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$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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    • Don't know why they can't get this right, 3rd iteration now. Still stuck on refresh like you said, got screenshots to prove it's still refreshing after 5 mons

  • So finally activated my Virtual card today on Android apps 3.2.4. Went to the planning tab and it took some time and patience for the theater to load, but it does load and I managed to generate payment information. Try to book on Hoyts Greensborough but payment declined. Not sure why. It couldn't be those recliner seats count as premium, could it?

    So I cancelled the advance tickets and booked on Reading cinema Epping, which work ok when purchasing the ticket. Will update more once whether I can check-in OK or not.

    • I have been trying to book at Hoyts greensborough for past few days with no luck.

      • only @lookingForCheapDeal: able to book from Hoyts.

      • See the notes below for Paypal setup, works perfectly for Hoyts and Village

    • Did you buy in Epping using the Virtual card on the reading cinemas site ?

      • Yes. When I received the virtual card, I booked the movie ticket on Reading cinemas website.

    • +1

      Managed to check-in using the app when I was at the cinemas.

    • I had similar issue. Got virtual card via Android app tried booking on hoyts, declined. Used same virtual card on Reading premium seats and it worked. Then cancelled advanced ticket because it was linked to hoyts session. And generated a new one for reading but I bought my ticket using the 1st virtual card. Going to try checking in for reading session and see what happens lol fingers crossed

      • In my case I actually cancelled my advance tickets then create a new one to use at Reading cinemas. Hopefully it worked out for you.

        • Looks like it worked ok. Saw solo @ reading premium. They had awesome recliner comfy seats, not bothering with hoyts again.

  • I got the virtual card activated through app but when I went through planning and got my prepaid card details and tried to use them online at Event cinemas (Tuggerah) it was declined. SO I thought I'd try the card details at the local Metro cinemas online for Solo and it worked. I got my ticket emailed and use it to see the 1.45pm of Solo. Unfortunately it wouldn't let me check in as it was looking for Event cinemas not Metro. Looks like I learnt an expensive lesson as I'll be charged for today as I didn't checkin but used their virtual card details to "buy" a ticket.

    • You should have used fake GPS.
      And I don't understand why check in is required . Sinemai app give you virtual card, you book the tickets .So where check in is required to get the ticket?

      • check in is to confirm that you are using the tickets for yourself, and you haven't on-sold the ticket to someone else. Pretty valid reason for it.

    • I did something similar, bought tickets at a different cinema to what I generated the virtual card against. And after getting tickets, I cancelled the original advance ticket and generated new one. Hope checkin works at new cinema I bought tickets from.

    • Just got a message from them through Twitter that they will manually check-in me for Saturday so my credit card isn't charged. I have to admit they are trying to fix mistakes

  • If I opted for virtual card ,shall I also get physical card also through mail ?

  • +2

    I have been in discussion with Sinemia for a few days over the lack of being able to book. They have been very helpful but not yet confirmed what the next steps are. They have also offered me a refund which I will take up if they can't work out how to book the tickets.

    Its a great idea as for $3.50 a movie its worth the effort of multiple sites, payment information, checking in etc…

    I will keep everyone posted on what Sinemia works out.

  • I'm curious. Hoyts offer payment via Paypal, anyone want to try of booking Hoyts via the paypal payment and using the virtual card?

    • Someone earlier mentioned it worked, he put address which is mentioned in sinemai website

      • Can you link this address?

        • Sinemia Inc - 925 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

        • +1

          @searider: Paypal worked for us too, for online tickets at Crown Village, twice now. In Paypal we put Address Line 1 as 925 N La Brea Ave, Suburb as Los Angeles, CA 90038 and State/Territory as Victoria, Postcode 3000.

    • Paypal worked me just now even though the CC payment failed 5 times. I booked out the entire row before PayPal worked for me though…

      • Which cinema?

        • Sorry, this was Event Cinemas- George St if the location matters. Meant to just reply by saying PayPal works - possibly because currency is in USD for the cards but the retailers here charge AUD

        • @ATangk: so you used sinemia virtual card in PayPal?

