Odeon: Much The Most Expensive Chain?

[Ms Thrifty]

Am I right in finding Odeon not only the most expensive chain (and unfortunately, it's the largest!), but also by a huge amount and lacking in the type of deals the other chains offer?

Cineworld, for instance, has a membership card; "Bargain Tuesdays" (at some locations) and Early Bird prices for screenings before noon. Also, if you are able to earn Tesco Clubcard points, £3 in points converts to one adult ticket. Vue also offers deals;for instance, their senior rate starts at age 50 and if you have a Saga Film Club card, you can get a further discount on that rate.

But Odeon! Yesterday I had time to see a film before a matinee at the theatre and as usual, when I checked the nearby Odeons, the prices were wince-making, even for the earliest show: £9.80! And I am not talking central London, either - prices there are even higher - these are just local Odeons and you have to be 60+ to qualify for the senior rate. So I went elsewhere for well below half that price. Who can afford to p*y these prices and who does? Is it the same with Odeon nationwide and if so, why are they so out of step with the competition?

[Beate]

I wouldn't know about prices, I never p*y these days.
I know though that you can p*y for Vue tickets with Nectar points (one ticket can be had for 1000 to 1300 points), and you can p*y for Cineworld tickets with Tesco clubcard points. Odeon does not seem to be part of a scheme like that, and a lot of vouchers exclude the expensive cinemas in the West End where I think a ticket costs over a tenner at any screening. Orange Wednesdays should however work? I still have an Odeon voucher but the only cinema around me it's valid for is the Greenwich one.

[Imran5]

The ODEON in Sheffield is not too bad with it's prices but it's the most rundown out of the three main ones here. (Vue, Cineworld, ODEON).. I just don't go there because of the fact that it's not that comfortable.

Back in my hometown of Leicester.. The prices for ODEON are an average £5-6. Of course I never p*y full price as I'm a student and there's always Orange Wednesdays! lol They've also opened a new SHOWCASE which is quite expensive but also really nice.

I'm sure ODEON have some sort of FILM club or something? Not entirely sure though...

[lovesitx]

The ODEON in Sheffield is not too bad with it's prices but it's the most rundown out of the three main ones here. (Vue, Cineworld, ODEON).. I just don't go there because of the fact that it's not that comfortable.

Back in my hometown of Leicester.. The prices for ODEON are an average £5-6. Of course I never p*y full price as I'm a student and there's always Orange Wednesdays! lol They've also opened a new SHOWCASE which is quite expensive but also really nice.

I'm sure ODEON have some sort of FILM club or something? Not entirely sure though...

I agree, i very rarely go to Odeon in Sheffield as its very dark and dingy also the screens aren't as big as Cineworld or Vue, its just not as enjoyable as going to one of the others, Cineworld is probably my favourite especially if they show a film in the Full Monty screen. Vue is also pretty good seeing as though they refurbished it only a couple of years ago.

[ejwrank]

According to the Vue website the Senior rate is from 60 not 50 years old. I think Saga may consider you for their discounts (at least they do with car insurance, etc) at age 50 but Vue says 60 for Senior tickets.

My husband is actually quite relieved as he hates the idea of being considered a "Senior" even it does give reduced rates all over and a free bus pass but I take the other view and think the freebies will be nice.

[a_person]

I think I've pa*d once or twice at an Odeon Cinema (the Greenwich one that Beate mentions).... Stopped using that though! I think it's about 50p extra than my local cineworld. I think all the local ones near me, Vue, Greenwich and Odeon are very similar in price but possibly Odeon is slightly more expensive by 50p or more.... I agree their seats are not at all comfortable... not that I found anyway. In that case, cineworld and vue are sooo much better!

I don't like Odeon Greenwich much since everytime I have visited it, I have ALWAYS ended up slipping on the floor one way or another. The floors are always slippery... and with my trainers or heels, I ALWAYS end up slipping. Absolutely humiliating...

Cineworld has carpet, keeps me on my feet.

[Imran5]

I agree, i very rarely go to Odeon in Sheffield as its very dark and dingy also the screens aren't as big as Cineworld or Vue, its just not as enjoyable as going to one of the others, Cineworld is probably my favourite especially if they show a film in the Full Monty screen. Vue is also pretty good seeing as though they refurbished it only a couple of years ago.

Cineworld is definitely my favourite too!! Those midnight showings of Watchmen and Star Trek = AWESOME!!! =D..

If they refurbished the ODEON I think it would pull in a lot more business, especially because it's right next door to Sheffield Hallam University!! I'm going VUE on Monday evening with a couple of mates to watch a free screening of Law Abiding Citizen (THANK YOU FMUK!).. Can't wait. =D

[Ms Thrifty]

People often mention Orange Wednesdays, which I agree sounds a great deal but not if you don't meet 3 conditions: you have to be an Orange subscriber, going to the cinema on a Wednesday and with someone else. I can't even meet one of these stipulations, let alone all 3!

I also agree that it's best if you don't have to p*y, but realistically, you can't always go free, especially outside London where there are fewer previews and my priority is to see the films I want to see, so I don't mind p*ying if I have to. And with Vue, you definitely qualify for the senior rate at 50 because I checked with them and got it in writing. I don't mind how they label me if it entitles me to cheaper admission!

Odeon do have a new club of some sort; I looked into it yesterday, but it seems the main way you earn points is by b*ying overpriced, unhealthy snacks, so I would earn none that way. I think I will just continue to avoid Odeons unless/until they wise up and step into line with the competition.

[steve9872]

Some Odeon's do a £4 tuesday ticket. Not all just some, and luckily for me my local one does.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

People often mention Orange Wednesdays, which I agree sounds a great deal but not if you don't meet 3 conditions: you have to be an Orange subscriber, going to the cinema on a Wednesday and with someone else. I can't even meet one of these stipulations, let alone all 3!

Actually there is a way to capitalise on Orange Wednesdays without actually being on orange contract. You just need a p*y as you go sim card which you can sign up for a free one. Then you just need any old unused mobile phone either unlocked from a different network or an Orange branded one. Simply use it to send a text for free film tickets (film text cost 35p). Obviously you need to top up the payg sim card to send the text messages. You can unlock an old Non-Orange mobile phone for free or for a small fee at most places. Or I can even pm you instructions so you can do it yourself if you tell me what phone you will use.

As for finding someone to go with..er, dont think I got a solution for that but you can try bullying someone to go with you!