AMC Theatres Is Launching a Rewards Credit Card in 2023

What happened: AMC Theatres announced a co-branded credit card on Wednesday that will be available exclusively to AMC Stubs members. It plans to launch the AMC Entertainment® Visa® Card in early 2023, and cardholders will be able to earn additional AMC Stubs rewards points. AMC has set up a waitlist for those who want to be notified when the card becomes available. AMC Stubs members who sign up for the waitlist and apply for the card will also be entered for a chance to win a trip to a red carpet movie premiere with AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron.

So what: This will be the first credit card that earns in-theater rewards everywhere you pay, and it's being issued by the largest cinema chain in the United States. In the press release announcing the move, AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron called the theater industry "one of the few untapped major retail sectors" that doesn't currently allow customers to earn more rewards and demonstrate loyalty through a co-branded credit card.

The AMC Entertainment® Visa® Card will earn AMC Stubs points on purchases, with higher earning rates on AMC Theatres purchases, dining, groceries, and gas. Through a limited time offer, new cardholders will be able to earn $50 AMC Bonus Bucks by applying, opening a card, and spending $50 within the first three months.

A-List and Premiere members can redeem rewards for tickets or concessions. Insiders can only redeem rewards for concessions.

Now what: For cinephiles, this is exciting news, but it's wise to temper expectations. Retail cards like this are rarely the best credit cards for most consumers. Even if you go to AMC several times per month, you could likely get greater value from a more versatile credit card. For example, there are cash back cards with bonus rewards on groceries, dining, entertainment, and other popular spending categories. Not only is it possible you could earn more, but cash back is also much easier to use. AMC Stubs points, on the other hand, can only be redeemed at AMC Theatres.

The limited-time offer for new cardholders is better than nothing, but it doesn't come close to other credit card bonuses. Many cards offer sign-up bonuses of $100, $200, or more, which is a much better deal than $50 AMC Bonus Bucks. Though to be fair, the full list of features for the AMC Entertainment® Visa® Card isn't available yet. If you decide to join the waitlist, take a wait-and-see approach. Once this AMC credit card is available and there's more information on its perks, compare it to other rewards cards to see if it's worth getting.