MoviePass Founders Say Subscription Service 'Would Never Have Happened' Without iPhones in New App Store Feature

[DotCom2]

I've just signed up and it makes going to the movies feel so much better not worrying if you are going to pay a lot and hate the film you just viewed. Just Feels like the future, the app for iOS has just been updated and is smooth. I'm just worried if I have a big family if I can afford to get them all a moviepass. For just 2 people it is a no brainer. Definitely worth the monthly $.

THIS!
Before when I would see a movie was out I would wait and see what the reviewers would say about it. I don't want to go see a movie and feel cheated of my time and money. With MoviePass I am going to see a lot more movies and if they are not the best who cares!
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Worst customer service I have ever experienced. Cannot get through on the phone and no action except acknowledging receipt of complaint for online submission. I have had the card for two months and not able to use it because of the wrong card number showing up in the app for some reason. No one from MoviePass will help. Canceling means I will not get a full refund so I keep trying to get through.

I think one of the problems is that since they have lowered the price, they have signed on sooooo many more people and they just don't have the staffing to take care of issues. They need to get on the ball and hire more and should have expected the increase in signups as well as issues.

 

[scfxmac]

As a developer forced to abide by Apple's rules, I'm incredibly confused as to how this company is allowed to bypass the typical Apple subscription rules, and not pay a commission to Apple. The user is forced to enter their credit card info *DIRECTLY INTO THE APP*, which completely bypasses the typical iTunes App Store subscription flow. It's the only app I've ever seen of its kind in this sense. Can anyone explain how this is possible?

 

[ItsNotaTumor]

I LOVE MOVIEPASS. I see a movie at the theater every week and this has already saved me a couple hundred dollars since I signed up in October.

 

[tkukoc]

No theater around me will touch this app. I've mentioned it several times to people I know in the industry and they flat-out will not use it.

 

[DotCom2]

As a developer forced to abide by Apple's rules, I'm incredibly confused as to how this company is allowed to bypass the typical Apple subscription rules, and not pay a commission to Apple. The user is forced to enter their credit card info *DIRECTLY INTO THE APP*, which completely bypasses the typical iTunes App Store subscription flow. It's the only app I've ever seen of its kind in this sense. Can anyone explain how this is possible?

It's not a credit card. It's just a pass that the funds are downloaded into to pay for a one-time movie.
Kinda, sorta like the Starbucks app only it's very very temporary.

 

[GREEN4U]

I've seen 25 movies in my first month and a half. I love it. Im all about it. My cousins, brother, his gf, and my in-laws have all bought it since I told them about it.

2 million subscribers based on word of mouth, not bad for a company.

 

[scfxmac]

It's not a credit card. It's just a pass that the funds are downloaded into to pay for a one-time movie.
Kinda, sorta like the Starbucks app only it's very very temporary.

I'm speaking specifically to the SUBSCRIPTION. The user enters their CC in the app, and is charged $9.95 per month. Starbucks does not charge me unless I place an order. Definitely NOT the same thing.

 

[DotCom2]

I'm speaking specifically to the SUBSCRIPTION. The user enters their CC in the app, and is charged $9.95 per month. Starbucks does not charge me unless I place an order. Definitely NOT the same thing.

OIC. I thought you were talking about the pass itself.
I bought the yearly pass so I wouldn't know about what you are saying then.
Sorry

 

[phillylow]

there have been reports from users that this works but has led to their accounts to being suspended

Agreed. Movie Pass terms DO NOT allow using the debit card account to make purchases online or anywhere else other than at the theatre box office or kiosk. Your account would be in danger of being suspended or canceled.

Alternatively you could just walk in and purchase the tickets at the theatre early, especially since you need to be within 100 yards anyway to check-in.


Thanks.

 

[redneckitengineer]

I love my MoviePass, I’ve had it since the $80/yr option last year. I’ve been to the movies more than ever, and I’ll buy concessions now. I’ve never had a problem with it, and I always recommend them to friends. Hopefully they’ll get a family plan going eventually. If for some reason MoviePass goes under, I’ll just go back to RedBox. I’ll change my habits before I go back to paying $12/ticket.

 

[phillylow]

No theater around me will touch this app. I've mentioned it several times to people I know in the industry and they flat-out will not use it.

