Using membership to restrict ability to add listings

Here is the process I’m trying to put in place.

1. visitor registers on site
2. they request access to create a listing
3. admin/editor user on wordpress grants them ability. Are there any other options than assigning them a membership? I have tried to give them a membership for free, but it doesn’t seem to work.
4. they then login and can add listings

I have tried with the membership settings, requiring them to purchase membership to create a listing. However, all they get when trying to create a listing is that they have exceeded their listings allowed and they need to upgrade their memberships.

btw, the membership is set to allow 100 listings.

Help..

Thanks