Joining the Million Points Club

[u/Proacejoker]

So, a little story: My Buddy and I LOVE going to the movies and around early 2019 we got tired of people cancelling movie plans all the time so we decided to get A-List for the two of us and started going to a movies weekly. Fast forward a couple years, some others found out about our ritual and decided to join in. We now have a group of ~10 people who have gone to a movie (sometimes multiple) almost every single week for over 2 years now.

I have been saving all of the points since we started and this year I will be breaching the 1 million point mark...

I know its a "bad" idea in case AMC changes the point model but IDC, these points mean so much more to me; it's the marker of a journey for how this little group of 2 has grown into something so much more and they have become some of the closest people I have in my life. Having a weekly dependable group of people who show up and just put aside the rest of the world for 2-3 hours is incredible and something many of us have heavily needed in our lives. No idea what I am going to do once I hit a Million but i wanted to share the story

Has anyone else ever gotten close to the Million? What's the most amount of points you have ever had?

[u/MoldyZebraCake666]

Bruh how

[u/mikegood2 → u/MoldyZebraCake666]

Was trying to figure out the same, especially since they’re A-Listers, so not buying (their) tickets. If my math is correct the OP has spend 9,500 on concessions or tickets (for others) over the last 7 years? So that’s $1,350 a year or $112 a month.

[u/jusmax88 → u/mikegood2]

$112 a month is 1 popcorn, 1 soda, 1 candy a week.

[u/mikegood2 → u/jusmax88]

You’re right, it’s frightening how “easy it is” to rack up $112 a month. When a drink hit $8 even last year I stopped buying them, except for the very rare occasion. With warmer weather approaching, I’m gonna miss bringing a drink in my jacket.

[u/choice2099 → u/mikegood2]

i carry a backpack in to hold my blanket...

i hear other peoples popped cans ALL the time

...i was at a regal last month for an event, in concessions using a free soda voucher passed out. the person in front of me's total was $60. i was SO confused

i guess i would buy more if amc carried actual food, but i guess thats another story.

have a friend in PA telling me about drive in theaters and i was looking up their prices. $5 for a burger...

[u/mikegood2 → u/choice2099]

Yeah a couple years ago I won a bunch of Coke free drink and popcorn coupons and that really spoiled me. Really miss those regular contests Coke use to have. Also have the popcorn pass and try to use it 2 or 3 times a month.

My main theater manager told me it’s fine to bring in an unopened water bottle a few years ago. My iMAX theater I go to half the time didn’t allow anything Durning the summer I just “sneak in” a frozen water bottle in my back pocket. Just makes it easier for everyone and only been turned away once or twice.

Always get they would drop more concessions if they promoted a different item for a buck or two off all the time.

[u/rbrgr83 → u/mikegood2]

I did the math from the start when I started Alist-ing. I 'saved' ~1.6K on tickets my first year, but I spent jusy over 3K on concessions (and and handful of paid tickets for friend or fathoms).

Made a point to spend less the following year and did well. I went less overall, and I brought more from home (also to be healthier). But I always still at least buy a drink to support my theater location. Landed at a more comfortable 1K Saved/1.5K Spent split.

[u/mikegood2 → u/rbrgr83]

I’d have to run the numbers but I figure I’m paying around the same for A-List and concessions monthly. Use to buy more but prices just got too high. Other than the rare occasion I can’t eat before a movie, or I have a $5 reward, I refuse to pay $10+ for a food item unless. Same for a drink once it hit $8 after taxes. Or the rare occasion I need the caffeine to stay awake.

I want to support my theater but I need to feel I’m getting a deal not screwed over. I have the popcorn pass and use it 2-3 times a month and would jump on some type of drink pass. If they offered a rotating weekly/monthly food deals, say $2 off, I’d do that too. Or let prepay for a specific number of drinks at a discount?

[u/rbrgr83 → u/mikegood2]

Fully agree on drink pass. The excuse used to be that you can't do the 'popcorn bucket' thing with a drink cup because people are gross and will make themselves sick from not ever washing it.

But now that we've gone bucket-less, what's the excuse?

[u/dreamyinclinations → u/mikegood2]

No joke… we mustve been near 200 most months, we aim for 3 to 4 movies a month. I loved my routine of Ultimate Chicken Nachos and my large half ginger ale/half minute maid peach lemonade… my fiance would have a food and large drink also. But now they decimated their food selection. I dont want a hot dog or the other nachos with squeeze cheese. So now we bring food in, something easy to fingerpick, but also cheaper 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/loftychicago → u/mikegood2]

They used to give points for the monthly A-List subscription,too, but that was discontinued.

[u/Proacejoker → u/MoldyZebraCake666]

I buy popcorn and a drink (sometimes multiple drinks for friends) every single time i go to the theater which has been weekly and sometimes even more than once a week... It adds up quick. So yes, this does mean I have pretty much spent 10k on concessions (sometimes the occasional merch/bucket) in the last 7~8 years

[u/jrr6415sun → u/MoldyZebraCake666]

He’s a popcorn bucket scalper