FAQ About COSI Memberships
General Membership Questions
1) How do I purchase a COSI membership?
2) When I buy a membership, when can I begin using it?
Membership Cards
1) When will I receive my membership cards?
2) How many cards will I receive?
3) It's been a while and I haven’t received my cards; what are some reasons?
4) My card doesn't show the correct number of children; what are some reasons?
5) What if my card is lost, stolen, never received, or has spelling errors?
6) What if I have a change of address, phone number, or email address?
Membership Options
1) Can I put an additional person or childcare worker on my membership?
2) What is a Family Access membership, and do I qualify for this reduced-rate option?
3) I am a home school parent; do I qualify for the Teacher Membership?
4) What does a Teacher Membership include, and what forms of ID are accepted?
Visiting as a COSI Member
1) Can I use my membership without my membership cards?
2) Can Member children visit COSI when a parent is not present?
Membership Benefits
1) Are COSI’s Giant Screen Theater tickets free for members?
2) Is parking at COSI free for members?
3) What are member previews, and how do I make reservations for one?
4) Can I bring a guest to member events and previews?
Reciprocal Membership Benefits/ASTC Travel Passport Program
1) Is a COSI membership good at other museums?
2) What reciprocal membership privileges do I receive at ASTC museums?
3) What is COSI’s reciprocal admission policy?
Renewing Your Membership
1) How do I know when my membership expires, and will I get renewal info?
2) If I renew my membership before my expiration, do I lose months I had left?
Gift Memberships
1) How do I purchase a COSI gift membership?
2) When I purchase a gift membership, when can the recipient begin using it?
General Membership Questions
1) How do I purchase a COSI membership?
- COSI memberships can be purchased at the COSI Box Office, online, through the mail, or over the phone by calling 614.228.COSI (2674).
2) When I buy a membership, when can I begin using it?
- When you purchase a COSI membership, it becomes effective immediately.
- Keep the carbon copy of your application or email confirmation to use as proof of membership until your cards arrive in the mail.
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- You can also visit anytime after your purchase simply by presenting a photo ID for verification at the COSI Box Office.
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Membership Cards
1) When will I receive my membership cards?
- It takes about 3-4 weeks to receive your membership cards.
- Replacement card requests are also mailed within 3-4 weeks.
- For replacement card requests or questions, contact us online, call 614.228.COSI (2674), or email membership@mail.cosi.org.
2) How many cards will I receive?
3) It's been a while and I haven’t received my cards; what are some reasons?
- The Membership Department may not have your correct address on file. To update or verify your address, contact us online call 614.228.COSI (2674), or email membership@mail.cosi.org.
- If you have purchased a Teacher or Family Access membership, proof that you qualify is required in order for your membership to be processed. To provide proof, contact us online, email membership@mail.cosi.org or fax 614.629.3150.
- During peak seasons, like the holidays or spring break, the time it takes to process a membership may increase. It may take longer than 3-4 weeks before you receive your cards. To check the status of your membership cards, call 614.228.COSI (2674) or email membership@mail.cosi.org.
4) My card doesn't show all of my children; what are some reasons?
- The name and birth date for all children to be listed on a membership is required. This information may have been missing on your application. To update the number of children listed on your membership, contact us online, call 614.228.COSI (2674) or email membership@mail.cosi.org.
- Only children age 18 or younger are included on your COSI membership. It may be that a child listed is over the age of 18. COSI recommends purchasing an Add-On Guest for your membership, or an Individual plus Guest membership for the child over the age of 18.
5) What if my card is lost, stolen, never received, or has spelling errors?
6) What if I have a change of address, phone number, or email address?
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Membership Options
1) Can I put an additional person or childcare worker on my membership?
- Yes, the Add-On Guest option can be added to any membership for $25 (limit 2).
- The Add-On Guest is unnamed, so Add-On Guests are not members but get free admission when visiting with a member whose membership features this option.
- An Add-On Guest can be a different person each visit, adult or a child.
2) What is a Family Access membership, and do I qualify for this reduced-rate option?
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The Family Access Membership includes 2 adults and all children age 18 and under in the same household, for the cost of $25. This membership features all the COSI benefits members enjoy, including FREE admission to COSI, reciprocal admission to 300 + science museums worldwide, invitations to exclusive member events, discounts on movies and educational programs, express member check-in, and member newsletters and email updates.
To join at this discounted rate, families must show current participation in WIC, Ohio Directions, or Medicaid (from Ohio).
Family Access Memberships can be purchased by visiting the COSI Box Office or by Mail only. Be sure to include proof in one of the mentioned programs along with a photo ID at the time of purchase.
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3) I am a home school parent; do I qualify for the Teacher Membership?
- Yes, COSI offers the Teacher membership price to families who choose to educate their children from home.
- To qualify, families must provide a copy of the home school letter provided to by the superintendent of your local school district. Contact your local school district for this documentation if you do not already have it.
4) What does a Teacher Membership include, and what forms of ID are accepted?
