Save up to $75 a month with AMC's MoviePass — here are 6 tips for getting the most out of a subscription (2023)

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  • AMC Stubs A-List is a movie subscription service that allows you to buy up to three tickets per week.
  • Memberships range from $20 to $24 a month, with prices varying by state.
  • By using a few basic features and benefits, I save up to $75 a month with A-List.

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For big screen lovers, watching movies in a theater is a must. But with the rising cost of tickets, booking fees and snacks, the price quickly spirals out of control, making regular visits hard to justify.

And that's what a subscription theater service is looking forAMC Stubs A Listmay be useful. With A-List, you can watch up to three movies a week for one monthly fee. Plans range from $20 to $24 per month, depending on where you live.

When I first signed up on behalf of my partner, I was skeptical because of the price. However, the service quickly reveals its value and is worth it especially if you know how to get the most out of it.

I've been a member for almost four years now and have discovered a few strategies to really put my money to good use. See how I get the most value from my membership, along with details on everything you need to know about A-List's capabilities.

Save up to $75 a month with AMC A-List

Save up to $75 a month with AMC's MoviePass — here are 6 tips for getting the most out of a subscription (2)

Sarah Saril/Insider

As a California resident, I have to select the highest levelAMC list, which costs $24 per month. This may sound expensive, but I end up saving a lot with my membership. Even if I only watch two movies a month, the service basically pays for itself.

The value is even better during the months that are packed with the big screen releases I've been waiting for. April 2022 was one of those months and I used my subscription for four movies, three of them in premium format.

If I add the cost of the ticket and reservation, it would cost me a total of $99 for all my theater visits — a savings of $75 with A-List. And that was only a fraction of the total number of tickets I could have redeemed. If you are someone who watches movies more often, you can save even more.

6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of an AMC A-List Membership

Save up to $75 a month with AMC's MoviePass — here are 6 tips for getting the most out of a subscription (3)

Sarah Saril/Insider

A-List is worth it even if you only watch a few movies a month, but there are some key benefits to keep in mind if you want to get the most value out of your subscription. Here are some tips I recommend to get the most out of A-List and its capabilities.

1. Take advantage of free online reservations to reserve everyone's seat

While online ticket booking can make planning a trip to the movies super convenient, the process usually comes with an annoying $5 fee. But with an AMC A-List subscription, it's free. This benefit will not only save you money, but can even help friends as you can also book free tickets for non-members. Please note that you can only hold three reservations for yourself at a time.

2. Use A-List Entourage to link your account with other members

A-List Entourage is an option that allows other A-listers to book your ticket for you. My husband and I can now save ourselves the hassle of quickly booking tickets at the same exact second to avoid a sell-out. Now we can collect our seats with a quick order. This is an extremely useful feature that you can take advantage of when promoting big releases of blockbusters.

3. Select premium viewing such as Prime, IMAX or Dolby Cinema

Not all forms of theater are created equal. Some premium shows, such as Dolby Cinema, Prime or IMAX, can cost even more than $20 per ticket. However, A-List allows you to reserve these sizes as part of your weekly allotment without paying extra.

With this in mind, I recommend booking a premium ticket whenever you can. These formats offer better picture and sound than a typical show, and since these tickets usually cost around $23, watching a single premium movie almost covers my monthly subscription. Not to mention, the viewing experience is spectacular and really worth going to a theater instead of streaming something at home.

4. Don't forget to save time and money at the concession stand

AMC A-List comes with added perks like free popcorn and drink upgrades, 10% off sale purchases, and priority counter lines so you can avoid getting stuck in long lines. Being an A-list member also means that every dollar spent on concessions earns you 100 points in your account. After saving 5,000, you can redeem a $5 reward that can be used towards your next concession purchase.

5. Take a chance on new movies and rewatch your favorites

If you don't use your weekly passes, you lose them, so I try to get the most out of my membership by taking chances on new movies. I've seen a lot of movies that used A-List that I might never have seen otherwise, including movies that I ended up loving like "Sonic The Hedgehog" and "Bullet Train." If you have leftover weekly tickets, I suggest trying something new instead of leaving your tickets unused. You might even discover a new favorite.

