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Purchasing and Using Your Membership

Q: How can I purchase a membership? If I purchase a membership today, when can I begin using it?
A: Memberships can be purchased online, over the phone, or in-person at Sloan Museum of Discovery or Longway Planetarium. Admission to the attractions and discounts begin immediately. In order to take advantage of the ASTC reciprocal membership discounts, it will be approximately one week, as you must show your card to partner locations.

Q: Can I purchase a gift membership?
A: Yes! Gift memberships can be purchased online, in-person at Sloan Museum of Discovery or Longway Planetarium, or call the membership office at 810-237-3457.

Q: Does the museum offer a senior or student membership?
A: No, we do not offer a senior or student membership but we do offer an Individual Membership, which is for one person.  We also have grandparent memberships, which are considered part of the Family Membership level. We recommend the Share-a-Pass level for seniors who don't plan to bring children with them.

Q: How long is my membership valid?
A: One year from date of purchase. Gift memberships can be dated to begin on a specific date, such as a birthday, and will be valid for one year from that date.

Q: I'd like to get my son a membership for his 13th birthday. Can I do that?
A: No. To purchase a membership or be listed on the card, you must be at least 18 years of age. Parents cannot purchase a membership for or have a child under 18 years old listed as an adult on a membership card.

Q: If I purchase a membership at Guest Services the day I visit, will this include my official I.D. and the Day Passes?
A: No. Day Passes and the official Member I.D. will be mailed within 7-10 business days with your Member Welcome packet.

Membership Cards

Q: When will I receive my membership card? / I never received my membership card. What should I do?
A: Membership cards arrive by mail approximately 7-10 business days after purchase. If you have not received your card, please contact our membership office via email or phone at 810-237-3457.

Q: I lost my membership card. Can I get a replacement?
A: Yes. Please contact our membership office via email or phone at 810-237-3457.

Membership Benefits

Q: Which museum exhibitions are included with a membership?
A: All general admission is free for members and traveling exhibits are free or discounted, depending on the exhibit.

Q: How do I receive membership discounts on the website?
A: Members must register with the online system and use their sign on ID to reserve tickets online.

Q: Can I purchase advance tickets with my membership?
A: Yes.

Q: If I bring a guest to the museum or planetarium, can they receive discounted tickets with my membership?
A: Memberships at the Premium level or higher have this perk all the time. All other membership levels include 4 Member Day Passes that can be given to family or friends. The member does not need to be in attendance for these passes to be used.

Q: Can I use my membership at any other institutions or museums?
A: Yes. Sloan Museum of Discovery and Longway Planetarium belong to Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). We have a reciprocal agreement with these museums that allow our members free or reduced admission.

Other Questions

Q: How can I contact the membership office?
A: Members may contact our membership office via email or phone at 810-237-3457.

Q: How do I update my contact information?
A: Members may update their contact information by calling one of our front desks or contact our membership office via email or phone at 810-237-3457.

Host a Birthday Party at the Museum or Planetarium

Q: Is hosting a child's birthday party at the museum or planetarium a benefit of membership?
A: Members receive a 20% discount on facility rentals. The Sweet & Simple birthday party package is excluded.

Other Membership Facts:

• To purchase a membership, members must be at least 18 years of age.
• Memberships and tickets are non-transferable and cannot be shared. Memberships are not to be used for purchase or redemption of tickets of any kind by any person or persons not on the membership.
• Photo ID and membership cards are required to redeem tickets to any event or exhibit including members-only events at Sloan Museum of Discovery and Longway Planetarium.
• Membership are only valid for the number of people on the card and in the household.

Levels

• Share-A-Pass: This membership covers the named individual on the card and one other person of their choosing for each visit.
• Family Membership: This membership covers up to two adults (named in the membership) that share a household and any children in their home, or grandchildren (under the age of 18) for up to a total of 10 members on the membership. If there is only 1 adult on the membership then they cannot bring another person of their choice as a second adult.
• Premium Membership: This level is valid for up to two adults (named in the membership) that share a household and any children in their home, or grandchildren (under the age of 18) up to a total of 10 members on the membership. Two additional guests can accompany the members each time they visit. This membership level is great for bringing along extended family or friends.
• Friends of Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium Leader Membership: This level is valid for up to two adults (named in the membership) that share a household and any children in their home, or grandchildren (under the age of 18) up to a total of 10 members on the membership. Two additional guests can accompany the members each time they visit. This membership level also includes two tickets to Sloan Museum Auto Fair, recognition in the Annual Message, and invitations to donor events.
• Friends of Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium Director Membership: This membership is valid for up to two adults (named in the membership) that share a household and any children in their home, or grandchildren (under the age of 18) up to a total of 10 members on the membership. Two additional guests can accompany the members each time they visit. This membership level also includes four guest admission tickets, four tickets to Sloan Museum Auto Fair, recognition in the Annual Message, and invitations to donor events.
• Friends of Sloan Museum and Longway Planetarium Advocate Membership: This membership is valid for up to two adults (named in the membership) that share a household and any children in their home, or grandchildren (under the age of 18) up to a total of 10 members on the membership. Two additional guests can accompany the members each time they visit; additionally they receiveguest admission tickets, six tickets to Sloan Museum Auto Fair, recognition in the Annual Message, and invitations to donor events.

***Difference between Free Admission and Guest Admission tickets***
Member must be here to use the free admission tickets while the Guest Admission Tickets can be used without them being present but must be picked up in advance from Guest Services or Membership.

Members cannot….

• Purchase a Family or a higher level membership, and only put one person’s name on it so a husband or mother or another adult can be brought for a visit. Each membership is tied to a specific household and their children under the age of 18 living at home, or their grandchildren, up to 10 individuals. If there is only one named adult on the membership, then any other person other than one of their children or grandchildren will be charged admission.
• Purchase more tickets than the people on their card. If Jane and Jim Smith have a family membership with 8 members on their card. They are entitled to purchase 2 adult tickets and up to 6 youth tickets for a total of 8 tickets. All other individuals that may come with them must pay general admission.
• Reserve tickets over the phone for member free events. (They may come in or order online and pay the $2.00 fee).
• Buy memberships for youth under the age of 18. Parents cannot purchase a membership or have their child under the age of 18 listed as an adult on the Membership Card.

What if…

• A member wants to put their mother or nanny on the card with them because they will be the one bringing the child to the museum?
  • That is fine as long as they are the second adult name on the card. We realize this happens and are happy to accommodate a member whenever we can. They must realize the membership is now for the member and the nanny to bring the children.
  • For example, if the membership is listed for the mother and the nanny, if the father comes to an event, he will have to pay full price because he is not on the membership.
• Grandparents have 15 grandchildren and they want to put them all on the membership?
  • Our suggestion is for them to purchase one of the FOSL memberships or at least the Premium membership.
  • This will allow them two guests each visit. If all 15 grandchildren came at the same time, the extra five would need to pay general admission.