Have you ever bought tickets for a movie at AMC Theatres, only to have your plans fall through at the last minute? You may be wondering if you can get a refund on unused AMC movie tickets, especially if you purchased them online in advance. Well, the good news is that AMC does offer flexible cancellation and refund policies for most theater tickets, subject to a few conditions.
In this guide to AMC’s refund rules, we’ll cover everything you need to know if you need to return tickets or exchange them to see a different movie. Keep reading for key details on how online orders, gift cards, and loyalty memberships affect your options, plus steps to take for a smooth refund request.
How to Return or Exchange AMC Movie Tickets Bought Online
One of the most popular ways to buy AMC movie tickets these days is through advance purchase on the AMC website or mobile app. If your plans change after scoring those ideal showtimes, here is what you can expect:
- You may request a refund before the printed showtime on your ticket. The AMC website and app both allow you to easily self-serve a cancellation.
- Any convenience or processing fees paid at checkout are non-refundable, even if you get the base ticket cost back.
- To start your refund, have handy the email address used to purchase the tickets and the last 4 digits of the gift card or credit/debit card used.
- Once you complete the online cancellation process, refunds get credited back to the original payment method automatically. Processing times vary.
- You generally cannot get a refund after the movie showtime passes. However, exceptions occur if the show gets cancelled entirely by the theater, described more below.
So in summary, AMC offers a flexible full refund policy up until showtime, minus any convenience fees paid. You just need to act before the movie starts playing to take advantage of the self-service cancellation features.
Using an AMC Gift Card for Tickets
Gift cards cannot get exchanged for cash at AMC. However, if you have an AMC gift card with unused funds still on it, that balance continues rolling over for up to 5 years after the activation date.
You can apply unused AMC gift card credits towards buying future movie tickets and concessions at AMC theaters during that long 5-year active window. So even if you cannot get straight cash back for the gift card itself, its value is not totally lost if you cancel a ticket order later on.
When using a gift card to buy AMC tickets on the website, make sure to take note of the claim code and PIN printed on the physical gift card. You will need to reference these details if you have issues tracking remaining balances or need help contacting AMC Guest Services about expirations or refund requests associated with the gift card purchase.
AMC Loyalty Membership Impacts on Refunds
If you are an AMC Stubs loyalty member at status levels like Premiere, A-List or Elite, your membership can offer some nice perks on getting account credits when you need to return tickets. However, policies differ depending on which tier you belong to.
For AMC Stubs Premiere members, you maintain points balances for ticket and concessions rewards. If you process a refund through AMC for ticket purchases initially made under your Stubs account, the associated points get deducted again too. Any points applied when buying can no longer remain either.
AMC Stubs A-List works differently than point-based plans. With your paid monthly A-List membership, you can see up to 3 regular movies per week. If you refund a ticket initially reserved under A-List at no extra charge, you simply regain one of your weekly movie credits back. So you can then reserve another showtime instead with your continuing membership benefits.
Refunding and re-using your credits only works before showtime though since A-List does not let members order repeat viewings of the same movie in a single week. Loyalty elite levels like AMC Stubs Black offer similar functionality.
Getting a Refund When the Theater Cancels a Movie Showing
In very rare cases, the AMC theater may have to pull or cancel a scheduled showing of a movie unexpectedly. Reasons can include technical issues or problems getting the physical film delivered on time to the theater to play.
If this unlikely scenario happens:
- You become entitled to receive a full refund for your ticket including any service fees you paid. The theater canceling the show overrides normal exclusions of fees from refunds.
- An AMC manager can process this refund quickly at the box office for your credit back.
- If a manager is not available or the box office closed when the cancellation happens, AMC Customer Service can help during business hours. Calling them early the next day works too.
- Instead of the refund, you also have the right to request passes for a free replacement show if you prefer to plan attending a different movie in the future instead.
So in the very unlikely event of a show actually getting cancelled or interrupted halfway by AMC, they do their best to make it up to disappointed patrons with their accommodating policies. Get in touch with management onsite or AMC’s Contact Page afterward for next steps.
Key Exceptions Where AMC Tickets Are Non-Refundable
While most standard movies allow easy advance refunds, AMC does have a few event types where all ticket sales become final:
- Special fan screenings or opening midnight release shows often have no refunds allowed. Movie premieres, marathons, double features, and Fathom event broadcasts generally cannot get refunded either.
- The same usually applies to any live or concert events at AMC locations instead of normal films. For example, if you buy a ticket for a one-night only band performance at an AMC theater, you likely cannot claim a refund after purchase.
- Black and yellow tickets sold as discount admissions vouchers also tend to carry more restrictions. Their non-refundable nature will display during checkout. Most have reduced price because they exclude the highest demand AMC theaters and showing times.
Outside of those cases above with clearly indicated sales final rules, the typical AMC advance purchase movie ticket remains refundable before showtime starts.
Step-By-Step Guide to Getting an AMC Refund Smoothly
To boost your chances of having your AMC cancellation and money back request go through with no issues, here are helpful step-by-step tips:
1. Act Quickly
Try to start the refund process within days after buying your ticket, not right as the trailers roll. AMC technically allows cancellations up til showtime. But handling sooner provides more flexibility in case any troubleshooting is needed to verify your order.
2. Provide Order Details
Whether asking online, by phone, or in person – have handy your:
- Order confirmation number
- Ticket purchaser name
- Email address for receipt
- Partial credit card number
Giving agents and managers these key details right away helps greatly speed up tracing transactions eligible for refund.
3. Check Back on Status
Allow some buffer time for AMC to fully complete processing your money back after initially requesting a cancellation.
Typically takes between 3-10 business days depending on volume. But can vary – so do follow up if charged again at next billing without seeing the refund yet.
4. Stay Friendly When Following Up
Manager discretion plays a role in getting refund approval if tickets were usable at time of cancellation. Avoiding rude demands or anger is crucial – even when frustrated by changes. AMC strives to please patrons when possible.
5. Read the Fine Print
Before any AMC movie outing, scan your receipt and their latest policy info. Knowing cancellation windows, fees, exclusions in advance makes completing any needed refund smooth sailing.
6. Expect a Processing Fee
Even if you meet all criteria for a ticket refund from AMC, a small processing charge applies per ticket being cancelled and returned from your order. It ranges from $2-$5 total depending on number of seats refunded.
Key Things to Remember About AMC Refund Policy Fine Print
To wrap up the nuances of getting your money back on AMC transactions, keep these top facts in mind:
- Refund eligibility stops after the printed showtime, so don’t delay requests without a very good reason.
- Online convenience and processing fees paid upfront always get held back from your refunded amounts.
- Rare event cancellations by the theater itself allow refunds anytime, unlike patron cancellations.
- The easiest path to a approved refund lies with being an active AMC Stubs member before purchasing tickets eligible for returns later on.
- Budget some lead time for refunds to process after initial approval, around 7-10 business days via your original payment option used.
Don’t forget – remaining values on an AMC gift card stay valid up to 5 years total if you cannot exchange for cash outright.