        • @agam2104:
          Yes. I used guest checkout on PayPal

  • I reached out to Sinemia customer service via twitter stating that my payment was being declined both for event cinemas and hoyts. After going through the usual “are you sure you are using the advance ticket option”, they asked me to change the post code to 34394 while paying. I tried that and payment is still being declined. I’ve sent a message to them again via twitter

    Strike me Pink

    • I've tried hoyts, village both declined the cc details generated.
      First village wanted a first and last name "sinemia" itself as a single word wasn't accepted. Changed to any other first and last name didn't work either, still being declined.
      Hoyst accepted all the details but payment declined.

      What a debacle

      • See my note below about paypal setup. Works perfectly!!

  • To give credit to them, they have been quick to reply on Twitter. They have acknowledged that there is an issue with their payment systems in Australia and have said that they are working on it.

  • +1

    When I asked them are you aware your virtual card is not working in major Australia cinemas chain. They replied
    "Could you please create another advance ticket which will generate a new one-time information? We've tested out all major theaters and transactions went through smoothly."
    Wonder what are we doing wrong ?

    They said we should use our first and last name, in cardholder name.

  • I'm 90% sure anytime when generating an Advance Ticket if there is some kind of delay/lag/stuck refreshing etc, it will mean your card is not correctly loaded with cash.

    • how long should i wait to buy the tickets after generating a card?

      • +1

        immediately.

    • I guess that the money they are not loading enough money to cover for Hoyts/Village ticket.

      • Ask them on twitter they reply instantly, as they said me earlier that it working fine from their side.

        • They dont respond to me on twitter. Can someone try asking about hoe much they are loading on the card.

          Most ppl are able to buy on reading cinemas which is alround $11.

        • +1

          @upeed: I will try to ask them.

      • Maybe they didn't realised that movie here is expensive? :)

  • It'll be interesting to see if it works with Hotys when discount code/voucher applied so the movie is actually cheaper than full price. If it works then it might means the virtual card doesn't have enough money.

    • you might be onto something here, it could be the whole reason it's failing is cause there isn't enough funds to cover it, Might have to try to use a discounted ticket on my next advance ticket.

      • This whole problem will be solved if we can get our physical card.

        • Dont think thats coming anytime soon.
          Their twitter feed is full of ppl complaning about cards from all over the world

  • +3

    Woo hoo. Got it working on Android for advanced tix with the virtual card. Just saw Dp2 gold lounge comes with free coke and popcorn. We got it for $7, normally $72 for 2 people.
    Been trying for a couple of days to get it working on either ios or Android. I've just been getting the dreaded loading cirle. I was just about to give up. Then decided to go back over comments to see if any would help. Thanks agam2104.
    This is what I did. Made sure all the permissions in the app are on and the gps/locations on phone are on with high accuracy. Now this is the strange part. These settings wouldn't work it would just have the loading symbol. So thanks to agam2104 I turned on fake gps and put the co-ords at the cinema. Went back to sinemia app and everything worked. Picked cinema and movie time. Then went to cinema website and made bookings for movie till the payment stage. Went back to sinemia app and followed through to get virtual credit card details. Then finished booking in on cinema website using sinemia as the name for the credit card. Got confirmation that it all worked. At the movies checked in on sinemia app. Then grabbed my tickets.
    Hope this helps.

    • Which cinema did you pick? Both Hoyts and Village failed on payment with the virtual card for me? And another quirk, I wanted to see if I could select a lux section, but I'm on the elite package.

      • I picked Ace cinemas but friend has got it to work on hoyts the same way.

        • Did it work in Hoyts LUX ?

    • Glad I can help. I will try myself also, I was just suggesting fake GPS for check-in purpose, you did better than that.and also if anyone can confirm ios vcc is working in hoyts or not?

    • Hi, mate I try but I cant pass, that rotating circle screen:(. which version are using sinemia, and which fake GPS app? also, you got a virtual card through advance ticket option?

      update-I used this Fake GPS app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lexa.fakeg…) it worked I got a list of cinemas, still have to test VCC.

    • Fake GPS worked great! The app issue is easy for them to fix because the cinemas show up fine under watch menu but not under planning.

  • Can we book premium ticket like gold class Hoyts Lux once a month only?

  • I reckon we can only pay with PayPal is because it charges the card in USD, which the normal checkout won’t accept?