The theatre has nothing to do with the app. They don't need to have any agreement with Movie Pass for you to be able to use Movie Pass to see a movie there. Movie Pass merely provides you with a debit card to purchase a ticket, as long as the theatre is listed in the app and you have checked in on the app for the movie you want to see.

There is NO REQUIREMENT for the movie theatre to "accept" Movie Pass.

 

[subjonas]

No theater around me will touch this app. I've mentioned it several times to people I know in the industry and they flat-out will not use it.

You mean people in the movie theater industry won’t accept it? As I understand it, the moviepass card is just a normal debit card, so it’s not up to theaters whether or not to accept it, it’s up to moviepass whether or not to accept the theater.

OIC. I thought you were talking about the pass itself.
I bought the yearly pass so I wouldn't know about what you are saying then.
Sorry

Year pass or month pass doesn’t matter. For any subscription made through an iOS app, a cut is usually required by Apple. But yeah I’m not sure why this is an exception.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Can you use it with Fandango? Most theaters here are reserved seating.

 

[scfxmac]

You mean people in the movie theater industry won’t accept it? As I understand it, the moviepass card is just a normal debit card, so it’s not up to theaters whether or not to accept it, it’s up to moviepass whether or not to accept the theater.



Year pass or month pass doesn’t matter. For any subscription made through an iOS app, a cut is usually required by Apple. But yeah I’m not sure why this is an exception.

--There is always an exception if the subscription is purchased on the developer's main website (and not in the app). Apple will allow the user the log in with credentials created elsewhere (ie: Spotify, Netflix, etc.). But if the user has the ability to purchase the subscription from within the app, the developer guidelines specifically prohibit bypassing Apple's subscription flow and asking the user to manually enter their CC info directly into the app (and not using their Apple ID / CC info); otherwise EVERYONE would do this, and Apple would never get their cut.

 

[DotCom2]

You mean people in the movie theater industry won’t accept it? As I understand it, the moviepass card is just a normal debit card, so it’s not up to theaters whether or not to accept it, it’s up to moviepass whether or not to accept the theater.



Year pass or month pass doesn’t matter. For any subscription made through an iOS app, a cut is usually required by Apple. But yeah I’m not sure why this is an exception.

Hmmm dunno. Maybe it's cuz you don't actually purchase the subscription *through* the App but you first buy the subscription on their web site??? Then get the App? That's how I did it anyway.

 

[scfxmac]

Hmmm dunno. Maybe it's cuz you don't actually purchase the subscription *through* the App but you first buy the subscription on their web site??? Then get the App? That's how I did it anyway.

Nope. I was asked to enter my CC info IN THE APP. My subscription and CC info is managed in the app settings (I never have to go on their website for anything if I so choose).

 

[farewelwilliams]

As a developer forced to abide by Apple's rules, I'm incredibly confused as to how this company is allowed to bypass the typical Apple subscription rules, and not pay a commission to Apple. The user is forced to enter their credit card info *DIRECTLY INTO THE APP*, which completely bypasses the typical iTunes App Store subscription flow. It's the only app I've ever seen of its kind in this sense. Can anyone explain how this is possible?

all movie pass does is that it loads money into a debit card when you're near a movie theater. essentially it's a debit card management app. banking apps don't need to send 30% back to apple.
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Year pass or month pass doesn’t matter. For any subscription made through an iOS app, a cut is usually required by Apple. But yeah I’m not sure why this is an exception.

not any subscription, only DIGITAL media subscriptions like digital video/digital magazines/etc... other subscriptions don't need to give 30% back to Apple. postmates offers a subscription and they don't need to give 30% back to Apple.



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No theater around me will touch this app. I've mentioned it several times to people I know in the industry and they flat-out will not use it.

no theater needs to sign up with moviepass. only moviepass needs to add their theater location to the app. all moviepass does is load money into a debit card when you're near a theater.

 

[scfxmac]

all movie pass does is that it loads money into a debit card when you're near a movie theater. essentially it's a debit card management app. banking apps don't need to send 30% back to apple.

