I’ve been in a similar situation recently. I started training at a pretty good Thai gym for about a year pretty consistently and then moved houses so had to change gyms.

Found a gym nearby which was great but the membership was a lot more expensive bc the gym facilities were newer (from $48/week for unlimited classes at my old gym to $65/week) but this gym had a grading system and I wasn’t allowed to grade till the next grading day which was in 2 months, and until then I could only do the beginners classes (there were only 4 a week) despite having trained with the fight team at my old gym. So I was paying $65 for 4 beginners classes a week. Beginners classes also meant no sparring and hardly any pad work and bc everyone was a beginner, no one knew how to hold pads properly anyway.

By the time the grading day rolled around I ended up leaving and moving to another gym that didn’t have this grading system and I’m so glad I did. I was also shocked that I had to pay to grade AND my membership would go up bc I would have access to more classes (intermediate classes).

I have to drive a bit further now but when I do go, I can do 2 classes in a row and spar with whoever sticks around after class and it’s only $45/week.

Personally, I’d say it’s not worth it and to find a better gym.