Defer payment at Planet Fitness means you pause your membership charges for a set period without losing your membership status
When you defer a payment at Planet Fitness, the gym temporarily stops charging your card for your monthly membership fee. You keep your membership active—your account stays open, your login credentials work, and you can return to the gym whenever you want during the deferral period. The charges simply don't happen for the months you've deferred.
This is different from canceling. If you cancel, your membership ends and you lose access. If you freeze or pause your membership through other gyms' programs, you might lose certain perks. Deferral at Planet Fitness is specifically designed to let you stop paying while keeping the door open to come back.
The catch: deferral is temporary. Planet Fitness sets a limit on how long you can defer—typically 30 to 90 days depending on your location and membership tier. After that period ends, your regular monthly charges resume automatically unless you contact the gym again.
Key Takeaways
- Deferring your Planet Fitness payment pauses monthly charges while keeping your membership active and your account intact.
- You can use the gym during a deferral period if your location allows it, though some members defer specifically because they cannot access the gym temporarily.
- Deferral periods typically last 30 to 90 days; after that, charges restart automatically on your card.
- You must contact Planet Fitness directly to request a deferral—it does not happen on its own if you miss a payment.
- Deferral is not the same as a failed payment or a late fee; the gym is not trying to collect money from you during the deferral window.
How to request a deferral from Planet Fitness
Contact your local Planet Fitness club directly by phone. The front desk or membership team can process a deferral request on the spot. Have your membership number or the phone number associated with your account ready when you call.
Some locations may allow you to request a deferral through the Planet Fitness app or website, but phone contact is the most reliable method because the staff member can confirm the exact dates your deferral covers and answer questions about what happens when it ends. Ask them to specify the start and end dates in writing or note them yourself.
You can also visit your gym in person and speak to the membership desk. Bring your ID so they can pull up your account. This method gives you a chance to ask about your specific situation—for example, whether you can still use the gym during the deferral, or whether you need to restart your membership when the deferral ends.
What happens to your account during a deferral
Your membership account remains active. Your login information, saved preferences, and any digital features tied to your account stay in place. If you have a digital membership card in the Planet Fitness app, it continues to work.
Whether you can physically enter the gym during a deferral depends on your location's policy. Some clubs allow members to use the facility even during a payment deferral. Others may deactivate your key card or require you to check in at the desk. Ask your gym specifically whether access is suspended during your deferral period.
Any holds, suspensions, or other account flags that existed before the deferral remain in place. If your account was flagged for a late payment or other issue, deferring future charges does not clear that flag. Contact the gym if you need to resolve a separate account problem.
When your deferral ends and charges restart
On the date your deferral period expires, Planet Fitness will attempt to charge your card for the next month's membership fee. This charge happens automatically—you do not need to do anything to restart your membership. The gym uses the same payment method on file that you had before the deferral.
If your card has expired, been replaced, or is no longer valid, the charge will fail. Planet Fitness will typically send you a notice that the payment did not go through. You then have a window to update your payment method before the gym suspends your membership or marks your account as delinquent.
If you know you will not be ready to resume payments when the deferral ends, contact the gym before that date. You can request another deferral, switch to a different membership tier, or cancel outright. Waiting until after the charge fails to act makes the process more complicated and may result in late fees or account suspension.
Deferral versus other ways to pause or reduce charges
Planet Fitness offers a few different options depending on your situation. A freeze or pause is similar to a deferral but may have different terms—some freezes last longer, and some may require you to pay a small fee to reactivate. A downgrade lets you switch to a lower-tier membership (for example, from a premium plan to a basic plan) to reduce your monthly charge without pausing it entirely.
A cancellation ends your membership completely. You lose access to the gym and your account is closed. Cancellation is permanent unless you rejoin later as a new member, which may involve a new enrollment fee.
Deferral is the right choice if you need a temporary break—you are moving, recovering from an injury, dealing with a short-term financial squeeze, or simply will not use the gym for a few months. It costs nothing and keeps your membership alive. If you need a longer break or want to reduce costs permanently, ask about freeze or downgrade options.
What to do if your deferral charge fails
If Planet Fitness tries to charge your card when your deferral ends and the charge is declined, the gym will send you a notice. This notice typically comes via email or text to the contact information on file. It will tell you that the payment failed and give you a deadline to update your payment method.
Log into your Planet Fitness account online or through the app and update your card information immediately. If you cannot do this online, call your local gym and provide a new card number over the phone. Do this as soon as you see the notice—waiting increases the risk that the gym will suspend your membership or send your account to collections.
If you genuinely cannot pay when the deferral ends, contact the gym before the charge date. Explain your situation and ask whether you can defer again, downgrade your membership, or work out a payment plan. Gyms are often willing to work with members who communicate proactively rather than letting payments fail silently.
Deferral does not erase what you owe before the deferral started
If you had unpaid charges or late fees before you requested a deferral, those debts do not disappear. Deferral only stops new charges from being added during the deferral window. Any balance you already owed remains on your account.
When your deferral ends and charges restart, Planet Fitness may attempt to collect the old balance along with the new month's fee, or it may pursue the old balance separately. Ask the gym whether you owe anything before you request a deferral, and ask whether that debt will be collected when the deferral ends.
If you have a significant unpaid balance, you may need to negotiate a payment plan or settle the debt before the gym will allow you to defer future charges. Some locations will not process a deferral if your account is already delinquent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the gym while my payment is deferred?
It depends on your location. Some Planet Fitness clubs allow members to use the facility during a deferral period. Others deactivate access. Call your gym and ask whether your key card or app membership will work during the deferral dates you request. If access is suspended, you can still use the gym again once your deferral ends and charges resume.
How long can I defer my Planet Fitness payment?
Deferral periods typically range from 30 to 90 days. The exact length depends on your gym's location and your membership type. When you request a deferral, the staff member will tell you the specific end date. You can request another deferral after the first one ends, but there may be limits on how many times you can defer in a year.
What happens if I defer and then decide to cancel?
You can cancel your membership at any time, even during a deferral period. Contact your gym and request cancellation. Your membership will end on the date you specify, and you will not be charged when the deferral period ends. If you cancel before the deferral ends, you lose access to the gym immediately.
Will deferring my payment hurt my credit score?
No. A deferral is an agreement with Planet Fitness to pause charges temporarily. It is not a missed payment, a late payment, or a default. Planet Fitness does not report deferrals to credit bureaus. Your credit score is only affected if you fail to pay and the gym reports the debt as delinquent or sends it to collections.
Can I defer if I have a balance from a previous late payment?
Some locations will not process a deferral if your account is already delinquent. Contact your gym and ask. If you have an unpaid balance, you may need to pay it or set up a payment plan before the gym will defer future charges. Ask whether the old balance will be collected when your deferral ends.