Membership Policies and FAQ

Membership Policies

Privacy Policy

Purchasing a Membership

• +  -   I already bought Exhibit Halls tickets. Can my purchase go toward a new membership?

  Yes! If you decide to purchase a membership after visiting the Museum, you may apply the cost of your Exhibit Halls tickets to a new membership if it is purchased on-site on the same day as your visit. The maximum number of tickets you may apply is limited to the number of admissions the new membership allows (e.g., if you purchase a Premier 2 membership you may put the cost of two tickets towards your year of membership). Omni and Planetarium ticket costs may not be applied to memberships.

• +  -   Can I put more names than just my own on a membership?

  You can name up to two adults who reside in your household on a membership. Adults living at separate addresses cannot be named on a single membership.

• +  -   If I buy my membership today, can I visit and use my passes today?

  Yes, no matter how you purchase your membership you will have immediate access to your benefits.

  Online

  When purchasing online, you can buy a membership and any additional tickets you may want in the same transaction. Your order confirmation will include both a temporary membership card and your tickets, which may be displayed on your mobile device or printed at home for express entry. If you prefer, you may pick up reserved tickets at the Museum using a self-serve kiosk, or by presenting your order number to a box office cashier.

  On-site

  To purchase your membership at the Museum and use your passes, go to the purple Member line at the box office in the Museum lobby.

  By Phone

  If you have called to purchase a membership and make ticket reservations using your passes, the phone representative will give you an order number and send you a confirmation email. Your order confirmation will include both a temporary membership card and your tickets, which may be displayed on your mobile device or printed at home for express entry. If you prefer, you may pick up reserved tickets at the Museum using a self-serve kiosk, or by presenting your order number to a box office cashier.

• +  -   Is my membership good for a calendar year, or for a full year from time of purchase?

  Memberships are good for one full year from the time of purchase. Our memberships expire at the end of the month of purchase the following year. If you are renewing, your new membership year will begin when your current membership expires.

• +  -   What exactly does membership give me free or unlimited admission to?

  Membership gives you free, unlimited access to our Exhibit Halls every day we are open. Free, unlimited admission benefits do not extend to the Mugar Omni Theater, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Butterfly Garden, 4-D Theater, or temporary exhibits requiring an additional ticket.

Membership Cards

• +  -   Now that I am a member, how do I get into the Museum?

  Timed tickets are not required for museum members at this time. Members can walk directly up to the front gate and show their membership card or confirmation for free admission up to the number of guests allowed by your membership. If you wish to reserve tickets in advance, you may do so online at mos.org/visit/admission, or by calling 617-589-0180 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily

• +  -   How long does it take to receive my membership cards? How do I visit the Museum before my cards arrive?

  Your permanent membership cards will arrive in the mail 2-3 weeks after you purchase your membership. When purchasing a membership, you will receive a temporary membership card that is valid for 14 days.

  If you find yourself at the Museum without your card or your temporary card has expired and you have not yet received your permanent card, visit the purple Members line at the box office with a photo ID to pick up a one-day temporary card.

  If using a temporary card, you will need to get a parking chaser to receive your garage discount. You can get a chaser at either the box office or Information Desk.

• +  -   Can I give my membership card to a friend or relative to use for a visit?

  No, your membership card is not transferable. However, we provide Exhibit Halls guest passes which can be used in your absence. If you have electronic guest passes, you may exchange them for Exhibit Hall admission tickets online or over the phone. The tickets may then be emailed to your friends, or printed to present in person. You may also gift your passes to someone by visiting www.mos.org/memberships-and-passes

  If you have paper passes, you must provide your friends with the passes for their visit.

• +  -   Can my nanny use my membership? What about other caregivers – who can use my membership?

  Yes, your nanny or caregiver may use your membership as long as they are accompanying your child, they must bring a note from you saying that they are allowed to use the membership to bring your child to the Museum. You may not share your membership with other families. Only those within your household are allowed to use your membership.

• +  -   Can we use our two Basic 5 Cards to admit ten people?

  No. Your membership will admit only up to the number of admissions permitted with your membership type each day. Two cards have been provided for your convenience.

• +  -   Why did I only receive one card in the mail?

  If there is only one name on the account, only one card will be issued.

• +  -   I lost my membership card. What should I do?

  If you're visiting the Museum, bring a picture ID to the purple Members line at the box office and we will give you a one-day temporary card. Permanent replacement cards cost $5, and may be ordered at the box office or over the phone by calling the membership department at 617-589-0180.

• +  -   My wallet was stolen! Can someone else use my membership?

  Membership cards reported lost or stolen are deactivated. Call 617-589-0180 to report your missing cards and we will make arrangements for replacement.

• +  -   Can I change the names listed on my cards?

  To change or correct names listed on your membership card, please email membership@mos.org or call 617-589-0180. These changes cannot be made online.

• +  -   Can I use my cards at other museums?
  Learn more about reciprocity.

Membership Levels

• +  -   What is the difference between a Basic membership and a Premier membership?

