Member and Patron FAQs

Members may join or renew:

• Online by clicking here.
• By calling 212-570-3753 (M-F 9AM-5PM ET)
• In person at any Membership desk during regular Museum hours.
• In person at any Met Store location.
• By mail via check to:
  
  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  Attn: Membership Department
  1000 Fifth Ave
  New York, NY 10028

For the most immediate access to your benefits, please renew online, in person, or over the phone. If you send your renewal information by mail, please monitor your billing statements. Your Membership is active from the payment’s processing date.

To ensure the funds are properly allocated, please write “Membership Dues” and your Member ID number in the Memo section of your check.

You will receive your Membership card(s) and official tax receipt in the mail within 3-4 weeks. Please allow more time for international addresses.

Please feel free to check your Membership status by contacting us.

Your Membership number is located on the back of your Membership card below your name.

You can purchase a Gift Membership online, in person at any Membership desk or any Met Store location, or over the phone at 212-570-3753 (M-F 9AM-5PM ET)

When renewing online:

To indicate that a Membership is a gift, please select “Yes, I would like to gift a new Membership or renew an existing Membership” as below.

You can choose to send Membership cards to either the recipient or the billing address. Complete addresses are required in both fields. We are not able to include a personalized note for the recipient.

While your gift recipient awaits their Membership card(s), we invite you to download or print our digital gift membership card to present to your recipient.

The Met accepts the following payments for Membership: cash (on-site only), check, credit card, wire transfer, DAF/IRA funds, and stock.

For information regarding payment via wire transfer, DAF/IRA funds, or stock, please check with your financial planner, and then contact the Member and Donor Services office.

Please contact your fund prior to paying through a DAF, IRA, or family foundation, as Memberships may not be eligible for purchase through your fund.

All Memberships include non-tax deductible goods and services that may not be declined. Please contact the Member and Donor Services office for further information on how this may affect your giving.

We offer different options designed around the ways The Met fits into your life. Please click here for a full list of available Memberships.

The Apollo Circle is a dynamic group of young patrons of the arts in their 20s and 30s who enjoy a closer connection to The Met. For more information, click here.

The Met Family Circle offers families with children 12 and under an introduction to The Met collection and an opportunity to further their appreciation of the visual arts. For more information, click here.

The Met Friends Groups contribute to new acquisitions and programming within specific departments of the museum and allow the opportunity to build relationships with curators and patrons in a behind the scenes settings. For more information, click here.

The Fund for The Met supports the Museum's priorities and general operating expenses. Gifts to the Fund for The Met are tax-deductible and provide critical funding for everything we do at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, allowing us to stay true to our mission. No matter the amount, each gift makes a difference. To donate online, click here.

No, The Met does not currently offer discounted Memberships.

All Memberships at The Met are issued to individual persons and are non-transferable. We do not offer Library or Gallery Memberships, as each Membership card must be issued to a person and not an institution.

Please contact the Member and Donor Services office via email or phone to update your information. Include your name, Member ID number, and address in your message.

Memberships are active from the date of purchase. Membership start dates cannot be delayed. We recommend purchasing your personal or gift Memberships closer to the date you would like it to begin.

Memberships are valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. All benefits are accessible from the date of purchase.

Due to processing time, renewal notices and payments may cross in the mail.

For the most immediate access to your benefits, please renew online, in person, or over the phone. If you send your renewal information by mail, please monitor your billing statements. Your Membership will be active following that payment's processing.

Your Membership account is not connected to your Met Store account. If you are having trouble logging into your Met Store account, please contact Store Support at 800-662-3397 or email store.support@metmuseum.org.

IDNYC cardholders are eligible for a complimentary, one year IDNYC Membership at The Met. To sign up, please present your valid IDNYC card at the Membership Desk at either Met Museum location. The benefits include admission for the cardholder and accompanied children under the age of 18.

For more information about the IDNYC program, including IDNYC Centers, please click here.

Memberships will be issued for one year from the date of registration. IDNYC Membership cards are not transferable and cannot be reprinted if lost or stolen. Current Met Members and those whose Memberships have lapsed within the past five years are not eligible. IDNYC Memberships may not be renewed and are only active for one year.

The amount paid for admission ticket(s) can be applied towards the cost of a Membership. This can be done only in person, on or before the last day your ticket is valid. Please visit any Membership Desk with either your ticket or receipt. To maximize admission benefits, we suggest initiating the transfer on the last day that a ticket is valid. Membership benefits begin immediately and supersede general admission.

The Automatic Renewal program ensures that your support of The Met is ongoing, while helping the Museum save on resources.

You can enroll in Automatic Renewal by contacting the Membership Department, or by selecting the option to enroll when joining or renewing online.

The Museum will send an annual reminder to the email address provided on your account before your credit card is charged.

