How to cancel Active advantage and stop recurring charges
Understanding Active and why cancellation matters
Active is an event registration platform that connects you with races, camps, classes, and recreational programs across the United States. You create an account, browse events, and register for activities. During checkout, the platform offers an optional paid membership called Active Advantage. This $99.95 annual subscription includes discounts and event perks, and it frequently arrives as a trial that converts to a paid charge unless you cancel it before the renewal date. Many consumers discover unexpected charges on their credit card statements months after signing up, which is why understanding your cancellation rights matters. Yafee has worked with thousands of consumers like you to regain control of their subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges.
What Active advantage actually costs you
Active Advantage is presented as a free trial during event registration, but the trial automatically renews into a paid annual membership of $99.95 unless you actively cancel before the renewal date. The standard Active account (without Advantage) remains free and gives you access to event listings and basic registration. When you accept a trial, you consent to the auto-renewal terms in the company's subscription agreement. The problem: many users report they did not realize they were enrolling in a paid membership at all. They thought they were completing event registration. This disconnect between consumer intent and what they actually agreed to is exactly why Yafee exists as a resource.
The consent and billing problem
Consumer complaints and regulatory action, including enforcement by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), have documented a pattern where Active's enrollment process blurs the line between event registration and membership signup. You may tap an "Accept" button believing you are confirming your event entry, when in fact you are also enrolling in Active Advantage. Once enrolled, recurring charges hit your card on the renewal date. Many consumers do not discover the charge until weeks or months later, after the trial window has closed. This dark pattern, where material terms are hidden in plain sight, is deceptive. You have legal protections against it.
Your legal rights when canceling Active advantage
Federal and state laws protect you when you cancel a paid subscription, especially one you did not knowingly consent to.
Federal trade commission act and negative option rules
The Negative Option Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requires that companies obtain your express informed consent before charging you for a recurring subscription. "Express informed consent" means you must clearly understand that you are enrolling in a paid program, you know the price, the billing frequency, the terms, and how to cancel. If Active's enrollment process made these terms unclear or buried them in the registration flow, the company violated your rights. You have the right to cancel your membership at any time without penalty. You may also dispute charges that violated this rule by filing a complaint with your card issuer or the FTC itself.
ROSCA and the restore online shoppers confidence act
The Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA) strengthens consumer protections for negative option transactions. Under ROSCA, companies must obtain your affirmative consent to the material terms before you are charged. They must also provide a simple mechanism to cancel your membership. If you cancel, the company must honor your cancellation request without imposing additional conditions. If Active failed to disclose the material terms clearly or did not provide a simple cancellation mechanism, you have grounds to challenge the charges.
State consumer protection laws
Most U.S. states have enacted their own negative option laws that mirror or exceed federal protections. New York, California, and other states require that companies honor cancellation requests within a specific timeframe (often 30 days). Consequently, if you cancel Active Advantage, your state law may require the company to process your cancellation within that window. If you live in a state with strong consumer protections, you may have additional remedies, including the right to demand a refund for all charges after you cancelled.
Your legal position
You have the right to cancel Active Advantage at any time without penalty. You do not need to provide a reason. If you were charged without your express informed consent, or if you cancelled but were still billed, you can request a refund from Active. If Active refuses or ignores your refund request, you can file a dispute with your credit card company or bank and may also file a complaint with the FTC or your state's attorney general's office.
Pricing and what you are paying for
| Plan |
Cost |
Billing cycle |
Trial period |
Auto-renew |
| Active (free) |
$0 |
N/A |
N/A |
No |
| Active Advantage |
$99.95 |
Annual (12 months) |
7 to 30 days (varies) |
Yes (unless cancelled) |
Active Advantage includes event discounts and registration fee waivers at certain venues. However, you retain the right to register for events at full price without this membership. Consequently, whether the membership offers genuine value depends on your activity level.
How to cancel Active advantage step by step
Follow these steps to cancel your Active Advantage membership and stop recurring charges.
Step 1: log into your Active account
- Visit the Active website and click "Sign In" in the top right corner.
- Enter your email address and password.
- Click "Sign In" again.
- If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password?" and follow the email link to reset it.
Step 2: navigate to your account settings
- Once logged in, click your profile icon or name in the top right corner.
- Select "Account settings" or "My account" from the dropdown menu.
- Look for a section labeled "Subscription," "Membership," or "Billing."
Step 3: locate your Active advantage subscription
- In the account settings, find the section that displays your current subscriptions or memberships.
