Cut Your Entertainment Budget With Reciprocal Memberships

By John Schroeder, on September 22, 2010

There are plenty of ways to save money on entertainment for your family that don’t involve free movies from your library or taking a visit to your local park. While those free entertainment options are great ways to tighten the budget, they can get a little old after awhile. Let’s face it, there are only so many free things that you can do to keep the little ones entertained and interested.

Photo by Woodley Wonderworks via Flickr

For those who purchase annual memberships to theme parks, water parks, or any other entertainment destination, you probably already know about the savings. Most memberships typically pay for themselves after the 2nd or 3rd visit which can add a huge cost savings if you plan to attend often.

Did you know that there may actually be other ways to save on an annual membership? There are actually reciprocal memberships that not only save money by visiting the location multiple times, but also provide free or discounted admissions to other participating members.

2 Ways to Save Money on Reciprocal Memberships

Taking the family to a sporting event or amusement park can run hundreds of dollars for each visit. For those looking for a frugal alternative to entertaining the kids, check out these reciprocal memberships that can be enjoyed all year long.

1. Zoo Memberships – The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reciprocal admissions program offers free and/or discounted admissions to zoos and aquariums found in over 40 states. There are also participating zoos found in Canada and Mexico. Be sure to call ahead to check if any zoo you may think of visiting is included on the most current list.
2. Museum Memberships – The ASTC (Association of Science – Technology Centers) Passport Program has over 250 museums participating in the reciprocal agreement. This program not only includes museums located in the United States, but there are also participating museums found in Canada, Mexico, Australia, United Kingdom, and more. It is important to check the guidelines to this program as there are some restrictions.

Tips for Buying Reciprocal Memberships

Purchasing a reciprocal membership from your local zoo or museum is a great way to save you money. There are however a few things you should consider before purchasing one of these memberships. Here are a few tips to think about:

• Price out annual memberships at all of the locations in your immediate area. You will find that many of these memberships (zoos and museums) are priced differently but will still offer reciprocity. You may be able to save additional money by making your purchase where the membership is the cheapest.
• Once you decide where you will purchase your membership, calculate the break-even costs. A $75 annual zoo membership may be not be a good deal if you plan to only visit one time. In order to reap the benefits of the membership, you will probably need to visit at least twice. Knowing the break-even point can help you determine if the membership savings are really worth it.
• Find out what additional fees would be charged at other museums and zoos that participate in the reciprocal agreement that you plan to visit. Most of the time, only the general admission will be covered by your membership. If there is a special event you would like to attend, then you may want to purchase your membership through that location.
• Find out if there are any special restrictions on your reciprocal membership. For example, museums participating within 90 miles of where you live do not have to give you free admission. I have personally found that most of the museums around where we live will still honor the free admission, regardless of where you live. It is important to research this information before purchasing a membership.
• If you are planning a vacation that is outside your immediate area, check participating locations that you may want to visit. This can be a great and very cheap way to see other museums or zoos that you normally would not visit because of the distance.
• Find out which locations participate within driving distance to where you live. If you find that there are few locations participating in the reciprocal agreement, then purchasing a membership may not be worth the costs.
• Most annual memberships expire on the last day of the month in the following calendar year. By purchasing your membership at the beginning of the month, you could get a few extra weeks for free!

Final Thoughts

For usually less than $100, you can purchase an annual membership to your local zoo, aquarium, and/or museum. If your zoo or aquarium is AZA-accredited, then you will be able to visit many others for free or at a huge discount. Likewise, if your local museum is included in the ASTC Passport Program then you should be able to visit several other museums around the country (and world) at no additional cost. For many of us on a tight budget, this can be the perfect way to enjoy time with your family while learning new things.

What other reciprocal memberships have you joined and have saved money?

John Schroeder is a personal finance blogger who enjoys writing about passive income, debt-free living, and financial independence. He also enjoys sharing his experiences in raising a family on a single income, while his wife stays home with their two children. Aside from writing about money, he is an avid runner and enjoys spending time outdoors with his kids.

Add Your Question or Comment (4 Comments)

1. Kim at MMI:

   September 22, 2010 at 3:00 pm

   This is a great idea for people who are able to visit frequently. Since we don’t get to the zoo or museum often enough, I always wait for the free days.
2. nick:

   September 22, 2010 at 3:41 pm

   Really good idea! I’m with Kim, I usually wait for free days at places like art museums and zoos.
3. Hannah:

   September 23, 2010 at 10:22 am

   I had never heard of that, great idea! I’ll have to look into it, especially since I live in a busy metroplex area with plenty of options.
4. WR:

   September 23, 2010 at 7:05 pm

   Something we have been doing for quite a few years is getting the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. It is $80.00 and gives you access to all of the National Parks.

   http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

   Your 80 bucks entitles you to quite a feast:
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.....ted_States