Manage Places Leisure

How to cancel your places leisure membership and reclaim what you're owed

What places leisure is and why you might want to cancel

Places Leisure operates leisure centres across multiple locations, offering gym access, swimming pools, fitness classes and tiered memberships managed by Places for People Leisure Management Ltd. You can book activities through their online account tools and mobile app, making it easy to manage your membership day-to-day. However, if your lifestyle has changed, you've found a better-value centre, or you simply aren't using your membership, you have clear legal rights to cancel.

Before you take action, understanding your cancellation rights under New Zealand consumer law will help you avoid paying for unused months and recover any fees you're entitled to back. Stopee is here to guide you through every step of the process.

Understanding places leisure membership tiers

Places Leisure offers three main membership levels: Gold (full access to all centre tiers), Silver (access to Silver and Bronze centres), and Bronze (Bronze centres only). You may also come across limited-time promotional offers such as the $30 for 30 days deal. Each tier comes with a minimum contract term, and knowing which tier you hold will affect how you cancel and what refund you can claim.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

Your consumer protections are stronger than many people realise, and Stopee wants you to know exactly what they are. Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to cancel a membership within 14 days of purchase for any reason and receive a full refund, including any joining fee.

The 14-day cooling-off period

This is your strongest protection. If you joined within the last 14 days, you can cancel in writing and receive a full refund of your membership fees and joining fee within approximately 10 working days. The clock starts from the date you became a member, not the date you first used the facilities. This applies to all membership tiers and promotional offers.

Rights after the cooling-off period

Once 14 days have passed, your position changes. You can still cancel, but you must give at least 15 days' notice before your next Direct Debit payment. Your membership will remain active until that payment date arrives, and no refund is issued for the period you've already paid. If you believe Places Leisure has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act or engaged in misleading conduct, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission (comcom.govt.nz) if the company refuses to cooperate.

How to cancel your places leisure membership

You have four pathways to cancel, and Stopee recommends choosing the one that leaves you with the clearest written proof.

Cancellation methods and step-by-step instructions

Each method works, but cancelling in writing - whether through the app or via email - creates an audit trail that protects you if a dispute arises later.

1. Cancel via the Member Area online
   • Log in to your Places Leisure account on their website
   • Navigate to "My Memberships" or "Account Settings"
   • Select the membership you wish to cancel and click "Cancel Membership"
   • Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation request
   • You will receive an email confirmation - save this for your records
2. Cancel via the Places Leisure mobile app
   • Open the app and log into your account
   • Tap "My Memberships" or the equivalent menu option
   • Select the membership you want to cancel
   • Choose "Cancel Membership" and confirm your decision
   • Take a screenshot of the confirmation screen as backup evidence
3. Cancel by email or phone to customer support
   • Contact the Places Leisure helpline or email address listed on your membership documents
   • Clearly state your membership number, full name and the date you wish to cancel
   • Request written confirmation of your cancellation by email
   • Keep the confirmation email and any response in a safe folder
4. Cancel in writing at your local centre (if within 14 days)
   • Visit the centre manager's office during opening hours
   • Deliver a written notice stating your membership number, name and cancellation request
   • Ask for a receipt or signature confirming receipt of your notice
   • If you're outside the 14-day window, use one of the digital methods instead

Important timing rules for cancellation

Pro tip: If you're within your 14-day cooling-off period, cancel immediately - you have nothing to lose. If you're past that date, calculate your next Direct Debit payment and ensure your cancellation notice reaches Places Leisure at least 15 days before that date. For example, if your payment is due on the 20th of next month and today is the 10th, submit your cancellation now to ensure it takes effect on that date.

Warning: Submitting your notice fewer than 15 days before your payment date may mean you're charged for another month. Always check when your next payment is scheduled before you cancel.

Cancelling activities and individual classes

If you want to cancel a one-off class or activity rather than your entire membership, different rules apply. Stopee wants to help you avoid unexpected charges.

How to cancel individual sessions without penalty

You can cancel any booked activity or class without charge if you do so at least 6 hours before the session begins. Use the app, website, phone or visit the centre in person to cancel. After 6 hours have passed since your cancellation deadline, Places Leisure may charge you a $4 late-cancellation fee - unless they successfully resell your slot to another member, in which case the charge is waived.

Pay-as-you-go activity bookings are normally non-refundable and non-transferable unless you cancel within your 14-day cooling-off right or the company has made a genuine error.

Understanding your refund rights and timeline

Not all cancellations result in refunds, and Stopee wants you to know exactly which situations entitle you to money back.

When you'll receive a refund

You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of joining, including all membership fees and any joining fee. Refunds are processed back to your original payment method (usually your bank account or credit card) within approximately 10 working days. Places Leisure should confirm the refund by email or account notification once it has been processed.

If you have cancelled a course or activity booking within the 14-day period and remaining sessions can be resold, you may also receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion.