- o Teacher Memberships are open to certified public/private PreK-12th grade school teachers, teachers at licensed/registered child care and preschool facilities, college/university faculty, and home educators. Teacher Memberships are valid for teaching faculty only. Adequate proof of teaching certification includes: (1) School ID; (2) OEA Card; (3) Teaching Certificate; (4) Home School Letter; or (5) Pay Stub.
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- You can purchase your Teacher Membership at COSI's Box Office during your visit by showing your photo ID and one of the above teacher certifications. When purchasing by phone or online, be sure copies of proof of teaching certification and a photo ID are faxed to 614.629.3150 attention Membership Department or scanned and emailed to membership@mail.cosi.org.
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Visiting as a COSI Member
1) Can I use my membership without my membership cards?
- Yes, a Box Office associate can verify your membership information in a computer database provided you present a valid photo ID at the time of check-in.
- Children must provide the main adult names listed on their membership in order to check-in using the computer database verification.
2) Can Member children visit COSI when a parent is not present?
- Yes, children should present their parents’ membership card at the Box Office.
- Children of driving age must provide a photo ID at check-in.
- Children 12 and under must be with an adult chaperone.
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Member Benefits
1) Are COSI’s Giant Screen Theater tickets free for members?
- Giant Screen Theater tickets are not included in the price of Premium or basic memberships. However, members can purchase tickets at the discounted price of $5.50 per person, which provides members with admission to a featured movie of their choice on the day of their visit.
- Or, the new Supporting Family membership now includes free, unlimited Giant Screen movies. Contact COSI to learn more about upgrading.
2) Is parking at COSI free for members?
- Member receive a discount on parking! Members can purchase pre-paid parking vouchers at COSI's Box Office for $4 each.
- Parking for the general public costs $5 a day or $4 after 5pm. COSI does not own the surrounding parking lots. These lots are owned by the City of Columbus, and managed by Riverfront Parking.
- When special events are held in the surrounding area, the lots may be pay upon entry, and space may be limited. Members are encouraged to call 614.228.COSI (2674) prior to their visit to check the availability of the lots.
3) What are member previews, and how do I make reservations for one?
- When a new exhibition or Giant Screen Theater film arrives at COSI, as members, you should be the first to see them. COSI holds previews of these exhibitions and films before they are open to the public or during special hours so members can view them without fighting the crowds.
- Member events and previews require advanced reservations as space is limited. Make a reservation online or by calling 614.228.COSI (2674).
- If you are unable to keep your reservation, or need to change the number of attendees, call 614.228.COSI (2674) to let us know.
4) Can I bring a guest to member events and previews?
- Generally, member events are for members only as an exclusive benefit.
- The Individual Plus Guest membership and the Add-On Guest allows the member to bring a guest for free each visit, including for these types of members-only preview events.
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Reciprocal Membership Benefits/ASTC Travel Passport Program
1) Is a COSI membership good at other museums?
- The Travel Passport Program entitles COSI members to free admission at 300 + ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers) museums when showing their COSI membership card and photo ID at the Box Office of these participating museums.
- View the ASTC Passport Program List, or request a printed list online or by calling 614.228.COSI (2674).
2) What reciprocal membership privileges do I receive at ASTC museums?
The ASTC Travel Passport Program entitles visitors to free general admission to participating science centers/museums. It does not include free admission to special exhibits, larger-screen theater presentations nor does it include museum store discounts or benefits.
Program Restriction:
Admission eligibility is based on your science center/museum's location: Science Centers/Museums located within 90 -miles of each other are excluded from the Travel Passport Program unless exclusion is lifted by a mutual agreement. 90-miles is measured "as the crow flies" rather than by driving distance.
Admission eligibility is based on Member's Residence: To receive Travel Passport Program benefits, you must live more than 90-miles away from the center/museum you wish to visit. The admission staff has the right to request proof of residence to apply the benefits. 90-miles is measured "as the crow flies", not by driving distance.
3) What is COSI’s reciprocal admission policy?
- COSI’s policy allows free admission for 2 adults and up to 4 children on the reciprocal membership.
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Renewing Your Membership
1) How do I know when my membership expires, and will I get renewal info?
- The expiration date of your membership is printed on your membership card.
- COSI will send you a renewal reminder via mail 60 days prior to your expiration.
2) If I renew my membership before my expiration, do I lose months I had left?
- No, your membership runs an entire calendar year from the date of purchase. If you renew early, the new membership begins when your old membership expires.
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Gift Memberships
1) How do I purchase a COSI gift membership?
- COSI gift memberships can be purchased at the COSI Box Office, online, through the mail, or over the phone by calling 614.228.COSI (2674).
2) When I purchase a gift membership, when can the recipient begin using it?
- When you purchase a gift membership, you choose whether a COSI gift packet is mailed to you or to the gift recipient. The recipient’s membership is not active until he or she returns the gift activation card found in the back of the gift packet.
- Gift activation cards can be turned in at the COSI Box Office or through the mail.
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