When does my membership expire? / Has my membership been processed?
Memberships are valid for 12 months from the purchase month, for a one-year membership; and for 24 months from the purchase month, for a two-year membership. Memberships expire at the posted Zoo closing time on the last day of the month of expiration. In order to efficiently and thoroughly answer your questions, we request that you call the Membership Department line at (708) 688-8341; we answer the phones everyday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I want to renew my membership. How do I do that?
Renewing your membership can be done online, at the Zoo, over the phone, or by mail. 

If you are renewing your membership early the new membership year will start after your old membership expires. Memberships that are renewed early do not overlap to ensure you enjoy the full length of each of membership year. You may renew your membership at anytime.

If you are planning to visit soon and would like access to your new tickets immediately, we strongly recommend that you renew at the Zoo. Any ticket counter will happily renew your current membership.

Update Your Account

Add/Update E-mail (add to e-mail updates)
Update/Correct Adults Info
Update/Correct Contact Info
Update/Correct Number of Children
Remove From Mailing List

Can my children use my membership?
Yes, children (ages 3 to 17) are eligible for free admission under their parents’ membership. If your child will be visiting the zoo without you, please give them one of your membership cards and have them bring a photo ID. At admissions, inform the attendant that they are a child (aged 3 to 17) on this membership. (They may be asked for ID to match the parents’ last name on membership.) Note: Children are not eligible for the adult-specific (18+) benefits on the membership including parking or a free guest. Children under 3 are always free.

Can someone else use my membership card?
Membership cards are valid only for the member listed on the card and may not be loaned or given to anyone else to use. To protect the benefits of your membership, identification with the member’s name and address, matching the membership record is always required.

Anyone may use your one time use Guest Admission Tickets without a member present, as long as the passes are not expired. This may be one option if friends, family, or a caregiver is coming to the zoo. (You may wish to remind them that they still need to pay for parking.) You can also give your one-time-use Attraction tickets to friends, family, or caregivers to use without a member present as well.

If your cards are lost or stolen, a replacement card can be issued for a nominal fee. Please visit the Guest Relations Booth at either entrance to the zoo or contact the membership department at (708) 688-8341. Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Can my caregiver use my membership?
Membership cards are valid only for the member listed on the card and may not be loaned or given to anyone else to use. To protect the benefits of your membership, identification with the member’s name and address matching the membership record is always required.

Anyone may use your one time use Guest Admission Tickets without a member present, as long as the passes are not expired. This may be one option if friends, family, or a caregiver is coming to the Zoo. (You may wish to remind them that they still need to pay for parking.) You can also give your one-time-use Attraction tickets to friends, family, or caregivers to use without a member present as well.

I have not received my membership materials.
During our busiest time-of-year, it takes approximately three weeks to process memberships purchased online (and four weeks for offline purchase). If it is past the time frames listed please call the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341; we answer the phones seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you have recently moved please provide us with your updated address. The U.S. Post Office does not automatically forward membership packets even if you have updated your address with them.

Update/Correct Contact Info
Click Here to Send Your Request

I can’t find my card.
Just show your driver’s license or picture ID to the parking attendant and tell them that you are a member. The attendant will verify that your membership is current and will admit you to the parking lot. Next, stop by the Guest Relations building on the right side before you enter the zoo at either entrance to request a temporary card for the day.

Note: A maximum of three (3) temporary cards can be issued during your membership. On the fourth occurrence, you will need to purchase a replacement card.

If your cards are lost or stolen, a replacement card can be issued for a nominal fee. Please visit the Guest Relations Booth at either entrance to the Zoo or contact the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341. Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I can’t find my membership tickets. Can you send me replacements?
We are unable to verify ticket use or invalidate lost or stolen tickets. Membership tickets (Attraction and Guest Admission) are the member’s responsibility and cannot be replaced.

For general zoo or other related comments:
Please feel free to call our general number at 708-688-8000 during zoo hours or fill out guestbook inquiry at Contact Us.

What form of payments do you accept?
We accept cash, personal check, American Express, Discover, Visa, and MasterCard.

Become a member today! There are four great ways to join:

Purchasing online: Join online now! When you purchase or renew your membership online, you’ll receive a link to a temporary membership card and any tickets included with your membership level. All the benefits of membership ready to print for immediate use - no need to wait in line! Use the temporary card to immediately enjoy free admission and free parking at the main entrance. Your permanent membership card will me mailed within three weeks. (Sorry, print at home tickets are currently not available for gift membership purchases.)

Purchasing at the Zoo: Visiting soon? Become a member at either of the Zoo’s entrance as you begin your day at the Zoo. You’ll receive a temporary membership card (for immediate admission to the Zoo) and all tickets included with your chosen membership level (like guest admission or attraction). When you arrive at the Zoo, you will be charged the parking fee. Be sure to present your parking receipt that same day when making your membership purchase and the fee will be deducted from the cost of your membership.

Purchasing by phone or mail: Planning ahead or renewing your membership early? When purchasing a membership by phone or mail, any tickets included with your membership level (like guest admission or attraction) will be mailed with your permanent membership cards in approximately three to six weeks depending on the time of the year. Tickets cannot be picked up at the gate.

Why was my credit card rejected?
A credit/debit card transaction may be rejected for several reasons. If you are sure that your card has not been reported stolen, cancelled, or over the credit the limit, it is likely that the name and address information that was entered in the billing section did not match the information on record with your financial institution. Any variation in the information you entered may cause the Address Verification System to reject your request as a security measure.

Each time there is an error with the order, you will receive an error message that tells you what the error was. If the error is related to the card number, expiration date or Security Code (CVV2), you may correct the values and try again. If you believe the error is related to the Address Verification System, you should click on the Shopping Cart link in the green bar at the top of the screen to start the checkout process again. Each attempt to correct the information can potentially cause your bank to freeze funds until the transaction is verified. Multiple attempts may appear on your online banking website as multiple pending transactions. Any pending or preauthorized charges that are not approved will be adjusted by your financial institution, typically within 3-5 business days, in accordance with their policies and outside the control of the Chicago Zoological Society.

For more information please call the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341. Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I got an error message, what happened?
Each time you got an error message your bank may have frozen or preauthorized funds (similar to what happens at a gas station, restaurant or hotel) causing pending charges each time you attempted to correct it. Charges will typically drop off in 3-5 business days depending on your banks policies.

For more information about website orders please call the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341. Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I was charged multiple times for my web order. How do I fix it?
Any variation between the name and address information you entered in the billing section and the same information on record with your financial institution may cause the Address Verification System to reject your request as a security measure.

Order confirmation emails are sent only when the transaction has been approved and completed. If you received multiple emails, then you may have been charged more than once.

For more information or further assistance, please call the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341. Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who can be on a membership?
Any adult age 18 or older may become a Brookfield Zoo Chicago member. Any two adults living in the same household may have a membership together if the membership includes two adult admissions.

Membership cards are valid only for the member listed on the card and may not be loaned or given to anyone else to use. To protect the benefits of your membership, identification with the member’s name and address, matching the membership record is always required.

If the membership includes children, the number of children is limited to the member’s children under the age of 18.

Note: Some memberships have a limit on the total number of children allowed on a membership.

What are the membership benefits?
Click here to see Membership levels

What are the membership levels and costs?
Click here to see Membership levels

When does my membership expire?
Click here to see Membership levels

Is my membership tax deducible?
Click here to see Membership levels

We value your opinion and would love to hear your comments and experiences.

For membership-related comments:
Please contact the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341.
Phone representatives are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For general zoo or other related comments:
Please feel free to call our general number at 708-688-8000
Phone representatives are available seven days a week during Zoo hours.