Many people ask how to cancel their Planet Fitness membership easily. The main ways to cancel your Planet Fitness membership are by visiting your home club in person or by sending a letter through certified mail. You generally cannot cancel online, by phone, or by email. There might be a planet fitness cancellation fee if you are ending a contract before the agreed time is up, but often there is no fee if you are on a month-to-month plan or your contract term has ended.
Image Source: i.redd.it
Decoding the Planet Fitness Membership Rules
Before you try to cancel, it helps to know a bit about how Planet Fitness memberships work. Every gym has its own rules for stopping your membership. Knowing the planet fitness cancellation policy upfront can save you time and trouble.
People choose to cancel their gym memberships for many reasons. Maybe you are moving to a new town. Maybe your work schedule changed. Maybe you found another gym you like better. Or maybe you just are not using the membership as much as you thought you would. Whatever the reason, you have the right to cancel. But you need to follow the specific steps Planet Fitness asks you to take.
A big point to remember is your billing date. Planet Fitness charges you once a month. They also have a yearly fee, sometimes called the annual fee, that they charge around the same time each year. To stop planet fitness billing, especially before the annual fee hits your account, you need to cancel before your next billing date. Most clubs ask for notice, often by the 10th of the month, to stop the bill for the next month. If you cancel after this date, you might still be charged for the upcoming month. It is always best to check with your specific club or look at your membership agreement for the exact date.
Knowing these basic rules is the first step. It helps you pick the right time and method for cancelling.
The Two Main Ways to Stop Your Membership
Planet Fitness gives you two official ways to cancel your membership. These methods are set by their company rules. It is important to use one of these two ways to make sure your cancellation is official and that you successfully stop planet fitness billing.
Cancelling at Your Home Club
One simple way to cancel is to go directly to your Planet Fitness club. This must be the club where you first signed up. They call this your “home club.”
-
Why this way can be good:
- You talk to a person face-to-face. This can help you ask questions and make sure you understand everything.
- You might be able to get the cancellation done right away.
- You can ask for a copy of the paper showing you cancelled. This is important proof.
-
Things to know about this way:
- You need to go during their staffed hours. Clubs are usually open all the time, but staff might only be there during certain hours. Call ahead or check online for staff hours.
- You will likely need to fill out a special paper. This is often called a planet fitness cancellation form.
- Make sure you have your membership details with you, like your membership number.
This method is often preferred by people who live close to their home club and want to deal with things directly. It gives you immediate confirmation, which can help avoid future billing problems.
Cancelling by Sending Mail
The second main way to cancel is to send a letter to your home club. This letter needs to follow specific rules.
- The rule about certified mail: Planet Fitness requires you to send your cancellation letter by certified mail. This is a service offered by the post office. When you send something certified mail, the post office gives you a receipt. This receipt proves that you sent the letter. The post office also tracks the letter and gets a signature when it is delivered to the club. This delivery confirmation is your planet fitness certified letter proof that the club received your request.
-
Why certified mail is important:
- It gives you solid proof that you sent the letter and that the club received it.
- If there is ever a question about your cancellation, you have the post office’s records to show you followed the rules. This proof can be very helpful if you face difficulty cancelling planet fitness or if billing does not stop.
-
What to put in the letter:
- Your full name.
- Your address and phone number.
- Your Planet Fitness membership number. (You can usually find this on your key tag or on your online account).
- A clear statement that you want to cancel your membership.
- The date you want the cancellation to be effective (keeping in mind the billing date rules).
- Your signature.
-
Where to send the letter: You need to send the letter to the address of your home Planet Fitness club. Make sure you have the correct mailing address for that specific location.
Sending a certified letter is a good option if you cannot easily get to your home club. It gives you the necessary proof, even though it might take a few days for the letter to arrive and be processed.
Why You Usually Cannot Cancel Online or By Phone
Many services today let you cancel things online with just a few clicks. It would be convenient to simply cancel planet fitness online. However, based on their stated policy and common experience, Planet Fitness generally does not allow members to cancel online.
