• expired

$5 Per Month for 1 Movie Ticket Per Month, $7 for 2 Tickets Per Month (Billed Annually) (+ $10 Activation Fee) @ Sinemia

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Looks like they've just launched in Australia but not much info about it yet. Currently supported cinemas are severely lacking in all major cities at the moment, no idea if that's just because they haven't added more yet. Does anyone have any more info?

Edit: I bit the bullet and signed up. I'm hoping that it would be easy to cancel if they don't add more cinemas given that their whole motto is "Any cinema, any time".

Edit 2: There are a lot more participating cinemas in the app compared to those on the site. Almost all the major ones from what I can see, more info in the comments.

Edit 3: Make sure you enter the coupon to see the pricing. The website does not always automatically apply it, sometimes the correct pricing isn't even displayed. Try again later if it's not. If (high) pricing exists for multiple days, mark expired.

22/6 Mod note: See this comment. Warning that users are being told to pay a $4.99 - $9.99 fee to be able to use the service immediately (despite the annual fee having been already paid).

31/7: Activation fee reported to be $10 in all cases.

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closed Comments

  • -1

    I am now receiving payment declined errors with event cinemas, using the exact same process that worked last week (payment declined both with direct credit card payment and paypal guest checkout). I have tried cancelling the advance ticket to get new details and the new details also did not work. Has anyone else had success recently?

    • +2

      The process that works every time (new email, new paypal account) has been posted MANY times, just look in this thread. No direct CC details, not guest checkout….

      • I have tried new email and new paypal account and that also is not working. Paypal is insisting on verifying the card by charging a fixed amount with a random reference number.

        • Strange. I have added 5 or 6 cards and never had that happen. From memory you can choose to not verify the card, you need to select that option.

          • @Savitar: Okay, I will try again with a different advance ticket.

            • @josho9: Let us know how it goes. I think the validation is part of the account setup. I remember it saying you need to validate the account but there was a "do it later" or something like that which you could choose. Sorry probably does not help but keep an eye out for that….

              • @Savitar: It's still not working for me with event cinemas, but is working with Dendy. Even using a separate PayPal account I receive a Payment declined error. Unfortunately that significantly reduces the usefulness for me.

                • @josho9: Bugger. Works perfectly for me with both Village and Hoyts….Could be that Event is blocking it….?

                  • @Savitar: Possibly - because I would have thought that PayPal would show the declined message rather than Event. Are you using an existing US PayPal account to which you have attached the virtual card?

  • I booked today. It went through alright. Got charged $1.99 booking fee although I didn't update since the $0.99 charge update.

    • me too, today after I went back to version 3.2.15, no extra payment.

      • Same with me. Just booked tickets with v3.2.15 and no booking fees charged. Previously was running v3.3 and was charged $1.99.

  • +1

    Was using an older version and just tried to book a ticket now. It's giving me an error and telling me to update the app.

    • Same here :(

    • Shame it didn't last longer :(

    • +2

      same. I'm going to use my membership until the last day and then just before it ends going to dispute the membership fee I paid originally with Amex because these post membership charges were never part of the deal or mentioned.

    • Same, I hadn't updated the app and was able to book one ticket fee free last month but when I just went to buy tickets it just froze so had to update app and pay the ridiculous $1.99 fee, which equals more as more credit card charges o/s fee.

  • +1

    I've had my account suspended by them. Curious to find out why.

    • +1

      Did you see this via the app or did you get sent an email? Have you contacted support on Twitter?

      • App says "Your account has expired as of 20/5. Renew?" which is the date I subscribed to 12 month subscription. Lasted used about 2 weeks ago.

        Contacted support on twitter. Three days running of "We're looking into this for you" responses.

        If its multiple accounts, I'd be very surprised given separate handsets and credit cards used. More chance them thinking my wifes is a duplicate.

        I suspect its for using the old version of the app to get around the processing fee.

    • Let us all know, perhaps multiple accounts?

      • This post from CTJR does seem to mention he has 2 accounts so I'm hoping that's the reason for the ban.

    • Other possibility is that they manually put through my 12 months at the better rate, and they stuffed that up somehow.

    • It seems that I'm getting the ''log-in' denied error as well…
      Did you manage to find a solution to this?

  • I am getting charged 1.9 * No of person per show. Cost is getting pushed to user. :(

  • the US paypal method for hoyts no longer works? just got an error via hoyts.

