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How to Earn Miles, Points, & Cash Back at the Movies

  • Million Mile Secrets

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    The holiday season is here and with it comes lots of blockbuster movies.

    If there’s a new release you’re looking forward to seeing, I have some tips to help you save on those pricey tickets, drinks, and snacks at the theater.

    A Night at the Movies Can Get Expensive! I’ll Show You How You Can Save!

    Here are ways you can make your trip to the movies cheaper.

    Movie Theater Reward Programs

    Many movie theaters offer rewards for frequent visits.  Here’s a quick look at the rewards programs for the 2 largest movie chains:

    Be sure to read the fine print for more details on earning and redeeming rewards with AMC Stubs and Regal Crown Club.

    There’s a membership fee of $12 per year to join AMC Stubs, but it may be worth it if you’re a frequent moviegoer.  Do the math to see what makes sense for you.

    These are just 2 examples, so check with other local movie theaters to find out if they have their own reward program.

    Earn Miles, Points, or Cash Back With Your Credit Card

    Along with earning rewards towards movie tickets and concessions, you can also earn rewards for Big Travel!  Here are 4 ways you can earn bonus points or cash back.

    1.   Use the Right Card at the Theater

    When you make purchases at the theater you can earn 2X Citi ThankYou points with the Citi ThankYou Premier or Citi Prestige cards.

    You can redeem Citi ThankYou points for 1.6 cents per point for American Airlines or partner flights (if you have the Citi Prestige card) booked through the Citi Travel Center through July 23, 2017. 

    With other airlines you’ll get 1.33 cents per point, if you have the Citi Prestige through July 23, 2017.  Or 1.25 cents per point with the Citi ThankYou Premier.

    When You Book American Airlines (and Partner Airline) Flights With Citi ThankYou Points, You Won’t Have to Worry About Blackout Dates and You’ll Earn Miles for Your Flight!

    And you may get more from your Citi ThankYou points by transferring to airline and hotel partners.

    2.   Buy Movie Theater Gift Cards at Grocery Stores

    Supermarkets often sell gift cards to a variety of retailers, including movie theaters.  And by paying with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can earn 6% cash back!

    Or earn points for travel with a card like the AMEX Everyday Preferred, which earns up to 4.5X AMEX Membership Rewards points at grocery stores.

    AMEX Membership Rewards points are worth 1 cent per point towards airfare and hotels booked using Pay With Points.  But you’ll get much more value when you transfer them to airline and hotel partners to fly to places like India and Europe.

    Take a 1-Way Business Class Flight to Greece When You Transfer 52,500 AMEX Membership Rewards Points to Air Canada

    A 1-way Business Class flight to Greece from the US or Canada would otherwise cost you ~$2,635.  That’s ~5 cents per point (~$2,635 cost of flight / 52,500 Aeroplan miles or 57,500 Aeroplan miles after December 15, 2015)!

    3.   Buy Movie Theater Gift Cards at Office Supply Stores

    Staples sells AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas gift cards both online and in-store.  And you’ll get bonus points or cash back for your purchase when you pay with cards like the AMEX SimplyCash, which earns 5% cash back at US office supply stores.

    Pick up Gift Cards at Office Supply Stores to Earn 5% Cash Back on Your Night at the Movies AMEX SimplyCash

    And don’t forget to click through a shopping portal when you purchase your movie theater gift cards online.  I like to check evreward to find the best shopping portal deals.

    So with this deal you’ll triple dip by:

    4.   Buy Movie Theater Gift Cards at Amazon

    The Discover it® Cash Back is currently offering 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending at Amazon through December 31, 2015.  And Amazon carries gift cards to lots of other retailers including movie theaters like:

    You’ll Save 5% on Movie Theater Gift Cards at Amazon With the Discover It Cash Back Through December 31, 2015

    Plus, if you’re a new Discover it Cash Back cardholder or previously registered you’ll get all cash back you earn DOUBLED at the end of your 1st 12 months.  So you’d save a total of 10% at the movies!

    Bottom Line

    A night at the movies isn’t cheap.  But you don’t have to pay full price!

    You can earn bonus miles and points by paying for movie tickets with cards like the Citi Prestige or Citi ThankYou Premier, which earn 2X Citi ThankYou points per $1 on entertainment.  Or earn bonus cash back by paying for theater gift cards with credit cards that earn bonus points at supermarkets, Amazon, and office supply stores.

    And you can combine these deals with movie theater rewards and shopping portal bonuses.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)