  The difference between the two levels of membership is the number of free, one-time use passes and the parking benefit:

  All Basic Level memberships come with two Omni, two Planetarium, and two Exhibit Halls guest passes each year — plus a 10% parking discount.

  All Premier Level memberships come with four Omni, four Planetarium, and four Exhibit Halls guest passes each year — plus two hours of free parking. Premier Level members also receive advance registration opportunities for some of our more popular member events. Parking in the Museum garage is available on a first come, first serve basis, you can learn more about Premier members parking rates here.

  All members receive discounted tickets to Omni, Planetarium, Butterfly Garden, and 4-D Theater ($5 per ticket). Members also receive a 10% discount in the store and café.

  Check out the full list of benefits

• +  -   What is the difference between Basic/Premier 2, 5, and 8?

  The number indicated refers to the number of people that may enter into the Exhibit Halls with one membership. For example if you have a Premier 5 membership, you and 4 other guests are able to enter the Exhibit Halls free of charge. This number includes the card holder.

• +  -   Do the 2,5, and 8 memberships include children, or can I buy a 2 person membership and the children get in, in addition to the 2 adults?

  Children under the age of 3 get into the Exhibit Halls for free. Once your child turns 3 they will count toward the total number of admissions your membership allows.

• +  -   Do you have a 3, 4, or 6 person membership?

  No. Many people use their bonus passes to gain entry for the extra people not covered under their membership. Depending on how frequently you plan to visit during the year that may be a good option for you.

• +  -   I have a 2 person membership, I still have 2 Exhibit Halls passes. Can 4 of us go to the Members’ only event?

  This depends on the event. We are able to accommodate guests for some member previews but we recommend that you email or call and confirm for the specific event in which you are interested.

• +  -   I'm a Basic Level member. Can I upgrade my membership level to Premier? Can I upgrade the number of guests that my membership level permits?

  Members may upgrade from Basic to Premier and/or any increase in admissions at any time. If your membership expires within four months, consider renewing early and receive your new benefits for the duration of your current membership in addition to the new membership year. Upgrades are not prorated. Downgrading to a lower number of admissions, or from a Premier to Basic level, is only allowed during renewal.

• +  -   Can I buy a household membership for my workplace?

  No, memberships are for households. We do have a corporate sponsorship option that will allow your employees to have free entry into the Museum. Learn more here.

Your Online Account

• +  -   How do I create an online account for my membership?

  Log on to mos.org/my-account. If you purchased your membership online you created an online account at that time. You may review or update your account information at any time.

• +  -   I have a membership, but have never used it online. What should I do?

  You may merge your pre-existing membership with a new online account.

  Log on to mos.org/my-account

  Enter your email address online and click Next.

  Create a password and click Register.

  Fill in all required fields and click Merge Membership. The spelling of your name must match the spelling on your membership card.

  Enter your membership number exactly as it appears on your membership card, and click Add Membership. If you cannot locate your membership card, call 617-589-0180 or email membership@mos.org for assistance.

• +  -   My online account contains no membership information

  You likely have an online account that is not connected to your membership. To correct this:

  Go to www.mos.org/merge-membership-account (login if needed)

  Enter your membership # from you membership card.

  If you are still experiencing issues, call 617-589-0180 or email membership@mos.org for assistance.

• +  -   Why should I create an online account?

  Your online account will allow you greater flexibility and control over your membership experience through enhanced electronic benefits.

  Update your membership information online

  Exchange your electronic passes for tickets

  Review your past and future ticket orders

  Print your tickets at home before you visit

  Email your tickets to a mobile device

  And more!

  It’s quick and easy. Click here to begin.

Bonus Passes

• +  -   What are bonus passes and how can I use them?

  Bonus passes are extra tickets that come with your membership. You will receive either 2 (for Basic memberships) or 4 (for Premier memberships) bonus passes each year with your membership for as long as you continue to renew. If you are a Basic member you will receive 2 Exhibit Halls passes, 2 Omni Theater passes, and 2 Planetarium passes. Premier members receive 4 of each. You may use these passes to bring guests into the exhibit halls that are not covered under your membership, or to see free Omni and Planetarium shows (the usual member rate for these shows is $5).

• +  -   Can you explain the passes to me? Do I get them every time I visit?

  Each year that you are a member, you receive Omni, Planetarium, and Exhibit Halls guest passes. Membership passes expire one year from date of purchase and must be used prior to expiration. Each pass may be redeemed for one free ticket to the specified venue. Exhibit Halls passes can be used to admit visitors above the number of admissions your membership allows.

  Electronic passes and paper passes with a gift code can be used when making a reservation online, over the phone, or in person. All passes, except paper exhibit hall passes, must be exchanged for tickets, which may be picked up at the museum, printed at home, or delivered directly to your phone. Paper exhibit hall passes may be used directly at the lobby entrance.

