Planet Fitness Annual Fee – When Is It Charged?
If you’re a Planet Fitness member or thinking about joining, one charge tends to catch people off guard is the Planet Fitness annual fee. It’s separate from your regular monthly dues, and it hits your account once a year on a specific date.
Knowing exactly when the annual fee is charged, how much it costs, and how to plan for it, can save you from an unwelcome surprise on your bank statement.
Key Highlights
- The Planet Fitness annual fee is typically charged on or around October 1 for most members, though your specific date may vary based on when you signed up.
- This fee is $49.99 for Classic Card members and $49.99 for Black Card members, and it is separate from your monthly membership dues.
- The annual fee is non-refundable, and canceling your membership requires doing so before the billing date to avoid being charged.
What Is the Planet Fitness Annual Fee?
The annual fee is a once-a-year charge that Planet Fitness bills on top of your standard monthly membership.
Note
Planet Fitness describes it as a fee that goes toward gym maintenance, equipment upkeep, and facility improvements. It is not optional. Every active member pays it regardless of which plan they’re on.
This charge appears on your billing statement as a single lump sum. It’s completely separate from the $15 or $24.99 (depending on your plan) that you pay each month.
➤ Many members forget about it because it only shows up once per year, which is exactly why it generates so much confusion.
When Is the Planet Fitness Annual Fee Charged?
For the majority of Planet Fitness members, the annual enhancement fee is billed on or around October 1.
However, this is not a universal rule. Your actual billing date depends on when you originally signed your membership agreement.
When you first join Planet Fitness, the annual fee date is spelled out in your contract. Some members who signed up during promotional periods or at certain franchise locations may see their annual fee hit in a different month.
The most reliable way to confirm your exact date is to:
✦ Check your original membership agreement (digital or paper copy).
✦ Log into your account at Planet Fitness website and review your billing details.
✦ Call or visit your home club and ask the front desk staff directly.
Planet Fitness does not typically send a reminder before the annual fee is charged. It is automatically debited from the payment method on file, so keeping your billing information current is essential.
How Much Is the Annual Fee?
Planet Fitness charges an annual fee of $49.99 for most membership tiers. This applies to both the basic Classic Card plan and the upgraded PF Black Card membership.
Some locations have adjusted this amount slightly, but $49.99 remains the standard at the vast majority of clubs across the United States.
Does the Annual Fee Vary by Location?
Yes, it can. Planet Fitness operates on a franchise model, which means individual club owners have some flexibility in setting fees. While $49.99 is the norm, a small number of locations may charge a different amount. Your membership agreement will always reflect the exact figure for your specific club.
Note
If you joined during a special promotion, your annual fee amount and billing date may also differ from the standard schedule. Always verify with your home location if you’re unsure.
Why Does Planet Fitness Charge an Annual Fee?
Planet Fitness refers to this charge as an “annual enhancement fee” or “annual membership fee.” According to the company, the money supports ongoing maintenance, cleaning, and upgrades to gym equipment and facilities. It is a standard practice in the budget gym industry and is not unique to Planet Fitness.
Other low-cost gym chains like Crunch Fitness and EōS Fitness also charge similar yearly fees. The logic is straightforward: keeping monthly dues low requires supplemental revenue to cover the cost of running large-scale fitness facilities.
Can You Avoid the Annual Fee?
There is no way to waive the annual fee while maintaining an active Planet Fitness membership. It is a mandatory part of the membership contract. The only way to avoid it is to cancel your membership before the annual fee billing date.
Canceling Before the Annual Fee Hits
If you’re thinking about canceling and want to avoid the yearly charge, timing matters.
Important
Planet Fitness requires cancellation requests to be submitted by the 25th of the month before your annual fee is due. For most members, this means canceling by September 25 if the fee is scheduled for October 1.
You can cancel by:
- Visiting your home club in person and filling out a cancellation form.
- Sending a certified letter to your home club’s address.
Planet Fitness does not currently allow cancellations through its website or app for most locations. Some states have laws requiring gyms to accept online cancellations, so check your local regulations. You can find more details on the Planet Fitness cancellation page.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay the Annual Fee?
If the payment method on file declines when Planet Fitness attempts to collect the annual fee, you won’t lose your membership immediately.
The company will typically retry the charge and may assess a small late fee or service charge. If the fee remains unpaid after multiple attempts, your membership could be frozen or sent to collections.
Having your account sent to a collections agency can negatively impact your credit score, so it’s better to either pay the fee or cancel your membership properly before the charge is processed.
Planet Fitness Annual Fee vs. Monthly Dues: A Quick Comparison
It helps to see how the annual fee fits into the full cost of a Planet Fitness membership over the course of a year.
- Classic Card: ~$15/month + $49.99 annual fee = roughly $169.99/year
- PF Black Card: ~$24.99/month + $49.99 annual fee = roughly $349.87/year
Even with the annual fee factored in, Planet Fitness remains one of the most affordable gym memberships in the country. For context, the average gym membership in the U.S. costs around $40 to $50 per month according to data from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).
How to Prepare for the Planet Fitness Annual Fee
Since this fee shows up just once a year, it’s easy to forget. Here are a few practical ways to stay ahead of it:
- Set a calendar reminder for two weeks before your annual fee date.
- Make sure the payment method linked to your Planet Fitness account has sufficient funds.
- Review your membership agreement at least once a year to stay aware of all fees and terms.
- If you plan to cancel, do so well before the billing cutoff to avoid being charged.
Being proactive about this one charge can prevent unnecessary stress and unexpected overdraft fees.
Common Questions About the Annual Fee
Is the Annual Fee Charged When You First Join?
No, not usually. When you first sign up, you’ll typically pay a startup fee and your first month’s dues. The annual fee kicks in later, on the date specified in your membership agreement. For most members, that’s roughly two months after joining if they signed up in the summer, or several months later depending on enrollment timing.
Do You Pay the Annual Fee If You Joined Recently?
This depends on when you signed up relative to the annual fee date. If you joined in September and the annual fee is scheduled for October, you may see it charged very soon after signing up. Some clubs prorate or waive it for brand-new members, but this is not guaranteed and varies by franchise.
Can You Get a Refund on the Annual Fee?
Planet Fitness’s general policy is that the annual fee is non-refundable. Once it has been charged, getting that money back is extremely difficult. In rare cases, members have successfully disputed the charge through their bank, but this approach can result in your membership being terminated and the balance sent to collections.
Does the Annual Fee Apply to Prepaid Memberships?
If you’ve prepaid for an annual membership through a special deal or promotion, the terms of your agreement will dictate how the annual fee is handled. Some prepaid plans include the annual fee in the total price. Others do not. Read the fine print carefully before purchasing any prepaid membership package.
