My husband and I are longstanding members of Virgin Active gym. My husband turned 60 in January and I have just found out there is an over-55 membership at well under the standard rate. It is not listed prominently on the website and seems to be hidden. This means he has been overpaying for five years. I am angry and baffled. SB, London W14
Your case reflects the complexity of membership deals from this major chain, which, in our view, are as clear as mud.
However, it would appear your husband is on a pretty good deal. Virgin Active says he had originally wanted a flexible option, which wasn’t offered by the over-55 membership at the time (it now is). He then moved to discounted membership, which it no longer offers. He should have been put on the “club-only” over-55 membership but instead he still has full multi-club access. On top of this, the company tells us, he is now paying £20 a month less than the over-55 membership (£68 a month with a minimum 12-month contract). It also insists the 55-plus membership isn’t hidden on the website.
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