Passport America Lifetime, Thanks all, I'll pass

Passport America is a PIA

Yes it pays for itself after a few uses, but there are so many restrictions and the restrictions vary widely. The discount is rarely available when you wish to visit. Their product just does not seem to be worth the hassle.

Sorry!

We have been PA members for over 10 years.
In recent years I've noticed that more and more campgrounds are adding "additional charges" to their 1/2 price rates.
Example: "add $2.00 for electricity" or "add $3.00 for 30A, $5.00 for 50A".
IMO the value of a PA membership is disappearing, (however If you use it three or 4 times a year it is worthwhile).

BTW, a "lifetime membership" may not be what you think it is.
I recently had a "guaranteed for life" monthly rate for my internet connection, after 2 years it increased by nearly 10%.
When I objected they gave me three choices: pay it, cancel it, or sue them.
Mel
'96 Safari

As a weekend warrior, it's hard to justify the expense given a lot of the restrictions are on weekends, but once fulltiming, I'm sure I'll find it very useful. By that time, though, it'll certainly cost more, if still available.

I have a lifetime membership but bought it about 8 years ago when it was cheaper. We fulltime and it has already saved us more than we paid for it.

I use Passport every time we travel. We very seldom spend more than one day at an enroute stop towards our destination so we are just looking for a place to park and sleep. I have found that through the years, Passport America has more than paid for itself. Some of their parks are great, and some of their parks are not. Not much different than KOA in my opinion. Personally I don't feel that a lifetime subscription is worthwhile for us. To me it is more about the long term viability of the business rather than the few dollars saved.

I to have Passport America but (my opinion) I am finding many of the camp grounds we visit quit using it or have invoked a lot of restrictions. I am concerned if this trend continues they wont be around long enough for a Life time membership to pay off.

We belong to Passport and it pays for itself in a few stops. Take a look at their campground list online and depending where you travel, will they work out for you? You do have to be flexible because there are restrictions. Read thoroughly. As for the parks themselves - some aren't great, some are good, some are excellent. It's the whole gammet. We typically don't stay in private campgrounds period - much preferring public ones, but once in a while we need to do so and Passport works for us. Like was stated above, don't buy the Lifetime do year by year.

bdpreece wrote:
Received the e-mail offering me the $399 lifetime membership. Last time I renewed it was for 3 years at $109. That means that at $399 I paid $36.34 a year. At that rate it will take me roughly 11 years to break even. Who knows if they will be in business in 11 years or that at 79 years of age I will be using it enough to make it worth the money. You have to run the numbers and make your own decision. I passed. As far as Freedom Resorts, I personally can't see buying a membership to get 25% off when there are so many other options that you may already belong to that will get you at least 10% at no extra charge.

X2 - and I am only 50. I question the biz model. And the quality of the campgrounds willing to participate.

Received the e-mail offering me the $399 lifetime membership. Last time I renewed it was for 3 years at $109. That means that at $399 I paid $36.34 a year. At that rate it will take me roughly 11 years to break even. Who knows if they will be in business in 11 years or that at 79 years of age I will be using it enough to make it worth the money. You have to run the numbers and make your own decision. I passed. As far as Freedom Resorts, I personally can't see buying a membership to get 25% off when there are so many other options that you may already belong to that will get you at least 10% at no extra charge.