By Chuck Woodbury
PUBLISHER
I hope I am wrong about this. But I think I am right. Please keep in mind this is just one guy’s opinion. I believe the FMCA RV club, which is actually called the Family Motor Coach Association, has made a fatal error. It’s raised its membership dues, not by a little but a lot. More below.
FMCA has been sliding downhill (losing members and club chapters) for at least a dozen years. Nowadays it’s losing money faster than green grass through a goose.
The average age of a member is somewhere in their 70s, with many older than 80. Club leaders fantasize they can somehow attract younger members. That would be like asking teenagers to spend their Friday nights at the senior center.
A big mistake?
Last Thursday, the club raised its annual membership fee from $50 to $99 or nearly $120 if paid in monthly installments. That, I believe, is a huge mistake, if not a fatal one.
I will not again go into detail about what members get for their money, but I can tell you it’s mostly a host of discounts that are available elsewhere. It’s not worth it, which the club will soon learn via a huge drop in new members and renewals, except to a few older members who join for the medical emergency and travel assistance benefit; they are at an advanced age when concerns about their continued well-being is on their minds.
If you want to better understand why I believe so strongly that this latest move of raising the membership fee is just one last desperate effort by the club to survive, read these articles of mine from the last few months. The first is titled Is the FMCA RV club in trouble? The next, from Sept. 7, is titled FMCA’s efforts to save club do not make sense.
The second also contains a poll asking our readers who are members of FMCA if they would renew their membership at double the current $50 rate. (You will likely not be surprised at the results.)
For the record, I have been a member of FMCA since I was in my 30s — far longer than anyone on the current executive board. I remember how good the club used to be.
If you want to learn the benefits of joining the club and/or join, visit here. Your comments are most welcome.
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I dumped FMCA a few years ago, after seeing things deteriorate. I agree with you Chuck, been there done that, and never had to use any benefits in all the years I was a member. For those that feel they need to keep it for medical reasons or travel assistance, there are other places out there to get these as well. Shop around!
I will not renew!
The situation they are in is so common these days. I’m not a fan of changing for changes sake, but to act as if things will return to “normal” is a bigger mistake.
There are so many wonderful chapters that are affiliated and have FMCA membership as one of their requirements. If FMCA fails, what happens to them?
I do not have any answers to fix things. They (the Board of directors) should have been seeing this coming for years.
The Medical Evaluation program provided to all of the members and included with the annual dues is worth much more than the annual cost. The additional Benefits and Discounts are just gravy. We have been members for over 30 years and believe it is the Premier RV Association.
Paul, it should be noted that you are the Acting President of FMCA.
He is now President. Gary Milner stepped down
Chuck – I am not acting!
Thanks for updating me, Paul.
Chuck,
I have changed the signature block as you requested.
Perhaps those members that need or want the Med Assist program should pay a premium and offer a lesser cost membership of $60 a year to the rest of the people with access to the other discounts.
It seems both FMCA and Escapees are in trouble. 🙁
Long time member. Change is normal in all things. Cannot predict the future, but all membership type clubs are failing.
For me personally, the Medical and Travel Assistance is worth the cost. We frequently travel overseas when not RVing and have to buy trip insurance to cover costs of the trip. But this doesn’t include MEDEVAC, FMCA covers that for the cost of membership.
We’ve been members since we bought our motorhome 10 years ago but this will be the last year.
FMCA is broken in big dollars already. Where is the money going?? Makes me wonder about management ability!
I wonder if they decided to double the dues to collect one last big haul before closing up. Hey we all need to collect last minute retirement money😎
The main reason I have continued my membership is the travel medical insurance that is included in the membership fee, All of the other “benefits” don’t interest me. I was in a chapter until we disbanded last year. The requirements to be a chapter where more than we could support. Recruiting new members was hard as no one saw the need. I was able to recruit new FMCA members because of the travel insurance. With the dues increasing to $100 a years I am sure those folks will drop their membership as I will. I can get the same insurance with Good Sam for the same price or cheaper.
Have you read the fine print. Many loop holes and only 50,000.00 limit. This is probably the very minimum for air transport. Document states (ambulance) never mentions air transport.
Also states that you need to be pre-approved. Hard to do when you unconscious.
Look into “MASA”
Necessary transportation is included from the accident by whatever means, air or ground. Transportation to another facility if needed is also included.
I guess the point everyone is missing is the Medical and travel assist is included in the annual dues for $99. Also includes living expense on a trip if you breakdown at $250 per day and reimbursement for Emergency room or Urgent care up to $250. I am more than happy to provide details to anyone. My number and Email is on our website.
We will likely stay with FMCA as we camp with one of our state chapters several times a year. That group is like an extended family and enjoy our activities and fellowship. Every 2-3 years we have traveled to an international rally and have enjoyed them. One frequent international rally location is near our home so we usually hit it to meet our friends as a day visitor. I have used the tire purchase program. Given all that, I grumble but I guess $100 a year is not a killer for us.
We’ve never subscribed to FMCA as it struck me as paying to get a discount on discount programs. My RV insurance has a rider for medical so even that piece lacks appeal to me. I dunno, maybe I’m missing the actual value proposition.
