Last updated: 22 October 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. Gift plans, prices and gift rules re-read on masterclass.com and its help center on 22 October 2026. See our review methodology.
Quick answer
Yes, you can gift MasterClass. MasterClass sells one kind of gift on its own site: a prepaid one-year membership. On 22 October 2026 the gift checkout offered Standard at $120 a year, Plus at $180 a year ($15 a month, billed annually) and Premium at $240 a year ($20 a month). You can send it by email right away, schedule it for a date and time, or print it.
Two rules most guides miss: the gift membership auto-renews on the recipient’s card after the year unless they turn renewal off, and a retail gift card cannot be applied to an account that already has an active membership.
MasterClass was not running a gift discount when we checked. Its biggest sales usually come around Black Friday; our MasterClass Black Friday guide tracks the current offer.
See MasterClass gift memberships
How MasterClass gifts actually work
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MasterClass sells gifts in two forms, and only one of them is sold on masterclass.com itself.
Gift subscriptions
- A prepaid one-year membership. MasterClass’s help center describes every gift subscription as a “pre-purchase of a one-year MasterClass annual membership.” You pick Standard, Plus or Premium at checkout.
- It starts when they redeem it, not when you buy it. The recipient gets a full year from the day they activate the gift, so buying early for a birthday costs them nothing.
- Delivery is flexible. You add their name, your name and a message, then send it now, schedule an email for a set date and time, or print it out to hand over.
- It becomes a normal membership. Once redeemed it works like any annual membership on the recipient’s own account, including auto-renewal at the end of the year (more on that below).
- Whole memberships only. MasterClass says it does not offer gifting options for individual classes.
Best for: someone you are fairly sure will watch: a cook, a writer, a curious generalist, or a parent who has mentioned a specific instructor.
Gift cards
- Sold through retailers, not the gift checkout. MasterClass’s own gift flow sells memberships. Gift cards turn up at third-party gift-card sellers; on 22 October 2026 Giftcards.com listed a MasterClass gift card at $120.
- Redeemed at masterclass.com/redeem. The recipient enters their email and the card code there.
- Not for existing members. MasterClass’s redeem page states that “gift cards cannot be applied to active memberships.” If your recipient already subscribes, a card is the wrong gift.
- Check the card’s own terms for expiry and value; retailer cards carry the seller’s terms as well as MasterClass’s.
Best for: a stocking filler or a gift you want to hand over physically, for someone who does not have MasterClass yet. For everyone else, the gift membership is simpler.
How much does a MasterClass gift cost?
These are the gift-membership prices the MasterClass gift checkout showed on 22 October 2026. Each one is a full year, paid up front.
| Gift membership | Price for one year | Devices at once | Offline downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $120 a year | 1 | No |
| Plus | $180 a year ($15 a month, billed annually) | 2 | Yes |
| Premium | $240 a year ($20 a month, billed annually) | 6 | Yes |
| Retail gift card | $120 listing seen on Giftcards.com (22 Oct 2026) | Depends on the plan they choose | Depends on the plan |
Every plan includes the same catalog: on 22 October the checkout listed 200+ classes across 13 categories. What you pay extra for is household use. Plus and Premium also allow up to six viewer profiles on one account, so a family can keep separate watch lists. MasterClass’s plan names and prices can differ between checkout sessions, so the figure at checkout is the one that counts; our MasterClass pricing guide tracks the regular (non-gift) plans, including Pro.
How to actually buy and send a MasterClass gift
This is the flow MasterClass’s help center describes, and it matches what we saw at the gift checkout.
- Open the gift page and click “Gift MasterClass.” You can browse categories and trailers first.
- Choose the plan (Standard, Plus or Premium) and click Continue.
- Create or sign in to an account. You need a MasterClass account to buy and manage a gift, even if you never watch anything yourself.
- Add the recipient’s name and email and your message. Choose to send it immediately or schedule delivery for a future date and time.
- Pay. You get a receipt and a confirmation email at the address you used.
- Print it if you want something to hand over. The gift page offers a printable version, and buyers on Reddit report that it carries a QR code the recipient can scan.
If you need to change the recipient’s email or the send date later, sign in, open the Profile menu and choose Manage Gifts. You can edit or resend the gift from there.
Is a MasterClass gift a good gift?
It depends on whether the person will press play. MasterClass is a library of short, high-production classes taught by famous practitioners. It is excellent for inspiration and weaker for structured, graded learning.
It is a strong gift for:
- Cooks — the food lineup is the deepest category on the platform. See our best MasterClass cooking classes.
- Writers — screenwriting, fiction, journalism and memoir all have big-name teachers. See our best MasterClass writing classes.
- Curious generalists — people who watch documentaries and like hearing experts talk about their craft.
- Creative professionals — photography, design, music and film taught by working names in each field.
Skip it, or choose something else, if:
- They need a recognized credential. A regular MasterClass membership has no graded certificates; a Coursera Plus subscription ($239 a year (normally $399)) fits better. See MasterClass vs Coursera.