I think you are missing my point. Apple typically doesn't care what a developer does with the income they get from their app. Apple has specific guidelines that each developer who has a subscription based app (which MoviePass *IS* by definition; I pay them a monthly SUBSCRIPTION fee, and they provide me with their service) must follow. Apple doesn't care what the developer does with their revenue--the guidelines apply across the board to all developers. Though it appears that this developer is an exception, and I am simply trying to understand why. Banking apps, Starbucks, etc. DO NOT CHARGE A MONTHLY RECURRING/SUBSCRIPTION FEE to their users each month.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I think you are missing my point. Apple typically doesn't care what a developer does with the income they get from their app. Apple has specific guidelines that each developer who has a subscription based app (which MoviePass *IS* by definition; I pay them a monthly SUBSCRIPTION fee, and they provide me with their service) must follow. Apple doesn't care what the developer does with their revenue--the guidelines apply across the board to all developers. Though it appears that this developer is an exception, and I am simply trying to understand why. Banking apps, Starbucks, etc. DO NOT CHARGE A MONTHLY RECURRING/SUBSCRIPTION FEE to their users each month.

No, I'm not missing your point. I'm a developer and have dealt with this already.

Read the guidelines from Apple:

• 3.1.5 (a) Physical Goods and Services Outside of the App: If your app enables people to purchase goods or services that will be consumed outside of the app, you must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase to collect those payments, such as Apple Pay or traditional credit card entry.

You're consuming a good outside of the app.

Some banks charge monthly fees for certain checking accounts/credit cards/debit cards.

Postmates offers a monthly subscription in which you can enter your credit card details (it does not use in-app purchase). They don't give 30% back to Apple.

 

[scfxmac]

No, I'm not missing your point. I'm a developer and have dealt with this already.

Read the guidelines fromApple:

• 3.1.5 (a) Physical Goods and Services Outside of the App: If your app enables people to purchase goods or services that will be consumed outside of the app, you must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase to collect those payments, such as Apple Pay or traditional credit card entry.

You're consuming a good outside of the app.

Some banks charge monthly fees for certain checking accounts/credit cards/debit cards.

Postmates offers a monthly subscription in which you can enter your credit card details (it does not use in-app purchase). They don't give 30% back to Apple.

^This is certainly the most logical explanation I've seen, however, I still think the fact that you are purchasing a monthly "subscription" to their service makes this a bit tricky.

 

[Bawstun]

Since this scheme doesn't make any money- the monetizing comes from deep data tracking analysis of its customers. Where you were, what date, at what time, what movie. Beyond creepy.
Your privacy is extremely valuable. That's why creepy companies like this (and Google) go to extreme lengths the take it away from you.

lol

 

[CSam]

Agreed, but as someone who always pays for their own ticket and rarely pre-orders, I've been loving it. February was my first month as well.

Not sure how I'll handle premiere showings, like for Infinity War. May have to just pay for a traditional ticket for pre-orders there.

Go to the theatre earlier in the day and buy your ticket ahead of time, for the later showing. Most of the time the showings for brand new marvel movies, especially 2D on opening night, are not sold out earlier in the day. Check in, walk to the digital kiosk, pick up your ticket and show up at the start of the movie.

Hopefully movie pass will add a $12.99 a month imax/3D plan at some point

 

[subjonas]

not any subscription, only DIGITAL media subscriptions like digital video/digital magazines/etc... other subscriptions don't need to give 30% back to Apple. postmates offers a subscription and they don't need to give 30% back to Apple.

Oh I see, so basically if the service is provided within the app (or is the app itself), then Apple gets a cut. If it’s outside the app, then no cut. So Uber, no cut. Netflix, yes. What about something like dating apps?

 

[usarioclave]

Bought my Mom & Dad a MoviePass each. They see a ton of movies, and to be honest, the theatre still gets paid so why do they care?

For most movies the tail is bigger than the opening so the moviegoing public only exists to generate buzz for the other non-theatre releases and overseas markets. If anything theatre owners should love it because it drives more traffic to their concession stand.

 

[EJ.Campbell]

As a developer forced to abide by Apple's rules, I'm incredibly confused as to how this company is allowed to bypass the typical Apple subscription rules, and not pay a commission to Apple. The user is forced to enter their credit card info *DIRECTLY INTO THE APP*, which completely bypasses the typical iTunes App Store subscription flow. It's the only app I've ever seen of its kind in this sense. Can anyone explain how this is possible?

Your are subscribing to a physical good: movie tickets, so I bet that is how they get around it.