When no refund is issued

Once your 14-day cooling-off period expires, membership fees become non-refundable. If you cancel after the minimum term, your membership ends on your next Direct Debit payment date, but you do not receive money back for the period you've already paid. Similarly, joining fees are non-refundable after 14 days, and activity course fees are non-refundable if you choose not to attend unless you're within the cooling-off window.

Late single-session cancellations incur a $4 charge unless the centre successfully fills your slot with another participant.

Places leisure membership pricing and plans

Understanding the cost structure before you cancel helps you make an informed decision about whether to switch to a cheaper tier or leave entirely.

Promotional offers and minimum terms

Places Leisure frequently advertises limited-time promotions, such as $30 for 30 days. These usually come with a minimum contract term (often 12 months), meaning if you cancel before that period ends, you may owe the difference between the promotional price and the standard membership rate. Always read the terms carefully before signing up, and if you're unsure, ask the centre staff to confirm the minimum term in writing.

What happens after you cancel

Knowing what to expect after you've submitted your cancellation request removes uncertainty and helps you plan your next steps.

Access and membership end date

Once you've cancelled, your access to the centre continues until your membership end date (normally your next Direct Debit payment date). You can continue to use the gym, pools and classes right up until that final day. After midnight on the end date, your membership terminates and your card or app access will no longer work at any Place Leisure centre.

If you've cancelled within the 14-day cooling-off period, your access may end immediately, and the refund process begins. Check your cancellation confirmation email for the exact end date.

Confirmation and follow-up

Places Leisure will confirm your cancellation and any refund status by email or through your Member Area. Pro tip: Check your email spam folder if you don't see the confirmation within 2 working days, and contact customer support to verify that your cancellation was processed. Stopee recommends keeping this confirmation for at least 90 days in case there are any billing disputes.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many people accidentally extend their membership or miss refund deadlines because they didn't know what traps to watch for. We've seen it happen, and we want to help you avoid the same frustration.

Traps and how to sidestep them

• Missing the 14-day window: Mark your calendar on day 1 of your membership. If you're on day 15 or beyond, you've lost your unconditional refund right - so act fast if you're close.
• Not counting the full 15 days' notice: "15 days' notice" means 15 calendar days before your next payment. If your payment is Friday 20 December and today is Friday 6 December, you have exactly 14 days - you're one day short. Submit your notice immediately.
• Cancelling through the wrong channel and losing proof: Never cancel by simply not using your membership or assuming the centre will notice. Always use the app, online portal or email. A verbal conversation with staff is not legally binding.
• Forgetting to cancel sessions before the 6-hour deadline: Set phone reminders for classes you book. A $4 charge sounds small but adds up if you book multiple sessions and forget to cancel.
• Continuing to pay after a "successful" cancellation: Sometimes a cancellation request gets lost in the system. Check your bank statements for 2-3 weeks after your cancellation date to ensure no payment was taken. If it was, contact Places Leisure immediately and request a refund for the erroneous charge.

How stopee helps you cancel with confidence

Stopping unwanted subscriptions and recurring charges shouldn't be a battle, and Stopee exists to make the process as painless as possible. Our platform helps thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel memberships like Places Leisure, recover refunds and switch to services that actually deliver value. We provide step-by-step guidance, track your cancellation requests and follow up on your behalf if a company refuses to cooperate.

If Places Leisure fails to honour your cancellation request or wrongly charges you after you've cancelled, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, which enforces consumer law across Aotearoa. Stopee gives you the knowledge and tools to stand up for your rights without stress.

Your cancellation checklist and next steps

Before you submit your cancellation, work through this checklist to ensure everything is in order.

What to do next

Once you've cancelled, monitor your bank account for the next 2-3 weeks to confirm that no further charge is taken. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact Places Leisure customer support within 5 business days and request an immediate refund. Stopee recommends keeping records of every communication until the refund is verified in your bank account.

If Places Leisure refuses to process your cancellation or refund, document the refusal and contact the Commerce Commission at comcom.govt.nz. They handle complaints about breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act and can compel companies to comply.

Contacting places leisure for cancellation

To ensure your cancellation goes through without delay, use the contact details and address below. Remember: always use a method that creates a written record.

Official cancellation address and contact methods

While Places Leisure is operated in New Zealand, cancellation correspondence is typically directed to the UK head office address of Places for People Leisure Management Ltd. Confirm the current UK postal address on your membership documents or by calling your local centre first, as administrative addresses can change. For fastest processing, use the online Member Area or app to cancel - both create immediate digital proof of your request.

If you need to send written notice by post, write to the address provided in your membership welcome letter or final statement. Include your full name, membership number, date of birth and the date you wish to cancel. Mark the envelope "Cancellation Request" and send it via registered post so you can prove delivery.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate cancellations exactly like this one, and we know that clear communication and written proof are everything. Follow this guide, keep your confirmation, and you'll reclaim your money or cleanly exit your membership without unnecessary charges.