- They already have MasterClass. A retail gift card cannot be applied to an active membership, and the gift membership adds nothing they do not have.
- They learn by doing and need feedback on their work; MasterClass is mostly watch-and-reflect.
- You are unsure they will use it. A year that goes unwatched and then renews on their card is the worst outcome of this gift.
For a fuller fit test, our is MasterClass worth it analysis walks through who gets value from the library and who does not.
When to buy a MasterClass gift to save money
Right now (checked 22 October 2026): the gift checkout showed regular prices, with no gift discount running. On 28 August 2026 the gift page did advertise 50% off, so off-season promotions do happen and end without notice. Check the checkout price before you buy.
Black Friday / Cyber Monday (late November)
This is usually when MasterClass runs its biggest offer of the year, and gifts have been part of past promotions. We do not repeat last year’s numbers as if they were this year’s: our MasterClass Black Friday guide records the offer once it goes live.
December holiday season
MasterClass leans hard into gifting in December, and the gift page is built around occasions such as gifts for Dad, Mom and partners. Whether there is a December discount varies from year to year, so treat any offer as a bonus rather than something to wait for.
Spring promotions (occasional)
MasterClass has run smaller promotions outside the holiday season, including the August 2026 gift offer above. They are not on a fixed calendar. Our guide to MasterClass discounts explains which codes actually work.
Timing rule
A gift membership starts when it is redeemed, so you can buy during a sale and give it later. One catch: MasterClass says a gift bought as part of a promotion must be redeemed within 365 days of purchase. A gift bought at full price outside a promotion has no expiration date.
Gift card or gift subscription — which is better?
| Gift type | Best when… | Watch out for… |
|---|---|---|
| Gift membership (masterclass.com) | You know they will watch, and want them to get a specific plan for a full year | It auto-renews on their card after the year unless they switch renewal off |
| Retail gift card | You want a physical card, and the recipient does not have MasterClass yet | Cannot be applied to an active membership; the retailer’s terms also apply |
For most people the gift membership is the better choice. MasterClass sells it directly, you can choose the plan and the delivery date, and its rules are written down in one place. A gift card mainly makes sense when you want something to put in an envelope.
Gift recipient checklist
Before you buy, confirm:
- You have an email address they actually read, and you have warned them to look in spam or the Promotions tab.
- They do not already have MasterClass. If they do, a gift card will not apply to their account.
- They will not mind adding a card at activation, or you have told them how to turn off auto-renewal.
- The plan matches the household: Standard for one person on one device, Plus for two at once, Premium for a family.
- They are an adult or a teen whose parent is fine with it; some classes deal with mature themes.
What to write in your MasterClass gift message
The message goes into the gift email. Short and specific works best, because naming a class gives them a reason to start:
- Point to one class: “You keep saying you want to cook more — start with Gordon Ramsay. Enjoy the year.”
- Tie it to a goal: “For the book you keep talking about. A year of MasterClass — I’d start with the writing classes.”
- Keep it open: “A year of MasterClass for whatever you’re curious about. Tell me what you watch first.”
- Add the practical bit: “It renews after a year, so switch off auto-renew in Settings if you don’t want to keep it.” A short line like this saves them a surprise charge.
Our 25 best MasterClass courses make a good list of names to drop in.
How to redeem a MasterClass gift you received
- Find the gift email. It comes from support@email.masterclass.com; Gmail often files it under Promotions.
- Click the link in the email (or scan the QR code on a printed gift).
- Sign in or create a MasterClass account.
- Follow the prompts to activate the year. You may be asked for a payment card so the membership can renew; that is for next year, not for this one.
- Choose your first class. Every class in the catalog is included.
If the gift never arrived, ask the giver to open Manage Gifts and resend it or correct the email. If you were given a retail gift card instead, go to masterclass.com/redeem; it only works on an account without an active membership.
What happens when the gift year ends?
This is the part of a MasterClass gift that catches people out. MasterClass’s help center says a redeemed gift “functions exactly like any other annual MasterClass membership, including auto-renewal,” and that accounts received as a gift are charged after the gift period ends.
- The charge goes to the recipient’s payment method on file, not to yours.
- MasterClass says it sends a renewal reminder 30 days before the renewal date.
- The recipient can turn off auto-renewal at any time after redeeming, in their account settings. Our how to cancel MasterClass guide shows the steps for web and app.
- Once a membership is redeemed it cannot be paused.
Can you get a refund on a MasterClass gift?
Sometimes, and the window is narrow. These are MasterClass’s own rules from its help center:
| Situation | Refund? |
|---|---|
| Gift bought in the last 30 days and not yet redeemed | You may be eligible; request it through MasterClass support |
| Gift already redeemed by the recipient | No; redeemed gifts are excluded |
| Recipient’s first renewal after the gift year | No; the 30-day guarantee covers first-time purchases, not renewals |
| Gift bought in a promotion and never redeemed | Must be redeemed within 365 days of purchase |
The 30-day satisfaction guarantee shown at the gift checkout applies to the purchase itself. Once the recipient activates the gift, that guarantee no longer applies.
