"Senior Pass" price increase reminder July 12, 2017, 04:46:15 pm If you're 62 or over and don't have a "senior pass", get yours before August 28th!Congressionally Mandated Senior Pass Price Increase to Take Effect on August...
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #1 – July 12, 2017, 05:20:50 pm Quote from: JCT - July 12, 2017, 04:46:15 pmIf you're 62 or over and don't have a "senior pass", get yours before August 28th!Congressionally Mandated Senior Pass Price Increase to Take Effect on August...I'm going to get a spare, the original card is wearing out. Make sure your spouse or partner gets a card too, if 62 or older.Many parks have tours in which the card gets you half off but the discount only applies to the card holder.Larry
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #2 – July 12, 2017, 05:28:33 pm I'm going to get a spare, the original card is wearing out. ----I didn't know one could get a "spare"; I thought the pass was a one-time issue? Mine is the old paper card; it has been laminated three times!
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #3 – July 12, 2017, 05:37:40 pm Quote from: JCT - July 12, 2017, 05:28:33 pmI'm going to get a spare, the original card is wearing out. ----I didn't know one could get a "spare"; I thought the pass was a one-time issue? Mine is the old paper card; it has been laminated three times! I've got 2. I lost and then found the original.Chris
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #4 – July 12, 2017, 05:40:40 pm Quote from: JCT - July 12, 2017, 05:28:33 pmI didn't know one could get a "spare"; I thought the pass was a one-time issue? Mine is the old paper card; it has been laminated three times! When my wife recently bought her card, up at the Mammoth Visitor's Center.The ranger logged the card number into a book but it didn't include who the card was registered to, she just wanted to see proof that my wife was 62. My card was not registered to me, just sold, once ID, proving I was old enough, was presented.I see no reason why owning more than one card is problem as long as it isn't used in a fraudulent way. I'm not going to give it to anyone, much less anyone under 62. I want a spare in case my wallet is lost or when the original card finally break-in half.Larry.
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #5 – July 12, 2017, 06:18:46 pm I see no reason why owning more than one card is problem as long as it isn't used in a fraudulent way. ----Of course you wouldn't defraud anyone! Just commenting that I thought the senior pass was a "one to a customer" card. When I got mine at a ranger station (14 years ago), the clerk took the information from my driver's license and registered the card number to me; I had to sign the card and the "book" where the card info was entered. Unless all those records were digitized (and the kiosk or campground person had access to them), I don't know how a park or campground or any entity where the pass is accepted would check to see if the "presenter" of the card was the valid holder of same. It's probably enough to just look "old" and have the card (or the number, if one is getting a campsite online or on site) in hand!
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #6 – July 12, 2017, 06:29:04 pm Just be prepared to wait awhile if mailing them a check. We sent off for one for DW a couple of weeks ago and the check is not yet cashed.
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #7 – July 12, 2017, 08:36:09 pm Left Yellowstone yesterday via the Northeast Gate in the rental car. After an amazing lunch in Montana, my DW drove us back into the park. Sitting shotgun, I handed the Ranger (?) at the entrance gate my Senior Pass. I asked him if he needed to see my ID. "Nope", he said and off we drove. Herds of Buffalo were still grazing in Lamar Valley as we headed back to Grant CG.Today we got caught in a small Buffalo crossing on our way to the Falls. None of them wanted to see my ID either. Kent 3 Likes
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #8 – July 12, 2017, 10:10:15 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - July 12, 2017, 08:36:09 pmToday we got caught in a small Buffalo crossing on our way to the Falls. None of them wanted to see my ID either. Duh!!! It's perfectly clear to me why the Buffalo didn't want to see your ID! Obviously a family of impeccable character and who travel in a Lazy Daze! 2 Likes
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #9 – July 13, 2017, 11:54:57 am Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - July 12, 2017, 08:36:09 pmI asked him if he needed to see my ID. "Nope", We always hand them both our Senior Pass and driver's license. I'm not sure why we hand them our driver's license, but I'm thinking it was because, at some point, we were asked to produce ID, so now we do so automatically. We've never been told by any gate attendant that we don't need to hand them our driver's license.
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #10 – July 13, 2017, 12:12:41 pm Quote from: Linda Hylton - July 13, 2017, 11:54:57 amWe always hand them both our Senior Pass and driver's license. I'm not sure why we hand them our driver's license, but I'm thinking it was because, at some point, we were asked to produce ID, so now we do so automatically. We've never been told by any gate attendant that we don't need to hand them our driver's license.It is a roll of the dice. I have been told several times to always have the license ready. Since it was a pain I often didn't do it and sometimes got away with it. I have it so it's easier to display now so I always have it ready. That said, I am relearning this summer why I would prefer to be stationary and not visit parks, too many people.Jim 1 Likes
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #11 – July 13, 2017, 12:33:50 pm Quote from: Jim & Gayle - July 13, 2017, 12:12:41 pmThat said, I am relearning this summer why I would prefer to be stationary and not visit parks, too many people.Agreed! Like Larry has previously said, best to travel during the "shoulder seasons." During the summer, other than family trips, we mostly stay home to avoid the heat and crowds and do gardening. By Fall, we are ready to get our "lack of green thumb" frustrations out and travel. Works for us.
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #12 – July 13, 2017, 06:30:02 pm Picked up a "backup" Senior Pass today at the Grant Village Visitors Center today. This after speaking with an Agent at the West Thumb Visitors Center. He didn't have any Senior Passes to sell. I told him I wanted to purchase a backup prior to the price increase. He sent me to the larger Visitor Center and told me not to mention my current pass. When I purchased my "extra" pass, it was registered to my drivers license and I signed the back of the pass. That was it. I was told the price increase kicks in on August 31st.Who knows how much the Senior Pass will be when my DW reaches that Golden Age? Any bodies guess. A yearly National Park pass is $80. It used to be $60 if my old brain remembers correctly.Kent
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #13 – July 13, 2017, 06:54:04 pm "Who knows how much the Senior Pass will be when my DW reaches that Golden Age? Any bodies guess. A yearly National Park pass is $80. It used to be $60 if my old brain remembers correctly."Like many items, the prices of passes have increased considerably. We used to buy one every year no matter what - when they were $25. a year. They started a rapid climb, so I stopped buying them routinely - only when needed. Fortunately . . . I got old quickly enough to use the benefit a few times! Virtual hugs, Judie
Re: "Senior Pass" price increase reminder Reply #14 – September 06, 2017, 03:03:25 pm Quote from: HiLola - July 12, 2017, 06:29:04 pmJust be prepared to wait awhile if mailing them a check. We sent off for one for DW a couple of weeks ago and the check is not yet cashed. After a couple of months of waiting, DW got an e-mail saying her pass is in the mail. Yay, good things come to those that wait!