    I get: This transaction couldn't be completed, please try again using different funding source.

    Have used this method without issue for the past few months.

    Edit: Now hoyts site says: Failed to connect to PayPal. Please try again.

    Maybe they blocked all paypal transactions now lol

    I booked at reading cinemas instead (direct credit card method) and it went through fine. looks like it's the end of the gravy train for hoyts.

    • if you use a different email for the hoyts booking then paypal will load, but payment will be declined again.

      • try in incognito mode

    • +2

      That happened to me. New email for Hoyts and PayPal will fix it. Cancel and get new VCC details from Sinemia.

      • Thanks will change my PayPal email and try next time.

      • I tried again with different hoyts and paypal email, incognito mode and from a different IP address and it still didn't work, got payment declined.

        • I tried again but booked an IMAX session on tight ass Tuesday and it worked.

    • i booked on Saturday with Hoyts using the same email and paypal for the last 4 months. Worked perfectly. So it does work for some….

      • I really can't figure out how they're declining mine, was working fine for a few months too.

      • maybe it's the total ticket amount that Sinemia's card is declining? my tickets total $35 (movies for 2 plan). but that's the cheapest ticket that worked before.

        what ticket amounts does yours work with hoyts?

  • Paypal and credit card details failed at Village.

    Still got charged the $1.99 processing fee without seeing any movie tonight.

    Sinemia however works at my local more independent cinema (Sun cinema)

    • I used it successfully today at Village. Booked at 6pm for 7pm movie.

  • Not sure if the "lock your credit card temporarily" option could be used to avoid the $1.99 processing fee charge.

    • +1

      They will just ban you. I remember reading if a payment declines they can cancel your membership.

      • I'm going to use my membership until last day and then chargeback my 12 month membership fee. I too can play the charge random fees after paying for full year game too.

        • It's not that simple to chargeback.

          • @El Grande: It's literally 2 clicks away via Amex online, so very simple.

  • +1

    Finally got a response

    Hi, we can confirm that you have been charged incorrectly due to a technical issue therefore your plan has been cancelled. Please check our terms for the price of our current plans. If you purchase a new annual plan, we can issue $39.99 refund for you as an exception. Is there anything else we can help you with? Best regards,

    Bullshit. I received a special offer and manually adjusted by one of their Twitter operators (bought one month, didnt realise that the prices soared, was one of the last to get a physical card so asked if theyd honour the same price if I bought 12 months in advance which they did).

    Have filed a claim with the LA County Dept of Consumer Affairs. The idea that they're offering only a third back as a refund for four months used is a joke.

  • +1

    Since sinemia is forcing this $1.99 fee per person, how do we get a refund of this fee?

    • +2

      1) Temporary block your credit card through the app
      2) Ask your credit card provider to reverse the charges as it is not what you agreed to

      • +1

        Thanks, if enough people do the reverse charge, Sinemia will stop charging this fee, especially for those who paid annual subscription.

    • +1

      i refused to update the app which worked with no booking fee but now they enforce must update!
      ahhh this is not good.
      Does anyone know of any work arounds?

      • +1

        You could add a pre paid credit card with zero or $1 balance and then remove your existing credit card…

        or

        If your credit card has the option for temporary lock then you could lock it before booking tickets…

        But like El Grande said above there is a risk of Sinemia cancelling membership if they detect cheating :)

        • or what if you enter their own temporary credit card? :D

      • Chargeback…

    • You really have to charge back the upfront annual fee payment as they are refusing to provide the service which you agreed to at that time. It's difficult to charge back the $1.99 fees as they are forcing you to agree to those fees when you book the advance ticket.

      • Except they are extorting you to accept the $1.99 fee against their own terms and conditions..

        • Agreed, but it's still more difficult to argue about that. Better to charge back the original annual fee.

  • Does anyone know if I can use GoldClass in events for the $7 get two a month plan?

    • +1

      Dont think you can use gold class at all. I'm on the elite 2 a month and have not been able to get village gold class to work.

      • +1

        You can use Gold Class on the elite plan if you can get it down to $28.25 total using Monday night deals at your local event cinemas.

        • Thx for the tip. Dont think its possible to get it that low at village gold class tho.