Can you gift one class, a Certificate or the Pro plan?
- One class: no. MasterClass says it does not offer gifting for individual classes.
- Pro: not through the gift checkout we read, which offered Standard, Plus and Premium only. Pro, at $70 a month, billed annually, bundles the Certificates program with the library; see our pricing guide.
- A MasterClass Certificate: we found no gift option for Certificates on 22 October 2026. Certificates are bought one course at a time; our MasterClass Certificates guide covers prices and what each one includes.
If a new class is the reason you are buying, check that it is in the catalog first. In October 2026 the gift page’s “new” row included a class with former Navy SEAL commander Mark Divine on staying calm under pressure, which suits someone in a high-stress job.
What Reddit users say about MasterClass gifts
We read three r/MasterClass threads about gifting. They are a few years old, so treat them as patterns rather than current policy:
- The card prompt confuses recipients. Several people thought they were being charged when activation asked for a card. Others replied that the amount due was $0 and the card was for renewal. One buyer said support showed their niece a link to skip adding a card.
- Emails go missing. More than one giver found the recipient never got the email, and fixed it by resending from Manage Gifts or sharing the printable QR code.
- Problems were usually fixed. In the most-upvoted complaint thread, the buyer later reported that support restarted the year from the date of the fix.
The takeaway: tell the recipient the gift is coming, tell them a card prompt is normal, and show them where auto-renewal lives.
Bottom line
A MasterClass gift works best for someone who will actually watch: a cook, a writer, or a curious generalist. Buy the gift membership on masterclass.com rather than a retail card unless you need something physical, and pick Plus or Premium only if the household will share it. Add one line to your message about auto-renewal and the recipient will not be surprised in a year. If you can wait, Black Friday is usually the cheapest time to buy, because the gift does not start until it is redeemed.
Still deciding whether MasterClass is right for them? Read our is MasterClass worth it analysis, or our MasterClass vs Coursera comparison if they might prefer credentialed learning.
Before you buy, compare all MasterClass plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you gift MasterClass?
Yes. MasterClass sells prepaid one-year gift memberships on its own site in three plans: Standard, Plus and Premium. You add the recipient and a message and send it now, schedule it, or print it. MasterClass does not sell gifts of individual classes.
How much is a MasterClass gift subscription?
On 22 October 2026 the gift checkout listed Standard at $120 a year ($10 a month billed annually), Plus at $180 ($15 a month) and Premium at $240 ($20 a month). Prices can change during sales, so check the checkout before you buy.
Can I send a MasterClass gift on a specific date?
Yes. You can send the gift email immediately or schedule it for a future date and time. You can change the date later under Manage Gifts in your account.
Do MasterClass gifts expire?
MasterClass says a paid gift bought outside a promotion has no expiration date, but a gift bought as part of a promotion must be redeemed within 365 days of purchase. Retail gift cards also carry the seller’s own terms.
Can the recipient share my MasterClass gift subscription?
Standard allows one device at a time. Plus allows two devices at once and Premium six, and both allow up to six viewer profiles on one account, so they suit a household.
What’s the cheapest way to gift MasterClass?
The Standard gift membership is the cheapest full-year gift. The cheapest time to buy is usually during a MasterClass sale such as Black Friday. Because a gift starts when it is redeemed, you can buy in a sale and give it later, as long as a promotional gift is redeemed within 365 days.
Can I gift MasterClass to someone outside the US?
MasterClass streams in many countries, and the gift is redeemed on the recipient’s own account. Prices and availability vary by country, so check that the recipient can sign up where they live before you buy.
Can I redeem a MasterClass gift on an existing account?
Not with a retail gift card: MasterClass’s redeem page says gift cards cannot be applied to active memberships. If the recipient already subscribes, ask MasterClass support how a gift membership would apply before buying one.
What if my MasterClass gift recipient already has a subscription?
A gift card will not work on an active membership, and a gift membership adds little they do not already have. Choose a different gift, or contact MasterClass support first if you still want to extend their year.
Does a MasterClass gift renew automatically?
Yes. After the gift year, the membership renews like any annual MasterClass membership on the recipient’s payment method unless they turn auto-renewal off. MasterClass sends a reminder 30 days before renewal.
Can I get a refund on a MasterClass gift?
MasterClass says a gift bought in the last 30 days that has not been redeemed may be eligible for a refund. Redeemed gifts are not refundable.
Can you gift a single MasterClass class or a Certificate?
No. MasterClass does not offer gifts of individual classes, and on 22 October 2026 we found no gift option for its Certificates program.
Related: How to cancel MasterClass (gift memberships renew automatically after the gift year). Not sure which classes to point them to? Our 25 best MasterClass courses make a good starting list for a gift note.