Joining an AFL club’s official membership program is the best way to support your favorite team and gain access to a range of benefits like reserved seating and discounts on merchandise. Here’s a quick guide to accessing your AFL membership once you’ve signed up.
Checking Your Membership Status
The first step is to check the status of your membership. There are a couple of ways to do this:
- Via the club website – Most AFL club websites have a membership portal where you can log in to view your membership details. This is the easiest way to check details like your membership number, expiry date, and the card status.
- By phone – You can call your club’s membership department directly. Have your member number ready and they can provide an update on your status.
Once logged into the membership portal, see if your status is listed as “Activated” or “Current.” This means your membership is fully processed and ready to use. If it says “Pending” or “Expired,” you may need to take further action before accessing benefits.
Activating Your Membership Card
Your physical AFL membership card provides access to member-only areas on match days and can be used for discounts at the club. But first, it needs activating. This is especially important for new members or when renewing your membership.
Depending on the club, there are a few common ways to activate your card:
- Online – If you have a digital card linked to your membership, you may be able to activate it via the club’s membership portal. Simply log in and follow the prompts.
- In person – Take your card to a game or to the club office during business hours. Staff can swipe your card to activate it on the spot.
- Over the phone – Some clubs allow phone activation by calling the membership department and providing your member details.
Be sure to check with your club for specific instructions on activating your digital or physical membership card. Once successfully activated, your card will work at membership areas on match day and club facilities.
Accessing Mobile Memberships
More AFL clubs now offer mobile membership cards that provide digital access to your membership on your smartphone. Here are some tips for accessing your mobile membership:
- Download your club’s official app – Look for your club’s app in the App Store or Google Play. You’ll need this to access your digital membership card.
- Log into the app – Open the app and log in using the same details as your online membership profile.
- Look for the mobile membership card – Once logged in, you should see your digital membership card. It will have your name, member number, and expiry date.
- Save to your digital wallet – For easy access, add your mobile membership to Apple Wallet (iPhone) or Google Pay (Android). Then access it anytime just like a digital payment card.
When entering the ground or club facilities, open your digital membership card and have staff scan the QR code for entry. Mobile cards provide added convenience without carrying your physical card.
Understanding Membership Benefits
AFL memberships come with a variety of benefits and discounts you can take advantage of. Here are some of the most common perks to be aware of with your membership:
Benefit | Details |
---|---|
Reserved seating | Most memberships provide access to reserved seats at home games, either under cover or open air. |
Discounted merchandise | Get 10-15% off merchandise and apparel at the club store. |
Pre-sale access | Early ticket access before the general public for finals and special events. |
Free club magazine | Complimentary club magazine subscription sent direct to your mailbox. |
Voting rights | Full members often get voting rights to have their say in club board elections. |
Check with your club for special deals and discounts exclusive to members. Show your membership card in-store or when purchasing tickets to take advantage of perks.
Renewing AFL Memberships
Don’t lose your member benefits! AFL memberships expire annually, so it’s important to renew on time. Here’s how to ensure your membership stays current:
- Check expiry date – Log into your membership account online to see when your membership expires.
- Allow notification time – Most clubs recommend renewing 1-2 months before expiry to allow time for processing.
- Renew online – Renewing online via your membership account is quick and easy. Just pick your membership tier and pay.
- Update details – When renewing, update your contact details if anything has changed in the past year.
- Consider auto-renewal – For convenience, many clubs allow auto-renewal so it happens automatically annually.
Once renewed, you’ll receive an updated membership card and enjoy another year of perks and benefits.
Changing Membership Details
Needed to update your membership details? Here’s the process for changing important information:
Contact Details
Update your mailing address, email, or phone number by logging into your membership profile. Change your details under “My Account” then save. Contact details can also be changed by calling your club.
Membership Type
To upgrade or downgrade your membership tier, get in touch with your club directly – either through the membership department online, by phone, or in person at the venue. An advisor can assist with changing packages.
Payment Details
To change credit card details, log into your membership account and update the card number and expiry. Most memberships are on auto-renewal, so new payment details need reflecting.
Be sure to keep your membership details as up to date as possible to avoid missing out on any membership communications from your club.
Transferring Membership
Can you transfer an AFL membership to someone else? In most cases – yes. Here’s the process involved:
- Initiate transfer – Get in touch with the membership department to begin the transfer process. This current member will need to verify their account.
- Provide details – The new membership recipient details will be required, including name, contact information and payment details.
- Process fee – A small admin fee often applies for membership transfers, usually around $20-$30.
- Confirm transfer – The transfer will need confirming by the new recipient to complete the process.
Membership transfers are generally only permitted for full priced memberships. Upgrades may be required if transferring restricted packages. Allow for up to 2 weeks for the complete transfer.
Suspending AFL Memberships
Members can place their membership on hold or suspend it if they are unable to attend games for an extended period. Common suspension reasons include:
- Pregnancy/new baby
- Work commitments
- Overseas travel
- Injury/illness
To suspend, contact your club membership department directly. Most clubs permit suspensions for a minimum 2-3 month period up to a full season. An admin fee may apply. Your membership expiry date will be adjusted accordingly upon reactivation.
Cancelling AFL Memberships
Should you wish to cancel your AFL membership entirely, here is how to go about it:
- Determine if eligible – Check terms for any cancellation restrictions. Monthly memberships can often be cancelled anytime.
- Get in touch with club – Contact the membership department by phone or email to initiate cancellation.
- Provide membership details – Have your member number and confirmation details ready to verify identity.
- Return card – You’ll be asked to return any membership cards and passes upon cancellation.
- Receive confirmation – The club will confirm once your cancellation is processed via email or post.
Refund eligibility depends on the cancellation timeframe – early in the season may secure a partial refund. Outright non-renewals don’t incur a cancellation fee.
Replacing Lost or Damaged Cards
If you’ve lost your AFL membership card or it’s been damaged, a replacement can be arranged. Here’s the process:
- Contact your membership department immediately – This ensures no one else can use your card fraudulently.
- Card cancelation – Your old card will be blocked and cancelled by the membership team.
- Replacement order – A new membership card will be ordered on your behalf, sent within 1-2 weeks.
- Admin fee – A small admin fee may apply for replacement cards, usually around $10.
- Card activation – Once received, activate your new replacement card online or in person.
Damaged cards that are still partially intact can potentially be swapped directly at the club venue. But fully lost cards require the replacement process.
Conclusion
Keeping your AFL club membership up to date and activated is crucial for accessing the many benefits available. Monitor your membership expiry date, renewal prompts and don’t hesitate to contact your club for any membership queries. Your support as a member is valued, so take advantage of all the perks and privileged access.