MoviePass

[Agent Bond]

Its a great idea, but I feel like a certain company would lose out on a lot of money over it.

[BluLamp]

Even if AMC backs out, there's still Regal and Drafthouse, and all my fave indies in NYC such as IFC and Lincoln Plaza that seem to accept it. Will probably sign up tonight or tomorrow. Might as well take advantage of it while it lasts.

[Destinys Memory]

I imagine an easy way for AMC and other theatres to easily get around this would be to require you to present your card to the cashier when you pay. Like Best Buy does with gift cards, the cashier always has to manually enter the PIN. If they see that it's a regular card, fine. If it's a big red card with MOVIEPASS on it, they could deny it by just putting up signage saying "We don't accept MoviePass at this theater." They're not required to accept every payment method (checks, for example).

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

I still can't do anything with the app, and whenever I click "theaters" I get nothing other than a suggestion to change my location. So I did just to try it out, and even then I can't get anything. The website says my account/card is activated, but I thought I didn't need the physical debit card to use the service?

They've charged my Paypal for $10 so they got my money, I'm gonna use the damn thing for at least a month lol

You use the app to select your movie, the funds are loaded onto your card, and you use your card at the box office to pay for your ticket. So yes, you absolutely need your card in order to do anything.

[RollTide1017]

Right now there is nothing AMC can do to stop this based on what I have read. AMC will not know a if you are a MP subscriber, they just see a debit/credit card transaction so there is no way for them to "opt out" for now. I read an article yesterday, but now can't find it, that MP has partnered with MasterCard. So, if the MP card has the MasterCard logo on it, and AMC's have the "we accept" MC logo on there windows then they legally can't deny it's use. That would be like a local store not allowing you to use your "favorite sports team" MasterCard because they don't like that team. They would have to stop taking all MasterCards or debit cards. Plus, you can just use those automated kiosk anyway, no one to look at your card there.

I don't understand AMC's beef. MP pays full price for the ticket so they get their money. Right now I see maybe 7 or 8 movies a year, mostly at AMC and I'm a Stubs Premiere member. With MP, I may now see 7 movies per month. That is a whole lot more soda and popcorn I'll be buying so again, what is AMC problem. They don't want my business, because I can take it to the other theater in town.

[Tony208]

Unless it's a small theater with some box office employees and no kiosks they can't enforce anything.

They're not going to turn off all the kiosks.

[Megalith]

I re-subscribed (was a member some years ago) and am disappointed that you still have to be within walking distance of a theater before it comes up on the app.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Destinys Memory

You use the app to select your movie, the funds are loaded onto your card, and you use your card at the box office to pay for your ticket. So yes, you absolutely need your card in order to do anything.

OK cool, thanks. Guess I'll sit tight and wait for that to get sent to me.

[Dubstar]

are they still doing that 24 hour window of what they consider a 'day'?

[russdornisch]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

are they still doing that 24 hour window of what they consider a 'day'?

It is not 24 hours anymore, it is calendar day and resets over night

[fitprod]

Originally Posted by RollTide1017

I don't understand AMC's beef. MP pays full price for the ticket so they get their money.

Initially, but who knows what the time frame is to be paid for those tickets... 30, 60, 120 days? And as also noted, it's not if, but when Movie Pass goes bankrupt and leaves them hung out to drive. The founder of Movie Pass is betting the farm on a non-existent IPO to cover his ass.

Fitprod

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by Tony208

Looks like all my favorite theaters accept it

I think because of the way they're doing it, it's not just like "participating theaters", it's essentially any theaters that accept Mastercard.

[borgmatrix]

Originally Posted by fitprod

And as also noted, it's not if, but when Movie Pass goes bankrupt and leaves them hung out to drive.

Yeah, that's exactly it. AMC said they don't see moviepass as being sustainable. So for them, the risk is not getting paid.

[ThatOneGuy]

It really depends on how many people sign up for it and actually use it. If everyone that does sign up for it actually use it to its full potential then this is going to crash and burn very fast. Moviepass is probably hoping it'll be largely underused by most of the people who signed up.

