How to permanently disable auto-renewal so you never get surprised by an unexpected renewal charge again. This guide applies specifically to Planet Fitness ($10-$24.99/mo) subscribers in Huntington Beach, California. California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) protects you.
California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600) gives Huntington Beach residents specific protections when dealing with Planet Fitness:
Penalties: Consumers can recover actual damages plus $1,000 in statutory damages per violation
Applied to Planet Fitness (In-person or certified mail) for Huntington Beach residents
Log into your account settings
Go to the service's website (not app, unless it's an app-store subscription). Navigate to Settings → Billing → Subscription or Plan.
Look for 'Auto-Renewal' or 'Recurring Billing' toggle
Most services have an explicit auto-renewal toggle. Turn it off. You will typically keep access until your current paid period ends, then it won't renew.
Get written confirmation
After toggling, screenshot the settings page and save any confirmation email. If they charge you after disabling auto-renewal, you have documented proof.
For app-store subscriptions, disable in the store
iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions → [App] → Turn off Renew. Google Play: Manage subscriptions → Cancel. The app itself cannot see these settings.
Set a final billing date reminder
Note when your current period ends. After that date, verify no charge appears. If you see a charge after disabling auto-renewal, that is an unauthorized charge.
Method: In-person or certified mail · Difficulty: nightmare
Planet Fitness-specific tips
Annual fee is non-refundable. Monthly billing stops after processing.
Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600, Huntington Beach residents may be entitled to a full refund if Planet Fitness didn't properly disclose auto-renewal terms.
SubScrub auto-cites Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17600 for Huntington Beach residents