Goodbye plastic, hello pixels!

Academy membership cards have gone digital. Learn more about downloading, using, and updating your card, and view answers to frequently asked questions below.

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Downloading your card

When will I get my card?

If you’re currently a member, you should have already received an email from membership@calacademy.org with an invitation to download your card. Be sure to access this email on your smartphone!

If you're currently a donor at the Friends Circle level or above, we sent out your digital card on January 24, 2022. Be sure to access this email on your smartphone!

If you're a brand-new or renewing member, you’ll receive an email containing a link to download your official digital membership card within the next 24 hours. Be sure to access this email on your smartphone

If you're a brand-new or renewing donor at the Friends Circle level or above, please allow up to two weeks for your digital card to arrive. If you'd like to visit before then, simply provide your donor ID to staff at the Academy's member entrance.

How do I add my card to my iPhone?

With ease!

  1. On your iPhone, open the email with the subject line “Download your California Academy of Sciences DIGITAL membership card”
  2. Tap the “Download Membership Card” button in the email
  3. Tap “Add to Wallet”
  4. Tap “Add”
  5. Done! Your digital membership card now lives in your Wallet app and can be accessed anytime.
How do I add my card to my Android phone?

In a pinch on either the Google Pay (Gpay) or WalletPasses app!

If you use Google Pay (Gpay):

  1. Make sure the Gpay app is installed on your Android phone. If not, download here.
  2. On your phone, open the email with the subject line “Download your California Academy of Sciences DIGITAL membership card”
  3. Tap the “Download Membership Card” button in the email
  4. Tap "Add to Gpay"
  5. A preview will appear: Tap "Save to Gpay"
  6. Done! Your digital membership card now lives in your Gpay app and can be accessed anytime. (Note: Gpay might ask you to log in so you can save it to an account. Please log in to continue; no credit card information should be required.)

If you use WalletPasses:

  1. Download the WalletPasses app from Google Play to your Android phone if you don’t have it already
  2. On your phone, open the email with the subject line “Download your California Academy of Sciences DIGITAL membership card”
  3. Tap the “Download Membership Card” button in the email
  4. A new window will appear: Tap "Add to Pass Wallet" 
  5. Done! Your digital membership card now lives in your WalletPasses app and can be accessed anytime.
I can’t find the email with my downloadable card.

It’s in there, but it might be hiding in your Promotions or spam folder! Search your inbox for the email subject line “Download your California Academy of Sciences DIGITAL membership card” and it should come up. Still not seeing it? Shoot us an email at membership@calacademy.org and we’ll resend it.

I’m already a member with a plastic card. What do I do with it?

If you’ve been a member since before March 2020, chances are you have a plastic membership card. You may continue to use it (it will still work as long as you’re an active member) or you may recycle it and use your digital membership card when you receive the email invitation.

Using your card

How do I use my card?

Use your digital membership card just like you’d use a plastic card: To enter the Academy and enjoy your member discount at the Academy’s stores and restaurants.

At the member entrance, have your digital card ready for scanning, along with photo ID (for members 18+) and any required COVID-19 documentation.

At our retail stores and restaurants, show your digital card at the register to ensure your member discount is applied to your purchase.

Note: For the latest health and safety and vaccination requirements, please check our website before your visit.

How do I find my card on my phone?

Depending on your device, you may be able to access your mobile wallet and digital membership card from the lock screen either by double-clicking the home or side button or using Face ID. Check your phone’s settings to ensure wallet access from the lock screen is enabled. (For iPhone users, here’s a helpful website to walk you through it.) You can also simply search within your apps for Wallet (for iPhone users) or WalletPasses (for Android users).

If your mobile wallet is jam-packed with other digital cards, passes, and tickets, your Academy digital membership card may be hidden. This is a great time to clean house!

What’s on the “back” of my card?

The back of your digital membership card contains useful information, including a listing of your membership benefits, links to helpful Academy webpages, and contact information. Here’s how to view it from your mobile wallet:

  • For iPhone users, tap the 3-dot icon on the top-right corner of your digital card.
  • For Android users, tap the “i” information icon on the lower-right corner of your digital card.
How can my family or caregiver access my card?

If your membership level includes another named cardholder or caregiver (Family, Family Plus, Community Value, Associate, all Donor Circle levels) and they’d like to visit without the primary member present, you may share your digital membership card with them per the instructions below:

For iPhone users:

  1. Tap the 3-dot icon on the top-right corner of your digital card
  2. Tap the “share” icon also on the top-right corner
  3. Share with your other named cardholder or caregiver via your Messages app
  4. When your recipient receives your text message, they should tap the image of the card and then tap “Save” to download the card to their Wallet app.

For Android users:

  1. Ensure your other named cardholder or caregiver has the Google Pay or WalletPasses app downloaded to their Android device
  2. Tap the “i” information icon on the lower-right corner of your digital card
  3. Tap the “Share Pass” link
  4. Share with your other named cardholder or caregiver via text message
  5. When your recipient receives your text message, they should tap the image of the card and then tap “Save” to download the card to their Google Pay or WalletPasses app.

Please note: You may only share your digital membership card with the named cardholders or caregivers listed on your membership plan. Sharing your digital membership card with unauthorized users may result in suspension of your membership privileges.

What if I don’t have a smartphone?

We admire your resolve! Email us at membership@calacademy.org and we’ll work out a solution.

Remind me why a digital card is better than a physical card?

There are several reasons! Not only are digital membership cards environmentally friendly, convenient, and practical, they help reduce overhead to ensure more of your membership dues support the museum you love.

Updating your card

There is incorrect information on my card.

Sorry about that! Please let us know of any errors by emailing us at membership@calacademy.org and we’ll update your membership record. Your digital membership card will automatically update within 10 days.

Will my card automatically update when I renew, upgrade, or cancel?

Yes, but please allow 24 hours for your digital membership card to reflect any changes to your membership level or expiration date.

Should I keep “Automatic Updates” on?

Yes! Please ensure this setting is toggled on on the back of your digital membership card. This will ensure your card stays up-to-date.

Help!

Additional questions or concerns? Need a tech pep talk? We’re here for you 8 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday. Email us at membership@calacademy.org or call the membership hotline at 415-379-8498. Thanks for your continued support!