2020 was tough on millions of people. Whether you were furloughed, laid off, or forced to work from home for the year, you likely felt the stress. With most families stuck inside during quarantine, alone time and self-care became hard to come by.
Now that things are opening up again, self-care is an ongoing theme. It’s important for the mind, body, and soul. Self-care keeps your immune system strong, your mind relaxed, and your body feeling good. There are many ways to do self-care, including massages and facials.
If massages or facials are a regular part of your self-care routine, you may be thinking about a Massage Envy Membership. With 1,100 locations nationwide, chances are there is a Massage Envy near you but is the Massage Envy membership worth it?
What is the Massage Envy Membership?
If regular massages, facials, or body stretches are on your monthly to-do list, a Massage Envy membership may provide what you need. With the membership, you receive one massage, facial, or full-body stretch per month. Since it’s a membership, you pay the fee monthly, but if you don’t use your service for the month, the visits accrue as long as you keep your membership active.
With the membership, you also get reduced prices on additional massages or facials throughout the month. Members save an average of $60 per one-hour massage or facial. Longer messages (1.5 hours or 2 hours) or hot stone massages are more, but members save an average of $110 – $130 on them.
How Does the Massage Envy Membership Work?
With your Massage Envy membership, you’re entitled to one massage, full-body stretch, or facial per month. You can mix and match your services too. For example, you can get a massage in, a facial in February and March, and in April a full body massage. You don’t have to commit to one service throughout your membership.
You can also use your Massage Envy membership at any location throughout the country. With 1,100 locations, it’s likely that you’ll find one wherever you travel.
If you want more than one massage, facial, or Full Body Stretch per month, you can add on the services a la carte, but you’ll pay reduced membership prices rather than full retail prices.
How Much Does a Massage Envy Membership Cost?
The actual cost will vary by location, but on average, a Massage Envy membership costs $50. For that price, you get one 1-hour service per month, which costs $99 for non-members. If you don’t use it, but keep the account active (not frozen), you can double up in a future month.
If you want to add on additional services throughout the month, you pay the member fees, which are 30% – 50% lower than the non-member fee.
Massage Envy Membership Prices vs Retail Prices
It helps to look at Massage Envy membership prices vs retail prices to get a handle on how much you’re saving with a membership vs paying retail prices.
| Service Type | Members | Retail Cost |
| 60-minute massage | $50 | $99 |
| 90-minute massage | $75 | $149 |
| 120-minute massage | $100 | $199 |
| 60-minute facial | $50 | $99 |
| 90-minute facial | $75 | $150 |
| 60-minute total body stretch | $50 | $90 |
| Chemical peel | $90 | $130 |
| 60-minute waxing | $50 | $90 |
On average, you save 50% off the retail price of services. All enhancements cost approximately $10 per enhancement, for example, aromatherapy or exfoliation.
What are the Benefits of a Massage Envy Membership?
The number one benefit of a Massage Envy membership is the ability to schedule your self-care without worrying about the financial aspect. You get a massage at a significant discount, and since you must pay for it to stay active, it’s a much easier decision to make to take care of yourself.
Besides the regular monthly self-care, here are the benefits of a Massage Envy membership:
- Get discounts on additional services throughout the month
- Get discounts on industry-leading products that promote self-care and health
- You can use your membership at any Massage Envy
- You can pay for the entire membership in full and use your massages in any frequency
- You can earn free sessions if you refer friends and family to Massage Envy
What are the Downsides?
We always look for the ‘negatives’ of memberships too, ensuring they are worth your money and aren’t just another way for a company to make money.
Here’s what we found with the Massage Envy membership.
- Any unused appointments you’ve accrued expire 60 days after you cancel your membership. If you forget to use them or can’t use them for any reason, you’ll lose them and not get your money back.
- If you use your membership at another location, you may have to pay an upcharge if their prices for your chosen service are higher than your ‘home’ Massage Envy.
- If you want to freeze your account for any reason, it costs $20 a month and you don’t get any services.
Massage Envy Membership FAQs
Should you tip your Massage Envy therapist?
Standard practice states you should tip your Massage Envy therapist based on the non-member rates. A standard 1-hour massage is $99 for non-members, which means tipping your therapist at least $15, if not more. This increases the cost of your membership since it’s only right to tip at every visit.
