> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why was I charged or invoiced for a membership I didn't buy online?

> The ways your club can add a membership for your athlete, when each one starts, and why a waitlist spot can bill one too.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * **You didn't miss a purchase.** Your club can add a membership for your athlete directly: it charges your saved card, emails you an invoice if you have no saved card, or adds it free.
  * **When it starts depends on how it was added.** Charged: once the payment goes through. Invoiced: when you pay, unless your club chose to start it when the invoice is sent. Free: right away, and it doesn't renew.
  * **Joining partway through a monthly period is usually prorated** for the days left.
  * **A waitlist spot can charge the program fee and a required membership together,** but never a membership your athlete already holds.
</Note>

**How it was added decides what you pay.** Staff can add a membership without you going through checkout.

| How it was added | What you pay | When it starts |
| - | - | - |
| Charged to your saved card | The checkout price (prorated if mid-period), plus tax and fees | Once the payment goes through |
| Invoiced by email (no saved card, or your card was declined) | The invoice total; a card or bank fee may be added when you pay online | When you pay it |
| On an invoice your club writes | The invoice total | When you pay (the default), or when it's sent if your club chose that |
| Added free | Nothing, and no invoice is sent | Right away |

**An invoice email first.** When your card is charged, the invoice email can arrive before the payment goes through, so check **Invoices** to see whether it is already paid before you pay it yourself.

**Proration and renewal.** Joining partway through a period is prorated by the days left, unless your club charges the full price. A membership added for an upcoming period starts when that period begins. A paid monthly or yearly membership then renews like one you bought yourself. A free one ends with its period.

**No double billing.** An earlier unpaid invoice for the same period is cancelled automatically once the new charge is paid, or once your athlete is added free.

**Where it shows up.** Once active, it appears under your athlete's name on **Memberships** in your family portal and counts toward programs that require it. On phones, **Memberships** and **Invoices** are under **More**.

**Waitlist spots.** If your athlete is promoted off a waitlist into a program that requires a membership they don't hold, one charge can cover the program fee and that membership. Your club may collect the membership when you join the waitlist instead. It stays with your athlete even if you leave. See [What happens when a waitlist spot opens up?](/families/families-registering/waitlist-spot-opens-what-happens)

**If something looks wrong.** Find the invoice under **Invoices** in your family portal, then contact your club.

**Related:** [How do I check my athletes' memberships and payments?](/families/families-memberships-passes/view-membership-status) · [When does my membership renew and what am I charged?](/families/families-memberships-passes/membership-renewal-and-charges) · [What happens when a waitlist spot opens up?](/families/families-registering/waitlist-spot-opens-what-happens) · [How do I pay an invoice that's due or overdue?](/families/families-payments-billing/pay-an-order-that-is-due-or-overdue)