APA Customer Service FAQ

The Top Customer Service Questions

1. How do I log in to the APA website?
   
   
2. What is my password?
   
   
3. How can a non-member create a web account?
   
   
4. Why doesn't the system recognize my e-mail address?
   
   
5. Have you received my payment?
   
   
6. What is my APA ID number?
   
   
7. How do I change my address/contact information?
   
   
8. How do I login to my organization's PAS account?
   
   
9. How do I reinstate my APA/AICP membership?
   
   
10. May I renew my membership with a credit card over the phone?
    
    
11. How do I notify you about Planning Board Member changes?
    
    
12. I am unemployed but I want to retain my membership; am I eligible for a reduced dues rate?
    
    
13. Am I eligible for Retired membership status?
    
    
14. Am I eligible for Life membership status?
    
    
15. How do I subscribe to an APA publication and what are the subscription rates?
    
    
16. How do I cancel my membership or subscription?
    
    
17. How can I get a new or duplicate invoice?
    
    
18. Why doesn't the system recognize my zip code?
    
    
19. Can I join as a Planning Board Member if the system does not list my Commission?
    
    
20. How can I request a new/prospective member packet?
    
    
21. How do I pay dues for another person online?
    
    
22. Can I join a chapter without purchasing APA national membership?
    
    
23. Why join APA?

1. How do I log in to the APA website?
On the right- or left-hand side of every page on the APA website, you will find a "My APA" area with boxes to enter either your 6-digit APA ID number or your e-mail address, and then your password. Enter the information, and click the Login button.

2. What is my password?
To create or reset a password, click the blue "...password help" link located underneath the password entry field in the "My APA" area found in the right- or left-hand column of every page on the APA website. To access the page now, click here: https://www.planning.org/login/newpassword.htm.

Enter your e-mail address and a link will be sent to that address to enable you to set or reset your password. If you no longer have access to your e-mail address you will need to contact customer service at customerservice@planning.org.

3. How can a non-member create a web account?
Non-members who want web access to purchase a book or place a Jobs Online ad can go to the "My APA" area found on the right- or left-hand side of every APA webpage and click the "Create a Login" link underneath the Login button. To access the page now, click here: https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/joinApa/default.aspx.

Follow the instructions under the "Sign Up as a Non-Member" section.

4. Why doesn't the system recognize my e-mail address?
If your e-mail address has changed but you remember your password, you can login with your ID number and password. Your ID number can be located on the mailing label of Planning magazine. If you still have problems, contact customerservice@planning.org.

5. Have you received my payment?
To check the status of your membership, please log in using the "My APA" area found on the right- or left-hand side of every APA webpage. After you've logged in, you will see your current APA paid-thru date in the "My APA" box.

To check your subscription products, log in and click the "My Information" link. Or, click here to access the page directly: https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/account/Default.aspx. Your payment will be processed within 7-10 days from the time the payment is mailed, or 3-5 days from the time the payment is faxed. To trace a payment we will need the date your payment cleared the bank.

6. What is my APA ID number?
Your APA ID number is a 6-digit number. It is located on the upper right hand side of your Planning magazine mailing label and on the upper left area of your invoice.

To find your ID another way, click the blue "...password help" link in the "My APA" area found in the right- or left-hand column of every page on the APA website. Type in your e-mail address at the bottom of the page, and your ID number will be sent to you (along with a link to reset your password if you so desire). The direct link to the page is: https://www.planning.org/login/newpassword.htm.

Your APA ID will be displayed in the "My APA" area of each webpage when you're logged in to the site.

7. How do I change my address/contact information?
Log in on the right- or left-hand column of any APA web page, under the "My APA" heading. Click the "My Information" link, and then click the "Edit" button in the contact information area.

8. How do I login to my organization's PAS account?
If your organization has a Planning Advisory Service (PAS) subscription, you can gain access to online information through your individual login. See "Question 1: How do I log in to the APA website?" If you still don't have access after logging in, contact customerservice@planning.org.

9. How do I reinstate my APA/AICP membership?

You may reinstate your APA membership in either of the two following ways:

1. Log in to "My APA" (https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/account/), click the "My Information" link, and then choose "Become a Member" in the membership section.

OR

2. Download the membership application form at www.planning.org/joinapa/pdf/memberform.pdf. Complete the form, include your former ID number or the zip code of your former preferred mailing address if available, and fax it to us with credit card payment or mail it to us with a check. Our fax number is 312-786-6735.

To reinstate your AICP membership:

Click here to send an e-mail to aicp@planning.org with "AICP Reinstatement" in the subject line. In the e-mail please provide all of the following information:

1. your current salary level
2. your current contact information (work and home address)
3. how you want to receive your AICP reinstatement form (mail or fax)

APA will send you a reinstatement form with information about your back dues and your AICP dues for the coming year. Please sign the form, indicating that you have not used the AICP designation while your AICP membership was lapsed, and send it back to APA with your payment.

The AICP reinstatement confirmation statement reads: "I attest that during the period which I did not maintain my AICP membership, I did not use the credential in any way and I continued to abide by the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct."

Mail the AICP reinstatement form and your dues payment to:

American Planning Association
97774 Eagle Way
Chicago, IL 60678-9770

10. May I renew my membership with a credit card over the phone?
Yes, you may renew your membership by paying your dues over the phone using a credit card. For faster service, fax the original invoice back to us with your credit card information. Our fax number is 312-786-6735. It takes 3-5 days to process faxed renewals.

Better yet, renew online by logging in to "My APA" (https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/account/Default.aspx) and clicking "Pay My Invoice."

11. How do I notify you about Planning Board Member changes?
If your organization has received a renewal invoice, the second page will list a complete roster of your current planning board members. Please add or delete individuals on this roster and fax it to us at 312-786-6735. Proceed to pay your invoice, inclusive of any changes.

