How to Buy Movie Tickets for Less
Going to the movies is no longer a cheap night out---depending on the number of people in your group and the amount of snacks you purchase, a trip to your local movie theater could cost more than a meal at a mid-priced restaurant. Ticketing sites like Moviefone.com and Fandango.com offer convenience, but they also make going to the movies even more expensive by adding service charges. That said, avid moviegoers can still save money on tickets while attending the screenings of their choice.
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Instructions
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See a movie before 5 pm to get the matinee price. After 5 pm the demand for tickets increases, and theaters can get away with charging much higher prices. At matinees, a $9 or $10 ticket may be discounted to $5 or $6.
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Check if your favorite movie theater has a rewards program. Many theaters allot points for every dollar you spend, including those spent at the concession stand. Once you amass a certain amount of points, you can trade them in for discounted, or even free, tickets.
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Ask your HR department if your company has a corporate discount program with one of the major movie theater conglomerates. While this is rare in small companies, many large corporations offer their employees vouchers for discounted tickets.
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Look for savings programs from your favorite retailers. Costco, for example, sells discounted ticket passes for Regal Cinemas.
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Check your theater's website for additional promotional deals and discounts. Regal Cinemas, for example, offers bulk ticket packs (50 tickets or more) that are either good at any screening or have some restrictions---you save $2 to $3 per ticket. AMC sometimes offers half-price movies on weekdays at select theaters.
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Search coupon books for movie-ticket deals. The Entertainment Book (see Resources) prints different movie coupons each year that allow you to save on evening and weekend shows.
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Tips & Warnings
Before buying tickets from a site like Moviefone.com, check your theater's website. Some (AMC, for example) issue online tickets without the service fees.
