I signed up for Moviepass at the beginning of the year as I love the movie theater experience. For $9.95 a month, I enjoy as many movies as I wish, my review on MoviePass is here when I first tried it out. Keep in mind, service limit is one movie per day and I cannot see the same title twice. Another limit is not all theaters accept MoviePass – but loving being able to see all the movies at one low price. I received an email late last month notifying of upcoming subscription changes in terms of service and adding new features to the $9.95 base service plan. This month MoviePass adds Peak Pricing to $9.95 Base Plan.
In late June, subscribers received an email regarding several upcoming changes including Demand Peak Pricing. The idea is for MoviePass to be able to offer the same low subscription rate of $9.95, while adding features for a better experience, which could come at an additional per movie fee.
What is MoviePass Peak Pricing
- Peak Pricing charges go into effect when there’s high demand for a movie or showtime.
- Subscribers may be asked to pay a small fee for a movie ticket depending on the level of demand.
- To avoid the surcharge, select a different showtime or movie.
- The showtimes and charges subject to Peak Pricing are disclosed via the app.
- Base Plan $9.95 service includes Peak Pricing effective July 5th, 2018.
- Over the coming weeks Peak Pricing enhancements will include the introduction of Peak Pass, allowing subscribers to waive one peak fee per month. Base Plan
How Will MoviePass Peak Pricing Work
Users recognize Peak Pricing showtimes viewing MoviePass app before heading to the theater by new lightening bolt icon. Showtimes with the lightening bolt Icon displayed indicated a Peak Pricing Surcharge will or COULD be charged when you check in at the theater – depends on the color of the lightening bolt. The app also displays the amount billed to your credit card on file with your account if Peak Pricing movie showtime selected.
Screenshot Images from MoviePass Subscriber Email Notification
This red icon 
indicates that a specific showtime is in Peak Pricing and there will be an added fee.
This grey icon 
If Peak Pricing showtime is selected, a confirmation screen with details on the surcharge displays after hitting Check In button. By hitting Submit button on confirmation screen, user agrees to the surcharge pricing. The surcharge billing occurs the month following charge to subscriber via credit card on file, the same card paying monthly subscriber charge automatically. If subscriber does NOT redeem and purchase ticket with MoviePass debit card within 30 minutes of Check In at Theater, or if user Cancels or Changes the Check In, no charge will be applied as per the text on the app screen confirming movie – see it below. The surcharge ONLY applies to user account when ticket purchased at the theater with MoviePass debit card.
Screenshot Image from Subscriber Email
Note: Peak Pricing surcharge will vary based on showtime and movie title.
Changes to MoviePass Coming in Months Ahead
In June members received an email outlining what is coming in the weeks ahead for base $9.95 members including Peak Pricing and the following:
Bring-A-Guest: MoviePass members will be able to purchase extra tickets to a showing of a movie right through the MoviePass app, so that you can seamlessly reserve seats for you and your friends (at e-ticketing partner theaters) to watch a film even if they aren’t MoviePass subscribers. As a benefit, if your friend signs up for MoviePass within 24 hours, we’ll refund the entire cost of the ticket!
Premium Showings: MoviePass members on any plan will soon be able to access RealD 3D, IMAX 2D or 3D, and other Premium Large Format showings of any film for an upgrade fee.
The email stated the features in testing and will slowly roll out to all members over the next several weeks.
Why the Changes to MoviePass
From the June 23rd Subscriber newsletter:
Our aim is to create the most flexible and cost-efficient product, so that we don’t have to simply raise the price on the subscription. We appreciate your flexibility as we evolve our service to keep MoviePass at a low cost. We can’t express how much we value all of you for being part of that vision.
My 2c on MoviePass Changes
I am in wait and see mode if I will be happy about the changes. My habits though, typically I wait to off-peak times to see a movie and it has been a guilty pleasure of mine to see any movie I want without paying for each. Going to the movies alone has become a retreat from the everyday for this mom. Big win there.
I am going to reserve my judgement until I live through it. I am off to the movies today and am seeing no showings in my area with Peak Pricing…. well yet. To be honest, I doubt I would pay upcharge for Peak time in most instances, but I understand the business need so I am cautiously optimistic.
I am wondering if the Peak Pricing changes will apply for opening weekends, but thinking PROBABLY only for those blockbusters people flock to – which I can wait most times as crowded theaters can turn me off. Too many people on cell phones has become the bane of my movie going experience, esp in peak times in my experience. MoviePass FAQ info on Peak Pricing and opening weekends:
Are all opening weekend movies subject or peak pricing or will it just be a few showings for specific movies? It will be based on movie demand so some weekends will have it, and others will not.
I will LOVE purchasing tickets for friends and family though when that launches. It has been a pain to purchase ticket for myself and pay, then turnaround and pay for family with a separate transaction. I wonder if a fee will incur, and that worries me a bit. I don’t like credit card or subscription extra fees! I do like the idea of being able to upgrade to a 3D or IMAX that is a nice option too. We shall see how these changes launch and if any other extra fees will be incurred. Time will tell.
I really have few complaints with subscription so far. On frustration detective work to get info on website – I think it could be laid out better and more user friendly, though communication via email is very good. I have noticed an increase in email ads for specific movies and theater menu changes. For the savings I am getting and the enjoyment of going to the movies, not a huge deal yet.
Are you a MoviePass Member, if so what do you think of these changes? If not why haven’t you signed up?
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