You may opt out of the Automatic Renewal program at any time by notifying the Membership Department at 212-570-3753, or by emailing: automatic.renewal@metmuseum.org.

Please note we do not offer Automatic Renewal for Gift Memberships.

If you would like to upgrade to enjoy more benefits, you may do so by visiting any Membership Desk during regular museum hours, or by contacting the Member and Donor Services office at 212-570-3753 (M-F 9AM-5PM ET).

Membership contributions are not refundable or transferable.

A portion of each Membership contribution is tax deductible. Please see here for information about the tax-deductible portion of each level.

A copy of your tax acknowledgment letter is mailed after joining or renewing. If you require a replacement, please email membership@metmuseum.org. Please include your Member ID number, name, mailing address, and date of payment in question.

For more information about your benefits, please contact the Member and Donor Services office at membership@metmuseum.org or 212-570-3753 (M-F 9AM-5PM ET).

Matched gifts may not be applied towards Membership dues. For information regarding donations via matching gift please check with your company, and then contact the Member and Donor Services office.

We encourage Members to always carry their Membership cards to access your benefits as a Member or Patron. Members may always visit, shop, or make dining and event reservations without their cards. To do so, please check in at any Membership Desk with your Member ID number or name.

Cards are printed at the Membership desks at The Met Fifth Ave when a Member joins or renews at the Membership desk, by calling the Membership department, or using the online form. Members may also request replacement cards at the desk if theirs are lost.

Please note, Members who join or renew in any Met Store location will not be eligible for the on-site printing option.

When joining or renewing by mail, cards will be mailed and arrive within 3-4 weeks. Please allow more time for international addresses.

We encourage all Members to have their cards with them to access all Membership benefits.

Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery of Membership cards from the date of purchase. We cannot expedite delivery. If you join or renew at a Membership Desk, you will receive your card immediately and an official tax receipt will be mailed.

You can request a replacement card at any Membership desk at The Met Fifth Avenue during a visit. Please note, you will be asked to show photo ID when requesting cards.

If you are not able to visit, you can request a replacement card by sending your Member ID number, name, and address to membership@metmuseum.org or by calling the Membership Department Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm at 212-570-3753. It usually takes 3 to 6 weeks for cards to arrive by mail.

Members at the Dual, Family, Enthusiast, Ambassador level, as well as all Patrons may designate a second Member cardholder. If no second cardholder is specified, the second card will read “Guest of [Member Name].”

To add or change a second cardholder’s name, please contact Member and Donor Services by emailing membership@metmuseum.org with your ID number, name, and address, or by calling 212-570-3753 (M-F 9AM-5PM EST).

Each Membership level includes admission for at least one accompanied adult guest and children under the age of 18. For more information, click here.

Admission for accompanied children under the age of 18 is included with Membership. Please note, this policy does not apply towards school or group visits. For more information about school visits, group visits, or private tours, click here.

Met Fifth: Members are welcome to enter at either public entrance on Fifth Avenue. Anyone requiring a step-free entrance can use the ground-level entrance at 81st Street and Fifth Avenue.

Met Cloisters: Members are welcome to enter via the main entrance on Margaret Corbin Drive.

All Members and visitors must pass through a security check. Please anticipate lines at the entrances. For more information, click here.

Care partners of visitors with disabilities receive complimentary admission. Visitors may borrow manual wheelchairs (standard and wide) from Security staff at the 81st Street entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about accessibility at The Met, please click here. For information about programming for visitors with disabilities, please click here. You may also contact the Accessibility department at access@metmuseum.org or 212-650-2010.

The tickets that Members and their guests receive provide admission to all open galleries and exhibitions. There is no timed ticketing for exhibitions unless otherwise noted.

Membership benefits cannot be applied to group visits. Groups do receive special rates for admission. For more information, see here.

Members and Patrons receive:

• 15% discount at The Met Store, plus seasonal discounts during Member Double Discount Days;
• 10% discount at all public restaurants and venues at The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters;
• 10% discount at the parking garage when the parking ticket is validated at the Uris Center Membership Desk during Museum hours. Parking validation is only available when the Museum is open to the public.

Membership Emails: You will be subscribed to Members-only news, invitations and updates when you join or renew and provide an email address. If you would like to provide or change an email address, please email membership@metmuseum.org or call the Membership Department Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm at 212-570-3753.

What’s On: What’s On for Members and Patrons is a seasonal calendar that lists upcoming Membership events, exhibition openings, programs, and tours. What’s On is mailed to all Members and Patrons (except IDNYC).

The Bulletin: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin is a quarterly magazine that features an exhibition at The Met and includes commentary by curators and educators. Members at the Dual, Family, Enthusiast, Ambassador levels, as well as all Patrons receive a print subscription as a benefit of Membership. All Members can access the web version of the The Bulletin. 