We won’t renew at that rate.
We’ve dropped G.S. and will drop FMCA as well.
After being a member for over 30yrs and in my mid 70s I will NOT renew at that rate. I would understand charging $99 to new members
I have been an FMCA member for 20+ years. I believe the dues went from $50 to $65 in about 2019, so this new increase is not quite double, but it may as well be. We have attended one or two rallies, never saw much appeal in the magazine, liked the medical protection when we were full-timers, but are SkyMed members now. Have debated whether or not to renew each year. I agree with Chuck. This will end the debate for me.
I have been a member for many years.
I think the medical benefits are worth the dues, however, I think FMCA went the wrong way with this.
In order to keep current members and attract new members keep dues the same.
Sounds as if the Government is running FMCA now.
I think you’re right on Chuck. Big mistake. We will not renew.
I don’t see anyway for this or any club to survive. I remember Decades ago, I met my wife at a ski club in Portland. This club at the time had 3,800 members and was the largest of it kind in America.Today, member ship has dwindled to less than 300 and comprised of old timers. Young people no longer join clubs and many like Masonic Blue lodges, Eagles, Moose, etc. are closing their doors all over the country. I feel badly for young people who will never experience the camaraderie and fun trips and meeting people they never would have met. I believe clubs are going the way of the landline. Change is inevitable.
We went to our first rally in Redmond this past August. Walking around the venue, it felt like we were at a seniors center. I can’t see the governing board made up of aging septuagenarians creating anything to attract younger families to join a club that offers nothing that can’t be found elsewhere. Keeping this very expensive insurance and expecting new members to finance it is self serving to a rapidly declining demographic. As for the chapters, dig a hole and bury them, they served a different generation. The entire governing board needs to retire and let those under 60 have a shot at renewing this club, if it’s not already too late. We’ve been members for 17 years, this is our last.
It’s a problem other long-running RV memberships share. I fear RVWomen is in the same boat with most members in their 60’s & up. Part of the challenge of attracting younger members, especially ones that could take over needed positions, is that most younger RVers are in survival mode. If the positions are paid instead of voluntary, that could help change RV Women’s demographic & ensure their future.
I remember meeting my wife decades ago at a ski club in Portland that had 3,800 members. Today, forty years later membership at the club has fallen to a few hundred old timers. Young people have quit joining clubs like the Moose, Eagles, local blue lodges (Masonic) etc. The computer and smart phones offer an easier way to keep track of friends. Those years at the ski club I remember fondly and feel that the young people will miss out meeting a lot of wonderful like minded individuals. If FMCA were to cut their dues in half it would make no difference. Attrition will be the death of most clubs.
Same for us Dave, I was a level 2 PSIA instructor and my wife a patroller. We met on a ski club trip when we were in our early 20’s. My children are avid skiers, when I suggest joining the club they say it’s for old people, same for the bike club that we have been members of for 50 plus years.
The blue lodge I belonged to forty years ago had over 500 members. Now after a merger they have somewhere around 125 members. Young generation don’t want to belong to anything. The cost to belong to organizations are too much.
But the younger generation has no issue buying $5 iced vanilla flavored, cherry infused, oat milk coffee. 🤔
$5 dollars,you’re living in the stone age. Let’s try $8 to $10 now. I’ll stick to the $1 plus coffee.
LOL! Yep, and then there is always 5cent coffee at Wall Drug, but it sucks. More or less, just dirty water. That said, I wonder if American love for weak coffee originated from the coffee rationing of WWII? Just curious.
The trail of dead businesses who raised their prices while losing customers is long and tragic.
We just joined this past year because of the benefits that it gives us as our age moves further away from 70. The loss of these benefits going forward will be a game changer for us as we age.
Chuck, you revealed your long-time membership. I too have been a long-time member, not as long as you. Just a suggestion, perhaps instead of helping the demise of FMCA thru your many articles, you could just as staunchly suggest ways it can not only survive but prosper. I always look for our distinctive and proud FMCA placard as a first gauge of the other RVers’ interests and loyalty.
Richard, I have expressed my concerns to the club in person, even in its home office over the past 10 years. I have met with officers. I have joined executive board Zoom meetings. My advice was not seriously considered, much less appreciated. I write about the ailing club now because of my loyalty to the readers of RVtravel.com — to help them consider that they could very well lose their membership money should the organization go bust. I am not saying that will happen, but from all my experience, that’s what I believe is ahead due to very poor management.
From one Chuck to another, I agree. We probably won’t be renewing our membership next year after 10+ years of membership. We joined in the beginning to take advantage of the member benefits, especially the tire program and medical assist since my wife doesn’t drive our rig. We now have Skymed and that benefit is so much better. I speak from experience as we had an incident in Alaska this summer where our friend lost his wife in an accident. Since he was the principal driver, the insurance carrier refused his claim to transport him, his wife’s remains, their dog and coach back home. So it’s not all it’s made out to be. I’ll probably use the tire program one more time but that’s about it.
