Climbing organization memberships - benefits/drawbacks

Over the past 20 years, I've been an on-again, off-again member of the AAC. The "off" periods have mainly been because I couldn't justify the cost vs. the benefits. The rescue insurance has been the primary benefit that I could see, but some places provide equivalent coverage for less (e.g., Colorado allows you to buy a hiking certificate for $5 that covers you in Colorado). If you're travelling internationally, and staying below 6000 m., the AAC coverage is a good deal, though. As I recall, my last AAC membership cost $100, but now it's down to $75 (maybe I was paying for both me and my wife last time?). The $40 rate for those under 28 is a [b]great[/b] deal - one we'll probably use as our sons get old enough to start climbing! My primary benefit interest is in the use of AAC huts or price reductions at huts in other countries. In the past, I don't think the AAC had any reciprocal agreements with AC's in other countries, but they now offer purchases of UIAA hut stamps ($75 additional) to get reciprocal rates in many European huts, and reciprocal rights in Canada for $20. They don't have a reciprocal agreement with the NZAC, though, and most of my recent out-of-country trips have been to New Zealand. Domestically, discounts at places like the Grand Teton Climbers Ranch and Bison Willys cabin are worthwhile if you use these facilities.

If you plan to do any climbing in New Zealand, I highly recommend joining the New Zealand Alpine Club, even if you're already a member of the AAC or other national AC. The NZAC offers discounts at all the huts in the primary climbing areas of NZ, and you can't get these through reciprocity with the AAC. I joined the NZAC last year, since I was leading a climbing trip to NZ, and easily recouped the cost (about $60) through the hut discounts I got while there. In addition, I was able to get our whole group into the Unwin Hut (a base hut near Mount Cook) for a couple of days. The NZAC publishes also publishes a great quarterly magazine called The Climber, which is a good read! As an NZAC member, you have direct reciprocity agreements with several European AC's, and can also buy UIAA huts stamps for use in most of the remaining ones (France, Switzerland). You can also get a reciprocal deal for Canadian huts, for about US $15.