We’re a week into the Easter holidays and the struggle of finding reasonably priced ways to keep kids entertained on the wrong side of payday remains a juggling act. My eight and ten-year-old have had plenty of screen time, trips to relatives and a few meals out, but top of the wishlist has been a trip to the cinema to see The Minecraft Movie (other films are, obviously, available but they have no interest in any of them).
As a long time film fan, getting my children to love cinema too has been a major parenting goal. However, with prices creeping up, in recent years finding ways to save money once four or more of us are off to the flicks has been a constant struggle.
I’ve swapped Cineworld for Vue as, in my area at least, the latter is considerably cheaper (Cineworld’s genius £5 Star Wars Sundays aside, which saw us go weekly last winter) and then started cashing in my Tesco Clubcard vouchers to make savings on top. We’ve dabbled with Meerkat showings and family screenings but with both of those you’re limited to particular days or films that you can see. However, bargain hunters stacking deals on a huge cinema ticket bundle available this Easter holiday can get five tickets to Vue Cinemas for £5.90 and at £1.18 a ticket I’ve not found any cheaper way to do it.
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Groupon has reduced the price of Vue cinema ticket bundles for the school holidays to joint cheapest in the market (alongside Wowcher ), with options of five cinema tickets for £22 or ten for £40. This is a great way to plan ahead as film fans can save up to 43% on the usual price of walking up and buying tickets, however there’s a way to get them even cheaper.
Money saving website TopCashback offers a free £15 sign up bonus for new members as well as a percentage cashback on online purchase across thousands of different brands. With Groupon this is an extra 7% which adds up quickly with the bonus, meaning shoppers can effectively get five tickets for £5.90 after cashback is paid.
The tickets are valid on Super Saver Seats at 2D screenings at all UK cinemas, although there’s a £2 supplement for some central London sites and more comfortable recliner seats – full details on venues included are in the terms and conditions here. The tickets can be used all at once or in as many trips as cinema goers want as long as they’re redeemed by May 18 – so cinemagoers who want to add Snow White or hold out for the May 2 release date of Marvel’s Thunderbolts can do that too.
The deal has been snapped up more than 1,500 times already this school holiday by bargain hunters looking to save money on their viewing. While Vue is offering better cinema deals this holiday than the other major cinema chains, there are also ways to get Odeon discounts in London via Fever , which takes prices down to as little as £6.99 a seat, although only at selected times.
Meanwhile, discounts on Cineworld are available on Kids Pass , the money saving app for parents that offers money off various days and meals out and family things to do. Signing up for the pass costs £1 for the first 30 days – it can be cancelled afterwards – and offers discounts on theme parks, restaurants, cinemas and more. Elsewhere, in a little-known perk Three customers can get two Cineworld tickets for £6 until April 21 on the brand’s Three+ rewards app – and the mobile phone provider is even throwing in free popcorn.
Depending on where in the country you are, your preferred cinema chain and how many film fans you’ll be taking with you, these alternative deals could also help save money on cinema trips this holiday. Be warned though, all these money saving tips will only offset the cost of the limited edition drinks cups and popcorn buckets which, when we went, had the longest queues.
On the plus side, The Minecraft Movie was a big hit with the entire family, to the extent it’s a rare option we’d consider for a second viewing. Now we just have to work on stopping the kids singing Steve’s Lava Chicken Song on repeat.
How to get Vue cinema tickets for as little as £1.18 this Easter with TopCashback
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