  • +4

    So there is a LOT of talk here about charge back for the $1.99 fee. I certainly understand that this is NOT what we all signed up for. What I don't understand is if you do charge back they will cancel your membership. Therefore, what are people doing to continue to get tickets around $5 each? I mean if there is an alternative I will change in a heartbeat but as much as I can't stand what they have done, the alternative is to pay double to see a movie which, the tightarse in me can't do… :)

    • Yeah totally agree, still, I am getting way better price as I will get normal so no complaint.

    • I agree, that's why I'm going to chargeback the whole 12 month membership fee I paid just before my membership ends, they can then cancel my membership all they want.

      • I don't think you can chargeback the membership fee if you've used it - send them an email to make it clear that you don't agree to paying the extra $1.99 fee and then maybe you might be able to chargeback each individual $1.99 fee, but keep in mind that some chargeback schemes have a time limit (possibly as low as 60 days) in which you can dispute a charge.

        • -1

          My Amex card allows me to dispute charges longer than 12 months and they've never denied me a chargeback (long time member and big spender).

          Besides, a $168 chargeback is peanuts to them.

          • -1

            @FeZZa21: "big spender".

            Get your hand off it, mate.

            • -1

              @CTJR: made a single $12K purchase 2 months ago and have had Amex for 12+ years.

              2 hands stay firmly on it mate ;)

              • -1

                @FeZZa21: What is it with Western Australians all having giant inferiority complexes?

                Wow, 12k. You really needed to namedrop that purchase on the same site you use to find the cheapest price for $2 coconut water. You're not impressing anyone.

                • -1

                  @CTJR: A deal is a deal, whether it's $12K or $2 :)

                  You just sound like someone that's salty because your Sinemia account got suspended and can't do much about it.

                  • -1

                    @FeZZa21: Not at all, I'm just in awe of your big-spender certification at AMEX. Bet they've never seen a 12k transaction before.

                    • -1

                      @CTJR: You certainly haven't and it shows.

                      • -1

                        @FeZZa21: How many more online pissing contests do you have going simultaneously? I bet it's more than me, right?

      • So you get one year "free" membership, what about next year, or the year after???

        • not planning on getting a 2nd year membership, not after their whole bait and switch $1.99 "booking fee" per person/per ticket fiasco.

          • @FeZZa21: Fair enough, your choice. I will stick with my $5 a movie deal…

            • @Savitar: isn't it $6.99 with the booking fee now? or were you with the $2.99 one when you signed up?

              in my case, they can either keep the membership fee or booking fee, but not both because it was never part of the deal when I signed up.

              • +1

                @FeZZa21: I got the $6.99 for two per month. So I guess its actually $5.49 per movie including the booking fee.

                I fully appreciate your point of view, don't get me wrong about that. They NEVER said they would be charging for the extra "Booking fee" when we signed up and that is despicable.

                My key challenge is that I love going to the movies and there is no alternative to get movies anywhere near $5.49 per movie. If there was i would leave in a heart beat. So for me, I will stick with them till there is an alternative and not a minute longer..

                • -1

                  @Savitar: I agree it's cheap and I'm on the same plan, but it's the principal for me. Who is to say they won't increase the "fee" in the future, or do something else to diminish the bargain because they didn't think it through enough or got too greedy.

                  • @FeZZa21: Agreed. the principle is very important here. If they get close to another alternative I will leave immediately. What I did when I found out about the fee was google search it and in the US they charge the same fee so its not just an Aussie thing. Seems they implemented it across the board.

                    What actually annoys me is that some movies I see are $15 and others are $21 yet I get charged the same "fee" each time. Seems like BS to me….But I guess they are trying to make money….

                    For me, I am guessing they won't be around for very much longer so taking all I can while I can… :)

  • I’m attempting to buy my ticket but I am having issues, as shown below. It’s already the 11th! Any thoughts?

    Sinemia Premium Plan Usage

    You’ve used all movie days of your monthly 1 movie days plan valid until 10/10/2018

    • I think you'll have to wait a few more hours. The system runs on a different timezone (possibly UTC).

      • So you’re saying when it says 10/10/18, it should really be 11/10/18, and that’s also in another time zone, so I have to wait almost a day and a half from the stated date?

        • Okay, finally managed to buy. So, if it says 10/10/18, wait until 11/10/18 at 9am. That'll work. And that also means the following month now shows 11/11/18, which means I can only buy again at 12/11/18 at 9am.

          EDIT: Also, this is how I buy it.