Can you cancel your Massage Envy Membership?
The Massage Envy membership is a 12-month agreement and after the term becomes a month-to-month subscription. Canceling within the first 12 months is pretty difficult. You must prove you moved at least 24 miles away or your doctor must write a note stating you can’t have massages or facials.
After the first 12 months, you can cancel it at any time, but if you cancel after your billing date, your cancelation won’t be effective until the next billing date. Some clients claim it’s very difficult to cancel the membership, and it must be done at the store level, so be diligent in your efforts if you want to cancel.
What are the massage options at Massage Envy?
Massage Envy therapists use a variety of massage techniques tailored to your needs. They’ll first meet with you to discuss any pain or issues you experience as well as any health goals you have. During your 10-minute consultation, your therapist will decide the right massage techniques to help you feel good and achieve your body goals.
If you wish to add Rapid Tension Relief to focus on up to 2 target areas, you can add a 10-minute or 30-minute session to your regular massage for an extra charge.
What’s a Full Body Stretch?
If you feel tight throughout your body, you may choose the Full Body Stretch. This procedure increases your flexibility, clears your mind, and helps improve your posture. You don’t have to be an athlete or have targeted pain to enjoy the clarity and looseness a Full Body Stretch offers.
The Full Body Stretch is included in your membership and can replace a massage in any month of your membership.
What facials does Massage Envy offer?
Massage Envy estheticians offer several facial options to help you get the clear, glowing skin you desire. The facial included in your membership is a basic facial meant for any skin. Your esthetician will create a customized plan to help you with any skin issues you face.
If you want to add a chemical peel or acne facial care, there is an upcharge, but you’ll still save 30% – 50% off the regular cost.
Bottom Line – Is a Massage Envy Membership Worth It?
If you love massages and get them regularly, not skipping a month, a Massage Envy membership may be worth it. However, being locked in for a year can get rather costly, especially if you don’t use your massages regularly.
At $600+ a year, it’s a hard pill to swallow. It’s difficult to cancel your Massage Envy membership while you’re in the 12-month agreement since it’s a contract. You’re better off paying the retail price for a massage as you need/want them if you don’t think you’ll get massages every month without fail.
Good Day I was given a gift and after I received the first of three massages on the gift card. I then Joined as a member I was never able to book appointments and ended up quitting the membership. Between not enough space when I was available and so one it got ridiculous. I feel as though your services are not a good value since one I now have pre paid gift cards I can even get to use and waisted a lot of money on my membership as well. It takes many phone calls to even get your staff to answer a phone every time I call. Today was at least ten calls. I did not count exactly. I love massage and hate to see a business have a difficult time but this is a bit ridiculous.
Don’t get a membership!
Impossible
To book appointments and money making for them.
You can’t cancel
Membership either! When u try they miraculously call and have appointments Open and make u
one. But it’s. Half ass shitty massage with a therapist with
An attitude! Treat you like shit! It’s a SCAM! Don’t fall for it!!!!!
I do not recommend this business to anyone. Every time me or my wife call to schedule a appointment they are booked out. I asked them to let me out of my contract they said no even after I said I will pay them for any inconvenience. So now I’m stuck with a bunch massages I can’t use. They want even let me give the masses to someone else .
DON’T get a membership! Not only do you have to pay $20/month to freeze your account, I was just informed I also have to pay $10 to gift massages to friends. The ability to share was a big part of why I got the membership! The non member prices are seriously inflated too,at least where I live. I could easily get a good massage anywhere for the member price. I can’t wait until I can get out of this.
I’ve actually had good experiences with ME. My biggest complaint is how much the price has gone up. It was originally $59, then $75 and now $85.
I find that if I try to stay in a regular routine, scheduling isn’t a problem. I have the next appt booked already, so I’m booking two months out.
I also get 90 min massages, so if I miss one, they just charge me 1/2 session.
Personally, I tip on the member price, not the inflated non-member price.
Loved my 1st massage and signed up to be a member. I will see them EVERY month. Not a bad gift to myself
I had a question about membership: I am a shy guy and do not want massage from female therapists, not going to explain it because it is what it is, so I wondered if you have the ability to request a certain (masseur only) service. Reading the reviews above it appears you are lucky to get any massage no less by someone you are comfortable with.