Chuck, I am really sorry to hear about your friends. If you could send me some information or contact information, I would like to investigate this case. We have transported RV’s and families from Alaska multiple times under our policy.
If your poll is correct it will mean that 60% of members will NOT renew. Even with a doubling of dues FMCA will wind up with only 40% as many members and revenues will DROP by 20%. I joined when the dues were lowered to get more members. The only real benefit I see is the magazine. It sure ain’t worth $100 for 6 issues. I will be one of those NOT renewing. What management is doing is like backing up the Titanic so it can hit the iceberg again. Include me out.
Dave, and if the membership declines, the circulation of the magazine will decline, which means advertising will be harder to acquire and for a lower price, which means the magazine will cut pages and editorial budget, which will make it less valuable to members. The magazine is already losing money, it will simply lose more.
We have been members of FMCA for about 10 years and plan to continue. Elks, Moose, and Churches have been mentioned as similar organizations losing membership, but as we travel we see quite a few that are gaining members. The common theme for them seems to be getting the younger members INVOLVED. Instead of having all your 70 and 80 year old buddies on the board and on the committees, ask whatever younger members you have to be the committee chairs and board members – they will then start to attract their friends.
I’ve been a member for many years and my mom has been one for 5 decades. We both will not renew our memberships which both expire the end of this month.
The discounts are not super useful with the exception of the towing which was less expensive than Coach net but with the giant price jump it is no longer less , plus upon researching Escapees , I can pay $109 for towing and $49.99 for membership basically half the cost now of FMCA and their discounted towing. Both offer similar towing benefits comparable to Coachnet.
Thank you, Chuck! 🙂 Have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
With $80.00 to $100.00 plus per night camping and fuel prices being what they are, the dues increase is not surprising. I will likely keep my membership with Family RVing for another year to see how it goes.
It used to cost $8 to $12.00 for breakfast for two. Now it is $20 to $30 for the same meal. If you want to save money stay home and have a bowl of cereal but even that with milk has doubled in price.
The problem appears to be, us older folks remember how far a dollar went many years ago. Hold on to your hat as things are changing FAST.
We joined in 2004 (?) for the sociability and considered the various programs as perks for being part of large RV organization and proudly wearing the Goose Egg on our coach as an introduction to other members just as we keep our Escapee logo on our coach. Over time we have drifted away from the club as our needs have changed, but we will retain our membership until we get off the road. I am aware that the RV world we entered in 2001 has changed several times and will continue to change. I fear the loss of our clubs may reduce the social life on the road.
Good grief. $50 bucks. Really? An insignificant increase for a membership that includes Medical and Travel Assistance that is worth FAR more than $99 annual fee. Look into the cost of alternative MEDEVAC contracts folks! Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. I’ll probably never attend a rally, but this benefit alone makes an FMCA membership a screaming deal.
Raising the dues by such a huge amount and having the change go in effect the same day as the announcement was a double slap in the face to current members. It was also a very stupid move following Escapees sale to Harvest Host followed by the announcement that most of their RV parks were up for sale. Escapees members are dropping membership by the droves and FMCA would have been in a good position to pick up a lot of new members. Now both organizations will lose big.
RV travel full time in general has become unaffordable, we started full time travel in 2011, next year we are selling our Tiffin and cancelling FMCA, Thousand Trails, RPI, K&M, full time rv insurance, annual maintenance costs, Harvest Host, Passport America, Escapees etc! It’s been a great 14 years!
All depends on your definition of unaffordable. Have always been RVing since I was a teen and yes it’s more expensive but relative to everything else it can be and affordable.
Not FMCA, but I had subscribed to a major motorcycle magazine for over 20 years. The cost rose about a dollar or so a year. No big deal. Then they doubled the subscription cost all at once. I contacted them about the increase and was told the cost of publishing had gone up. The magazine also got smaller! The magazine was becoming full of advertisements of companies selling everything from health insurance, trips abroad, vacation rentals, things totally unrelated to motorcycles, etc. There was also M/C related items.
I asked if all the advertisers paid them for the ads. Their answer was it didn’t cover the costs.
Well, I no longer cover their costs.
I have been an FMCA member for 7 years. Personally, I don’t understand increasing dues 100% overnight. I understand that FMCA has some financial issues, but doubling the dues should be the last resort. From what I have heard, the FMCA Assist program costs FMCA about $27/pp/year. I don’t know what it cost in previous years, but even if it was half this price, it does not explain a $50/year increase.
If the International Rallies are losing $400k-$500k/event – then FMCA needs to make adjustments to these rallies (cost cutting, reduce the # of rallies, change the venues), but FMCA cannot afford to continue losing this amount of money to host a Rally.
The new insurance has enhanced features and undoubtedly carries a higher fee. The changes have been detailed by other You Tubers etc, who have studied and compared them. We think it is still a bargain and will renew when our time comes.
I am so disappointed in the doubling of rates. I have been a member since the early years and proudly renewed at the more reasonable price. Now, I am seriously thinking of dropping my membership. Why such a drastic move? I only use the road side assistance program which I also get with my insurance on my downsized Coach. Very sad they made this terrible decision.