AMC Theaters Convenience Fee: What You Need to Know

AMC Theaters charges a convenience fee of $2 on all online ticket purchases.

The convenience fee is not optional and is automatically added to your total purchase.

This fee is in addition to the ticket price and any other fees associated with your purchase.

AMC Theaters uses this fee to offset the costs of processing online transactions.

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The AMC Theaters Convenience Fee is a fee that AMC charges customers for purchasing movie tickets online. This fee was not always included in the initial ticket price displayed on the website.

Between August 2022 and January 2024, AMC collected over $10.7 million in convenience fees from customers who purchased tickets online.

The convenience fee was added just before checkout, which is a violation of New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law. This law requires operators of places of entertainment to display the total price of a ticket, including any added fees, before the ticket is selected for purchase.

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The law also prohibits increasing ticket costs during the checkout process. AMC has since modified the purchase flow for movie tickets to New York theaters on its online platforms to comply with this law.

Here are some key dates related to the convenience fee settlement:

Convenience fees for movie tickets typically run between $1 and $2 per ticket, depending on your location and theater chain. This may not seem like a lot, but it can add up quickly, especially for families or large groups.

A fee of just $2 per ticket equates to $10 extra for a family of five. Considering a single film screening can already cost over $50 total without food, saving on convenience fees quickly becomes important.

Some theater chains, like AMC, charge more for convenience fees, ranging from $0.50 to $1.50 per ticket. Others, like Regal Cinemas, charge between $1.50 and $3 per ticket.

Here's a breakdown of convenience fees for some popular theater chains:

It's worth noting that convenience fees are not always clearly displayed, and many consumers don't realize they're being charged until the end of the checkout process.

AMC Entertainment Holdings is facing a class action lawsuit over a convenience fee added before consumers purchase movie tickets online. This fee was not included in the advertised ticket price at the start of the process, violating New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.

The lawsuit, Picciotti v. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., was filed in federal court in New York. The class action alleges that AMC's practice of adding a fee at checkout, without acknowledging it earlier in the sale process, is a violation of state law.

Over 4.6 million tickets were sold to New York theaters between August 2022 and January 2024, with AMC collecting more than $10.7 million in convenience fees through its online platforms.

The court will decide whether to grant final approval to the terms of the AMC ticket fee settlement during a hearing set for November 21, 2024 in New York.

Convenience fees for movie tickets typically run $1-2 per ticket, depending on your location and theater chain. This may not seem like a lot, but it can add up quickly.

For a family of five, a $2 per ticket fee equates to $10 extra. Considering a single film screening can already cost over $50 total without food, saving on convenience fees quickly becomes important.

Some theater chains charge even higher fees, such as AMC Theaters, which charge $0.50-$1.50 per ticket for online orders, and Regal Cinemas, which adds $1.50-$3 per ticket using online ticketing.

Here's a rough breakdown of the fees you might encounter:

It's worth noting that some online ticketing services also charge convenience fees, such as Fandango, which charges a typical $1.50 per ticket fee, and Atom Tickets, which charges up to $2 per ticket for the convenience.

Paying convenience fees can be a real pain, and for good reason. The clear drawback is the additional cost added onto your ticket purchase, which can add up quickly. For example, a convenience fee of just $2 per ticket can equate to $10 extra for a family of five.

Convenience fees are often non-refundable, even if you can't make the movie. This means you're stuck with the extra cost, no matter what.

The fact that convenience fees are often unavoidable when buying tickets online can be frustrating. AMC, for instance, was recently sued for adding a convenience fee just before checkout without including it in the advertised ticket price.

Theater chains may use convenience fees as a way to increase revenue, which can encourage them to bake in fees as mandatory. This can make it harder for consumers to avoid paying extra.

Other components like processing are already priced into tickets, so convenience fees can be seen as an unnecessary added expense. For example, AMC reported collecting over $10.7 million in convenience fees between August 2022 and January 2024.

Here are some common drawbacks of paying convenience fees:

AMC Theaters charges a convenience fee of $0.50-$1.50 per ticket for online orders.

Regal Cinemas, the second largest cinema operator, adds a convenience fee of $1.50-$3 per ticket using online ticketing.

Cinemark, one of the "big three" chains with over 330 theaters, charges a convenience fee of $1.25 per ticket.

Other smaller regional theater groups also tack on convenience fees to benefit from the extra revenue.

