Whether you’re a first-timer curious about sunbed sessions or a regular who’s been paying per visit for years, you’ve probably wondered whether a tanning membership is worth it.
With more salons now offering monthly tanning plans and subscription-style packages, it’s a genuinely good question and the answer depends on how often you tan.
In this guide, we break down the key differences between a sunbed membership and pay-as-you-go pricing, so you can make the right call for your lifestyle and your budget.
At a Glance: Tanning Subscription vs Pay-As-You-Go
| Tanning Membership | Pay-As-You-Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Regular tanners (2–4x per week) | Occasional or one-off sessions |
| Cost per session | Lower (spread across the month) | Higher per individual visit |
| Flexibility | Fixed monthly commitment | Total freedom, no contract |
| Perks | Reward schemes | None typically |
| Budget planning | Easy & one fixed monthly cost | Variable |
What Is a Tanning Membership?
A tanning membership (or tanning subscription) is a monthly plan that gives you a set allowance of tanning minutes or in some cases, ‘unlimited sessions’ for a fixed monthly fee.
Rather than paying each time you walk through the door, you pay once a month and tan as frequently as your plan allows. Think of it like a gym membership, but for your tan.
How Does Pay-As-You-Go Tanning Work?
With pay-as-you-go tanning, you purchase minutes or a session each time you visit the salon; no subscription, no commitment, no minimum spend. You turn up, choose your bed, tan, and pay at the till.
This is the most common way people start their tanning journey, and it works well for those who want total flexibility or are still figuring out how often they’ll actually use a salon.
Is a Tanning Subscription Worth It?
This is where memberships start to make a lot of sense for regular tanners. Let’s say a single session costs around £10–£15 at a quality salon.
If you’re visiting twice a week, that’s £80–£120 per month. A monthly tanning membership at the same salon might offer the same usage for significantly less, often in the region of £40–£70 depending on the tier and salon.
If you tan consistently, a membership almost always works out cheaper per session. The more you use it, the better value it becomes.
Where pay-as-you-go wins on cost is when your schedule is unpredictable. If life gets busy and you only manage one or two sessions in a month, you won’t have lost money on a plan you didn’t fully use.
If you’re not sure what you’re currently paying per session, take a look at our guide to tanning bed session costs to get a clearer picture before comparing.
Which Suits Your Lifestyle?
Beyond the numbers, the right choice often comes down to how tanning fits into your routine.
A tanning membership tends to suit you if:
- You tan regularly throughout the year, not just before a holiday.
- You like having a consistent, bronzed look and maintaining it takes regular visits.
- You prefer knowing exactly what you’re spending each month.
- You’re a fan of perks; loyalty rewards, and member-only benefits.
- You’ve found a salon you love and plan to keep going back.
Pay-as-you-go tends to suit you if:
- You’re new to sunbed tanning and still working out your routine.
- Your schedule is unpredictable month to month.
- You only tan seasonally or ahead of specific occasions.
- You like the freedom to visit different salons without feeling committed.
There’s no wrong answer, it’s about what genuinely works for your lifestyle. If you’re thinking about how often you’d actually use a membership, it helps to have a routine in place first, read our guide to building the best sunbed routine to work out what suits your skin and schedule.
What to Look For in a Sunbed Membership?
Not all tanning memberships are created equal. If you’re comparing plans, here are the things worth checking:
Minutes vs unlimited: Some memberships give you a set bank of tanning minutes per month. Others offer unlimited sessions. Think about your actual usage and which model gives you more flexibility.
Bed access: Check which beds are included in your plan, some memberships cover the full range, while others require an upgrade for premium beds. It’s worth knowing upfront so you can choose the tier that matches the experience you’re after.
Rollover or expiry: Do unused minutes roll over to the next month? Or do you lose them? This matters if your schedule varies.
Contract length: Is it rolling monthly (cancel any time) or are you committing to a longer period? Monthly rolling plans offer much more flexibility.
Perks and extras: Reward scheme, skin prep products and giveaways. The best memberships offer more than just minutes.
Tanning Membership Cost: What's Typical in the UK?
Tanning membership costs in the UK vary depending on the salon, location, and what’s included. As a general guide:
- Entry-level plans (limited minutes per month): roughly £25 to £40/month.
- Mid-tier plans (generous minute allowance or bed access): typically £45–£65 a month.
- Premium plans (high-end beds, unlimited sessions): usually £70–£100+ a month.
As with most things, you get what you pay for. A budget salon and a premium salon might both offer a “monthly membership”, but the experience, the quality of the beds, and the environment you’re walking into are very different things.
It’s a bit like choosing between a basic gym and a high-end fitness club; the membership fee reflects far more than just the equipment.
If maintaining a quality tan matters to you, it’s worth investing in a salon where the overall experience matches that.
Tan On Your Terms
Whether pay-as-you-go suits your lifestyle or you’re ready to commit to a monthly tanning plan, understanding your options means you can make the right choice for your routine and your budget.
The best tanning experience isn’t just about the minutes, it’s about the quality of the salon you choose.
Not ready to commit to a membership just yet? Pre-buying minutes is another way to reduce your cost per session, find out how it works in our guide to pre-buying sunbed minutes online.
The SunShine Co. has salons across Southeast England offering a premium tanning experience. No booking needed, just walk in. Find your nearest salon today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tanning membership?
Is a sunbed membership worth it?
How much does a tanning membership cost in the UK?
Costs vary by salon and plan, but typically range from around £25 to £100+ per month depending on the tier, bed quality included, and whether the plan is limited-minute or unlimited.
Is a tanning membership cheaper than pay-as-you-go?
For regular tanners, yes a monthly membership almost always works out cheaper per session than paying each time you visit.
The more consistently you tan, the better value a membership becomes. If you only tan occasionally, pay-per-visit may suit you better as you’re only paying for what you use.