- Identify "Active Advantage" in the list.
- Note the renewal date and the amount you are being charged.
Step 4: cancel your membership
- Next to your Active Advantage subscription, click the "Cancel" or "Manage subscription" button.
- Review the cancellation confirmation screen.
- Click "Confirm cancellation" or a similar button to finalize the cancellation.
- You will receive an on-screen confirmation message.
Step 5: save your cancellation confirmation
- Screenshot or photograph the confirmation screen.
- Save any confirmation email that Active sends to your inbox.
- Keep these records for at least one year in case you need to dispute a charge.
Step 6: contact Active customer support to confirm cancellation
- Visit the Active help center at support.activenetwork.com.
- Use the search bar to find "cancel membership" or "cancel Active Advantage."
- Select the appropriate help article or contact form.
- Send a message confirming that you cancelled your Active Advantage membership and request written confirmation from Active's support team.
- State the date you cancelled and request that they confirm the cancellation date and the date your last charge will be processed.
Yafee recommends contacting support even if the system confirms your cancellation online, because this creates a documented record that protects you if Active claims you never cancelled.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation takes effect immediately, but you need to understand the timeline for when charges stop.
Your subscription status after cancellation
Once you cancel, your Active Advantage membership status changes to "cancelled" or "inactive" in your account. You retain access to your free Active account and can still browse and register for events without the membership discount. You will not be able to use any Active Advantage benefits after your current billing period ends.
When your final charge will be processed
If you cancel before your renewal date, you will not be charged again. If you cancel after your renewal date has passed but before your current annual period ends, you may still be charged once more when you cancelled late in your billing cycle. Active will process one final charge on the date your current membership period ends. After that date, no further charges will appear on your card.
Refund eligibility and timeline
Whether Active refunds charges depends on how recently you were billed and whether you cancelled within their refund window. Most companies honor refund requests within 30 to 60 days of the charge. If you cancelled immediately after your renewal date and want a refund, contact Active's support team and explicitly request a refund of your most recent charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation and explain that you did not knowingly consent to the membership. Yafee advises requesting the refund in writing via email, so you have a documented record of your request.
Monitor your credit card for unauthorized charges
- Review your credit card statement 5 to 7 days after cancellation.
- Verify that no additional Active or Active Advantage charges appear.
- Set a calendar reminder to check your statement on the same date every month for the next 90 days.
- If you see a charge after cancellation, contact your card issuer immediately.
How to request a refund from Active
If you were charged for Active Advantage but cancelled, or if you cancelled but were still billed, you can request a refund directly from the company.
Step 1: gather your evidence
- Collect your cancellation confirmation screenshots and emails.
- Locate your credit card statement showing the Active Advantage charge.
- Note the charge date, amount ($99.95), and your cancellation date.
- If you have any emails from Active regarding the membership, save those as well.
Step 2: contact Active customer support
- Visit support.activenetwork.com and select "Contact us."
- Select "Billing" or "Subscription" as your issue category.
- Describe your situation: "I was charged for Active Advantage on [date] but I cancelled my membership on [date]. I would like a full refund of $99.95."
- Attach screenshots of your cancellation confirmation.
- Submit your request and note the ticket number.
Step 3: allow time for a response
Active's customer support team typically responds within 5 to 10 business days. If they approve your refund, they will process it to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days after approval. Consequently, you may see the refund appear on your credit card statement after 2 to 3 weeks total.
Step 4: escalate if Active refuses or ignores your refund request
If Active does not respond within 10 business days, or if they deny your refund request, you have the right to file a dispute with your card issuer. Contact your credit card company or bank and request a chargeback for the Active Advantage charge. Provide your cancellation confirmation and explain that you were charged for a membership you did not knowingly consent to. Your card issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge. You do not need Active's permission to file a dispute.
Escalation: filing a complaint with the FTC or your state
If Active refuses to cancel your membership or honour a refund request, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or your state's attorney general.
File a complaint with the federal trade commission
- Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Click "File a complaint online."
- Select "Subscription for services" as your issue type.
- Provide your name, contact information, and the name of the company (Active).
- Describe what happened: when you enrolled, whether you consented to the trial, when you cancelled, and whether you were refunded.
- Attach screenshots or PDFs of your cancellation confirmation, billing statement, and any emails from Active.
- Submit your complaint.
The FTC does not resolve individual disputes, but it uses complaints to identify patterns of deceptive conduct and enforce the Negative Option Rule against companies. Filing a complaint strengthens the FTC's case against Active and may result in regulatory action.
