It's been impossible for two weeks to immerse yourself in a dark room, visit an exhibition or go sweat on a treadmill. Activities that often take place through a subscription. With the confinement imposed to combat the epidemic due to the coronavirus, these subscriptions are therefore no longer useful. Faced with this unprecedented situation, commercial policies differ between brands.
The cinemas have decided to make a move. Thus, the “UGC Unlimited” subscriptions are automatically frozen since March 14. The monthly withdrawals from April are suspended until the cinemas reopen, and the brand will reimburse the amount collected for the period from March 15 to 31. Those who have paid their subscription will have their subscription extended "by the number of days during which the cinemas have been closed". Pathé-Gaumont cinemas have implemented the same system for their Ciné Pass subscribers.
Even though each brand has its own policy, many sports halls have announced that they will compensate their customers by offering them a credit note, or by extending their contract for the duration of the confinement. The Circles of Fitness have decided to freeze subscriptions: "The duration of club closings due to a health epidemic will be added to your subscription in the form of a carry-over at zero cost", we read on their website. In addition to the total compensation, “joint” options (direct debits continue during the closure, but with a reduction) or “support” options (direct debits, two three-month invitations offered for relatives) are available.
What about theaters and museums?
To keep its members practicing at home, the channel has also launched a weekly live streaming class program. "We will use your imagination and your creativity by using everyday objects!" Promises the brand. Neoness has also opted for this solution, with its ConFITment program on Instagram, and promises a subscription deferral. The Fitness Park network offers a choice similar to the Circles of Fitness: a suspension of direct debits during the closure, three months of subscription offered to a loved one as soon as the club reopens or a reduction of 5 euros per month for 12 months. The Basic-Fit chain, which does not allow subscription suspension, has announced that it will return to its customers "no later than the first week of April".
On the other hand, on the side of swimming pools, museums, theaters or zoological parks, it is more vague and on a case by case basis. Priority is given to the reimbursement of single tickets, as is the case for example at the Comédie Française. "We may be obliged to notify accordingly," says the centenary cultural institution, which has not yet made a decision for its customers subscribed to the year. On the other hand, at the National Museum of Natural History, “the annual Passes (Musées du Muséum, Parc Zoologique de Paris and Jardin des plantes) have their validity extended to compensate for the closing period. "