Here's a breakdown of the convenience fees charged by some popular movie theater chains:

These fees can add up quickly, especially for families or groups of people.

Buying movie tickets online or in advance can be convenient, but it often comes with an added fee. This fee is called a convenience fee, which covers the costs incurred by theaters for providing digital ticketing infrastructure, payment processing, and increased customer service needs.

You can avoid these fees by purchasing tickets directly from the theater's website, if available. For example, AMC's online ticketing portal at amctheatres.com cuts out the added fees.

Some theater chains charge a convenience fee for online and advance ticket purchases, which can add up quickly. These fees are not baked into the baseline ticket price, but rather added as a separate line item.

You can find ways to avoid convenience fees by shopping online ticket seller promo codes that provide free waived fees, or by enrolling in top-tier theater loyalty programs that nullify the fees.

Paying at the box office day-of showing is another fee-free transaction option.

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Saving money on movie tickets is easier than you think. One way to avoid convenience fees is to buy tickets at the theater's physical box office. This may cost you time, but you'll pay face value without worrying about additional fees.

To avoid convenience fees, consider purchasing tickets directly through the theater's website when possible. This way, you can sidestep the middleman charges that third-party ticketing sites like Fandango add on top of the ticket price.

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If you're a frequent movie-goer, joining a theater's loyalty program can also save you money. For example, AMC Stubs offers three tiers of membership, including A-List, which waives convenience fees on online and advance ticket purchases. Similarly, Regal Crown Club members can upgrade to the Preferred Access or Unlimited plan to avoid convenience fees.

Here are some theater loyalty programs that waive convenience fees:

By taking advantage of these programs and buying tickets directly through the theater's website, you can save money on convenience fees and enjoy your movie night without breaking the bank.

Movie tickets can be a significant expense, but there are ways to save money. One way is to avoid convenience fees, which are extra charges added to online or advance ticket purchases.

Convenience fees are charged by movie theaters, online ticketing services, and even loyalty programs to cover costs like payment processing and customer service. These fees can range from $0.50 to $3 per ticket, depending on the theater or service.

To avoid convenience fees, you can buy your movie tickets in person at the theater's box office. This may require arriving early, but it's a surefire way to pay face value without any extra charges.

Some theater chains, like AMC and Regal, offer loyalty programs that can help you save money on convenience fees. For example, AMC's Stubs Premiere program waives convenience fees on online and advance ticket purchases for members.

Not all convenience fees are created equal, though. A class action lawsuit against AMC Entertainment Holdings alleged that the company was violating New York state law by adding a convenience fee at checkout without including it in the advertised ticket price.

Here are some popular movie theater chains and their convenience fees:

Keep in mind that these fees can vary depending on the theater or service, so it's always a good idea to check the website or app before making a purchase.

Using free loyalty programs is a great way to save money on movie tickets. These programs often waive convenience fees, which can add up quickly.

AMC Stubs, for example, has a free tier called AMC Stubs Insider, which earns 100 points for every $1 spent. This can be redeemed on tickets, concessions, and more.

Regal Crown Club also offers a free tier, but to avoid convenience fees, you'll need to upgrade to the Preferred Access or Unlimited plan.

Cinemark Movie Club is another loyalty program that waives online service fees for members. If you attend movies regularly, the one-time membership cost will pay for itself in convenience fee savings.

Here are some popular loyalty programs that waive convenience fees:

By joining these loyalty programs, you can enjoy advance online ticket purchasing benefits without the added convenience fees.

If you're tired of paying extra for convenience fees when buying AMC tickets online, you're not alone. I used to avoid buying tickets online myself, but there are ways to avoid these fees.

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One way to avoid the convenience fee is to sign up for AMC Stubs A-List, which costs $20 a month. As an A-Lister, you can buy your movie tickets online without paying a convenience fee, and you'll also get to see up to 3 movies per week in any format.

Alternatively, you can sign up for AMC Stubs Premiere for just $15 per year, and the online convenience fee will also be waived. If you're not up for a monthly commitment, this might be a more affordable option.

If you're an AMC Stubs Insider, you can buy 4 or more tickets together and the convenience fee will be waived. This tier has no membership fee required, so it's a great option if you're a frequent moviegoer.

The only surefire way to avoid all convenience fees is to buy movie tickets at the theater's physical box office. This may cost you time and require arriving early for popular films, but you'll pay face value without worrying about awkward fees.

Here are some options to consider: