3 New Unlimited Subscription Services: Are They Worth the Price?

by Jessica Sommerfield · 4 comments

The concept of monthly membership-based services is nothing new. You probably already pay a monthly rate for unlimited texts and data on your phone, unlimited Internet service, or satellite television. Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and other streaming media services also allow you to enjoy as many movies you like (within the database) for a flat monthly fee.

Recently, I discussed yet another new membership-based service known as ClassPass — a concept started in New York that allows fitness enthusiasts to enjoy nearly unlimited access to high-profile studios in their neighborhood while paying much less than they would for individual classes.

Well, it doesn’t end there. The following are a few subscription services you may not have heard of yet, and information to help you decide whether or not they’re a good fit for your lifestyle.

MoviePass

For $30-$35 a month, this service allows members to see up to one new release movie every 24 hours, in any theater they choose. Members simply open the MoviePass app to choose which movie they want to watch, and pay for tickets with a MoviePass-issued credit card.

The downsides are that you have to pay for a full 12-month membership (although 12 monthly fees aren’t required upfront). You also can’t use this membership on 3-D or IMAX features.

Is MoviePass worth the price? If you watch at least three movies a month in theater, the subscription price could be worth it. This all depends on how cheap tickets are in your area. If it’s still cheaper for you to pay per visit based on your habits, don’t bother. On the other hand, if you prefer to watch your movies on the big screen, MoviePass might be a smart way to pay less and watch more.

Jukely

Do you attend many live concerts, and enjoy checking out new and upcoming artists? Jukely is a concert-booking service that costs $25 a month ($45 for two people). New venues are posted on Jukely’s site every day, and stay active for 48 hours.

Once you select an event, your tickets are automatically reserved. The downside is that if you don’t cancel, or don’t show, your account will be frozen for the next two days (no new concerts for you). Unlike MoviePass, Jukely is limited to 13 major cities, but will undoubtedly expand soon.

Is Jukely worth the price? Jukely’s $25 monthly fee covers the average cost of a ticket to most of their featured events, so even if you only plan to attend one concert a month, it’s paid for. If you’re not close to a major city that hosts many of the events, the cost of travel might not be worth the advantages.

Cups

Coffee lovers, unite! Finally, there’s a service offering unlimited fresh-brewed coffee and tea, from privately-owned shops, at a flat monthly fee. For $90 a month, you get unlimited black coffee or tea in any size by simply showing your app to the barista.

For $120, you can upgrade to fancier coffees like lattes, cappuccinos, or espressos. The trick is that you have to get your java fix from only non-chain, participating coffee shops. The program is currently limited to New York City, with plans to expand to other major cities in the near future.

Is Cups worth the price? If you already purchase at least one $3 a drink per day, you break even with the $90 membership; if you spend $4 a day, you might as well spend the $120.  It all depends on how important your coffee habit is to you, and how busy your lifestyle. There are many ways to save even this amount by brewing your own artisan coffee at home.

Do any of these sound like a good fit for you? Membership deals aren’t for everyone, but they can make habits you’ve already incorporated more affordable and streamlined. Check these out, and see if you can save some money without having to change your lifestyle.

Have you tried any of these subscription services? What other programs do you participate in each month to save money?

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