6 Ways to Go to the Movies for Less
Here are some tips from SmartMoney that could help you save on your trips to the cinema:
Join the Group
Deeply discounted tickets have become pretty popular on daily deal sites like Groupon, Living Social and Google Offers. By keeping your eyes peeled, you can find deals on movies tickets and concessions.
Expect more of the broad ticket deals and few, if any, of those specific to one movie, Logsdon says. Unless the movie is a dud: “maybe it takes that promotional push to get people in,” he says. But experts say consumers should read the offer terms before buying, since many group deals expire quickly or require all purchased tickets to be redeemed in one transaction.
Buy in Bulk
Both theater chains and warehouse clubs, like Costco, offer multi-packs of movie tickets and concessions-stand vouchers for less than the going rate. If you frequently go to the movies, this could be a great way to save on the overall cost of your trips.
A 10-pack of AMC Gold Experience movie tickets costs $83 at Costco, for example, cutting roughly 35% from the box-office price. Daily deal sites may be helpful here, too. KGB Deals recently had four Fandango.com tickets for $24, half the going rate. But buyer beware: Moviegoers can’t always use such deals during the early weeks of a movie’s release, and they don’t cover the surcharge for 3D and IMAX screenings.
Visit on Bargain Days
Many theaters actually have a day (or days) where they offer cheaper prices on tickets. Whether it be a “student day,” a “senior day,” or just a reduced rate on a less-trafficked day, you could save some money if you do some research.
National theater chain Cinemark, for example, offers reduced prices every Tuesday. On the flip side, some theaters charge a slightly higher price for peak Friday and Saturday night visits.
What are some ways that you save on going to the movies?
For 3 more tips, head over to SmartMoney’s 6 Ways to Cut Movie Ticket Prices.