If the changes occur during the middle of the membership year, e-mail the changes to billings@planning.org and reference your organization's 6-digit subscriber ID number; we will make the changes accordingly.

12. I am unemployed, but I want to retain my membership; am I eligible for a reduced dues rate?
Unemployment eligibility: Upon request of the member via e-mail or phone, and subject to management approval. Active (current and continuous) APA membership for the past 3 or more years entitles you to 1 year of membership dues at the unemployment rate for a maximum of 5 years (15 years of active service). This is not a billable rate, so you will have to request the unemployment rate every year upon renewal.

Unemployment rates: APA dues $75, Chapter dues $10, AICP (if applicable) $50. All publications and divisions are at regular price.

13. Am I eligible for Retired membership status?
Retirement eligibility: Upon request of the member via e-mail or phone, and subject to management approval. Must be 65 or older, currently in retired status (not employed), and an active (current and continuous) APA member for the past 10 years.

Retirement rates: APA dues $75, Chapter dues $10, AICP (if applicable) $50. All publications and divisions fees are at standard price.

14. Am I eligible for Life membership status?
Life membership eligibility: Upon request of the member via e-mail or phone, and subject to management approval. Must be 65 or older and be an active (current and continuous) member of APA for the past 25 years or more.

Life member rates: APA $10, Chapter $5 and AICP (if applicable) $5. All publications and divisions fees are at standard price.

15. How do I subscribe to an APA publication, and what are the subscription rates?
You may find subscription rates and subscribe to APA publications in one of two ways. Note that subscription prices may be prorated to adjust subscription length to your current APA products renewal period.

1. Download a form at www.planning.org/publications/pdf/pubsform.pdf. Complete the form and fax it to us with a credit card payment or with an authorized purchase order (purchase order requests for subscriptions will not be activated until payment is posted). You can also mail the order form back with a check or credit card payment information.

OR

2. Order online by logging into "My APA" (https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/account/Default.aspx), selecting "My Information," then clicking the "Add" button in the "Subscriptions" box.

To subscribe to the Planning Advisory Service, visit www.planning.org/pas/pdf/pasform.pdf.

16. How do I cancel my membership or subscription?
If you would like to cancel your membership or a subscription at the end of your current renewal period, write "cancel" on the lower portion of your renewal invoice and return it to us. You may receive another invoice but please disregard.

If you wish to cancel immediately, please contact customer service at customerservice@planning.org.

Refunds for cancelled products will be prorated and reduced by a $25 cancellation fee.

17. How can I get a new or duplicate invoice?
Contact billings@planning.org.

18. Why doesn't the system recognize my zip code?
The APA database is equipped to recognize zip codes from all 50 states and most U.S. territories and provinces. If your zip code is not recognized, please contact customerservice@planning.org.

19. Can I join as a Planning Board Member if the website does not list my commission?
If you cannot find your commission you will be unable to join ONLINE as a planning board official; however, you may still join with assistance from customer service.

Please call customer service at 312-786-6703 or e-mail customerservice@planning.org

OR

Dowload the membership application form at www.planning.org/joinapa/pdf/memberform.pdf. Complete the form and fax it to us (312-786-6735) with credit card payment, or mail it to us with a check.

20. How may I request a new/prospective member packet?
For a prospective member package, please contact joinapa@planning.org.

21. How do I pay dues for another person online?
In order to pay any invoice online, you must have the 6-digit membership ID number or e-mail address used on the account, and a password. Once you've gathered this information log into "My APA" (https://www.planning.org/ecommerce/account/Default.aspx), then select "Pay my Invoice."

22. Can I join a chapter without purchasing APA national membership?
Yes. Most chapters will allow you to obtain a "chapter-only" affiliation. However, this type of chapter membership does not give you membership in the American Planning Association. As a chapter-only affiliate, you will not receive the publications, benefits, and exclusive discounts given to APA members.

23. Why join APA?

For several generations, the American Planning Association and its predecessor organizations have been in the forefront of city and regional planning. To prepare for the next generation, APA is...

Encouraging and honoring the best in planning and demonstrating the benefits of planning to the wider community.

Fighting crucial public policy battles nationally and locally, in the legislatures and before the courts.

Generating creative, effective ways for planners to address the plight of distressed neighborhoods, the aging of American society, and the needs of youth.

Employing advanced technologies to help planners apply new concepts and techniques to achieve planning's fundamental goal of improving human communities.

Offering continuing education, practical training, career development, and professional certification.

Forging the diverse talents and experiences of thousands of individuals into a powerful instrument that benefits everyone who is committed to good planning.

When you join APA, you'll join a community of planners where your dedication, accomplishments, and contributions are recognized and applauded. APA will honor your achievements, challenge you with new perspectives on old problems, and open doors to professional and personal growth. You'll encounter people who speak planning's language, grapple with familiar issues, and shoulder similar responsibilities.

APA brings together planning commissioners and planners working at every level of government, in universities, in consultancies ranging from one-person firms to multinational corporations, and in a myriad of specialties.

You'll thrive among colleagues with varied experiences and points of view. APA gatherings promote creative thinking, problem-solving, and stimulating conversation.

Membership is more than shop talk and networking. Social activities foster camaraderie and friendship. Planning is a national profession and you may work in many different parts of the country during your career. Participation in APA offers a way to keep friendships alive, as well as an opportunity to develop new ones. Those relationships based on shared interests and experiences may be among the most lasting and meaningful you'll ever have.

Finally, APA offers you opportunities for leadership. By participating and accepting responsibility in your professional association, you'll expand your own potential — perhaps in unexpected ways that enrich your professional, personal, and public life.