How to cut the cost of your cinema tickets

The 84th Annual Academy Awards are dominating the news and showcasing the best films from across the world in one lavish and star-studded ceremony.

But for us mere mortals treading the earth outside of Hollywood, visiting the cinema has become an increasingly pricey evening out. But fear not: here are some essential tips to help you put in a frugal performance next time you head to the movies.

[Related link: All the latest news and pictures from the Oscars]

Film preview screenings

Free tickets are often given away to promote new films. However only selected titles are previewed so you’ll need to sign up to specific sites to get hold of screening codes as they are released. Try Disney Screenings, See Film First and Momentum Screenings.

Kids tickets

Most major cinemas offer discounts for children at specific times. Cineworld has £1 tickets for both adults and kids on selected Saturday morning screenings through its Movies for Juniors offer.

Vue has £1.25 tickets for both kids and accompanying adults on selected weekend mornings and throughout school holidays. Head to the Kids AM offer page for further details. Vue also offers a deal for families whereby everyone pays the price of a kid’s ticket when you buy a family ticket (based on four people).

Selected weekend and school holiday screenings at Odeon cinemas are also discounted. Accompanying adults go free, while kids pay between £1 and £2.50. Check your local cinema listings for more details.

Adult tickets for 13 to 17-year-olds at Odeon cinemas also have 15% knocked off. Those buying family entry will also get all their tickets at child prices.

Cheap Tuesdays

Vue offers tickets for just £4.20 at 18 of the chain’s 64 cinemas. Head to the Vue site and find your local cinema to check if the offer applies. If it does, register free for a Cheap Day Tuesday card and show it when you next buy tickets.

Empire Cinemas also offer cheap tickets on a Tuesday. Prices range between £2.95 and £3.50 each. The offer excludes Bank Holidays, Impact, Luxury and VIP seating, opera, 3D and special presentations. The chain’s Leicester Square branch is also exempt from the offer. However the cinema does offer £9.95 tickets across all screens, all day – relatively cheap for London’s West End.

Odeon gives all Premiere Club cardholders 25% off every Tuesday.

Orange Wednesdays

Orange phone customers can get two for one on cinema tickets every Wednesday; just text ‘FILM’ to 241 to receive your offer code.

O2 priority moments

O2 often has cinema deals through its priority moments scheme. Keep checking the phone app for new updates and discounts.

Sky customers

Sky customers can get tickets for £3 every Monday for films at the O2 Cineworld in North Greenwich, London (two per household). Customers who subscribe to Sky Movies can also get free popcorn any day of the week at the O2.

The broadcaster also runs national screenings at various locations for Sky Movies customers giving them the chance to see new movies before anyone else. You can get two tickets per household. Keep checking the Sky Movies site for film details.

Bank offers

NatWest and RBS recently launched Film First, a new scheme giving current account holders exclusive, free access to film previews throughout the year. Head over to the Film First website to register for the newsletter.

Nationwide’s FlexZone – a rewards service for 16 to 24-year-olds – is currently offering a free month of films when you sign up to Cineworld’s £14.99 unlimited cinema access card.

Nectar card

You can redeem your Nectar points at Vue cinemas, 500 points will knock £2.50 off your ticket.

Tesco Clubcard

Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be exchanged for Cineworld admission tokens. Every £4 of vouchers will give you one token – which gets you one adult ticket. Child tickets are also available for £2.50 worth of Clubcard vouchers.

Membership cards

Cineworld offers an unlimited card which gets you access to as many movies as you like for £14.99 a month. This is a great deal if you watch several films each month, and have a local Cineworld of course.

The Odeon Premiere Club allows you to earn 10 points for every £1 you spend in the cinema. These points can then be spent on tickets, food or drink. You’ll need 800 points for a standard cinema ticket, 400 for a small portion of popcorn or 300 for a small drink. There are also regular points offers and special members' discounts.

The club does cost to join, with membership options starting from £1.99 with 100 introductory points. Pay £4.99 and you’ll get 500 points or £9.99 for 1,000 points. Head to the Odeon website for more details.

Membership of Picturehouse cinemas will give you three free tickets, £2 off tickets for a year with further discounts after this, 10% off food and drink at the cinema, priority booking and a host of other discounts at restaurants and cafes such as Strada and GBK. The Picturehouse website has full details.

A single membership costs between £27 and £40. Joint membership (two people at one address) costs between £49 and £75. What’s more, you’ll get three months free if you sign up by direct debit.

Loyalty vouchers

Vue is giving out vouchers for £1.50 off all adult tickets and 75p off other tickets when you come back and watch a second film within two weeks.

Carer passes

If you are receiving Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or are registered blind you can apply for a CEA card that allows a carer (parent, family member, worker etc.) to enter the cinema for free when you buy a full-price ticket.

Student tickets

If you’re a student you’ll be able to get hold of discounted tickets at most cinemas. But make sure you have your ID to hand.

Off-peak

If possible, going to the cinema in off-peak times (weekdays and during the day) will slash pounds off your ticket price. Predictably, evenings and weekends cost the most.

Local deals

Keep an eye out for local deals and offers at independent cinemas. For example, The Tricycle Cinema, an indie screen around the corner from my old flat, offers discounted tickets to residents of the borough on certain days.

Voucher codes

Watch out for voucher code and cashback deals on sites like VoucherCodes.co.uk, MyVoucherCodes, Quidco and TopCashBack.

3D specs

Most cinemas will charge you for 3D glasses. So make sure you hold on to them and bring them back next you watch a 3D film.

Your tips

How do you save money at the cinema? Let us know using the comment box below.

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