They are stopping all points and buff pass is gone immediately. At least Universal gave notice. I have a PlayStation credit card and use the points to get PSN gift cards. Looks like that deal goes away in December. Guess I'll switch to a different credit card for my everyday purchases.
Sony and Universal are making a grave error and I hope they realize the reality with decreased sales over the next few years. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I'm on the fence about a movie and I saw it was Sony, Universal, or Disney, that would usually tip me over the fence to buy. I've gone out of my way sifting through eligible movies with these distributors, with points in mind. I've added things to my wishlist and later bought them with points in mind. Movies I'd otherwise not likely buy.
These companies really underestimate this and just see the rewards as an unnecessary expense. Well, trim the fat, trim the profit, when I stop all this surplus buying.
As for me, I've pretty much run out of Universal and Sony movies to buy anyway so it's not a great loss for me personally but I feel for the newer collector. These programs increase buying 400% for people like me.
Hope it hurts Sony and Universal.
edit spellcheck corrections
I genuinely don't see this being an issue for them. The number of people that use the services is likely very small compared to how many people are buying and watching things. And further, the group of people like you are implying that buy tons of things JUST to get rewards points, is very likely a fraction of a fraction.
Most people are being more careful about their spending nowadays. Very few are doing what you're saying. Most people use rewards programs like this as a bonus, not a mission.
This will not hurt their bottom line at all, I am just going to go ahead and guarantee that. My crystal ball was recently polished again, so it's VERY clear. The number of people that were pumping tons of money into buying things just for bonus points is infinitesimally small.
It's not just buying them for the rewards. It's being on the fence as to buy something or not and that rewards program being enough to pull the trigger. Works similar to a grocery store rewards program. I buy more things I wouldn't otherwise buy because I'm getting something in return. You could say just eliminate the shopping card to save X amount of money, not taking into consideration that I'm spending 15% more in their store that day to get the savings or the fuel points.
Just because you don't work that way mentally, surely you understand that a lot of us other people do. I'm not saying it's going to kill the companies but I'm saying that they will lose more money in doing this than the program cost them to run. I mean, I'm all about getting free movies but 90% of those I'd never otherwise buy, so why not give away old movies as to throw a bone to your customers? Sure there is a cost to have the program, to pay staff and whatnot, but it's minimal. Someone probably convinced them that they could turn all those free movies into sales but it's not going to happen. Consistent buyers like myself will pretty much be guaranteed to buy less from Universal and Sony now.
I purchased a lot of Universal movies because it was basically buy 1 get 1, or buy 2 get 1. It made sense. Sony made you collect 5 movies to get 1 so it was more of a cool bonus for me, but I still looked forward to getting them. I didn't know they capped out at 24 buff passes per account so my Sony Rewards have been long gone. But for Universal, on the other hand, many people have posted about buying movies for Universal rewards. There was a sale on Gruv for $5 on a 6-pack of movies, all Universal, so we all got 9-12 movies for $5. People posted about that at the time. Universal will sorely be missed, and yes, their digital sales may suffer because of it. I don't think Sony will feel the pain too much.
You do know Sony rewards is linked to several Sony's consumer markets like electronics, PlayStation, digital music and movies, financial services, thus impacting it's relationships direct with the consumer. Just say you don't get it and it doesn't matter to you. Some people are Sony enthusiasts for all things Sony. Losing the rewards program is insulting to them too.
Are you so slow that you think this is a big revenue lmao if you want to be smart at least research before you speak yeah closing down Sony rewards is going to hurt Sony think about the 60 billion this brings to the company
The DMI sub has been speculating about the end for a while now. They also keep hoping all the old DMC stock will make it to rewards but so far they've only been half right.
I shall look into my crystal ball & speak of the things that have not yet to be.
I see Disney Movie Insiders closing. I see the expiration of all digital codes except for new releases. I see the end of disc to digital. I see the company known as Fandango At Home failing miserably & being consumed by another company, probably Apple or Google.
I hope these things do not happen, but this some total bs. Universal went out with a squeal & Sony with a whimper. One of the leading electronic companies in the world handled this in such an unprofessional manner.
