# What's the difference between a Member and a Chartered Member? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 15, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208 "2004-07-15T03:31:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bodswood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@bodswood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodswood)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/21 "2004-07-16T08:26:33Z")
Ilsa, thanks a lot. That’s very clear. One more question if a mod is lurking. My guest membership expires on 17 July (tomorrow for most of us). I’ll be on holiday for a fortnight from the 19th. Can I pay when I return (3 August) so that my sub will run for a year from THEN? (Or does it run from when the guest membership expires? In which case I’ll sign up immediately upon expiration.) Apologies to everyone whose hopes have been dashed by this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/22 "2004-07-16T12:52:43Z")
I’m pretty sure I paid after April 21 and I’m still (looks up) a “Charter Member”. I certainly paid $14.95, thanks to my procrastination. Still, please don’t strip me of it… please! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/23 "2004-07-16T12:54:53Z")
In fact, yes, I just checked my email and I got my receipt on June 3. Odd. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/24 "2004-07-16T13:18:40Z")
> [@bodswood](#): > > Can I pay when I return (3 August) so that my sub will run for a year from THEN? (Or does it run from when the guest membership expires? In which case I’ll sign up immediately upon expiration.) I would assume it runs from the date of payment, but I’m not sure. I’ll try to confirm that. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/25 "2004-07-16T13:28:14Z")
> [@bodswood](#): > > Ilsa, thanks a lot. That’s very clear. One more question if a mod is lurking. My guest membership expires on 17 July (tomorrow for most of us). I’ll be on holiday for a fortnight from the 19th. > > Can I pay when I return (3 August) so that my sub will run for a year from THEN? (Or does it run from when the guest membership expires? In which case I’ll sign up immediately upon expiration.) > > Apologies to everyone whose hopes have been dashed by this thread. That is my understanding; the clock starts running from the day the subscription is activated. Hope you have a great vacation. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![bodswood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@bodswood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodswood)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/26 "2004-07-16T15:35:59Z")
Thanks, y’all. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see until I re-register to see what they call me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208/27 "2004-07-16T18:25:49Z")
Here’s another oddity, possibly related: Just a few minutes ago, I saw a poster who was listed as a Charter Member, but had no post count or location displayed, just a join date. Aren’t those supposed to go hand in hand? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-member-and-a-chartered-member/255208.md?page=1)