The Pros and Cons of AMC Stubs A List

AMC Stubs A List... is it worth it- who do I think its worth it for and some tips I like to use.

Pros: If you see 2 or 3 movies a month- it Pays for itself.

Okay so in New Jersey an A List Membership is 26.60 a month... which is expensive for a monthly membership in my opinion. I think it was closer to $20 when I first signed up. The Price for a regular movie at my theater is 13.59- so if you see 2 movies a month- you'll save .58... which isn't that much but- its still a convenience that you just pay for your movies once a month and you can see both movies without paying right then and there... which I do like. It kind of makes a cheap-ish date night for me and my boyfriend since we both paid for it already. That will bring me to my next con.

Con: If you're on dating apps or whoever you go to the movies with doesn't have it... its a little more complicated

I started using dating apps before A List- but Moviepass did exist at the time... and I went on a date with a guy that had moviepass and I had to pay for my own ticket... that wasn't fun. If you're interested in a person and you go on a date with them and you don't pay for their ticket but somebody else does... I mean I guess not every person is like that... but I don't think a movie date is the best option for a first date with A List. Unless you just don't use your reservation or something like that. Yeah this is a weird instance that probably doesn't work for everyone- but it is worth noting and... it's something I wonder about.

But you can still buy people tickets- I've been to the movies with my parents and I got their tickets on my app and just used my A List reservation.

Pro: Waived Convenience Fee

This isn't a huge deal- but I like to reserve the tickets online so I don't like the kiosks at the theater near me. For a regular movie the fee is 1.99, for IMAX and Dolby its 2.49... so that kind of adds up too. Not a lot- but those fees bother me because you don't need to pay for them.

Pro: If you like seeing IMAX or Dolby- its a little more worth it.

Dolby movies are 19.09 and IMAX movies are 19.59. So if you just see one of those movies a month- it just about pays for itself. My theater has both Imax and Dolby and I do like to see those movies. The Imax theaters are not as comfortable- but the Dolby theaters are really nice. I do like seeing my movies on the huge imax screen though- especially things like the Marvel Movies or I just saw John Wick in Imax and I really liked it. I like that I can just see an Imax or Dolby movie without giving much thought to the price.

Pro: They may charge extra for better seats now

So a few months ago I saw that they were going to charge extra for better seats... I don't think they've started that yet... but I'm not sure. I also kind of hate that cause what even is a good seat? I saw John Wick in an Imax theater in a good seat- but the seat next to me had a broken arm rest... so if someone paid extra money for a sold out show and got a seat that they basically can't use and they can't switch their seats... I'd be pissed. So with A List- its just one base price and I'm assuming they won't change your ability to sit wherever you want.

Con: You're more or less forced to go to the movies at least once a month.

So, if you don't see a movie you still pay for the subscription... and there's no skipping. So in October there were a lot of movies I wanted to see... but unfortunately I got Covid so I only saw Barbarian and that movie cost me 26.60 and possibly gave me Covid on my birthday. Just kidding- I don't think I got Covid then cause I didn't get it until right on my birthday. But still. It's not that convenient.

Con: You have to go to an AMC Theater

Not every place has an AMC Theater...but also there are other theaters I'd kind of like to go to but... I'm already paying for the movies at AMC. For example Kevin Smith has Smodcastle Cinemas and it isn't that far from me... but if I see a regular movie at Smodcastle Cinemas- it's just not worth it... despite it being a fun experience and possibly getting a free pie from Delicious Orchards... which I want.

Cons: A lot of the Benefits you can get with a free or cheaper stubs membership

So if you don't see that many movies a month or you don't go every month.. there are other options with similar benefits... and I'll just talk about the benefits now.

For every 5,000 you get as a stubs member you get a $5 reward. I think the points add up more quickly for Premiere and A List Members. The Stubs rewards used to be $10 too I think- so it was like a no brainer- but the $5 rewards are really good too... especially since I believe at every level you can get $5 movie tuesdays. This is kind of a pro and a con for A List. Unless you actually use all 3 of your reservations and want to see a fourth movie for the week... you don't really need the $5 movie for A List since you already paid for your movie... but it's a great reward if you see 4 movies a week or if you're at another level.

It's also a good idea to see an Imax movie on a Tuesday because Imax isn't included in the $5 movies- so everyone going to the movies is typically seeing something else on Tuesday and you can get the seats you want and see the movie with no one around. That's my pro tip for seeing an Imax movie that's hard to get into.

Another benefit is that there's a priority line for Premiere and A List... I don't use that. I'm afraid of getting beat up or something and it's usually not that much of a difference. I don't mind waiting in the regular line.

Some things you don't get benefits on that aren't dealbreakers but it is good to note: There's an AMC Store online and you don't get any deals for that and the shipping is a fortune, The popcorn buckets and sippers aren't any cheaper... and if there was a deal on Private Theater rentals I would be into that... but there isn't.

Overall thoughts:

I like being an AMC Stubs member- as long as I'm living near an AMC theater and I'm able to see movies. I know I'm paying the price for the subscription and not for the movies generally... so I don't feel that cheated if there's no movies I want to see... but I still do try to see 2 or 3 movies just to make it worth it. There are usually about 2 or 3 movies I want to see a month anyway. I'd recommend it if you can afford it and go to the movies a lot.

Bye!

-Shannon