I Saw 10 Free Movies Last Year with My Scene Visa – Here’s How You Can Too

If you watched a movie in a theatre recently, there’s a good chance it’s owned by Cineplex — the chain monopolizes about 80% of Canada’s box office market share. This means less price competition and choice for consumers, but there is a way to wring value out of money spent on tickets and popcorn: Cineplex’s Scene program.

With a free Scene membership card, you’ll earn points when you purchase movie tickets, concession stand snacks, and movie rentals or downloads at Cineplex theatres or online. In turn, points can be redeemed for movie tickets and packages (1,000 points = one free general admission ticket, but read how the Scene rewards program works for full details on the points redemption structure), rentals and downloads, plus discounts at partner restaurants.

If you enjoy going to the movies and frequent Cineplex theatres (branded under Cineplex Odeon, Cineplex VIP Cinemas, Scotiabank Theatre, SilverCity/StarCité, Galaxy, Famous Players, and Cinema City), the Scene program is a great way to earn free movie tickets on money you’re spending anyway. Your local indie theatre scene may be on point, but you’ll probably head to a Cineplex if you’re seeing a summer blockbuster or the latest Star Wars installment — why not get your next tickets for free?

I’ve been collecting Scene points for almost a decade, but 2017 was my most fruitful year yet: I redeemed my Scene points for 10 free movies* with minimal effort and just a little bit of organization. Here’s how I did it.

I maximized my points-earning power  

As with any rewards program, you’ll get the highest return by knowing the program’s ins and outs and maxing out the multipliers.

• Know the bonuses. New members will earn 250 bonus points when you use your Scene card to earn or redeem within 90 days of joining the program. You’ll earn 100 points for every general admission ticket purchased, 150 points per premium ticket, and 200 points per VIP ticket. For full details and timely offers and bonuses, see the Scene offers page.
• Add multiple Scene cards to your profile. Let’s say it’s date night and you buy two general admission tickets — that should earn 200 points, right? Unfortunately, buying multiple tickets under one card will only earn you 100 points total, not 100 points per ticket. If you frequent the movies with your significant other, you can add their Scene card to your profile (and vice versa) so you’ll each get 100 points per ticket.
• See movies with friends. You can also register a SCENEtourage — a group of 3-10 family members, friends, coworkers, etc. who are also Scene members — and you’ll earn 50 bonus points when you go to a movie together.
• Buy tickets online. When you purchase tickets through the Cineplex website or mobile app, you’ll get an additional 20 points.
• Cheap Tuesdays. Scene members save an additional 10% off on already discounted tickets. Cineplex admission prices vary at theatres across the country, but a Tuesday general admission ticket is around $5 cheaper — plus, you’ll still earn the full 100 points per purchased ticket. However, a free ticket still costs 1,000 points, so it’s not worth redeeming on Tuesdays.
• Earn at the concession stand. Show your Scene card at the concession and you’ll earn 10 points for every $1 spent on food or drink ($15 on popcorn and drinks = 150 easy points). You’ll also get 10% off your purchase.
• Earn at restaurants. Earn 1 point for every $3 spent at Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Montana’s, Milestones, Bier Markt, East Side Mario’s, Kelseys, Fionn MacCool’s, D’Arcy McGee’s, Paddy Flaherty’s, and Tir nan Òg. Every 1,000 points can be redeemed for $10 off your meal.

I took advantage of the Scene Visa spending bonus

If you want to bolster your earning power, the Scotiabank Scene Visa card gives you 1 point for every $1 spent on the card, and 5 points for every $1 spent at Cineplex. The card has no annual fee, and Scene points can be converted to Scotia Rewards points (and vice versa). I opened my Scene Visa card in August 2016, so that bonus and my everyday spending on the card were the meat and bones behind my 10 free movie tickets.