  Legacy paper passes, which are generally blue, ivory, or green, can be redeemed in person, or used when members make reservations by phone. Unfortunately, they cannot be redeemed online. All passes for the Omni and Planetarium must be exchanged for tickets at the box office. Exhibit hall passes may be used directly at the lobby entrance. If you make a reservation on the phone using paper passes, be sure to bring both the passes and the confirmation number to the box office to pick-up your tickets.

• +  -   Can I still use my expired bonus passes?

  Membership passes expire one year from date of purchase and must be used prior to expiration. If you do not believe you will be able to use your passes before they expire, you may gift them to friends or family online at www.mos.org/memberships-and-passes.

  Expired legacy paper passes, which are generally blue, ivory, or green, may be used by active members only. Paper passes that contain a gift code must be used prior to their printed expiration date.

• +  -   I lost my bonus passes. Can I have new ones?

  Unfortunately, because of their cash value, we cannot replace lost paper passes. Electronic passes are attached to your account so even if you lose your membership card you can still use your passes.

• +  -   Can I give my bonus passes to family or friends? Can I donate them?

  Valid paper passes may be given to family or friends and exchanged at the museum for timed tickets (non-members cannot use passes to make phone reservations). Electronic passes must be redeemed by the member, however, members may purchase tickets online using their passes and then email those tickets to friends or family, or gift them to friends or family online at www.mos.org/memberships-and-passes.

  You may also donate passes in individuals by gifting them in this way. If you wish to transfer your electronic bonus passes into paper to donate please call 617-589-0180. Once the passes are converted to paper they cannot be recovered if lost or expired.

  Be sure to review our daily schedule prior to purchase as you will need to buy timed tickets for the Omni and Planetarium, and dated tickets for the Exhibit Halls.

• +  -   Do I need to make a reservation to use my bonus passes?

  Yes, we are not requiring members to make advanced reservations for entry into our Exhibit Halls with their membership card or confirmation, however, any use of Exhibit Halls bonus passes will require timed tickets. Add-on venues, like the Omni theater and Planetarium, can fill up fast due to limited capacity, we recommend you book tickets with your bonus passes for those venues in advance. You can apply your bonus passes towards tickets to the Omni films of Planetarium shows online, or by calling 617-589-0180 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.

• +  -   Can I convert my paper passes to electronic passes?

  Yes, if you wish to convert paper passes to electronic passes you must call 617-589-0180. You will need to drop the paper passes off at the box office, or mail them to us. Please note: electronic passes will expire when your membership expires.

Refunds

• +  -   Can I get a refund for my membership if I have not used it?

  We typically do not issue refunds for memberships, however please call us at 617-589-0180 or email us at membership@mos.org if the circumstances are extenuating.

• +  -   Can I get a refund for my membership if I have already used it once?

  No, once a membership has been used we are not able to refund it.

Discounts

• +  -   Is there a membership discount for teachers? Military personnel?

  Teachers who are an active member of the Museum’s Teacher Partner Program receive $10 off a household membership. Get details about the Teacher Partner Program. Active Teacher Partner Program members can purchase a household membership online, by calling 617-589-0180, or at the box office. If purchasing online, discount should appear in your cart. If it does not, call us at 617-589-0180.

  There is no membership discount for active military personnel but they do get free admission to the Exhibit Halls for themselves only.

• +  -   What is the One-Step Program?

  When you enroll in the One-Step program, we automatically renew your membership annually at a 10% discount using the same credit card you used to purchase your membership.

  Members can sign up for the One-Step Program up to three months before their expiration date. In addition to saving 10% on your membership each year you renew, this is a great way to save time.

• +  -   Is my membership tax deductible?

  Yes, the difference between your membership price and the value of taxable benefits listed here is tax deductible. If you decline to receive your bonus passes, the full price of your membership is deductible.

  Please note that prices and market values are subject to change. We recommend you consult a tax advisor with questions.

Parking, Lost and Found, and Accessibility

• +  -   What do I do when I'm experiencing difficulty at the parking kiosks?

  Go to the Information Desk for assistance. If you do not yet have your permanent member card, they will provide you with a parking chaser for your Museum garage discount. Insert this chaser into the parking kiosk after inserting your parking ticket.

• +  -   What happens after the first 2 hours of parking for Premier members?

  After the first 2 hours of parking, Premier members are charged at the discounted member rate of 10% off the normal rate. You can view more information about parking, as well as membership rates here.

• +  -   Can I access the first 2 hours of parking AND the free parking after 5pm?

  No, you can only access the free parking after 5pm as a Premier member if you enter the garage after 5:00 p.m. If you enter the garage before 5pm and stay for more than 2 hours, you will be charged the hourly rate after the first two hours regardless of what time it is.

• +  -   I lost an item in the Museum. What should I do?

  Please call Science Central at 617-723-2500.

• +  -   Do you have wheelchairs?

  Yes. Wheelchairs and scooters may be obtained free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis from the Information Desk. The Museum offers a wide range of services promoting access for many diverse audiences.

  Learn more about our accessibility options