Planet Fitness uses bank account information to collect membership fees automatically
Planet Fitness requires a bank account because it bills your membership dues on a recurring schedule—usually monthly—and needs a way to pull that money reliably. The gym uses automatic bank drafts (also called ACH transfers) to deduct your membership fee directly from your checking or savings account on the same day each month. This is their standard payment method, not an option you can opt out of.
The gym does not accept one-time credit card payments or manual check payments for ongoing membership. If you want a Planet Fitness membership, you must provide either a checking account, savings account, or debit card linked to a bank account. This protects the gym from missed payments and reduces the staff time spent chasing down late fees.
The automatic draft also means Planet Fitness can enforce its cancellation policy more easily. When you cancel, they can stop the drafts immediately. If you tried to pay by check or cash, the gym would have no way to prevent you from stopping payment or simply not showing up with money.
Key Takeaways
- Planet Fitness bills membership fees through automatic bank drafts, which requires you to provide a bank account or debit card tied to one.
- The gym does not accept credit cards, checks, or cash for recurring membership payments.
- Automatic drafts protect the gym from missed payments and make cancellation easier to enforce on both sides.
- If you do not have a bank account, you cannot get a Planet Fitness membership under their current policy.
- The bank account information you provide is used only for membership billing, not for other purposes.
What happens when you sign up for a Planet Fitness membership
During signup, Planet Fitness asks for your bank account details—either your checking account number and routing number, or a debit card number. They use this information to set up a recurring monthly charge. The amount varies by location and membership tier, but the billing cycle is always automatic.
You will receive a receipt showing the bank account or card ending in certain digits, so you can verify which account is being charged. Planet Fitness also sends you a membership agreement that lists the billing date and amount. Keep this document; you will need it if you later dispute a charge or cancel your membership.
Once the membership is active, the gym will attempt to draft your account on the same date each month. If the draft fails because of insufficient funds or a closed account, Planet Fitness will typically retry the charge a few days later. Repeated failed drafts can result in your membership being suspended or terminated.
Why Planet Fitness does not accept other payment methods
Recurring gym memberships are expensive to manage if payments come in different forms. Credit cards charge the gym a processing fee (usually 2 to 3 percent), which cuts into their revenue. Bank drafts cost them far less per transaction, so they save money by requiring them.
Accepting cash or checks would require staff to manually process each payment, verify it cleared, and follow up on bounced checks. For a gym with thousands of members, that workload is not practical. Automatic bank drafts scale without adding labor.
There is also a fraud and chargeback issue. Credit card companies allow customers to dispute charges more easily than banks do with ACH transfers. By using bank drafts instead, Planet Fitness reduces the number of chargebacks and payment disputes they have to handle.
What to do if you do not have a bank account
If you do not have a traditional bank account, you have a few options. A prepaid debit card linked to a bank account can work—many prepaid card providers assign you a routing number and account number that function like a checking account for billing purposes. You load money onto the card yourself, and Planet Fitness can draft from it the same way.
A second-chance bank account or basic checking account is another route. These accounts are designed for people with no banking history or a negative ChexSystems record. They usually have lower fees and simpler requirements than standard accounts. Credit unions often offer them, and some online banks do as well.
If neither option works for you, Planet Fitness membership is not currently available. The gym has no workaround for their automatic billing requirement, and they do not offer memberships to people without bank account access.
How to cancel and stop the automatic drafts
To cancel your Planet Fitness membership, you must contact the gym directly—either in person at your home location or by phone. Online cancellation is not an option. When you cancel, tell the staff the exact date you want the membership to end, and ask them to confirm in writing that the cancellation is processed.
The gym will stop the automatic drafts on your cancellation date. However, if you cancel close to your billing date, one more charge may go through before the draft stops. Check your bank account for a few days after cancellation to make sure no additional charges appear.
If Planet Fitness continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank and dispute the charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation as proof. Your bank can reverse the charge and may be able to block future drafts from Planet Fitness to that account.
Protecting your bank account information at Planet Fitness
When you provide your bank account details to Planet Fitness, that information is stored in their payment system. The gym is required to follow payment card industry (PCI) security standards, which means they must encrypt your data and limit who can access it.
In practice, this means your full account number should not be visible on receipts or in your online account portal—only the last four digits. If you ever see your full account number printed or displayed, report it to the gym immediately.
If your bank account is compromised or you suspect fraud, contact your bank right away. You can also ask Planet Fitness to remove your account information from their system and switch to a different card or account. The gym will update their records and use the new payment method for future charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card instead of a bank account?
No. Planet Fitness does not accept credit cards for membership billing. They require a bank account, checking account, savings account, or debit card linked to a bank account. If you only have a credit card, you will need to open a bank account or get a prepaid debit card to join.
What if my bank account closes after I sign up?
Planet Fitness will attempt to draft your membership fee from the closed account, and the draft will fail. The gym will retry the charge a few days later. If it fails again, your membership will be suspended. You must contact Planet Fitness and provide a new bank account or debit card to reactivate it.
Does Planet Fitness use my bank account for anything other than membership billing?
No. The gym uses your bank account information only to collect your monthly membership fee. They do not use it for marketing charges, upsells, or any other purpose. If you see charges from Planet Fitness beyond your membership fee, contact the gym and your bank to investigate.
Can I change which bank account Planet Fitness charges?
Yes. Contact your home Planet Fitness location or call their customer service line and ask to update your payment method. You can switch to a different checking account, savings account, or debit card. The gym will update their records and use the new account for your next billing date.
What happens if a draft fails because I do not have enough money?
Planet Fitness will retry the charge within a few days. If it fails again, your membership will be suspended until the charge goes through or you provide a different payment method. Your bank may also charge you an overdraft or insufficient funds fee for each failed attempt.