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Four Ways to Save Big on Movie Tickets

Jeffrey Strain

If you enjoy going to the movies, you don't have to spend a fortune on tickets.

While most people purchase their tickets for full price at the ticket window, there are numerous ways that you can see your favorite summer movies for less. Always read the fine print on discount movie tickets. While many are good at any time, some may have restrictions for newly released movies.

Here are some ways you can purchase movie tickets on the cheap:

1. Purchase Your Tickets From Other Outlets

AAA: If you have an AAA auto club membership, check online to see whether AAA in your area offers discounted movie tickets. In many places, AAA sells tickets to Regal, United Artists and Edwards Theaters for $6 each if you buy 10 tickets or more.

Costco: The wholesale club offers discount movie tickets to Regal Cinemas for $7.50 per ticket when you purchase them in groups of five.

Sam's Club: This is another bulk retailer that offers discount movie tickets to Cinemark, Bow Tie, National Amusements Multiplex, Malco and Dickinson Theaters.

Bulk purchase discount: Many theater chains sell tickets in bulk at a discount to large organizations, such as homeowners associations, local companies, nonprofit organizations, churches and schools. Check with these groups to see if they will be making a bulk purchase of movie tickets for their members.

2. Get a Discount at the Theater

Movie Club cards: If you watch movies primarily at the same movie theater complex, check to see if they have a movie club card. Discounts vary from theater to theater, but joining is usually free and you can earn free tickets and other discounts by frequenting the theater.

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Senior and student discounts: Don't forget to take advantage of discounts for which you might be eligible. These age discounts can save a significant amount compared to the price of a regular adult ticket.

Local membership: Some movie theaters will give a discount at the ticket window if you belong to a certain local organization. It is worthwhile to ask which organizations, if any, qualify for ticket discounts.

3. Use Discount Coupons

Local coupons: Check newspapers, yellow pages and local entertainment guides for coupons to your movie theater. If you live in a tourist area, check with the local tourist bureau for the information it provides to tourists.

Entertainment book: This book, which sells for $9.99, offers discounts on dining, movies, travel and shopping. The movie coupons are for Regal, AMC, Cinemark, National Amusements and Carmike theaters. While it does cost money, the book's available savings should, ultimately, save you a bundle.

Promotions: Many movies these days have tie-ins with specific products. These products may give away free movie tickets if you buy a certain amount. Keep an eye open for these promotions when you go to the grocery store. You will often be able to get movie tickets for the same price as it costs to buy the products. In essence, you receive a free product to attend a movie that you were already planning to see. Also be aware that fast food companies often have tie-ins with movies where it may be possible to obtain tickets at a discount.

There are also times when companies will offer general movie tickets as an incentive to buy their product. These can be excellent deals, especially if you do a bit of research to find coupons for those products. With a little bit of work, you can find movie tickets through these promotions for only a few dollars apiece, plus you get to use the product as well.

4. Be Flexible with Your Schedule

Matinees: If you are free during the day, you can attend afternoon matinees, where the prices are typically lower than evening showings. Also check to see if your local theater offers a "matinee day," where you pay the matinee price all day (typically a Tuesday).

Pre-matinees: In the growing effort to attract more moviegoers, theaters now sometimes open in the morning. These pre-matinee showings can be even less expensive than the matinee rates.

Many theaters also run special summer programs for kids. These programs allow families to view children's movies for free, or at deep discounts. During the heat of the summer, these can actually save you money by getting you out of the house so you don't need to use the air conditioner.

Here are some of the theaters that run these special summer programs: AMC Summer MovieCamp offers free movies from June 27 to Aug. 15 (excluding July 4) on Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. Groups can reserve free tickets one week in advance at the box office at participating theatres.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse offers 10 weeks of movies with a different movie each week on weekday mornings. Tickets for all 10 movies can be purchased in advance for $5 or can be purchased individually at the box office for $1 each.

Crown Free Summer Kids Film Festival's details have not yet been posted on the theater chain's Web site, but the chain has offered discounts in the past.

ClearView Cinema's Kid's Club offers an eight-week series of great family films with free admission every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. beginning July 5.

Regal Free Family Film Festival offers a nine-week series of select G and PG movies for free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. There is limited seating and it is first come, first served. United Artists and Edwards theaters also participate in the Regal Free Family Film Festival.

Classic Cinemas offer an eight-week series of G and PG movies from June 13 to Aug. 8 (excluding July 4) on Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. for $1.

Dickinson Summer Vacation Movie Series offers a 10-week series starting June 5. You can buy tickets to all 10 movies for $9.