Member Frequently Asked Questions
Membership Options
1. When I buy a membership, when can I begin to use it?
2. How do I know when my membership expires?
3. Can member children come without a parent?
4. Can my relatives use my membership without me?
5. I would like to buy a gift membership for someone. How can I do this?
Membership Cards
1. How long will it take to receive my membership card?
2. How many membership cards will I receive?
3. Am I able to use my membership without having the card?
4. My card has been lost/stolen. What should I do?
5. I have moved. How can I change my address?
Membership Benefits
1. How can I order tickets on the weekend?
2. How can I best learn about ALL membership events?
3. Am I able to use my FREE IMAX tickets for ANY IMAX film?
4. Does my membership allow access to all exhibits for FREE?
5. My child is coming with a school field trip. Is he/she able to use the membership?
7. I am a member of a reciprocal museum. What do I need to enter your museum?
Membership Options
Q: When I buy a membership, when can I begin to use it?
A: Your membership is valid at the time of purchase and may be used immediately for access to the museum or for reserving tickets. If you purchase the membership online, you will receive a confirmation page, which will be used as your proof of purchase and if you purchase your membership in the museum, you will receive a sales receipt as your proof of purchase. As it takes some time for the new membership to fully be processed in our system, please refer to these receipts when reserving tickets or entering the museum, until you receive your card.
Q: How do I know when my membership expires?
A: The expiration date of membership will be printed on your membership card. Memberships to The Franklin Institute are valid for one full year. As your expiration date nears, you will receive renewal notices from us in the mail, highlighting a special renewal price and some of our upcoming exhibits and films.
Q: Can member children come without a parent?
A: We typically suggest that a parent or guardian should accompany a child under the age of 16. If you have children who are watched by a babysitter/caretaker/grandparent, they may bring your children to the museum. Please provide the membership card, or a copy of the card, to the caretaker and have a note indicating that you are giving them permission to bring your children to the museum.
Q: Can my relatives use my membership without me?
A: Your membership is for your household. You may not give your membership card to another relative or friend to be used without you or someone from your household accompanying them. Someone from your actual residence must be in the group in order to use the membership.
Q: I would like to buy a gift membership for someone. How can I do this?
A: At the present time, we do not have a way to cleanly accept gift memberships over the internet. Please be patient as we work to provide you with this option in the near future. In order to purchase a gift membership, please use this form or call the Membership Office at 215.448.1231, Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM.
Membership Cards
Q: How long will it take to receive my membership card?
A: It typically takes approximately 3 weeks to receive your new welcome packet, including your membership card, although this can vary depending on the time of year or how busy or office is at any given time. In the meantime, please refer to your receipt or confirmation page until your card arrives when reserving tickets or entering the museum. If you have not received your card after approximately 6 weeks, please contact the Membership Office at 215.448.1231, Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM or email us at membership@fi.edu.
Q: How many membership cards will I receive?
A: We typically send just one card per membership. If you have a need for a second membership card, please indicate this to us at the time of purchase.
Q: Am I able to use my membership without having the card?
A: Although we strongly suggest having the card with you on your visit, you may visit the museum without your membership card. You will need to have a picture ID listing your address to present to the museum staff upon checking in.
Q: My card has been lost/stolen. What should I do?
A: If your card has been lost or stolen, we can have a replacement made and sent to you. Please contact the Membership Office at 215.448.1231, Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM or email us at membership@fi.edu. Please be aware that it can often take approximately 3 weeks for your replacement card to arrive.
Q: I have moved. How can I change my address?
A: If you have recently changed your address, please contact the Membership Office at 215.448.1231, Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM or email us at membership@fi.edu with your new address and we will be happy to update your record.
Membership Benefits
Q: How can I order tickets on the weekend?
A: The membership phone lines are open Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM. If you are calling after hours, or on a weekend, and would like to order tickets, please call the general ticketing line at 215.448.1254. The general ticketing line is open daily, 8AM – 5:30PM.
Q: How can I best learn about ALL membership events?
A: Although we currently send membership News & Events twice per year, we often have a large number of special offers and events that are planned on much shorter notice, which sometimes do not appear in the newsletter. The best way to stay completely up-to-date is to provide us with your email address. If we do not have your email address, you may be missing some great opportunities for family fun! Contact the Membership Office at 215.448.1231, Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM or email us at membership@fi.edu with your email address today!
Q: Am I able to use my FREE IMAX tickets for ANY IMAX film?
A: If your membership level comes with a certain number of free IMAX tickets, please be aware that these free tickets may not be used for feature-length general-release films. Members will receive a discounted price on all of these feature-length films, altough these prices may vary. Please check with the membership department for information about a specific film.
Q: Does my membership allow access to all exhibits for FREE?
A: The Franklin Institute strives to bring exemplary special exhibitions to you and Philadelphia. Because of the expense associated with hosting tremendous traveling exhibitions, they are not included in members' free admission. Members may, however, enjoy these exhibits by purchasing tickets at exclusive discounted rates. We strongly recommend that you reserve tickets for special exhibits in advance, especially during weekends, holiday seasons and school vacations. To reserve your discounted tickets in advance, please call: 215.448.1231 (weekdays); 215.448.1254 (weekends).
Q: My child is coming with a school field trip. Is he/she able to use the membership?
A: Your child may use a membership card to gain free admission to the museum while on a field trip, but the membership will not cover additional shows purchased by the school. In order to allow your child to utilize the membership, the head teacher will need to contact the museum in order to inform the Admissions Department that a member will be in their group. Please make a copy of your membership card for the teacher to present during their visit and the price for general admission to the museum will be subtracted from the balance due.
A: ASTC stands for the Association of Science and Technology Centers. The Franklin Institute is a member organization and this partnership allows for your Franklin Institute membership to be valid at over 200 science museums around the world. Benefits are set by each host museum and may vary. This program does not typically include any museums within 90 miles of your home museum. Please contact each museum prior to your visit to be sure they offer reciprocity and to get their specific entrance policy. Click here for information and a list of the current participating museums.
Q: I am a member of a reciprocal museum. What do I need to enter your museum?
A: If you are a member of a reciprocal museum and are planning a visit to The Franklin Institute, you will be given general admission for the amount of people indicated on your card and no more than 2 adults and 4 children. IMAX tickets from other museums are not accepted at The Franklin Institute. You MUST have your reciprocal card or an official proof of membership at the time of your visit, along with proof of residence. We do not have access to your membership information and will not refund admission after the fact.