Membership FAQ
How do I sign up or renew my membership?
You can sign up or renew online, at the Visitor Services desk or membership kiosk at Chabot, or by calling (510) 336-7392.
I’m a teacher, student, or senior. Do you offer any membership discounts?
Yes, however at this time these discounts are only available on memberships purchased at the front desk of the Center. A valid teacher ID is required at the time of purchase for our Educator Circle membership. For students, valid student ID is required to get $5 off memberships, and the same discount is available to seniors over 65 with ID.
Do you offer memberships that include grandparents?
Grandparents may purchase an Earth Family membership to use for themselves and up to 5 grandchildren (parents not included).
Upper Level memberships include two guests and may be used to bring grandparents.
My Earth Family Plus membership includes a caregiver. Why do I only have two cards?
Earth Family Plus memberships will have two adults named on the cards, and only two cards. Your caregiver is still included. You can either bring that third adult with you, or give him/her one of your cards so that he/she can bring your children. Cards are not valid for the caregiver’s children, and the caregiver cannot bring guests. If more than one adult is present, ID must be shown to match the name on the card.
Do I get to see shows for free?
Yes! As a member, you receive unlimited free Planetarium shows.
Can I give a membership as a gift?
Yes. This can be done at Visitor Services or online. For online gift memberships, click on the level you would like to give, and enter your own information on the first page. Gift recipient information is entered on the second page.
Are there special member lines?
At the front desk, due to spacing constraints, there is no specified member line. During times of increased traffic, the Visitor Services team will call forward the next member in line so that members can skip the wait.
In our Planetarium there are ‘members only’ lines which will give you priority seating. If you are unsure of which is the member line, check at the front of the line for the member sign or ask the usher.
Do I get to bring friends in for free or discounted admission?
No, at this time your membership does not allow you to bring friends or relatives in for free or discounted admission. The exception to this would be our "guest” memberships, Earth Active (1 adult + guest), Earth Family Plus (2 adult + guest + children in household), and Earth Orbiter, which all allow one free person outside of the person named on the card.
Will I receive notices of upcoming classes, activities, and special member events?
We regularly send out news of what is going on at Chabot in our Member Insight, which is emailed to you. We also send out notices of special member events through email. If you do not receive these newsletters, please email your full name and email address to Membership@ChabotSpace.org to be added to the mailing list.
In an effort to stay green, we do not send out paper newsletters in the mail. This also defrays the costs of printing and postage, so that more of your membership goes toward community and education programs.
How long does it take to receive my permanent membership cards? What should I do if I don’t receive them?
Permanent membership cards should reach you within 2 - 4 weeks after you sign up. If it is beyond 4 weeks and you have not received your cards, please call (510) 336-7392 or let Visitor Services know when you come to the Center. We’ll have you fill out your name and address again so that we can check our records for accuracy and then resend your cards to you.
How do I replace a lost or stolen membership card?
Lost or stolen cards can be replaced for a $5.00 fee. This can be done onsite at Visitor Services, or over the phone by calling (510) 336-7392.
How does the ASTC program work?
ASTC stands for Association of Science and Technology Centers. Your membership to Chabot will get you discounted admission at other ASTC centers within 90 miles, and free admission outside of that area. Please note, however, that the number of people who receive the discount may vary by museum, regardless of what level your Chabot membership is; it is a good idea to call the museum you intend to visit beforehand. You will need your Chabot membership card and photo ID to receive your discount. Please visit astc.org for the current list of participating institutions and more details.
I’m a member and my child is coming to Chabot on a field trip. Do we have to pay?
Yes. School field trips include classes not part of membership, and are already offered at such a discounted rate that we are unable to provide free admission for member children coming with their school. School education is an extremely important aspect of Chabot’s mission and has always been part of our history, and in order to keep the program going a fee is required.
If you are a member parent of a child and would like to come as a chaperon, you may use your membership to get yourself in for free. Simply visit the front desk when you arrive and show your membership card. Please note however that since school trip numbers are booked independently, there may not be enough room in the planetarium to accommodate you, and that there is no admittance to any 10am show for a member parent who has not booked with the school.
Other questions?
Email Membership@ChabotSpace.org with any further questions.