File a complaint with your state's attorney general
- Visit your state's official government website and search for "attorney general."
- Navigate to the consumer protection or consumer complaints division.
- Click "File a complaint" or "Report a scam."
- Provide your contact information and a detailed description of the issue.
- Include the dates, amounts, and your cancellation confirmation.
- Attach supporting documents.
- Submit your complaint.
Your state attorney general's office has the power to investigate and pursue enforcement action against companies that violate state consumer protection laws. This is a more direct path to resolution than the FTC.
Common mistakes to avoid when canceling
You are taking control of your subscription, and being aware of these pitfalls will protect you.
Mistake 1: cancelling through a third-party payment processor instead of active's website
You may think that calling your credit card company and requesting that they block Active's charges will cancel your membership. This does not cancel your subscription with Active. Your membership remains active in Active's system, and the company may flag your account or attempt to collect the debt later. Always cancel directly through Active's website or by contacting their support team. Yafee recommends confirming cancellation in writing before relying on third-party intervention.
Mistake 2: assuming a cancelled credit card cancels your subscription
If you cancelled your credit card or received a new card, your Active Advantage membership does not automatically cancel. Active will attempt to charge your new card if it is linked to your account. Log into your Active account and cancel the membership directly before your renewal date. Otherwise, you may be charged again.
Mistake 3: not saving your cancellation confirmation
If you cancel but do not save a screenshot or email confirmation, you have no proof of the cancellation date. If Active charges you again and claims you never cancelled, you cannot dispute it without evidence. Always screenshot the confirmation screen and save any follow-up emails from Active's support team.
Mistake 4: ignoring charges after cancellation
If you see a charge on your statement after your cancellation date, contact your card issuer immediately. Do not wait to file a dispute. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to reverse unauthorized charges. Most card issuers require disputes to be filed within 60 to 120 days of the charge.
Should you keep or cancel Active advantage
Deciding whether to keep your membership depends on your event participation and the value you receive.
| Scenario |
Recommendation |
Reason |
| You enroll in 3+ events per year |
Consider keeping |
The $99.95 annual fee may pay for itself if you save $30+ per event on discounts |
| You enrolled in the trial by accident or without reading the terms |
Cancel immediately |
You should not pay for a membership you did not knowingly agree to |
| You enroll in fewer than 3 events per year |
Cancel |
The membership cost likely exceeds the discounts you will receive |
| You are unhappy with your experience |
Cancel |
Continuing to pay for a service you dislike is not cost-effective |
| You have been charged multiple times for the same membership |
Cancel and request refunds |
Multiple charges indicate a billing error or fraudulent activity |
If you are considering cancelling Active, you may want to explore other event registration options.
| Platform |
Cost |
Events offered |
Auto-renewal |
Best for |
| Active (free plan) |
$0 |
Races, camps, classes, programs |
No |
Budget-conscious users |
| Eventbrite |
Free to $0.99 per event |
Concerts, conferences, workshops |
No |
Ticketed events and conferences |
| Meetup |
Free to $15/month |
Social groups, hobby clubs, networking |
Optional |
Community groups and social activities |
| Facebook Events |
Free |
Local events, parties, community activities |
No |
Casual and social events |
| Race.com |
Free to $0.50 per race registration |
Running races and marathons |
No |
Running enthusiasts and racers |
The free version of Active remains available after you cancel Active Advantage. You can continue to use it to browse and register for events without any membership fee.
Your next steps: stay protected and reclaim control
Cancelling Active Advantage is straightforward when you follow the steps outlined above. Nevertheless, the key to protecting yourself is documentation and persistence. Save every confirmation, contact Active's support team in writing, and monitor your credit card for unauthorized charges. If Active refuses to honour your cancellation or denies a refund request, you have legal remedies: you can file a chargeback with your card issuer, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, or contact your state's attorney general. These agencies take consumer protection seriously and will investigate if they see a pattern of deceptive conduct.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges by providing clear, legally grounded guidance. Whether you are dealing with a single unexpected charge or ongoing billing issues, Yafee's resources walk you through every step of the cancellation and refund process. Remember: you have the right to cancel at any time without penalty, and you have the right to demand a refund for charges you did not knowingly consent to. Take action today, document your steps, and reclaim control of your subscriptions.
Active customer service contact information:
Visit support.activenetwork.com or email the support team through the contact form on their website. Include your account email, the charge date, and your cancellation date in every communication.