Airstream Recreation Association

[66TradeWind]

My 66 Tradewind keys are on a keychain for the Airstream Recreational Association. This came from the previous owner.

One side has a membership # and note saying to drop in mail if found. The other side has a California address and says return postage guaranteed. I presume this association no longer exists because I haven't heard of it before.

This would be a valuable service, perhaps WBCCI would adopt it as a member benefit. More value for members. A keytag with WBCCI member would be required and some postage for lost key return.

Looking for feedback and I will forward the suggestion to WBCCI if there is interest. I'll try setting up a poll to gauge interest.

[83Excella]

I think it is a great idea and should be pursued with WBCCI.
I heard of them also and asked the factory customer service and she said she never heard of them (she must be too young).

John

[zamboni]

Now that it's four years later, anyone heard of ARA?

[2airishuman]

you dog you...

digging in the zombie piles...

give that shovel back!

yea, i've heard of 'em...

membership is now over the 1 ma illion mark.

but 66tradewind has been lost at the post office since 7/03...

now where are my keys?

cheers
2air'

[FreshAir]

Years ago........I mean years ago the Diabled American Veterns accepted donations in exchange for a key tag with your car's license (miniature) plate. On the back of this plate was the DAV address and a note 'if found (the keys) to drop them in any post box'. The DAV would look up your lcense number and return your lost keys. I have 3 of these from my 50's cars. The ARA was using the same idea.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Years ago........I mean years ago the Diabled American Veterns accepted donations in exchange for a key tag with your car's license (miniature) plate. On the back of this plate was the DAV address and a note 'if found (the keys) to drop them in any post box'. The DAV would look up your lcense number and return your lost keys. I have 3 of these from my 50's cars. The ARA was using the same idea.

The War Amps, here in Canada, offer this very service. Have done since 1946.

The War Amps Key Tag Service

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Now that it's four years later, anyone heard of ARA?

It's now another 8 years later and I finally ran across a little information about the Airstream Recreation Association (ARA).

It was apparently an organization created by Airstream in 1989. Not sure if I could really call it a club. I am not sure how long it was around.

Memberships came in 2 levels: Silver for $25/year and Gold for $79/year. Membership offered a variety of benefits, including prizes, emergency road side assistance, discounts on Airstream Company Caravans and on a variety of products and services of interest to travelers, insurance, lost key service, etc. Interesting the Gold level membership would extend the warranty on a new Airstream from the then standard one year to two years. Not bad for $79 on Airstream that likely cost from the mid-$20,000s for the least expensive trailer to approaching $100,000 for some of the motor homes. The ARA apparently also offered some of it's own overseas "Old Country Tours" where one rented a local motor home for travel.

That's all I know.