          . On the website, make sure you can buy by seeing this message: You can use your remaining 1 movie days out of your monthly 1 movie days plan until 11/08/2018
          . Open the app, tap Planning, tap Advance Ticket, enter details of the movie/session, then you will get credit card details
          . Go to the website, in my case, Village Cinemas, then make the booking
          . Upon payment, select PayPal, then in PayPal, select Link a Card, and then enter details of the card (number, expiry, CVV, and the address of 925 N La Brea Ave with your own local suburb, state, and postcode)
          . Make the payment in PayPal
          . Back to Village, you will get your confirmation
          . Go back to PayPal, and remove the newly linked Sinemia credit card

          TIP: Login to your Vrewards account to accumulate free points.

          NOTE: I hate it that they started charging processing fee of $0.99, and now $1.80. I'd like to fight that!

        • Yes. 10/10 was the last day of your previous month. Cheers for the update on the plan benefits reset time. If you're in NSW/Victoria/Tasmania then Sinemia must be operating in UTC+2 time.

  • Hey all, Is the processing fee per ticket or per transaction? As i just got charged $3.98 by Sinemia and the app stated i would be charged $1.99. Should i ask for a credit back of $1.99?

    • +1

      I understand it to be per ticket. But best to DM them on Twitter, you will get a quick (ish) response that way. Email and other methods are useless…

  • +2

    This is ridiculous.

    So they deleted my account due to a "technical error in pricing" and are offering me $30 discount to re-sign up under the full price.

    I spoke to one of their guys on Twitter ages ago not realizing that their prices soared after the introductory price, and asked if I paid 12 months in advance, whether they'd give me the discount rate, which was accepted.

    They're now saying they have no record of this (as my Twitter account at the time has since been deleted) and that they have no record of reimbursing me the 2 months at full rate either. The logic that they stuffed up on the price and therefore I forfeit 8 months of what I've paid is outrageous.

    Have now sent them copies of my credit card statement and emails of Twitter notifications showing it took place. They've now gone silent.

    I've got my money back from ANZ, but (profanity) it, they're such a shady company, I'm going to pursue them through the LA consumer advocate/small claims tribunal out of principle.

  • +3

    I've got this yesterday:

    Sinemia Support [email protected] via freshdesk.com
    01:14 (22 hours ago)
    to me

    Hi,

    As stated in your subscription terms, you may use your device for your own membership only and in case the device is used with multiple accounts this could lead to termination of all accounts involved.

    The system has identified multiple accounts that have been used with your device and terminated your account. We regret to inform you that you will not be able create another Sinemia account in the future.

    Best,
    Sinemia Support Team

    I never received a physical payment card (signed up in May 2018). Me and my partner used the same Ipad for the first movie sessions in May due to no VCC payment option for Android app. Both our accounts have been terminated with the same message. No response to our email enquiries and Twitter to Sinemia. We successfully used it since May 2018 and even paid the $2 cc admin fees in the end as we never even received the physical payment cards.

    I have a feeling they go bust, no wonder with Aussie cinema prices.

  • +1

    https://web.archive.org/web/20180928183739/https://www.sinem…

    Trying to cover up their tracks by editing the Ts and Cs also

    • wait i dont see it.
      3.4 Sinemia may make changes to any products or services offered on the Site, or to the applicable prices for any such products or services, at any time, without prior notice. Sinemia reserves the right to change the rules of movie-going attendance and ticket availability to members at anytime. You will be notified of any changes made to the terms of service prior to your next billing cycle. Sinemia will not make any changes to your plan mid-cycle, all changes will be in affect at the start of your next billing cycle. The materials on the Site with respect to products and services may be out of date, and Sinemia makes no commitment to update the materials on the Site with respect to such products and services.

      is still there

      • www.sinemia.com/terms now reflects

        4.3. Sinemia may make changes to any products or services offered on the Site, or to the applicable prices for any such products or services, at any time, without prior notice. Sinemia reserves the right to change the rules of movie-going attendance and ticket availability to members at anytime. The materials on the Site with respect to products and services may be out of date, and Sinemia makes no commitment to update the materials on the Site with respect to such products and services.

  • A mate of mine just called to say that he’s received the same email and that his account has been suspended. He had one account each for each member of his family and was operating it for them as it was too much back and forth with the paypal method. Apparently having more than one account was a breach of Sinemia’s T&C. What rubbish!