- No Online Cancellation: You typically cannot log into your Planet Fitness account online and find a “cancel membership” button. Their system is not set up for this for cancellations. They want you to use the in-person or certified mail methods.
- No Phone Cancellation: Calling your local club or Planet Fitness customer service usually will not result in a cancellation. They will likely tell you that you must cancel either in person or by sending a certified letter. Phone calls do not provide the same kind of documented proof that the other two methods do.
- No Email Cancellation: Sending an email to the club or corporate office is also generally not accepted as a valid way to cancel your membership according to their rules. Email does not meet their requirement for formal, documented notice like the in-person form or certified mail does.
These rules can seem strict, and some people find it frustrating that they cannot just click a button or make a quick call. This is often cited as a source of difficulty cancelling planet fitness for some members. However, knowing this rule upfront helps you use the correct method from the start.
Important Things to Know When Cancelling
Successfully stopping your Planet Fitness membership involves more than just picking a method. Several details are important to watch out for.
Timing is Everything
As mentioned before, the timing of your cancellation request is very important to stop planet fitness billing. Most gyms, including Planet Fitness, have a cutoff date before the next billing cycle. If you want to avoid being charged for the next month, your cancellation request needs to be received by the club before this date. This date is often around the 10th of the month for billing that happens later in the month.
Let’s say your bill is usually charged on the 17th of each month. Your club might require cancellation notice by the 10th. If you submit your request on the 11th, you will likely still be charged on the 17th, and your membership will end after that next billing cycle. Always check your membership agreement or ask your club for their specific cancellation deadline.
The Annual Fee
Do not forget the planet fitness annual fee. This is a yearly charge that is separate from your monthly fee. If your annual fee is coming up soon, and you do not want to pay it, you must cancel before that fee is charged to your account. This means you need to factor the annual fee date into your cancellation timing plans. Cancelling after the annual fee is charged means you have paid it, and you usually will not get a refund for it, even if you cancel right after.
Knowing About the Cancellation Fee
Is there a planet fitness cancellation fee? This depends on the type of membership you have and how long you have had it.
- Contract Memberships: If you signed up for a membership with a set length (like a 12-month contract), you might have agreed to stay a member for that whole time. If you cancel before the contract time is over, you might have to pay a fee. This fee is the planet fitness cancellation fee for breaking the contract early. The amount can vary but is often around $58.
- Month-to-Month Memberships: If you joined on a plan where you just pay month by month without a long-term contract, you can usually cancel at any time without paying a cancellation fee. You just need to follow the cancellation steps and respect the monthly billing cutoff date.
Check your original membership agreement papers. They will clearly state if you are in a contract and what the fee is for early cancellation.
Getting and Keeping Proof
This is perhaps the most important tip. No matter which method you use, get proof of your cancellation.
- In Person: If you fill out a planet fitness cancellation form at the club, ask for a signed and dated copy of the form. Make sure the staff member gives you a copy.
- By Mail: If you send a certified letter, keep the receipt from the post office when you mail it. Also, pay for the “Return Receipt Requested” service. This is a small green card that the person at Planet Fitness signs when they receive your letter. This signed card is mailed back to you by the post office. Keep this signed return receipt card and your original mailing receipt. This is your planet fitness certified letter proof of delivery.
Keeping this proof is vital. If you ever have a problem later, like being billed again, you can show them the dated paper or the certified mail proof that you cancelled according to their rules.
Dealing with Difficulty Cancelling
Some people report facing difficulty cancelling planet fitness memberships. This might happen if:
- The club says they did not receive your letter (this is where certified mail proof is key).
- They claim you did not follow the right steps.
- Billing continues after you thought you cancelled.
If you face problems:
1. Stay calm but firm.
2. Have your proof ready (copy of the form, certified mail receipts).
3. Clearly explain when and how you cancelled.
4. If the local club is not helping, you can try contacting Planet Fitness corporate customer service. Their contact information might be on their website or your membership papers.
5. If billing issues continue unfairly, you may need to contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charges, providing them with your cancellation proof.
Being prepared with knowledge and proof makes it much easier to handle any issues that come up.
