US Chess Voucher Membership Program Updates and Changes Effective September 1, 2024
The US Chess Executive Board has made an important announcement regarding changes to the Voucher membership program, set to take effect on September 1, 2024. The program, which offers discounted pre-paid memberships, will see a revised price structure and updated terms in order to align with the current and upcoming value of standard Youth memberships.
The decision to implement these changes comes after several years of unchanged pricing rates, despite increases in other membership dues. The new pricing levels for Vouchers will now be more proportional to the standard Youth membership price, which is currently $20 and set to increase on January 1, 2025.
These changes are being rolled out quickly to accommodate the program’s primary users, who are often involved in Scholastic programs that operate on the Academic Year calendar. The new pricing structure will include different cost levels per membership, ranging from $12.00 to $18.00, with varying minimum purchase requirements.
In addition to the pricing changes, the terms of the Voucher program have also been updated. The age range for Voucher use has been clarified to include individuals ages 5 through 18 at the time of redemption. The expiration date policy has been defined to require redemption by the day before the listed expiration date on the Vouchers.
Furthermore, a clarification has been made regarding the resale of Vouchers, allowing for a small processing fee to be added to offset costs incurred by Affiliates in the selling process. However, selling Vouchers at a higher price than purchased is strictly prohibited.
Despite these changes, the core terms of the Voucher program remain unchanged and can be found on the Affiliate Dashboard where Vouchers are purchased. The US Chess Executive Board extends their gratitude to all Affiliates and members who participate in the program and encourages those with questions to reach out to the Membership Department staff for assistance.