The Balcony Lounge is a modern dining space available to Members at the Dual level and above. Members are welcome to call 212-650-2910 for reservations.

The Patrons Lounge is an elegant space to relax with views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. It is available to Patrons, The Apollo Circle, and their accompanied guests.

Please find information about all menus, hours, and contact information for dining locations at The Met here.

Members may host events in our unique dining spaces. From intimate dinners to cocktail receptions, these rooms offer exceptional opportunities to entertain your family, friends, and colleagues – tailored to your tastes. For more information, please see here.

Members at the Enthusiast and Ambassador levels, as well as Patrons receive reciprocal benefits at 16 US institutions. Present your qualifying Membership card to receive benefits. Please reach out to the partner institution you plan to visit to find more information about the specific reciprocal benefits offered.

The Reciprocal Membership list is printed on the back of all qualifying Membership cards.

Participating institutions include:

Carnegie Museum of Art
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Andy Warhol Museum
Dallas Museum of Art
Denver Art Museum
Detroit Institute of Arts
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Toledo Museum of Art
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

If you are a Member of one of our partner institutions, please see below for the reciprocal benefits offered to you by The Met.

• Free admission for you and one guest at all times during Museum hours at both Met locations: The Met Fifth Avenue, and The Met Cloisters.
• Free admission for you and one guest to special exhibitions where an advance ticket is not required.
• Admission to Member Exhibition Previews where an advance ticket is not required.
• Same discount on purchases in the art and book shops (made on the premises) as offered to Members of that museum.

Reciprocal benefits do not include access to Member-only spaces such as the Balcony Lounge or Patrons Lounge.

Please visit our Membership Page for more information about the exciting opportunities available to our Members. 

Weekend Member Mornings and Exhibition Preview Days follow the general guest policy for your Membership level.

All evening events admit a total party of two. These include The Met After Hours, Exhibition Receptions, Spring at The Cloisters, and Concerts and Curator Talks for Patrons.

Members may purchase tickets for any guests whom they wish to invite to the Apollo Circle Benefit, the Member Holiday Party, The Grand Tour, and the Young Members Party.

RSVPs are required for The Met After Hours, Exhibition Receptions, Spring at The Cloisters, and Concerts and Curator Talks for Patrons. Members and Patrons may RSVP for a total party of two.

Please RSVP via email to MembershipPrograms@metmuseum.org with your Member ID number and names of the two attendees.

RSVPs are not required for Weekend Member Mornings, Exhibition Preview Days, or ticketed events.

The new program is designed to improve the Member experience and grow our community at The Met. We’ve taken our Members’ feedback into account and introduced levels and benefits that better reflect what Members value most.

Changes to benefits, pricing, and categories went into effect on April 17, 2024. All current Members and Patrons were notified via mail and email.

While most existing levels of Membership are being renamed, we are also introducing four new levels:

Please see below for a conversion chart:

Please visit our Membership page to see a full list of current Membership benefits.

Yes, current Members and Patrons will receive their new card(s) over the coming months.

Members of the Apollo Circle, Friends Groups, and the Family Circle will receive new cards upon renewal.

No, your Member ID number will remain the same and will appear on your new Member card.

No, your expiration date will remain the same. If you are uncertain when your Membership expires, you may contact our Member and Donor Services team to confirm.

We have removed the expiration date to improve your Membership experience. Your card will remain valid as long as your Membership is in good standing. Members and Patrons can continue to use their new cards for years and do not need to wait for a new card each year when they renew. To confirm your expiration date, you may contact our Member and Donor Services team. Your expiration date will also be included on certain Membership emails and letters sent to active Members.

Yes, please feel free to use your old Member card to access your benefits. Your card will remain valid as long as your Membership is in good standing.

No, if you joined or renewed your Membership prior to April 17, 2024, your level and benefits were updated automatically. If you join or renew following this date, you may only do so with the new current levels.

No, guest admission for Members and Patrons have not changed. Please visit our Membership page to see your current level's guest admission privileges.

No, the tax deductibility of any contributions made prior to April 17, 2024 has not changed. Please visit our Membership page to see the current tax deductibility of all Membership levels. If you choose to upgrade your existing Membership to a higher level, your new level's tax-deductible amount will apply and be reflected on your acknowledgment letter. Please note that categories, benefits and prices are subject to change.

No, current IDNYC cardholders will continue to receive free admission for one year upon signing up.

Yes, Members and Patrons at any level above Family ($230) may opt in to receive Family level benefits. Please contact our Member and Donor Services team for more information.

Please visit the Apollo Circle, Family Circle or Friends Groups pages to see the current full list of Membership benefits at these levels.