What Palm Beach Tan offers and how their membership structure works

Palm Beach Tan is a chain of tanning salons operating across multiple states, primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. They offer UV tanning beds, spray tanning, and red light therapy services. Unlike walk-in salons where you pay per session, Palm Beach Tan operates on a membership model — you pay a monthly fee for unlimited or limited access to their equipment, depending on which membership tier you choose.

The company does not publish a single national price list. Membership costs, session limits, and available services vary by location because each salon is independently owned and operated. Before comparing Palm Beach Tan to other tanning options, you need to contact your local salon directly to learn what they charge and what each membership level includes.

Palm Beach Tan locations also differ in which services they offer. Some salons have only UV beds; others add spray tanning booths, red light therapy beds, or both. The equipment quality and bed types (stand-up versus lay-down, for example) also varies between locations. This means your experience at one Palm Beach Tan salon may not match another.

Key Takeaways

  • Palm Beach Tan operates as a membership-based chain where you pay monthly for access rather than per-session fees, but pricing and services differ by location.
  • Each salon is independently owned, so membership costs, session limits, and available equipment vary — you must contact your specific location for pricing.
  • Most memberships offer either unlimited tanning or a set number of sessions per month, plus options to add spray tanning or red light therapy.
  • Membership contracts often require a commitment period, and cancellation policies vary by location, so review the terms before signing.

Membership tiers and what each level typically includes

Palm Beach Tan salons generally offer multiple membership levels, though the names and details differ by location. A basic tier might offer a limited number of tanning sessions per month (for example, 4 or 8 sessions), while a mid-tier membership covers unlimited tanning. Premium tiers often bundle tanning with spray tanning, red light therapy, or both.

Sessions are usually measured in minutes rather than visits. A typical session might be 10, 15, or 20 minutes in a tanning bed, depending on your skin type and the bed's intensity. Spray tanning is often sold separately or added to a membership for an extra monthly fee. Red light therapy beds, which some locations offer, are sometimes included in premium memberships or charged as an add-on.

Because pricing and tier names vary, you cannot assume that a membership at one Palm Beach Tan location costs the same or includes the same services as another. Call your local salon, ask them to list every membership option they offer, and ask what each one includes — the number of sessions, whether spray tanning is included, and whether red light therapy is available.

How membership contracts and cancellation policies work

Most Palm Beach Tan memberships require you to sign a contract committing to a set period — commonly 12 months, though some locations offer shorter terms. During the contract period, you typically cannot cancel without paying an early termination fee. The amount of that fee varies by location and contract length.

After the contract period ends, many memberships convert to month-to-month, meaning you can cancel with notice (usually 30 days). However, some locations require you to renew for another contract period. Before you sign, ask your salon three specific questions: How long is the contract? What is the early termination fee if you cancel before the contract ends? What happens when the contract period is over — do you go month-to-month, or must you sign another contract?

Payment is usually automatic — charged to a credit card or bank account on the same day each month. If you want to cancel, you typically must notify the salon in writing or in person; cancellation by phone or email may not be honored. Keep a record of when you submitted your cancellation request and how you submitted it, in case there is a dispute about when your membership ended.

Comparing Palm Beach Tan to other tanning options

The main trade-off with a membership is commitment versus cost. If you tan frequently (more than once a week), a monthly membership is usually cheaper per session than paying per visit at a walk-in salon. If you tan rarely, a membership locks you into paying whether you use it or not, making pay-per-session tanning more economical.

Other tanning chains operate similarly — Planet Fitness, for example, offers tanning memberships at some locations, and independent salons may offer both memberships and walk-in rates. Some salons let you buy a package of sessions (for example, 10 sessions for a set price) without a monthly contract, which gives you flexibility without the commitment of a membership.

Spray tanning and red light therapy are available at many salons, not just Palm Beach Tan. If you are interested in one of these services, compare what your local Palm Beach Tan charges to add them against what independent salons charge for the same service. The price difference can be significant.

What to know about UV tanning beds and skin safety

UV tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation to darken skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies tanning beds as Class II medical devices and requires them to carry warnings about skin cancer risk and eye damage. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends against indoor tanning for anyone under 18 and advises all users to understand the risks before using a bed.

Tanning beds vary in intensity and wavelength. Newer beds may emit different UV ratios than older ones, and bed maintenance affects how much UV you receive. Palm Beach Tan salons are responsible for maintaining their equipment and replacing bulbs on schedule, but maintenance standards may vary between locations. If a bed feels unusually hot or the bulbs look discolored, ask a staff member when the bed was last serviced.

Before using any tanning bed, ask the salon staff about the specific bed's intensity level and how many minutes are recommended for your skin type. Overexposure in a single session can cause burns. If you are taking medications that increase sun sensitivity (such as certain antibiotics or retinoids), check with your doctor before tanning, as UV beds can interact with these drugs.

How to evaluate a specific Palm Beach Tan location before joining

Visit the salon in person before signing a contract. Look at the condition of the beds — are they clean, do the bulbs look new, and does the salon smell fresh or stale? Ask to see the maintenance log or ask when each bed was last serviced. A well-maintained salon replaces bulbs regularly and cleans beds between users.

Talk to current members if you can. Ask them how long they have been members, whether they use the membership regularly, and whether they have had any issues with billing or cancellation. Read online reviews on Google, Yelp, or the salon's social media, but remember that reviews are subjective — focus on patterns (for example, multiple complaints about billing or difficulty canceling) rather than single negative reviews.

Ask the staff to explain the contract in writing before you sign. If anything is unclear — the cancellation fee, the renewal terms, or what happens if you miss a payment — ask them to clarify in writing. Do not sign a contract you do not fully understand, and do not rely on verbal promises that differ from what the written contract says.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my Palm Beach Tan membership instead of canceling?

Some locations offer a pause or freeze option that suspends your membership for a set period (usually 30 to 90 days) without charging you, though you may pay a small fee. Others do not. Ask your salon whether this option is available and what it costs before you sign up.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

Most salons will attempt to charge your card again if the first charge fails. If the second attempt fails, they may suspend your membership or begin collection efforts. Contact your salon when ready if a payment fails — do not ignore the issue, as it can damage your credit and result in additional fees.

Do I need to bring anything to my first tanning session?

Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to sign paperwork acknowledging the risks of UV tanning. Wear minimal clothing or a swimsuit. Remove jewelry and any metal piercings before entering the bed, as metal can heat up and burn skin. Ask the staff whether you should wear goggles — most salons provide them.

Can I transfer my membership to another Palm Beach Tan location?

Some locations allow transfers between salons in the same region or company, but policies vary. If you plan to move or travel, ask your salon whether your membership is transferable and whether there is a fee to transfer it.

What is the difference between a tanning bed and a spray tan?

A tanning bed uses UV light to stimulate melanin production in your skin over multiple sessions. A spray tan applies a chemical solution (usually dihydroxyacetone, or DHA) to your skin in a single session, creating a temporary tan that lasts 5 to 10 days. Spray tans carry no UV exposure risk but require repeated applications to maintain the color.