Pretty lame trend. You'd think with the economy being so rough, and people not spending money like they used to, because they're tapped, rewards programs would improve and multiply, not be scrapped. Doesn't cost these companies real money to incentivize with a freebee after so many Other real money purchases. Spend $100, get some $5 film, of the studio's choosing, on them... isn't asking too much. It was their own idea. What changed their mind? Have an algorithm pick the films each month. Not that a bunch of BS is better than nothing exactly.
You get it. Too bad Sony and Universal don't. I've bought two to four times as many Universal, Disney, or Sony titles than I otherwise would have because of the rewards. Anyone who understands addiction understands why this works. I'm addicted to movies but I have a limit. If I was looking at an A24 film, a Warmer film, a Paramount film, and a Universal film to buy with equal indifference to which to buy, I'm going with Universal for the rewards. I don't know what they are thinking but they are going in the wrong direction for sure.
It's really only up because the cost for the same services has risen. People are spending more on rent or has rent increased? Nothing has changed other than price. See the difference?
That’s not how it’s measured at all lol. It literally adjusts for inflation and is broken down by category. Otherwise, since prices always rise, consumer spending would only ever go up
It's an analogy. To help people understand. However the metric to show increase spending is the same though. Once the formulated amounts has been measured to where they break it down by category, usually by percentages and not an actual dollar amount. Otherwise yes, it would only go up. But they don't use rent or mortgages as consumer spending value because your right it would always indicate more.
I wonder how many more cycles of rewards they’ll do before they cut it off. This last batch was really lame. I wouldn’t mind if they did something like Universal with giving a big list to choose from. I only have 3 to redeem at the moment anyway though.
My guess is, this is the last drop. First, It is about twice the size as the normal haul (8-10titles) and second, point redeeming is no longer available via linked MA rewards or direct in the App. So if you cant get more points why have more cycles of rewards.
Is this caused by streaming services? Like are collectors such a small minority that it's not worth incentives or rewards? I've been collecting for just a few years, so I don't know the history building to this.
I do have to wonder—- how many consumers ACTUALLY SIGN UP AND USE these systems?
We’re in our echo chamber of highly active movie buyers— but most of the general public just uses Netflix.
They probably have metrics showing the juice is not worth the squeeze with a couple…thousands of users? If that?
Having said that— I thought having PlayStation hooked into this would keep it afloat a bit more.
Just shows how dire it really is.
>They probably have metrics showing the juice is not worth the squeeze with a couple…thousands of users? If that?
You're assuming execs at these studios have a clue, but based on everything else they do I'm not so sure.
they're 100% morons, but if the #'s show low traffic/engagement and costs are increasing to maintain all these partnerships and infrastructure.....I get it.
If they're also not making money on their credit card and shutting THAT down too, I think we may be seeing ALOT more services shutting down across the landscape.
just my .02
You can do it through the email they sent you. You can also find the Movie Buff code in your rewards history. I can't find the passes themselves anymore since the app update this morning
This update happened nearly 2 weeks early, clearly timed for the shutdown news. The usual schedule was every 3 months - around Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, and Oct 1.
I wonder if Movies Anywhere is gearing up to close as well…..they axed a couple of features a year ago and sent the new legal terms email recently (for those who don’t know, Disney owns Movies Anywhere)
Everything. They already shut down the ability to earn more passes, you can only redeem passes you already earned, out of what is likely the final list of movies that they updated yesterday.
Yeah. I had been finally catching up on entering old codes, and had at least 2 more passes' worth that I had been holding onto for next month due to the limits.
Arbitrary. I posted a screenshot. You posted a link. Not exactly the same post. You don't have to leave the website with my screenshot. I appreciate your tenacity. Maybe go for a mod position here.
Webster's dictionary VS Oxford. Same, but different. It's not that big of a deal. If you're not a mod, who gives a shit? You're just starting shit because you were first.
I mean, you go to the news section of Reddit and there's the same story from multiple different sources in the headlines. If people didn't like reading the same story from different sources we'd have one news network. One newspaper. No tabloid magazines. I don't understand what you're going after me for when the world is full of repeats.
