Moviegoers aren't happy about a new Cineplex booking fee

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Fans have taken to social media to direct their ire towards Cineplex over a new booking fee.

Theatres are basically back in full force, and blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and Jurassic World: Dominion are putting butts back in seats at Cineplex theatres, and breaking box office records globally.

However, a new online booking fee introduced by Cineplex is putting a damper on the fun for some moviegoers.

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In an email to Daily Hive, Cineplex states that a $1.50 booking fee applies to all purchases made on the Cineplex website or via the mobile app.

“Online booking fees are not new to our industry and have been in place for many years with our exhibition counterparts globally. They are also commonplace in almost all other ticketed entertainment venues including concerts, plays, and live sporting events.”

Cineplex adds that based on percentage of ticket cost and fee cost, it remains “one of the lowest in the entertainment space.”

If you’re a member of CineClub you’re exempt from the booking fee. Scene Plus rewards members also get to pay a reduced fee of $1. You also won’t be subject to the fee if you buy a ticket in-person at any Cineplex location.

The news hasn’t been taken lightly by moviegoers.

In one response to a tweet from a disgruntled ticket purchaser, Cineplex states that the fee is in order to expand its digital infrastructure.

I was purchasing tickets for this movie today on my cineplex app when I noticed a ‘booking fee’. Could you kindly explain what this entails and why you’re forcing your mobile app users to pay extra for movies?

— Ayzeros (@ayzeros) June 20, 2022

Others are simply incensed.

Is @CineplexMovies joking with this new online booking fee? I have to pay MORE to use the method that doesn’t require an employee do anything? The method that doesn’t even require them to print tickets? It’s a “final straw” reason to stay home & stream movies!

— Lauren Ferris (@SoulOfTwit) June 21, 2022

Some users are saying that Cineplex has made their choice between staying home and going out to the movies much easier now.

As I waffle back and forth about whether I’m ready to see movies in actual theatres again, I find that @CineplexMovies is now charging a $1.50 booking fee if I buy a ticket online or through their own app. The decision is that much easier.

— Andy Beaton (@aiabx) June 21, 2022

Most people tend to purchase tickets online. You’re able to select your seats way in advance, and while you could theoretically visit a theatre and do the same, it’s not quite as convenient.

Cineplex just introduced a $1.50 booking fee for each online ticket purchased. And here they are bragging about how they’re donating a dollar from each sale.

The audacity of this corporation. https://t.co/9aFCHPKfWR

— Danielnovi (@DanielNovi) June 21, 2022

Maybe Cineplex should’ve just raised the price of popcorn?