Six Flags offers tix discount in gas price stunt

May 5, 2006, 3:31 PM · Six Flags, every known for its aggressive discounting through everything from cola cans to yogurt lids to bread wrappers, has introduced a new discount promotion, with a timely theme.

The amusement park chain is offering $15 off up to six admission tickets for... a gasoline receipt.

Buy a tank... get $15 off Six Flags. The chain is launching the promotion with ads in the New York Times and USA Today which state:

"Our President is Doing Something about Gas Prices"

Read the fine print to find the punch line: "'Bring any gas receipt to our main gate and we'll give you $15 off admission' -- Mark Shapiro, President/CEO, Six Flags." The deal's good through May 29.

In other Six Flags news, the company's continuing its campaign to get more family visitors by debuting a character brunch, Brunch with Bugs. Kids who attend get a free membership in the chain's new "Carrothead Club," getting them a monthly newsletter with puzzles, games and park news.

Replies (5)

May 6, 2006 at 11:34 AM · Now this is truely a great thing! More companies need to find a way to combat rising gas prices! Kudos Six Flags!
May 6, 2006 at 9:30 PM · That's a novel idea, but consider that the gate admission and parking prices have risen significantly in many of their parks, along with in park items such as food and drink. The only area that this discount is really effective in is the area of media attention. The discount will offset a lot of the price increases recently heaped upon the customer. To me, it's kind of like a car lot marking their cars up $3000, and then sending flyers in the mail to people advertising $3000 off any purchase. It's a public relations gag, albeit a good one.

If they really want to combat gas prices, they (along with other park chains) should adopt Cedar Fair's attitude and actually cut prices around the park. Cedar Point reduced it's regular admission by five bucks to $39.95, kids admission $9.95. They slashed food prices inside the park, taking a dollar or two off of many items such as hot dogs, pizza and sweets (last years $3 bag of cotton candy is now $.25) and 50 cents or so off of soft drinks. Many of these prices cuts are also happening at Cedar Fair's other parks.

May 7, 2006 at 7:50 PM · I am really surprised that Universal hasnt done this campaign. It would really add more to the free ticket, and free children campaigns that they had going earlier this year. After all, if you're not going to add any major attractions, you have to keep people coming in somehow.
But the savings do equal out, and I agree that it would be a great deal if the parking and other prices didnt surge as well.
May 9, 2006 at 7:42 AM · This discount doesn't count for much considering the overabundance of discount coupons. I seriously doubt that more than 25% of visitors actually pay full price anyway. I will give credit to Six Flags for the buzz they are creating, would an announcement about a $15 discount coupon on a Coke can make it on the Blog Flume?
May 9, 2006 at 10:18 AM · It's not so much the savings as it's the principle of the whole thing. It's the statement they're making to the gas companies.

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