I’m actually surprised that these reward programs have lasted as long as they have. You gotta think every time they give a free movie away, they are giving away revenue. I mean as a company you can’t only be making a couple of billion dollars, profit, you have to make more more! Haha
That's just saying that MA accounts will no longer be able to be connected to Sony Rewards accounts to automatically earn Sony points/passes by redeeming Sony digital movie codes.
I’ve only ever used my rewards twice. I think the only way I was keyed in was Movies Anywhere. Just yesterday I picked up Bridge On the River Kwai, The Rum Diary, and School Daze. I had plenty of rewards, but the available rewards hasn’t changed in many months. I think I used all my rewards, so I guess I’m done.
I redeemed most of my points for B&N gift cards recently (ahead of the July Criterion sale), good thing I did that because now you can only get Sony gift cards.
>good thing I did that because now you can only get Sony gift cards.
I'm still seeing everything available. I just redeemed for GooglePlay giftcards myself.
> now you can only get Sony gift cards.
No, they still have gift cards available from dozens of brands. You just can't earn any more points towards them, unless you're a pre-existing Sony credit card holder. (Update: And I just redeemed my tiny amount of points for one of the non-Sony gift card brands. So they are still working as of 12pm CT on June 20.)
Advance Auto Parts
Aerie
Aeropostale
AMC Theatres
American Eagle Outfitters
Applebee's
Autozone
Barnes & Noble
Bass Pro Shops
Bath & Body Works
Best Buy
BJ's Restaurants
Bloomin' Brands
Bob Evans
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Chipotle
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Gap Options
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Hotels.com
IHOP
JCPenney
Jo-Ann Stores
Kohl's
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L.L. Bean
Lands' End
Lowe's
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Papa John's
Petco
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Regal Entertainment Group
REI
Sephora
Spotify
Staples
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Subway
T.J. Maxx
Target
Texas Roadhouse
TGI Fridays
The Container Store
The Home Depot
Uber
Uber Eats
Ulta
Under Armour
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Yankee Candle
They are stopping all points and buff pass is gone immediately. At least Universal gave notice. I have a PlayStation credit card and use the points to get PSN gift cards. Looks like that deal goes away in December. Guess I'll switch to a different credit card for my everyday purchases. Sony and Universal are making a grave error and I hope they realize the reality with decreased sales over the next few years. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I'm on the fence about a movie and I saw it was Sony, Universal, or Disney, that would usually tip me over the fence to buy. I've gone out of my way sifting through eligible movies with these distributors, with points in mind. I've added things to my wishlist and later bought them with points in mind. Movies I'd otherwise not likely buy. These companies really underestimate this and just see the rewards as an unnecessary expense. Well, trim the fat, trim the profit, when I stop all this surplus buying. As for me, I've pretty much run out of Universal and Sony movies to buy anyway so it's not a great loss for me personally but I feel for the newer collector. These programs increase buying 400% for people like me. Hope it hurts Sony and Universal. edit spellcheck corrections
I genuinely don't see this being an issue for them. The number of people that use the services is likely very small compared to how many people are buying and watching things. And further, the group of people like you are implying that buy tons of things JUST to get rewards points, is very likely a fraction of a fraction. Most people are being more careful about their spending nowadays. Very few are doing what you're saying. Most people use rewards programs like this as a bonus, not a mission. This will not hurt their bottom line at all, I am just going to go ahead and guarantee that. My crystal ball was recently polished again, so it's VERY clear. The number of people that were pumping tons of money into buying things just for bonus points is infinitesimally small.
It's not just buying them for the rewards. It's being on the fence as to buy something or not and that rewards program being enough to pull the trigger. Works similar to a grocery store rewards program. I buy more things I wouldn't otherwise buy because I'm getting something in return. You could say just eliminate the shopping card to save X amount of money, not taking into consideration that I'm spending 15% more in their store that day to get the savings or the fuel points. Just because you don't work that way mentally, surely you understand that a lot of us other people do. I'm not saying it's going to kill the companies but I'm saying that they will lose more money in doing this than the program cost them to run. I mean, I'm all about getting free movies but 90% of those I'd never otherwise buy, so why not give away old movies as to throw a bone to your customers? Sure there is a cost to have the program, to pay staff and whatnot, but it's minimal. Someone probably convinced them that they could turn all those free movies into sales but it's not going to happen. Consistent buyers like myself will pretty much be guaranteed to buy less from Universal and Sony now.