  • +1

    Update : I received a message via Twitter from Sinemia that they think they have fixed the issue with Village Cinema and want me to try again. I want to book Saturday night so have to wait till Village open up the booking but will report back. Potentially very positive news.

    • Yeah mate please let us know

  • Did these guys release the product into market even without testing it ?
    I wouldnt trust them with my credit card info

  • +1

    I just booked tickets with Imax Melbourne. was tempted to book the premium one but worry that might cause me an issue.

    • is IMAX is counted in premium one?

      • I think IMAX come under premium only.

    • +1

      Thanks for sharing :)

      Just booked 2 adult 3D Premium tickets for this Saturday @ IMAX Melbourne.

      Worked excellent via iPhone Advance ticket booking and Virtual card with Sinemia as the name @ checkout.

      Happy now :D

      • I am really confused which are premium in sinemai? like VMAX, HOYTS LUX, HOYTS XLarge screen is premium one,?

        • Not quiet sure,

          I signed up for the Sinemia Elite 2 Movie tickets per month for Two package to make sure I can use it on 3D, VMAX, HOYTS LUX, HOYTS XLarge, IMAX Premium tickets

          Maybe someone with the Classic membership can try to book 3D, VMAX, HOYTS LUX, HOYTS XLarge, IMAX Premium and let us know if it works…

          Most of the time I`m also confused by Sinemia :) lol

        • @LHSolutions: I got this reply on twitter"

          "With Sinemia Elite, your tickets can be used for a 2D or 3D movie and one of your tickets can be used for either of the following technologies of your choice once every 30 days: IMAX 2D, IMAX 3D, XD, Dolby Atmos, ScreenX, Dbox, 4DX etc."

        • @agam2104: I guess my next ticket booking will be just two standard movie tickets :)

        • +1

          @LHSolutions: Yeah, so if we book IMAX(non-premium tkt) and HOYTS gold it means the same thing both come under premium.

  • can someone please tell me where to find the virtual ticket on the app?
    I've tried both the android and the iOS version and can't work it out.

    • On iOS when you open the app you have to go to the Planning tab and then Advance Tickets…

      You have to go thru the process of selecting cinema / movie / session day & time so on.. and then the app will generate you the virtual card details to use for payment at your selected cinema website

    • got to planning tab, select cinema shows timing (check it before in cinemas official website ) then ur virtual card generated.

  • Hi, guys, I think I asked several time no one replied so just posting again,

    how many premium tickets I can take once a month I have an elite membership.

    Do we have to pay something extra for premium?

    Vmax, Hoyts Lux, HoytsXLARGE Screen village gold are all considered premium?

    • From what I gather they are both premium. Premium classic or premium elite. The only difference is that premium elite can watch any 3d and 4d movies. Premium classic can watch any 2d movies even if it is lux, gold or imax etc.

  • When i get my virtual card details, the payment declines on Event Cinemas.

    Anyone else know on how to get it to work?

    • I think there's an issue with Event Cinemas and the Virtual Card, Constantly getting the same error.

      • I think someone else manage to book at Event Cinema by using the Paypal payment option.

      • and Hoyts. Reading worked though, and had much better seats so not missing Hoyts.

        • Really? Reading near my place (Epping) has so-so seats whilst Hoyts have recliner seats. So in my case I would much prefer to go to Hoyts.

        • @searider:

          The hoyts that's close to me have worn smelly fabric seats, the Reading one had brand new leather recliners (premium ticket).

    • Yes, see my and other notes below on Paypal setup which works for Village and Hoyts…

  • +1

    I was finally able to get the virtual card to work at Hoyts, although it's somewhat annoying of a process.

    I used PayPal to pay on the Hoyts website (couldn't use guest payment). I had previously set up a new PayPal account with the sinemia address under a USA account. Used my own name and the virtual card details and he virtual card was added to my US PayPal account.

    Hoyts notified payment was successful and tickets were sent to my email.

    For some unknown reason I couldn't get this PayPal account to work with the village PayPal method, only Hoyts. The virtual card was also declined when using an Australian PayPal account for me.

    So after a number of different combinations the above method is what worked for me^^ if you guys have any questions please ask and I will try to help out.

    • Doesn't your virtual card number change every time? It seem to have happened to me when I tried booking hoyts normally over 2 different days.