Your ticket allocation can also be used to see the same film more than once, so feel free to book multiple viewings. I saw "Everything everywhere Everything at once" to "Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Versthree times during their respective theatrical performances, and I regret nothing.

6. Cancel bookings to get your ticket seats back

Sometimes life happens and you can't see the movie you booked a week ago. With A-List, you don't have to worry about losing money or waiting for a refund. You don't even have to cancel at all. If there is a problem with the program, you simply cannot appear.

However, this is not something you should make a habit of as you will be booked with someone else. If you must miss a movie, I recommend canceling in the app to free up your seat. Best of all, if you cancel, you'll get that ticket slot back to use for something else that week instead of losing it.

Is AMC A List Worth It?

Save up to $75 a month with AMC's MoviePass — here are 6 tips for getting the most out of a subscription (4)

Sarah Saril/Insider

AMC A-List is a no-brainer for frequent moviegoers. While the monthly fee sounds high, it quickly becomes apparent that paying just the $24 subscription is cheaper when you factor in the regular cost of going to the theater. As long as you watch at least two movies a month - and you have a handful to choose from - the subscription pays for itself.

I've found this out since I've been a memberAMC Stubs A List, I have seen many more movies in the cinema. It gives strength. I'm willing to take risks on movies that may not be inherently my cup of tea, and many times I've enjoyed the experience anyway. Membership also allows me to re-watch titles that really blew me away, even choosing to watch them in a different format like Prime or IMAX. It's a movie buff's paradise.

It's also worth noting that AMC ranks among the top mainstream theater chains. Compared to its competitors, I find AMC's lobby, seating, dining and overall experience to be consistently top notch. However, keep in mind, in contrastMoviePass, an A-List membership is not valid for other theater chains. You must stay at AMC locations if you want to take advantage of your membership.

AMC A-List FAQ

What is AMC A List?

AMC Stubs A-List is the theater chain's monthly movie subscription and the highest tier of its rewards program. It's AMC's take on MoviePass, which lets you redeem up to three movie tickets a week for a monthly fee. It also comes with a number of bonus benefits such as concession size upgrades, discounts and free online ticket bookings.

A-List allows you to book through AMC's mobile app or website. To check in to the theater you need a smartphone for your e-ticket and proof of identity.

How much is AMC A-List?

AMC A-List memberships start at $20 per month and vary by state. Here is the breakdown:

  • $24 per month to use in any state
  • $22 per month excluding CA, CT, MA, NJ and NY
  • $20 per month except CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, Il, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, VA en WA

What's included in an AMC A-List membership?

AMC A-list offers subscribers many benefits, including:

  • Up to three movies a week, in any format
  • Free online booking (usually $5)
  • Free popcorn and drink upgrades
  • 10% back on food and beverage purchases
  • Priority lines at the concession stand

How does AMC A-List compare to MoviePass?

AMC A-List and MoviePass are both movie ticket subscription services, but A-List only supports AMC theaters, while MoviePass supports multiple chains.

That said, the relaunched version of MoviePass is not yet available. TheThe beta launches on September 5thand those interested can register only by registering on a waiting list on August 25. Additionally, full details of how the final service will work have yet to be announced, so it remains unclear exactly how the benefits will compare to A-List.

Sarah Self

As the Tech Deals and Streaming Reporter for the Insider's Reviews team, Sarah covers the latest movie and series releases, along with the top selling products we recommend. Before joining Insider Inc. came to work, was a Deals writer at Wirecutter, a New York Times company. After graduating from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in marketing, Sarah began working as a freelance deal writer at Wirecutter. There, she focused on creating newsletters, social media promotion and distribution, in addition to writing deals before moving on to a full-time position. Her accomplishments from this position, in addition to the numerous deals she has written, include implementing multiple social media marketing campaigns and starting a Facebook Deals group for the company. Say hello (or send a photo of your pet) to Sarahssaril@insider.com, or contact her on Twitter at @sarahhahr or on Instagram at @lord_ponty. Learn more about how our team of experts test and review products on Insider here. Learn more about how we research deals.

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