CEA card?

ev8

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, out this.

I have just seen about the CEA card for the cinema, to get a carer in for free.

My question is, I do not have this, I am entitled to this, but I do not go to the cinema much at all, I think the last time I went was nearly seven years ago and don't wish to continue going, so it would be a waste of money.

So, would I be able to get the free carer ticket if I take proof of disability, say DLA award letter or freedom pass or something? I don't have a blue badge as I cannot drive and don't have a car for someone else to use either.

Thanks for any help on this.

sheeps68

You're right if you don't go to the cinema it is really not worth it. I figure on more than one trip per year to the cinema and I'm saving money.
I tried once a few years back to get a carer in free before I got my cinema card with proof of DLA. It didn't work but really do not think person serving me understood what the DLA letter proved. So think it would be inconsistent in if was successful or not. However as you said you don't go to the cinema so nothing to worry about and for one trip a year or less you'd be as well just paying for the 2 tickets.

w06

Our local cinema just automatically sells me one plus carer (at the cost of one) when I ask for two adult tickets. I've never asked them to nor shown proof.

I did have a card years ago but go so infrequently I forgot to renew it. If you go to the cinema even once it pays for itself though.

ev8

w06 wrote: »

Our local cinema just automatically sells me one plus carer (at the cost of one) when I ask for two adult tickets. I've never asked them to nor shown proof.

I did have a card years ago but go so infrequently I forgot to renew it. If you go to the cinema even once it pays for itself though.

Are you in a wheelchair by chance? Otherwise how do they know to sell you that?

I agree, it does pay for itself even on one visit for two, I just don't think I can get it in time as I thought we may go this week possibly.

I just didn't know if you could take other evidence instead.

davidplans

I live in supported living with care staff, the care staff only have to show their care ID to get in for free.

Stacey81

I not sure if it help but me had situation where me went cinema with my carer and me NOT did have the CEA card and they DID refuse my carer free ticket, me disabilitys is oveiouse to see.


I ask speak manager and they try say me NEED CEA card me exsplain them that I didn't know anything bout CEA card and then I was told bout it and given free carer ticket for that visit (I did know bout the CEA card though.. me exsplain this more in minuete)


This particular time me had gone difwant cinema to me local as me was away. When get tickets in end. me then had use lift me not could get out cause they leav cleaning trolly in front lift and then get in theature they hav wheelchair space by VIP seats and carer seat 2 rows in front me. this not was good as I hav sezuirs and need help eat drink and choke easy ans me need carer next me so can help me... me asked cinema people if anywhere else can go cause need be next carer they said no that way it is.... but the people who had pay MORE for they VIP seats stood up and move smile at me, tap my carer on shoulder tell him take our seats pleas.... they not did have do that but waqs super nice they did!


when me got home me did write complain to cinema cause I be talk to rude and me was trap in lift and got hurt by chairs get round corner to screen (movable chairs they should no have had there not chairs in the screen) and cause I felt seating was bad.


Me ALSO quoted something to them from CEA Website... that's what I think people should remember


'You don’t need to have a CEA Card for a reasonable adjustment to be made and cinemas still have to make reasonable adjustments. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, the UKCA’s policy is cinema staff should make them for you.'


its right on they homepage of they website. me added this to me complaint and me got reply apologising for the blocked lift and chairs in coridors and they also said I was right you DO NOT need CEA card, if you can prove you have a disability that DO need a carer....


However do member not everyone going be able physical see everyone disabilitys, but your DLA letter if you on the equivilant to what requires the CEA card then you not will need buy the CEA card just need you DLA letter.


My normall cinema NEVER ask me for CEA card they just take me carers post code and giv free tickets.


For me ordeal at that bad cinema me got 2 free tickets. so me went see 2 films with me 2 free tickets and me free carer.


Worth thinking if you disabilitys clear enough or if you cans pove you disability easy you can save pennys having pay something else remind you you has a disability.... BUT do think hard cause NOT ALL disabilitys is visable to others.


hope that can be of some help
stacey

ev8

Thank you Stacey, all my disabilities are invisible, so I have experienced times when I have been laughed away having to use the accessible benefits in places.

I went to the cinema the other week and they were very helpful, I bought proof of disability, the kiosk man waved over to a duty manager, he just clicked though a free carer ticket without asking for proof or anything which was good and it's nice to know too, although I don't get to the cinema much at all, this was the first time in over six years!

Doom_and_Gloom

Before I got my CEA card I only got my carer/partner in once for free (well twice as we were seeing two films that day and bought them at the same time). I thanked them knowing they didn't have to do the free carer as I didn't have a CEA card; I've been using a wheelchair when out for many years now. The one perk we have had in the past was when the only lift working in the cinema was the one for the gallery seats. We had used our insider cards so was I believe £6 each at the time and we were upgraded automatically for free including the food and drinks! This was to say sorry for the other lift being broken. My partner ate the food happily not really bothered about the seats. I really enjoyed the gallery as I'd wanted to always try it but it isn't cheap so I never found a way to justify the cost. The seats were comfortable, usually I opt to stay in my wheelchair as most aren't.

The cinema is soo expencive that the £6.00 for a CEA card saves us loads of money. Even if you go once it will save you some money. Not all cinemas will take DLA/PIP awards or even a wheelchair as proof as there is a card scheme in place. They may not be consistent in allowing them as proof either if they have before; the card is a guarantee for discount.

ev8

We phoned the cinema before we went and they said they always offer a free carer with proof and no need for the card, but that may vary from place to place, but I personally don't go anywhere else.