Lifetime and honorary membership

Besides the yearly Individual plan, the Society has two kinds of lifetime membership: Lifetime, which you pay for once, and Honorary Lifetime, which the officers give as a recognition.

What is a Lifetime Society membership?

Lifetime is a plan you can choose on your Society application. You pay once and it never renews. The Society page describes it as "once · never renews," and the pay box says "No renewals, ever." The price is shown in the What it costs section of the Society page and on the plan cards on the membership page.

The Lifetime option only appears if the Society has set a Lifetime rate.

How do I become a Lifetime member?

1. On the Society application, set Membership to Lifetime (it shows the one-time price).
2. Submit and wait for approval. See Joining the Society.
3. Once approved, the membership page shows a Lifetime membership box with a Pay [amount] button.
4. Pay once through Stripe checkout.

You get a receipt email like any other dues payment.

How does a Lifetime membership show on my member card?

Your card's standing line reads Lifetime member instead of a paid-through date, and a Lifetime band runs along the bottom of the card.

Do Lifetime members get renewal reminders or lock out?

No. Lifetime members never see a renewal box, don't get renewal reminder emails, and never lose access to the member area because of dues.

I'm on the Individual plan. Can I switch to Lifetime?

There's no button to change plans yourself. The plan you picked on your application is the one you're asked to pay for. To switch between Individual and Lifetime, email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

What is an Honorary Lifetime Member?

Honorary Lifetime Member is the highest recognition the Society gives. The officers grant it to people who've made a real difference to the hobby and to the Society. It comes with no dues, ever. There's no application for it and you can't request it through the site.

How will I know I've been made an Honorary Lifetime Member?

You'll get:

• A notification: "You're an Honorary Lifetime Member," saying the officers have named you an honorary lifetime member, with no dues, ever. It links to the member area.
• An email with the subject "You've been made an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Underground Aquarium Society." It lists your Membership (Honorary Lifetime), Dues (None, ever) and your member number, describes what comes with it, and has an Enter the member area button.

What comes with Honorary Lifetime membership?

Everything a paying member gets, with no dues: the brass Society ring on your avatar across the site, the judged Breeder Award Program, signed and verifiable certificates, your place on the Species Registry, and Society trophies. Your member card shows Lifetime member with the Lifetime band.

Are family memberships available?

No. Family memberships were retired, and each person now has their own membership. If you had a family membership before, the Society treats you as an Individual member.

Common problems

I chose Lifetime by mistake. If you haven't been approved yet, click Withdraw application on the membership page and apply again with Individual. If you've been approved, email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

"This club hasn't set a lifetime membership rate yet." You're on the Lifetime plan but no Lifetime price is set. Email support@undergroundaquarium.com.

I was told I'm honorary but my card still shows a paid-through date. Reload the membership page. If it still isn't right, email support@undergroundaquarium.com.