I had gotten a free Fandango movie ticket code to the movie “Hobbs and Shaw” via a Brisk Tea promo. I really didn’t want to watch the movie, and I wanted to see if I could somehow cancel the ticket. I chose the AMC theater near my work just because it was the closest theater and picked a 10PM showing. I had heard that if the day ends, then the theater can’t do anything for you, so I figured I’d try to cancel BEFORE the showtime.
Before I went to the theater, I checked on Fandango to see what my options were. They didn’t give me any options to cancel the movie; I could have chatted with them, but decided not to. I then went to the theater, told them I couldn’t make the show anymore and if I could somehow get a pass for a future movie. The older lady (maybe the manager) behind the AMC rep muttered something like, “as long as you didn’t pay by Paypal…” The rep then scanned the Fandango movie bar code off my phone and then gave me a gift card for $11 (they didn’t refund the $2 Fandango fee.)
This deal isn’t hugely scalable and I could see the theater shutting you down if you try to scale this, but the next time you see a free movie promo for a movie you don’t want to watch, this is an option for you. I didn’t try this at any other movie chain, so YMMV.