  • My two account have been terminated .What we can do now?

    • Hey just wondering if you were able to get an update on this? Or ways to solve it?

  • +1

    Can we take this to ombudsman or ACCC? Because them breaching their own terms and conditions with this new fee seems pretty ridiculous!

    • +1

      So I just quoted some Consumer law at Sinemia and threatened to report them to the ACCC if they don't give me a proper response.
      Wish me luck!

      • Good luck. Look at @CTJR s post below

  • @Savitar, how are you getting along with your Sinemia subscription. Any recent updates on them?

    • Sorry for the slow response (on vacation). I have been fine with the account from day one. no issues with buying tickets or using the subscription…

  • +2

    Progress:

    "Dear ****,

    We are reaching you regarding your chargeback request that you have made to your bank. We see that you have requested a chargeback from your bank. Your membership has been suspended for preventive reasons due to your objection to payment. We see that you have recently attempted to upgrade your plan however it was unsuccessful and the upgraded plan isn't added on your account.

    We cannot do any modification or cancelation on your account. If your appeal is accepted by your bank, your membership will be canceled and the refund of your payment will be made to your card. If your appeal is not accepted by your bank, you will need to contact us to re-activate your membership. If you may withdraw your chargeback appeal, we can do the necessary adjustments on your account and reactivate your membership for your use. If you wish to continue your dispute, we ask you to follow the process through your bank.

    Best regards,

    Matt
    Sinemia Support Team
    "

    My response:

    Hi Matt,

    You keep changing your story. One minute it was a technical reason, the next you told me there was no record of the previous discussion of our conversation re: upgrade to 12 months, or that there was no record of the refund of 2 months subscription. Once I provided both of these, customer support went silent rather than called me a liar.

    My earlier request stands, if I am to reactivate my account, you will upgrade me to the Unlimited plan (I will pay the difference between the two plans of course), you will reimburse me for the time my account has been suspended by way of extending my service, and you will honor the original terms of the sale in respect of changing the fees and charges midway through the plan, and not charge the $1.80 transaction fee per screening. Just because you alter the terms on your website does not alter our agreement.

    4.3. Sinemia may make changes to any products or services offered on the Site, or to the applicable prices for any such products or services, at any time, without prior notice. Sinemia reserves the right to change the rules of movie-going attendance and ticket availability to members at anytime. You will be notified of any changes made to the terms of service prior to your next billing cycle. Sinemia will not make any changes to your plan mid-cycle, all changes will be in affect at the start of your next billing cycle. The materials on the Site with respect to products and services may be out of date, and Sinemia makes no commitment to update the materials on the Site with respect to such products and services.

    is what I signed up for. Not what you have currently edited the site to show.

    If you are happy to agree to this, I will drop the request with my bank. As it stands, you have failed to honor the terms of our agreement, and attempted to change your T&Cs on your website without notification to cover this up. You also made no effort to advise me within a reasonable timeframe that my account was suspended, nor accurately define the reasons why, so it is difficult to see how I can continue to transact with you in good faith.

    I hope you find my offer of further patronage reasonable and we can continue from here.

    Regards,

    • +1

      @CTJR you are a top bloke and a legend.
      Keep up the fight.

  • Just a warning for people using Village’s PayPal payment portal.

    I’ve been using Sinemia for a number of months without many issues at all. I always generate a card, add it to my PayPal, and complete the transaction without any issues. Today I went to purchase two tickets, which was seemingly successful. However, when I checked my PayPal account, the payment had actually been taken from my bank account and not from the linked card.

    It appears that the transaction failed for whatever reason, and instead of notifying me and allowing me to try again (like it has in the past) it just automatically switched funding to my bank account. When making the booking, Village had a new look check out process, so that could perhaps be the cause of the payment being re-tried with my bank account, rather than getting the “failed transaction” notification like I have in the past.

    I called PayPal, and they told me that they couldn’t cancel the transaction due to it being in a “processing” status, and my best bet was to contact Village for a refund, or contact my bank to have the transaction blocked.

    I sent an email to Village, notifying them that I will not be using the tickets, am requesting a refund due to PayPal’s error, and that because of Village’s “no refund” policy, I will be contacting my bank to have them block the transaction so they won’t be getting the money either way.

    I can keep people posted on the outcome, but please check your PayPal history to always ensure that payments are deducted from the correct funding source if you don’t already.

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