# Setting a Fixed End Date on a Membership Type in Go Operator

HTML version: [Setting a Fixed End Date on a Membership Type in Go Operator](https://support.gladstonesoftware.cloud/gooperator/setting-a-fixed-end-date-on-a-membership-type-in-go-operator)

## Problem
You sell a paid-up-front membership that should end on a set calendar date, such as the end of a season, and need to record that date against its membership type in Go Operator.

## Resolution

1. **Open the membership type**
   - In Operator, go to `Configuration > Member Management > Memberships > Membership Types`.
   - Select the membership type to open its **Details** card, which shows **Name**, **ID**, **Earliest Start Date** and **Fixed End Date**.

2. **Check the field is available**
   - **Fixed End Date** can be used only on a membership type that is paid up front and does not renew.
   - If the field is greyed out with the message "Fixed end date is not available for Direct Debit, recurring card payment, BACS or auto-renewing membership types.", the type does not qualify and a date cannot be set.

3. **Enter the fixed end date**
   - Enter the date as DD/MM/YYYY, or pick it from the calendar.
   - The date must be a real date. 29/02/2028 is accepted; 29/02/2027 is not, because that day does not exist.
   - The date cannot be in the past. Today's date is accepted.
   - The date cannot be earlier than the **Earliest Start Date**, if one is set. The same date is accepted.

4. **Save**
   - Click **Save**. If the date breaks one of the rules above, a message under the field explains why and nothing is saved until you correct it.

5. **Remove a fixed end date (if applicable)**
   - Clear the **Fixed End Date** field and click **Save**.
   - A **Remove fixed end date?** confirmation explains that the membership will no longer be treated as fixed-term, and that its duration will be calculated from the start date based on the rest of its configuration.
   - Click **Confirm** to save and remove the date, or **Cancel** to leave the membership type unchanged.

## Notes

- The field is optional. Membership types without a fixed end date are not affected, and nothing changes for them.
- You can change a saved fixed end date to a different date at any time, as long as the new date meets the same rules.
- If a membership type already has a fixed end date and its payment method or renewal setting is later changed so that it no longer qualifies, the details card shows "This membership type has a fixed end date but its payment or renewal settings do not allow one. It cannot be saved until this is resolved." Remove the date, or restore the original payment or renewal setting, before saving.
- The same rules apply when a fixed end date is set through the Gladstone API, so an integration cannot set a date that Operator would reject. See [Update membership type configuration](../reference/configuration/update-membership-type-configuration.md).
- To let members buy a membership before it starts, use **Earliest Start Date**, described in [GladstoneGo: Membership Pre-sales](gladstonego-membership-pre-sales.md).