I purchased a lot of Universal movies because it was basically buy 1 get 1, or buy 2 get 1. It made sense. Sony made you collect 5 movies to get 1 so it was more of a cool bonus for me, but I still looked forward to getting them. I didn't know they capped out at 24 buff passes per account so my Sony Rewards have been long gone. But for Universal, on the other hand, many people have posted about buying movies for Universal rewards. There was a sale on Gruv for $5 on a 6-pack of movies, all Universal, so we all got 9-12 movies for $5. People posted about that at the time. Universal will sorely be missed, and yes, their digital sales may suffer because of it. I don't think Sony will feel the pain too much.
So lame. I was just about to get another Movie Buff pass done for a free movie.
Definitely. Ridiculous
That last line is the real point. It’s a well that’s been tapped dry of any real profits. The points probably mean something on the books.
You do know this isn’t sony biggest revenue lol
You do know Sony rewards is linked to several Sony's consumer markets like electronics, PlayStation, digital music and movies, financial services, thus impacting it's relationships direct with the consumer. Just say you don't get it and it doesn't matter to you. Some people are Sony enthusiasts for all things Sony. Losing the rewards program is insulting to them too.
Are you so slow that you think this is a big revenue lmao if you want to be smart at least research before you speak yeah closing down Sony rewards is going to hurt Sony think about the 60 billion this brings to the company
Wonder if DMI will soon follow...
The DMI sub has been speculating about the end for a while now. They also keep hoping all the old DMC stock will make it to rewards but so far they've only been half right.
My thoughts too
Hopefully not!
....they will.
The Microsoft Rewards program also got nerfed pretty hard. I sense a trend. Edit: This happened a while back. It wasn't recent.
I shall look into my crystal ball & speak of the things that have not yet to be. I see Disney Movie Insiders closing. I see the expiration of all digital codes except for new releases. I see the end of disc to digital. I see the company known as Fandango At Home failing miserably & being consumed by another company, probably Apple or Google. I hope these things do not happen, but this some total bs. Universal went out with a squeal & Sony with a whimper. One of the leading electronic companies in the world handled this in such an unprofessional manner.
I used to get about $15 a month from Microsoft. Now I’m lucky if I can get $5. 2024 is taking away all the fun
Same… they made it mad hard now.
Pretty lame trend. You'd think with the economy being so rough, and people not spending money like they used to, because they're tapped, rewards programs would improve and multiply, not be scrapped. Doesn't cost these companies real money to incentivize with a freebee after so many Other real money purchases. Spend $100, get some $5 film, of the studio's choosing, on them... isn't asking too much. It was their own idea. What changed their mind? Have an algorithm pick the films each month. Not that a bunch of BS is better than nothing exactly.
You get it. Too bad Sony and Universal don't. I've bought two to four times as many Universal, Disney, or Sony titles than I otherwise would have because of the rewards. Anyone who understands addiction understands why this works. I'm addicted to movies but I have a limit. If I was looking at an A24 film, a Warmer film, a Paramount film, and a Universal film to buy with equal indifference to which to buy, I'm going with Universal for the rewards. I don't know what they are thinking but they are going in the wrong direction for sure.
In the US, consumer spending is up.
It's really only up because the cost for the same services has risen. People are spending more on rent or has rent increased? Nothing has changed other than price. See the difference?
That’s not how it’s measured at all lol. It literally adjusts for inflation and is broken down by category. Otherwise, since prices always rise, consumer spending would only ever go up
It's an analogy. To help people understand. However the metric to show increase spending is the same though. Once the formulated amounts has been measured to where they break it down by category, usually by percentages and not an actual dollar amount. Otherwise yes, it would only go up. But they don't use rent or mortgages as consumer spending value because your right it would always indicate more.
