still have no fees for tickets purchased at full price online or in the app. However, it should be noted that you cannot use Movie Club at movie kiosks yet.
And speaking of additional tickets beyond those allocated, any additional tickets will cost $ 8.99 for the rest of the month, along with a “companion ticket” so a friend can join you for the same price. However, if you want to upgrade to a premium format on additional tickets, you will have to pay the difference, which means that you will pay the full price for the premium format tickets.
You can book tickets in advance without limitation, as well as choose specific seats in theaters where reserved seats are available. Plus, you can decide when to use your credit, so if it’s a $ 4.99 matinee, you won’t want to waste that Movie Club credit. In person you can tell not to use the credit, while in the app you can uncheck the box at checkout to use the credit.
When you’re not sure how many Movie Club Credits you have, it’s easy to check in the app. Simply navigate to the “Movie Club” section from the drop-down menu in the sidebar. There you will see how many credits you have left and, if zero, when your next credits will be available.
If you live in an area where 2D tickets cost less than $ 8.99 each, Movie Club will not help you with additional tickets. However, if you live in a big city with more expensive tickets, that would be a good deal. For example, at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and location XD, regular 2D movies cost $ 13 at peak times, so you’ll save $ 4 per ticket.
Discounts on concessions
While the $ 8.99 per month plan for a 2D ticket and additional 2D tickets for $ 8.99 is a steal in big cities, it would take a while for that monthly price to look right in smaller towns. where 2D tickets typically fetch $ 7.99 each. . But that’s where the concession discounts come in.
Unlike AMC’s wimpy dealership perks for A-List, Cinemark is a steal. Oddly enough, you get 20% off all items except alcohol or merchandise, as well as dairy products in some states. If you usually spend $ 20 on food and drink for each movie, you’d only pay $ 16 with the discount.
Cinemark makes it clear that if you have a discount coupon, such as a $ 3 coupon that you would get using your Connections points, you cannot use it with the 20% off for Movie Club. However, I managed to use these types of coupons with the 20% off even though the fine print says it’s not allowed. Your mileage may vary.
To get the 20% off, simply ask the cashier to scan your Connections QR code. For any coupons you have, navigate to “Connections” or “Movie Club” from the drop-down menu in the sidebar, then tap “Reward” to find your coupon. Alternatively, you can simply select “My Rewards” from the sidebar menu to go straight to them. Each coupon has its own QR code which they will scan.
Other details of the plan
If you want to view your history with the Movie Club plan in the app, that’s pretty limited. You can only see tickets purchased through the app or online through the “View Purchases” option in “My Account”. Credits or tickets purchased through Movie Club at a box office will not appear anywhere.
When you book a ticket and can’t make it to the theater, Cinemark allows you to get a refund for the ticket (s), which are readily available online or in person. The credits will flow back to your account and any additional payments you make will flow back to the card used. You must initiate a refund request before the movie starts or you will not be able to receive a refund.
All members must be 18 or older to register, and you can register for multiple accounts as long as you use a different email address for each. If you ever decide to cancel your membership, you can do so online or by phone, and if you wish to re-enroll, there is no waiting period.
Movie Club members also get all the benefits of Connections, meaning you can earn points which can be used towards coupons, free movies, merchandise, and more. For every transaction you make, be it tickets or concessions, you get 10 points. However, you cannot receive more than 25 points in a 24 hour period. Previously, you could earn points by using its “CineMode” function in the app, but this program has been canceled. Points expire after one year.
Speaking of points, is there a referral program? No, but others may offer you monthly Movie Club credits, and you can do the same with others. All the details here.
There is no chat support in the app, so if there are any issues you will have to call or email Cinemark for help. But, like AMC, Cinemark is pretty transparent about changes to their plan, so if the price goes up or the discounts go down, they’ll let you know in advance and give you the option to roll back.
Worth it depending on your movie habits
Overall, Cinemark Movie Club is a solid plan, but only if Cinemark is the only cinema you visit. Cinemark has 337 locations in the US, so you could very well live within a reasonable distance of one.
Want to see a lot of movies every month? AMC’s A-list of stubs might be better value, but only if the AMC locations are nearby. Sinemia can also be a good option, but you might want to avoid MoviePass.
If you live in an area where tickets are already cheap for 2D screenings, it’s only worth joining if you tend to buy a lot of food and drink to get that 20% off. Otherwise, if you only see uncompromising 2D movies and evening and weekend tickets cost $ 7.99 each, you obviously don’t want to waste your money. But if you get a lot of food and drink, you might save some dough.
This article was produced on Gadget Hacks’ annual Movies & TV on Mobile special cover. Read all Movies & TV coverage on mobile.
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