Cancelling Your Black Card Membership
Planet Fitness offers different types of memberships, like the basic one and the Black Card. The Black Card usually costs more and gives you extra benefits, like bringing a guest or using any Planet Fitness club.
If you want to cancel planet fitness black card, the cancellation method is the same as cancelling any other membership: you must do it in person at your home club or by sending a certified letter. The rules about timing, fees (if you were in a contract), and getting proof still apply.
Sometimes, people might want to keep a basic membership but get rid of the Black Card benefits to pay less. This might be possible by downgrading your membership instead of fully cancelling it. You would need to talk to the staff at your home club about changing your membership type. This is different from a full cancellation.
Steps For Cancelling Your Membership
Here are step-by-step guides for the two main ways to cancel. Following these steps carefully helps make sure your cancellation is processed correctly.
Steps to Cancel In Person
- Find Your Home Club: Make sure you go to the Planet Fitness location where you originally signed up.
- Check Staffed Hours: Call the club or check their website/app for the hours when staff members are available. Cancellations cannot usually be done when only overnight staff or security are present.
- Go to the Club: Visit the club during their staffed hours.
- Ask to Cancel: Tell the staff member at the front desk that you want to cancel your membership.
- Fill Out the Form: They will likely give you a planet fitness cancellation form to fill out. Provide all the required information accurately, including your name, address, membership number, and sign it.
- Confirm Details: Ask the staff member about the effective date of the cancellation and if there are any fees (like an annual fee coming up or an early cancellation fee). Make sure you understand when your last bill will be.
- Get Your Copy: Very important: Ask for and wait for a signed and dated copy of the cancellation form. This is your proof. Do not leave without it.
- Keep the Copy: Store this copy in a safe place.
Following these steps and getting your copy of the form should complete the process.
Steps to Cancel By Certified Mail
- Write Your Letter: Write a clear and simple letter stating your wish to cancel your Planet Fitness membership.
- Include Key Information: In the letter, include your full name, address, phone number, and your Planet Fitness membership number. State clearly that you want to cancel your membership and mention the date you are writing the letter. You can state you wish for the cancellation to be effective before your next billing cycle (mention your billing date if you know it).
- Sign the Letter: Sign the letter with your full signature.
- Find the Club Address: Get the exact mailing address for your home Planet Fitness location. Do not use a corporate address unless specifically instructed (which is rare for cancellations).
- Go to the Post Office: Take your letter to a post office.
- Ask for Certified Mail: Tell the postal worker you want to send the letter by certified mail. Also, ask for “Return Receipt Requested.” This service costs a little extra but is worth it for the proof it provides.
- Mail the Letter: The postal worker will help you fill out the certified mail forms, attach the right stickers, and will process the mail.
- Keep Your Receipts: You will get a receipt from the post office with a tracking number. Keep this receipt safe.
- Watch for the Return Receipt: In a week or two, you should receive a small green postcard in the mail. This is the return receipt, signed by someone at Planet Fitness, proving they got your letter. Keep this card safe with your original mailing receipt. This is your definitive planet fitness certified letter proof.
- Track Delivery (Optional but Recommended): You can use the tracking number on your receipt on the postal service website to see when your letter was delivered.
Once the club receives your certified letter, they should process the cancellation according to their policy. The effective date will be based on when they receive it relative to your billing cycle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When trying to cancel, some people make simple mistakes that can cause delays or problems.
- Assuming Online Works: Do not assume you can cancel planet fitness online. Their policy usually requires in-person or certified mail cancellation. Trying online will not work and will just delay your actual cancellation.
- Calling or Emailing Instead of Mailing: Similar to online, phone calls and emails are generally not accepted methods for cancelling. Use the official ways.
- Sending to the Wrong Address: If sending mail, make sure you send it to the specific address of your home club, not a corporate office or a different club location.
- Not Using Certified Mail: Sending a regular letter means you have no proof it was sent or received. Always use certified mail with return receipt if mailing your cancellation. This planet fitness certified letter is your security.