      • Yes, the virtual cards will change every time so the card will need to be added every time.

      • Correct, I'm intending to just add a new card to the PayPal each time.

    • Yep, that’s what I had to do and it worked perfectly, I asked them via Twitter if this would cause issues and all they said was that it should be okay this time round, so hopefully the card arrives before the next movie at the end of the month lol

  • +1

    So an update from me. I have been DM'ing with Sinemia via Twitter and they told me to try village again. So I did and got the same failure. I have not yet tried a paypal account, just the direct payment to the site via their visa / mastercard information. I have DM'ed them again with screen shots of every step, will be interested to see what they come back with.

  • +8

    OK, so I have successfully booked with Village cinema using Sinemia!!!!!!!

    Here are the steps I followed. Paypal is the key here.

    1. Create a new Gmail account

    - Don't put in a phone number as if you do you need to verify it.

    1. Create a new paypal account

    - When creating the new account, put in the address details as
    925 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
    - don't put a phone number in as you will need to verify the text, which you will not be able to. Its not mandatory
    - Put in your new Gmail account details as per above (I recommend this as it means you can keep this completely separate to your daily transfers)

    1. Go to village and find a movie you want to see, note down the time

    2. Go to your Sinemia app and select "Advance purchase"

    3. Put in the details of the movie and get your temporary payment information

    4. Log into your paypal account and link a new card with the details above

    5. To back to the village website and proceed through to payment

    6. Select the paypal payment type, log in with your new paypal account and pay.

    And there you have it!! Your ticket will be sent to your new email address and you are good to go.

    The next time you want to see a movie, you follow from step 3 onwards however in step 6, add the new card then remove the old to ensure your payment information is up to date.

    Sure its a bit of a pain, but once you get it set up, there is very little more effort than what you would have to do anyway and when we finally get our physical cards you can just link that to your paypal account and you are good to go.

    Let me know if you get it working also.

    • so is it same for Hoyts?

      • No idea….It seems Village and Hoyts have issues processing US pre-paid debit cards but Village is happy to accept paypal so I will give it a try. Someone above mentioned they have success with paypal and hoyts so it seems like the right answer….

        • +2

          This method works for event cinemas too, it's how i got around the booking issue.

      • Yes. It's exactly same. Only thing I figured while creating PayPal account, I had to change the country to the US. Must be due to the address being US.

    • Hi,
      Sorry for being n00b, are you creating new account in Paypal AU or USA as USA is asking me for mobile and AU is not accepting US address

    • thanks worked perfectly

  • +1

    Can confirm that the paypal system works for Hoyts. Just booked a couple of tickets using it

    First I set up a new paypal account just for Sinemia. In the address, I put Sinemia’s US address.
    Then I went to the app and booked a ticket using advance booking. Once it gave a virtual card number, I went to paypal account and added these details as “Link a new card”. Then I went to Hoyts website and booked a ticket as usual and paid via paypal using the newly entered card details. It went smoothly.
    Ditto for the second ticket too

    A bit long winded way to get a ticket but with the low prices, can’t complain eh!
    True Ozbargain spirit! Get on !

    • so it seems same like above method mentioned by Savitar

    • +1

      I'm getting this: https://imgur.com/a/DBbKl39

      How did you bypass the phone number field?

      • don't put a phone number in as you will need to verify the text, which you will not be able to. Its not mandatory

        • probably should have shown this instead: https://imgur.com/a/lbiyarb

          I couldn't get past the initial account creation page because of this.

          edit: entered a random number and clicked on 'not now' when they asked if i'd like to verify my phone number. linked the one-time card number to this account and FINALLY GOT MY TICKETS FROM VILLAGE CINEMA.

          Ozbargain >>> Customer Service.

        • +1

          @etchan:

          I entered the Sinemia’s US phone number taken from their website. But chose not to have it verified

        • +1

          @etchan: don't know if it will come back to bite me later but I just put a random phone number in and it didn't ask me to verify.

        • @ashdays:
          Where did you find the US phone number. Couldnt find anything on their site

        • @upeed:

          Try 213-457-3111 as the phone number. I got this from Reddit website. Just ensure that you do not click on "verify this number"
          Good luck

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