Obi-Wanma

For theaters that use the debit card, you can't buy online, you have to be at the theater to check in and it will load the funds on the card, which you then use to buy tickets at the box office. You don't have to be close to your showtime when you check in though. If you live close enough to the theater that it's not a hassle to run up there, you could go up there earlier in the day, check in, and buy tickets for later that night.

For some theaters, however, e-ticketing is available. What this means is that you check in on the app, choose your seat (if applicable, the seating chart pops up right in the app), and it purchases your ticket, and gives you a confirmation number, which you then type in at the kiosk, and it prints out your ticket. You also don't have to be within 100 yards of theater to check in for a theater which supports e-ticketing, so you can do it from home, it just needs to be done the same day (no buying tickets days in advance).

One drawback of the e-ticketing method though is that you can't get theater rewards points when purchasing this way.

fujishig

Wait, some theaters do allow e-ticketing through them?

Also I missed in the press release how they said it was limited (but that you'd be locked in for a year at that price). If that's the case it makes some sense for them to get the publicity now.

Obi-Wanma

I don't think it's so much a matter of the theater allowing it, as much as it is the theater having a website where tickets can be purchased directly from the theater without additional service fees (instead of the third party sites like Fandango) and the app just buys tickets directly using said website.

fujishig

Seems like you can now see the same movie more than once:

GatorDeb

Wow. Did not see that coming. Do you think this price will still be good in 3 weeks? Can't get to a movie until then and don't want to waste the time.

Obi-Wanma

Supposed to be good for a year, at least

GatorDeb

Once you sign up, you're guaranteed that rate for a year, but I wonder the chances that they'll pull the sign up deal in less than 3 weeks, I can't get to a theater before then and I don't want to waste 3 weeks by signing up now.

bluetoast

Yes. For example, if it's an AMC theater with assigned seating, when I check in st the theater with the app, I get a QR code/ticket directly on the app. Although that makes it more annoying to get Stubs points applied to it.

Edit: Also, theaters can also restrict certain showings from being available on MoviePass. For example, my local independent theater has a 70 mm showing of Dunkirk ($15) which is not supported (greyed out). Doesn't happen often.

fujishig

Is that because of price though? That's why I figure Imax and 3d are excluded. If theaters can just opt out, why would AMC do all this complaining instead of just opting out?

movieguru

Is there a way to get a list of which theaters it will work at before subscribing? I'm guessing it will work at most major theater chains but would like to make sure it works at the one I frequent mosy. Also wonering is it works at the more 'artsy" type theaters that show foreign films or ones that aren't major releases.

Obi-Wanma

Yes. Any "premium" showing which involves an upcharge from regular ticket prices is typically excluded.

fujishig

You can grab a list from here:
https://www.moviepass.com/theaters/zip/11111

where you replace 11111 with your zip code. It's in json format, you can put it in a table to make it easier to read but otherwise it should give you a decent idea. I heard they used up their allotment of google maps api calls yesterday, so hopefully the maps come back when that's reset.

It seems like it would work on any theater that takes debit cards/discover though, I mean, they don't seem to have any special relationship with the chains, and AMC wants out but doesn't seem to be able to opt out. As long as it's not a premium theater like arclight, since I assume the tickets are too expensive for them or something.

Obi-Wanma

They had a thing front page of the website yesterday that would give you theater listings near your zip code, but they took it off, presumably because it was having trouble handling all the traffic. If you can get ahold of someone from support, they may be able to provide you a list.

EDIT: Or what fujishig said

dfmaverick2

In the past, your subscription wouldn't start until you activate your card in the phone app. Unsure if that is still the case. Takes 1-2 weeks to get the credit card in the mail.

COACH2369

This seems like a great, almost to good to be true, deal for someone that doesn't care about 3D or other premium seating options..

movieguru

Will movie pass not work at the theaters with the leather reclining seating that Regal has updated many of theirs to?

stingermck

So do you just get 1 ticket at a time? Or can you get 2?

majorjoe23

I believe you can only get one per showing. Otherwise couples could just share a pass.

dfmaverick2

Yep. Just one. It is a solo "subscription"

Basically, here is how it normally goes (with some possible variations on your location in the country)

1. Go to a theater that is part of the program.
2. In the vicinity of the theater (parking lot, lobby, etc.), open up the moviepass app.
3. Select the theater you are at.
4. Select the movie you want to see and what time. Click 'Check in' to said movie. (2D showing only. No 3d, Imax, or other enhanced movie experience. Movies that don't qualify will normally be grayed out.) Once you check in, your moviepass credit card should be authorized for an amount that should cover the cost of the ticket. (On rare occasions, I have had to pay out a few quarters or such when the theater has changed their pricing structure) You will have 30 min. to purchase your ticket.
5. Go to the box office window and tell them the movie and time for your '1' ticket. (Pay separate if you are with others.)
6. When paying, give them the moviepass credit card and a theater reward card if you have one to earn points (AMC Stubs, Regal, etc.) Make sure they don't use stored up rewards to pay for your ticket.
7. See movie.
8. You will not be able to check in for another movie until the next day.

There are some variations to the above depending upon locale, theater and rules, but above should be the basics. They have changed rules many times and not always in all areas at once, so some may be still in effect such as taking a picture of your ticket to verify purchase, a 24 hour clock for when you can see the next movie, etc.)

Orbi-Wan Techno

I signed up with them today. They must really be slammed right now. I can't get the app to show theaters or movies, and the theater locator online is having major poblems. They didn't have a problem charging my card, though...

fujishig

I think the app only shows theaters that let you order tickets through them online. There are none near me so the app shows nothing.

Obi-Wanma

I haven't tried it since the new subscription model was launched, but my app would always show all the theaters in my area. You just wouldn't be able to check into a showing at a "debit card" theater unless you were within 100 yards of the theater

clckworang

I'm very tempted to try this at its new price, but I rarely seem to make it to the theater. Too tough to get away for that chunk of time right now.

I do wish that there was some sort of allowance that could be given if you wanted to watch a special showing or 3D but understand why it's not set up like that.

fujishig

Interview with the CEOs of Moviepass and the company buying a stake in it:

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/mo...mc-1202530076/

The 100,000 subscriber goal they had to meet in order to not forfeit shares was for a single day only. That answers my question as to how they were going to sustain these numbers if they let people go month or month. They had only 20,000 users before yesterday, and they had millions of hits yesterday I have no doubt they reached that goal. I have no idea how they're going to be able to scale their operation for this.

They address the AMC thing, saying that they'd basically have to block MasterCard if they want to block them.

bluetoast

Yeah this app isn't loading locations for me right now. They better get their shit together so people who actually have the service up and running can use it.