- Cancelling Too Close to Billing: Remember the cutoff date. If you cancel just a few days before your bill is due, you will likely still be charged for that month. Plan ahead.
- Forgetting About the Annual Fee: If your annual fee is coming up, make sure your cancellation is effective before that date if you do not want to pay it.
- Not Getting Proof: This is a big one. Without a copy of the form or the certified mail receipts, it is much harder to argue if there is a problem later.
- Throwing Away Membership Info: Keep your membership number and a copy of your contract until well after you have cancelled and confirmed billing has stopped. This info is needed for the cancellation process.
By being aware of these common issues, you can make the cancellation process much smoother.
What Happens After You Cancel?
After you have submitted your cancellation request, either in person or by certified mail, the club should process it.
- Processing Time: It might take a few days for your cancellation request to be fully processed in their system.
- Last Billing: Based on the cancellation date and your billing cycle, they will determine if you owe one more monthly payment. If you cancelled before the cutoff date for your next bill, you should not be charged again. If you cancelled after that date, you will likely be charged one more time, and your membership will be valid until the end of that next billing cycle.
- Annual Fee: If you cancelled before the annual fee date, it should not be charged. If you cancelled after, you would have paid it, and your membership would continue until the end of the period that fee covers (usually a year from the charge date, although you would still need to cancel monthly billing effectively).
- Stop Planet Fitness Billing: The goal is for the club to update their system so that your bank account or credit card is no longer charged monthly or annually. This is why getting proof is so important – it confirms they received your request to stop billing.
- Check Your Bank Statements: For a couple of months after you cancel, keep a close eye on your bank account or credit card statements. Make sure that no more charges from Planet Fitness appear. If you see charges you believe are wrong, contact the club first, then customer service, and use your proof. If the issue is not resolved, you may need to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company, providing your cancellation proof.
Completing the cancellation process correctly and verifying that billing has stopped are the final steps to successfully ending your membership.
Considering Alternatives: Freezing Your Membership
If you are not sure you want to cancel completely, or if you only need a break for a short time (like due to injury or travel), Planet Fitness allows you to freeze your membership.
- How Freezing Works: Freezing your membership temporarily stops your monthly billing. You usually cannot use the gym while your membership is frozen.
- Rules for Freezing: There are usually rules about how long you can freeze your membership (often a few months) and how often you can do it. You usually have to request a freeze in person at the club or by sending a certified letter, similar to cancellation.
- Why Freeze Instead of Cancel? If you plan to come back within a few months, freezing saves you the trouble of cancelling and then having to sign up again later (which might involve new fees or different membership terms).
- Freezing vs. Cancellation: Freezing is temporary. Cancellation is permanent. Make sure you choose the option that best fits your needs. Freezing does not automatically lead to cancellation; it just pauses things.
If you are unsure, talk to the staff at your home club about the option to freeze your membership and the rules around it.
Knowing About the Planet Fitness Cancellation Form
When you cancel in person, you will likely be asked to fill out a planet fitness cancellation form. This is the official paperwork the club uses to record your request.
- What’s on the Form: The form will ask for identifying information (name, address, phone, membership number), and it will have a section for you to state that you are cancelling your membership. It might also ask for a reason for cancelling (though you do not have to provide one if you prefer not to).
- Why it’s Used: This form helps the club process your request correctly and update their records.
- Your Role: Make sure you fill out the form clearly and completely. Sign and date it.
- Getting a Copy: Again, always, always ask for a signed and dated copy of this form for your records. This is your proof of cancelling in person.
This form is a standard part of the in-person cancellation process at many gyms, including Planet Fitness.
Grasping the Planet Fitness Certified Letter
If you cannot visit the club in person, sending a planet fitness certified letter is the required way to cancel by mail. It is not just any letter; it must be sent using the certified mail service.
- What it Is: Certified mail provides legal proof that your letter was mailed and delivered. The post office tracks it, and someone at the club must sign for it upon delivery.
- Why it’s Necessary: Planet Fitness requires this method to ensure they have a verifiable record of receiving your cancellation request. This prevents situations where a member claims they mailed a letter, and the club claims they never got it.