[btedford]

I do enjoy my moviepass but there are some drawbacks:

Can't Purchase tickets online - have to be at the theater
Can't use it for IMAX/Dolby Atmos/Dolby Cinema showings
Can't use it at Dine-in theaters with AMC

[jacobsever]

Originally Posted by btedford

I do enjoy my moviepass but there are some drawbacks:

1. Can't Purchase tickets online - have to be at the theater
2. Can't use it for IMAX/Dolby Atmos/Dolby Cinema showings
3. Can't use it at Dine-in theaters with AMC

1. Is that really a big deal though? I've never purchased tickets online. I refuse to spend an extra $1-$2 on a "convenience fee" for something I can easily do at the theater.

2. Thank God. I know I'm in the minority, but I couldn't care less about IMAX or 3D showings. Give me a good old fashioned film in 2D and I'm happy as a clam.

3. That's interesting, considering both the Alamo Drafthouse and Aurora Movie Tavern are available for me. Both of those are dine-in theaters.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

1. Is that really a big deal though? I've never purchased tickets online. I refuse to spend an extra $1-$2 on a "convenience fee" for something I can easily do at the theater.

2. Thank God. I know I'm in the minority, but I couldn't care less about IMAX or 3D showings. Give me a good old fashioned film in 2D and I'm happy as a clam.

3. That's interesting, considering both the Alamo Drafthouse and Aurora Movie Tavern are available for me. Both of those are dine-in theaters.

I guess it depends on your theater. I frequent a nearby Marcus Theaters chain with leather recliners, $5 Tuesdays, $5 Student Thursdays, Free small popcorn both days and free online seat reservations. Every $100 I spend at the theater I earn a $5 gift card too. Going back to in person ticketing will be hard for me if I don't have the e-option.

[jacobsever]

Ahh, that's nice.

Anywhere I try ordering online here charges more for it.

Alamo Drafthosue:



Any theater through Fandango:



Movie Tavern:



AMC:



I'd definitely consider yourself lucky for having a theater that doesn't charge for buying tickets online. Seems very very rare nowadays. And having my tickets an hour or so before I go to the theater is absolutely not worth $1.50.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

Ahh, that's nice.

Anywhere I try ordering online here charges more for it.

Alamo Drafthosue:



Any theater through Fandango:



Movie Tavern:



AMC:



I'd definitely consider yourself lucky for having a theater that doesn't charge for buying tickets online. Seems very very rare nowadays. And having my tickets an hour or so before I go to the theater is absolutely not worth $1.50.

Yeah we are pretty fortune here in the Twin Cities on a lot of fronts. Having access to lots of theaters with amenities is a major plus.

Many of the theaters have upgraded to premium seating and online reservations. There is another chain within a few miles that just upgraded called Emagine. I really think that recliners, full service restaurants and advance online seat reservations is the way of the future.

[btedford]

Originally Posted by jacobsever

1. Is that really a big deal though? I've never purchased tickets online. I refuse to spend an extra $1-$2 on a "convenience fee" for something I can easily do at the theater.

2. Thank God. I know I'm in the minority, but I couldn't care less about IMAX or 3D showings. Give me a good old fashioned film in 2D and I'm happy as a clam.

3. That's interesting, considering both the Alamo Drafthouse and Aurora Movie Tavern are available for me. Both of those are dine-in theaters.

1. At all the theaters in my area it's reserved seating and I go online in advance so I can make sure I get the seat I want and also with AMC Stubs and Marcus Theaters card - I don't get charged convenience fees.

2. I prefer seeing movies in the way the director intended them (like Christopher Nolan shot with IMAX cameras so I saw it in IMAX). Dolby Cinema isn't in my area yet but we do have Dolby Atmos and I love it.

[BluLamp]

The boyfriend and I both took the plunge and signed up during our lunch breaks.

Even if the Master Card/AMC kiosk workaround doesn't end up panning out, the only AMC screens I can't live without (hyperbole) for my most anticipated blockbusters are the AMC Dolby Cinema in Times Square and the AMC IMAX in Lincoln Square, and they've never been covered under Movie Pass anyway. So we were bound to continue to occasionally head to matinees at those two screens regardless of AMC's connection to Movie Pass.

Can't wait for our cards to arrive!