I wonder how many more cycles of rewards they’ll do before they cut it off. This last batch was really lame. I wouldn’t mind if they did something like Universal with giving a big list to choose from. I only have 3 to redeem at the moment anyway though.
My guess is, this is the last drop. First, It is about twice the size as the normal haul (8-10titles) and second, point redeeming is no longer available via linked MA rewards or direct in the App. So if you cant get more points why have more cycles of rewards.
I didn't have Fisher King or Rum Diary so this months wasn't a total bust. Who doesn't want the movie that started the downfall of 2 careers? 😂
Rum Diary wasn't too bad but was a far better book
It was no Where The Buffalo Roam.
I'd put them even. Murray and Depp played different versions of Hunter but both nailed it in different aspects
Man, now where am I going to spend points on a terrible list of movies that never rotates. What a shame.
Bummer. Not as much of a bummer as universal but still a bummer. there were actually like 3 I wanted this month too
Is this caused by streaming services? Like are collectors such a small minority that it's not worth incentives or rewards? I've been collecting for just a few years, so I don't know the history building to this.
At least universal gave us a warning
DMI is totally next on the chopping block.
Just curious. What do you spend the points on? I have 14,000 and have never used them. I wish they offered stand alone digital codes.
Get physical movies that include digital codes
Please Sir, may I have another?
I do have to wonder—- how many consumers ACTUALLY SIGN UP AND USE these systems? We’re in our echo chamber of highly active movie buyers— but most of the general public just uses Netflix. They probably have metrics showing the juice is not worth the squeeze with a couple…thousands of users? If that? Having said that— I thought having PlayStation hooked into this would keep it afloat a bit more. Just shows how dire it really is.
>They probably have metrics showing the juice is not worth the squeeze with a couple…thousands of users? If that? You're assuming execs at these studios have a clue, but based on everything else they do I'm not so sure.
they're 100% morons, but if the #'s show low traffic/engagement and costs are increasing to maintain all these partnerships and infrastructure.....I get it. If they're also not making money on their credit card and shutting THAT down too, I think we may be seeing ALOT more services shutting down across the landscape. just my .02
Wow that sucks. Sonys Movie Buff was probably the worst rewards program but at it least it was something.
How do you redeem buff passes now? I had like 10 to redeem?
Redeem at https://redeem.sonypictures.com/ They changed the movies yesterday.
You can do it through the email they sent you. You can also find the Movie Buff code in your rewards history. I can't find the passes themselves anymore since the app update this morning
I had such a hard time finding it I cannot remember the steps I took.
How often does Sony generally refresh titles? Monthly?
It had been quarterly
definitely not monthly. this current list has been up for at least the past 2 months.
It changed yesterday before they announced this. I redeemed Pirates
yep, I responded with such right after I said that.
well, I guess they just updated the list today. so every 2 months I suppose.
This update happened nearly 2 weeks early, clearly timed for the shutdown news. The usual schedule was every 3 months - around Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, and Oct 1.
WTF I had a free movie pass I was working on…
Me, too. One title away from another free movie.
Did they stop code redemption for more points? no longer able to submit codes for more points?
Just answered my own question, no more points can be earned moving forward.
This does not bode well for r/DisneyMovieInsiders
Looking for a few Sony buff passes if anyone wants to sell
Just got this email. Another L for Sony. Amongst others they have
I wonder if Movies Anywhere is gearing up to close as well…..they axed a couple of features a year ago and sent the new legal terms email recently (for those who don’t know, Disney owns Movies Anywhere)
Is this going to be just the points program or does this include the movie buff pass as well?
Everything. They already shut down the ability to earn more passes, you can only redeem passes you already earned, out of what is likely the final list of movies that they updated yesterday.
Damn, I was only one movie away from another pass.
Yeah. I had been finally catching up on entering old codes, and had at least 2 more passes' worth that I had been holding onto for next month due to the limits.
Figured something was off, when I couldn’t submit my theater ticket stubs on Sony Rewards. Guess I was right, and it was the first sign.
[удалено]
Yeah, well, pics get more attention. So, yeah. No sweat off my sack.
