Niles: Cheap passes won't buy a fix for Six Flags

"Years of underselling its parks with cheap annual passes have failed to deliver positive financial results for the company. So what is Six Flags going to do in 2026? It is going to keep selling cheap annual passes, but this time the company is going to make them even cheaper. That'll work, right? Six Flags has announced that it will allow Gold-level passholders and members admission to all parks in one of four home regions in North America, as well as to their home park."

"The company also is running a sale on low-level Silver passes at designated parks, upgrading them to the Gold level for no extra charge. That means that you can now buy a Gold Pass from Six Flags Magic Mountain for just $90. That pass also will get you into Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags' two parks in the Bay Area for free, all year long."

"The only catch is the pass does not include $35 daily parking at Knott's, but it does provide free parking at the other parks. At Knott's, you can buy a Gold Pass for $140 that gets you into Magic Mountain and the Bay Area parks, but again does not get you free Knott's parking. For that, you have to buy a $300 Prestige pass, which includes access to all Six Flags parks in North America, plus other benefits, including one single-use Fast Lane per visit. Or you can buy a $90 all-season parking pass, but with the Prestige pass selling for just an extra $70 bucks, I suspect that most fans would opt for that."

Six Flags will cut annual pass prices further in 2026 while expanding Gold-pass access to all parks within one of four North American home regions plus the passholder's home park. The company is upgrading select low-level Silver passes to Gold at no extra charge and running discounted offers such as a $90 Gold Pass from Six Flags Magic Mountain. Knott's Berry Farm Gold Passes exclude a $35 daily parking fee, while a $300 Prestige pass offers nationwide access and extra benefits including one single-use Fast Lane per visit. The Perks & Play program will grant immediate benefits to all passholders, with surprise bonuses tied to visitation, though perks remain redeemable only at home parks.

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