- What You Get: You get a mailing receipt from the post office with a tracking number. If you pay for “Return Receipt Requested,” you get a signed green card back in the mail after delivery. Both are part of your planet fitness certified letter proof package.
- What to Include: The letter itself should be simple and clear, containing your membership details and a statement that you wish to cancel.
Using certified mail protects you by giving you clear evidence that you followed the required steps to cancel your membership.
Comprehending Stop Planet Fitness Billing
The main goal of cancelling is to stop planet fitness billing. This means ensuring they no longer charge your bank account or credit card for monthly fees, annual fees, or any other membership-related costs.
- When Billing Stops: Billing should stop after your cancellation request is processed, assuming it was received before the cutoff date for the next billing cycle. If you missed the cutoff, you will be billed one more time, and that will be your final payment.
- How to Confirm: The best way to confirm billing has stopped is to check your financial statements in the months following your cancellation. Look for any charges from Planet Fitness.
- If Billing Continues: If you are charged after you believe your membership should have been cancelled, this is where your proof (copy of the form or certified mail receipts) becomes essential. Contact the club or corporate customer service and provide your proof. If they do not resolve it, contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge, providing them with your proof.
Successfully stopping the billing is the final confirmation that your cancellation was handled correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to common questions about cancelling a Planet Fitness membership.
Q: Can I cancel my Planet Fitness membership online?
A: No, Planet Fitness policy typically requires you to cancel in person at your home club or by sending a certified letter. You generally cannot cancel online.
Q: Is there a Planet Fitness cancellation fee?
A: There might be a planet fitness cancellation fee if you are cancelling a membership that was part of a long-term contract (like 12 months) before the contract period is finished. This fee is often around $58. If you are on a month-to-month plan or your contract term is over, there is usually no cancellation fee.
Q: How much notice do I need to give to cancel?
A: You usually need to submit your cancellation request before a specific date in the month to avoid being charged for the next billing cycle. This date is often around the 10th of the month, but you should confirm the exact date with your home club or in your membership agreement.
Q: What is a Planet Fitness certified letter?
A: A planet fitness certified letter is the required way to mail your cancellation request. It’s a letter sent through the post office’s certified mail service, which provides proof of mailing and requires a signature upon delivery to the club. This gives you proof the club received your request.
Q: What should I include in the certified letter?
A: Include your full name, address, phone number, Planet Fitness membership number, a clear statement that you want to cancel, the date, and your signature.
Q: Do I need a special form to cancel?
A: If you cancel in person, you will likely need to fill out a planet fitness cancellation form provided by the club staff.
Q: What if I have a Planet Fitness Black Card? Is cancellation different?
A: No, the method for how to cancel planet fitness black card is the same as cancelling any other membership: either in person at your home club or by sending a certified letter.
Q: How can I make sure Planet Fitness stops billing me?
A: Follow the correct cancellation process (in person or certified mail) and ensure your request is received before the monthly cutoff date. Get and keep proof of your cancellation (a copy of the form or certified mail receipts). Check your bank statements afterward to confirm billing has stopped. This helps you stop planet fitness billing.
Q: What should I do if I have difficulty cancelling Planet Fitness?
A: If you face difficulty cancelling planet fitness, make sure you followed the correct steps and have your proof of cancellation ready. Contact the club again with your proof. If unresolved, contact Planet Fitness corporate customer service. If billing continues unfairly, you can dispute the charges with your bank or credit card company using your cancellation proof.
Wrapping It Up
Cancelling your Planet Fitness membership requires following their specific process: either going to your home club in person or sending a certified letter. You generally cannot cancel online, by phone, or by email. Be mindful of the billing cutoff date and the annual fee date to avoid unexpected charges. Always get proof of your cancellation, whether it’s a copy of the signed form from the club or the certified mail receipts from the post office. This proof is essential if any issues arise, like continued billing. By understanding the planet fitness cancellation policy and following these steps carefully, you can navigate the process smoothly and successfully stop planet fitness billing.