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?

  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 turn in up to two tickets).

  Omni and Planetarium ticket costs may not be applied to memberships. This opportunity is only available on-site the day of your visit; not by phone or online.

• +  -   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. Pick up your temporary membership card while at the Museum.

  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.

  If you plan to use electronic passes, you may reserve tickets online through our website. Tickets reserved electronically may be printed from home or downloaded to your mobile device to be presented on-site. Reserved tickets may also be picked up at the museum using a self-serve kiosk, or by visiting the purple Members line at the box office.

  If you plan to use paper passes for Omni or Planetarium shows, you can make a reservation over the phone or exchange them for tickets on-site. You must bring the passes with you to redeem them. Use the purple Members line at the box office. To learn more about electronic and paper passes, see Bonus Passes.

  On-site

  To purchase your membership at the Museum and use your passes, go to the purple Members 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 a confirmation number. Bring this number to the purple Members line at the box office to pick up your temporary membership card and your reserved tickets.

• +  -   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 and the Discovery Center 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?

  Show your membership card at the entrance gate to gain entry to the Exhibit Halls. You do not need to go to the box office unless you want to purchase additional tickets.

• +  -   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 3 – 4 weeks after you purchase your membership. If you purchase or pick up your membership at the Museum, you will receive a temporary card to use until your permanent cards arrive.

  If you find yourself at the Museum without your card, visit the purple Members line at the box office to pick up a temporary card. Stop by the Information Desk in the main lobby to receive your Museum garage discount.

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

• +  -   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/forgot 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 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 Levels come with two Omni, two Planetarium, and two Exhibit Halls guest passes each year — plus a 10% parking discount.
  • All Premier Levels 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 free evening parking when they enter the garage after 5:00 pm, plus 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.

  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 does 2, 5, or 8 mean?

  Each of these refers to the number of people allowed in the Exhibit Halls each day you visit. A Basic 5 or Premier 5 admits up to five people to the Exhibit Halls, including the card holder.

• +  -   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.

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 or at one of our self-serve kiosks, you created an online account at that time. You may review or update your account information at any time.

• +  -   I have a membership, but 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.
• +  -   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

• +  -   Paper passes vs electronic passes, what is the difference?

  You asked, we listened. The Museum of Science has transitioned to a new database and ticketing system and members will now receive and be able to redeem bonus passes electronically beginning in May of 2016. These electronic passes can be viewed or redeemed through your online account.

  Members joining or renewing prior to May 2016 received paper passes for the Omni, Planetarium, and Exhibit Halls, either by picking up passes at the museum or by mail with their membership cards. Paper passes may not be redeemed electronically.

  If you were a member prior to May 2016 but renewed your membership during or after May 2016 it is very possible you have both electronic and paper passes.

• +  -   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. 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.

  Paper passes can be redeemed in person, or used when members make reservations by phone. Unfortunately, they cannot be redeemed online. All passes, be they for the Omni, Planetarium, or Exhibit Halls must be exchanged for tickets at the box office. 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.

  Electronic passes can be used when making a reservation online, over the phone, or in person. All electronic passes must be exchanged for tickets, which may be picked up at the museum, printed at home, or delivered directly to your phone.

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

  If your membership is active, we will currently accept expired paper bonus passes. Non-members may not use expired passes. Electronic passes expire one year after purchase.

• +  -   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?
  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. 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.
• +  -   Can I convert my paper passes to electronic passes?
  Not at this time.

Discounts

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

  Teachers joining or renewing their participation in the Museum’s Teacher Partner Program may request a coupon for $10 off a new membership. The coupon is provided by the Educator Resource Center. Teachers must pick up the coupon at the Museum and it is only good for purchases at the Box Office. Get details about the Teacher Partner Program online or phone the Educator Resource Center at 617-589-0170 to learn more.

  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, we automatically renew your membership annually at a 10% discount using the same credit card you used to purchase your membership. We will send you a reminder each year, six weeks before we charge your credit card, to allow you to make any desired changes to your membership, including canceling your participation.

  Members can sign up for the One-Step Program up to four 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?

  A portion of your membership may be tax deductible based on the amount paid less the value of benefits provided in return. As of July 2015, the fair market value of member benefits is:

  • $8 for each Omni Theater pass received with your membership
  • $8 for each Planetarium pass received with your membership
  • $19 for each Exhibit Hall pass received with your membership

  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 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.

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

  Please call Science Central at 617-723-2500.

• +  -   My elderly father has trouble walking for long periods of time. 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