After absorbing the constant chatter about MoviePass, you’ve made the decision to embrace your gut feeling and subscribe. And hey: why not? I absolutely LOVE MoviePass. It’s $9.95 a month for unlimited movies, which makes it ideal for film buffs like yourself who strive to see as many flicks as possible on the big screen. The question is, how can you get more out of this service? Easy. Learn some MoviePass hacks.
Now, I can sense that you’re summoning up images of Matthew Broderick in WarGames, hacking into a giant government database and then ultimately regretting it. Well, don’t worry: MoviePass hacks are simply shortcuts to help you make the most out of the service. Here are 6 that are tried and tested by yours truly.
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1. Sign up for movie theater rewards cards
I am a huge fan of movie theater rewards programs. Heck, they feature heavily in my blog post cunningly titled 21 ingenious ways to buy discount movie tickets and save $50 a month. But it’s easy to forget when using MoviePass that there are even more ways to get movie ticket offers and deals on concessions at the same time.
Scoring a massive discount – i.e. – feeling like you’re seeing a movie for free with MoviePass – is an electrifying feeling. I get it. It’s an unparalleled high that has you grinning from ear-to-ear.
But make sure you grab additional movie ticket deals by signing up for your local movie theater’s reward program. Every time you use your MoviePass, simply hand over your reward card to rack up points that can be used at a later time, for either repeat viewings of a movie or for that hotdog-nacho combo you’ve been telling yourself won’t really give you a “gut bomb.”
Plus, rewards programs have loads of other special offers and deals too, such as free movie screenings, so go get signed up. Now!
2. Get there early to snag tickets for popular movies
When you’re planning to go see a popular film on its opening weekend with friends, you might want to buy tickets ahead of time. One of the big quibbles with MoviePass is that you can’t secure tickets in advance. It’s an understandable frustration, but there’s a way out of it.
Head on down to the theater earlier on in the day, check in to the app, and buy your tickets right then and there for the movie you want to see.
3. Double check the showtimes in another app
I frequently use both MoviePass and Fandango, and the latter app is absolutely essential in making sure I’m not heading out at the wrong time.
The MoviePass app relies on data feeds to create its showtimes and sometimes they glitch. Double check the showtimes for your local theater in another app such as Fandango or Flixster.
4. Want to see the same movie again? Try this.
One of MoviePass’s latest changes to incite riots in Facebook groups, causing many MoviePass users to become rather colourful with their language, is the company’s ban on repeated viewings.
Introduced the same week as Avengers: Infinity War hit theaters, the app won’t allow you to check in for movies you’ve already seen.
So what do you do when you’re desperate to see Deadpool 2 57 times?
You can try checking it for another film that’s showing at a similar time and then slip into Deadpool 2. It’s a tad risky, however, if you get caught by MoviePass as that sort of tomfoolery is against their Terms of Service.
What I’d recommend is using your rewards card points towards tickets for repeat viewings. Ta da!
5. If in doubt, use a self-serve kiosk
Even though MoviePass is widely accepted, some reports suggest movie theater employees harbour a strange grudge against people using it. I’m not sure why that’s the case. So, if in doubt – head over to a kiosk and serve yourself.
This not only ensures that you get a ticket, but if there are several people in your party all of whom have their own MoviePasses you need to make sure they all go through as separate transactions.
I’ve had a couple of instances wherein I’ve gone to a movie theater that’s not my local, and I’ve had to stop the clerk from running my MoviePass and my wife’s MoviePass in the same transaction. Why? This is also against MoviePass’ Terms of Service, as you might end up with money left over on a card, which is a big no-no.
6. Use only one MoviePass account per smartphone
There are lots of ways you can get your MoviePass account cancelled. Using the leftover money on your card to buy concessions, using your card to buy tickets to a 3D movie, and also using the same phone for multiple accounts.
You can’t log in to your MoviePass account on your smartphone, then let your roommate use your phone to log in to theirs. According to the company, this is a way to keep your account secure.
Per the official MoviePass rules:
“Every MoviePass account must have its own unique iPhone/Android. Sharing a phone may results in redemption issues or an account cancellation.”
Are you using any of these MoviePass hacks?
After paying your monthly fee, you want to get the most out of your MoviePass subscription. Of course you do! While there are many blogs out there professing cunning ways to outsmart MoviePass, honestly I wouldn’t go to the darkside. This company is not afraid to revoke accounts, so follow my 6 MoviePass hacks to wring every ounce of usefulness out of the service… without breaking any terms and conditions.
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