If you’re already using a theater rewards program, you’re off to a great start—but you’re likely leaving savings on the table. By pairing your loyalty points with cashback apps, you can double up on benefits every time you go to the movies. Whether it’s tickets, popcorn, or digital rentals, stacking rewards is the smart way to stretch your entertainment budget without sacrificing fun.

Here’s how to do it right.

Start with a Theater Loyalty Program

Major theater chains across the Northeast offer loyalty programs that reward you with free tickets, discounts, or upgrades based on how much you spend. Here are three of the most popular:

• AMC Stubs: Earn points with every purchase, get access to $5 Discount Tuesdays, and enjoy free size upgrades on popcorn and drinks.
  
• Regal Crown Club: Points-based program that lets you redeem for tickets, snacks, and sweepstakes entries.
  
• Cinemark Movie Rewards: Free and paid tiers, with benefits like 20% off concessions and one free ticket monthly (for Movie Club members).
  

All of these programs reward spending—but what you use to pay with can also earn you extra rewards.

Add a Cashback App for Instant Savings

This is where the strategy gets more powerful. Cashback apps like Fluz, Rakuten, and Ibotta allow you to purchase digital gift cards or use virtual payment methods that return a percentage of your purchase as cashback.

For example, when you buy a Regal gift card through Fluz or purchase an AMC gift card with cashback, you’ll earn instant rewards—in addition to the loyalty points you earn from the theater’s own program.

The key here is that theaters treat gift card payments the same as cash or credit card payments, so you won’t lose out on any loyalty perks. And since Fluz lets you buy gift cards for the exact amount of your purchase, there’s no leftover balance to worry about.

Stacking Example: One Transaction, Two Rewards

Let’s say you’re seeing a movie at Regal and plan to buy a $14 ticket and $10 in concessions.

1. Before you pay, open Fluz and buy a $24 Regal gift card.
   
2. Use the digital gift card to pay at the kiosk or register.
   
3. Get cashback from Fluz and earn points through Regal Crown Club.
   
4. Redeem those points later for free snacks or tickets—and repeat.
   

Bonus Tip: Watch for Promotions

Cashback apps often run category bonuses or merchant-specific promotions. Fluz may offer increased cashback at entertainment brands for a limited time. Meanwhile, theater rewards programs sometimes include special multipliers or seasonal offers. Aligning these two can supercharge your rewards.

Why It Works

• Theater loyalty programs reward you for what you spend
  
• Cashback apps reward you for how you spend
  
• Using both ensures you’re not missing value on either end
  

With a little planning, you can earn cashback with a Cinemark gift card while still redeeming popcorn points and VIP perks. It’s the ultimate way to make your money go further—without cutting back on what you enjoy.