What this helps you do
Take payment in August for a membership that begins in September.
Line up a membership start with a season, a move-in date, or a corporate program.
Avoid charging a member for weeks they can't use.
How to do it
In the back office, add the rolling membership to the customer's cart as usual.
When prompted, choose a future start date for the membership.
Complete checkout.
The membership and its gates activate on that date. Renewals run on the membership's regular cadence counted from the start date you chose.
Rolling memberships, back office only. Fixed memberships still start on their fixed start date. Consumers buying online cannot pick a future start date.
What the member sees before the start date
If the member tries to book a members-only program or rental before the membership begins, they see a message with the start date and are asked to call the facility to book. They are not silently blocked.
FAQ
When is the customer charged?
At checkout, when you sell it. The start date controls access and the renewal schedule, not the first payment.
Can I sell someone a membership they already have?
No. The back office now warns you and blocks the purchase if the customer already holds that membership, to prevent double billing.