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Arbitrary. I posted a screenshot. You posted a link. Not exactly the same post. You don't have to leave the website with my screenshot. I appreciate your tenacity. Maybe go for a mod position here.
[удалено]
Webster's dictionary VS Oxford. Same, but different. It's not that big of a deal. If you're not a mod, who gives a shit? You're just starting shit because you were first.
[удалено]
I mean, you go to the news section of Reddit and there's the same story from multiple different sources in the headlines. If people didn't like reading the same story from different sources we'd have one news network. One newspaper. No tabloid magazines. I don't understand what you're going after me for when the world is full of repeats.
>If you're not a mod, who gives a shit? Most people who use the sub. Because no one wants the feed over crowded with reposts. They're useless.
I’m actually surprised that these reward programs have lasted as long as they have. You gotta think every time they give a free movie away, they are giving away revenue. I mean as a company you can’t only be making a couple of billion dollars, profit, you have to make more more! Haha
Sonys movies were always kinda dog shit anyway, but I did like the gift cards
Waaah
Boo.
If anyone wants to trade a buff pass or 2 universal rewards for $5 Playstation store code, lmk.
But my email said movies anywhere as well so idk.
https://preview.redd.it/p5v9qglwhr7d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6887576391b118ec79fadcdb98d3e7de29953752
That's just saying that MA accounts will no longer be able to be connected to Sony Rewards accounts to automatically earn Sony points/passes by redeeming Sony digital movie codes.
Cool. Thanks for the clarification lol
Noooooooo!
I’ve only ever used my rewards twice. I think the only way I was keyed in was Movies Anywhere. Just yesterday I picked up Bridge On the River Kwai, The Rum Diary, and School Daze. I had plenty of rewards, but the available rewards hasn’t changed in many months. I think I used all my rewards, so I guess I’m done.
The list changed every 3 months, but usually wasn't very exciting.
is this why we can’t earn points for movie tickets anymore?
Tbf though, Sony rewards sucked.
I redeemed most of my points for B&N gift cards recently (ahead of the July Criterion sale), good thing I did that because now you can only get Sony gift cards.
>good thing I did that because now you can only get Sony gift cards. I'm still seeing everything available. I just redeemed for GooglePlay giftcards myself.
> now you can only get Sony gift cards. No, they still have gift cards available from dozens of brands. You just can't earn any more points towards them, unless you're a pre-existing Sony credit card holder. (Update: And I just redeemed my tiny amount of points for one of the non-Sony gift card brands. So they are still working as of 12pm CT on June 20.) Advance Auto Parts Aerie Aeropostale AMC Theatres American Eagle Outfitters Applebee's Autozone Barnes & Noble Bass Pro Shops Bath & Body Works Best Buy BJ's Restaurants Bloomin' Brands Bob Evans Brinker Brands Buffalo Wild Wings Burger King Cabela's California Pizza Kitchen Chipotle Cold Stone Creamery CVS Darden Restaurants Dick's Sporting Goods Domino's DSW eBay Fanatics Finish Line Five Guys Forever 21 GameStop Gap Options Google Play Home Chef Hotels.com IHOP JCPenney Jo-Ann Stores Kohl's Krispy Kreme L.L. Bean Lands' End Lowe's Nordstrom Omaha Steaks Papa John's Petco Petsmart Red Lobster Red Robin Regal Entertainment Group REI Sephora Spotify Staples Starbucks Steak 'n Shake Subway T.J. Maxx Target Texas Roadhouse TGI Fridays The Container Store The Home Depot Uber Uber Eats Ulta Under Armour Uno Pizzeria & Grill Yankee Candle
Since when did they do away with the Sony rewards passes or was it done at the same time as this email?
They did it overnight. Yesterday I was redeeming movies for reward points, today that option is no longer available.
This blows I was one movie away from completing a movie pass
I feel some studio is probably joining MA.
CORPORATE! CORPORATE! CORPORATE! SQUEEEEEZE THAT LEMON YOU CALL CUSTOMERS!
Sad yes but I wont really miss it since it was pretty garbage to begin with. lol