I don't know where you could put this, maybe make a wiki, but info about each theater would be cool... for example:
Regal Natomas: You can't swap your pass for a ticket. You have to wait in line. If the line is out the door, then odds are you won't get in. I've stood in line there 2 hours early twice now and didn't get in. However, sometimes I go and there is hardly anybody in line and the theater will be half empty during the movie.
Century 14 (arden/alta arden): You can swap your pass here for a ticket then come back when the movie starts.
GreenBack theater: You can swap your pass here for a ticket then come back when the movie starts. Not sure if it's all the time, but for G-Force they start swapping passes for tickets at 5PM.