Well, a little over a week ago I received my own personal invitation from Hugh Hefner to join the exclusive society of the Playboy Passport club. Ok, it was a form letter, and Hef probably hasn’t even heard my name yet. But the invite does have his signature on it.
What is Passport you may ask? Well, according to Playboy:
Playboy Passport is the elite members-only concierge service dedicated to providing its members exclusive access to the best in dining, nightlife, travel, and special events.
It’s also limited to 1,000 people worldwide. Forever.
Now, a lot of different sites on the Internet have been talking about Playboy Passport in the past month or so. But, to my knowledge, I’m the only person who has actually received an invite that is writing about it. So, here are the first photos of what an actual invitation looks like.
It came via FedEx (or UPS… I didn’t pay attention) overnight, and it’s in a classy silver package about the size of a large book. Inside is a personal invitation letter that starts out:
Dear John,
For over 50 years Playboy has been turning fantasy into reality. Today I have the pleasure of continuing this tradition by inviting you to become a founding member of Playboy’s elite concierge program, Playboy Passport.
Also enclosed is a guide to member benefits, a very nice brochure, and five extraordinary holograms. They are much nicer than any other holograms I’ve seen before.
So, now we have a decision to make… namely, whether or not to accept the invitation.
This is an exclusive club. But it is also an expensive one. I’m waiting on answers to a few questions and have not yet made a decision. So, feel free to chime in if you have an opinion. In the meantime, here are a few of the benefits that come along with membership:
- Global travel and reservation services including airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, and access to private jets and yachts.
- Invitations to restaurant openings, chef’s table dinners, and exclusive dining experiences.
- VIP access to the hottest clubs and lounges around the world (of course, I’m allergic to smoke).
- VIP access to signature Playboy events at the Super Bowl and Kentucky Derby as well as the Playboy Golf Scramble, Playboy Poker Camp, Playboy Jazz Festival, Playboy boutique openings and events, Playboy magazine issue release parties, and more…
- Exclusive, dedicated events at the Playboy Mansion and Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas.
- Invitations to regional member events and networking functions.
I suppose if Hef were to actually call me I’d pretty much HAVE to accept the invitation, but I don’t really see that happening…
So. What would you do if you were me?
I agree with everything the Geczi states except one thing. Hell yes u should join! If your’re single and have the money to live that lifestyle, then it’s a no brainer. Unless u know another way to hang out with super hot naked chicks that will be paid to love u for free.
As tempting as it sounds, I wouldn’t do it. I think they are trying to bank on their name, and in the news I have heard that they have been struggling, to a point, in growing their brand name. So, I just think this is an extension of one of their brainstorm sessions at the Playboy mansion.
I think it’s a lot of fluff, but no substance, at least not for that price. If it were me, I would pass. Good luck in whatever you choose to do with it.
Hello John,
My employer also recieved the same Playboy Passport invitation and he has left it up to me to research to see whether or not it is worth the money. Would you be willing to share with me the questions/answers you recieved from Playboy?
Thanks much.
Elizabeth
Ill take it im in NY
I would take it and ask that you refer me to the club
I too have been sitting on this invitation before getting around to google it. I would say it feels like an honor to get this invite, but I must be on the B, C, or even Z list because I did not get the fancy fed/x invite, but just a simple letter in the post. But since I can extend the invitation to 3 other people, if I can find 3 people willing to pay me $5000 for an invite, I would have to reconsider. So anyone else in?
I had a chance to attend the magazines 50th anniversary party at the mansion. A great experience topped off with a swim in the grotto and pools at the end of the evening. I’ve got my passport invitation in hand, but still undecided. Regarding parking…you park at UCLA and are shuttled to the mansion.
Another point, if you think you’re going to a Playboy Mansion Party…How big do you think that Mansion is? Check out the parking on Google Earth (Wilshire Blvd, top of LA Couny Country Club near Sunset). So much for its value for networking. 1000 people (and the promised guests) will only fit if everyone else doesn’t show. Playboy does this marketing all the time. Sign up for the “free” 1 month internet. If it’s free why do they need your Credit Card Number? Funny thing, if someone of real wealth needs this passport…Well? Think about it!
I just received the invite. Glad I read this first. I’ll save the $10k.
Glad I read this link after I googled Playboy Passport. I too received a Passport Invitation and wondered how my name came up. Now it’s an apparent mass mailing, also with an attendant web site? All that effort to recruit only 1000 individuals? The numbers don’t make sense. Will they show their total membership rolls? Pretty hard to get a Playmate’s attention when you’re 1000th in line. $10,000.00 is nothing to the top one percent and those folks are invited free. Use common sense, is it just a scheme to generate cash flow for an over extended flagging Corporation? There was a time that the Rabbit Icon meant quality. Now everything they “run” has a catch. Save your $10,000.00, Again, glad I read this first now I’ll save mine, Thanks
I have also just receive a letter like this but it was just in an envelope just with the invitation to join the group and a black card that has a number to call about it. If you ask me i think its just a way to get more money. I am a collage student and have no way to afford it. If anyone would like to call it seems to be a company number here is the details, pls post what you find.
Ladies name is Tracy Stanton (“call Tracy Stanton directly to discuss your Passport membership details at:”
1(866)-655-9927
Good luck with whoever calls
looks like HOLLY SCOOP blogged about this on August 30th. I wonder what company they outsource for the actual concierge service. Just like AMEX Concierge is also outsourced, I highly doubt Playboy employees are doing the grunt work.
This post is actually what prompted me to register on this forum. So first, I’ll say nice to meet you John P., congratulations on all your successes and your fascinating life. Second, just to introduce myself, I’m a choreographer and dance master struggling to survive as an “artistic” dance entrepeneur in the capital of commercial dance, LA/Hollywood.
So, a couple of comments- first, the “Lifestyle” part of the website for the club does mention parties at the mansion. Doesn’t say how many or if there is additional cost involved, though.
I would accept the invitation, John P. Why not? Doesn’t mean you have to attend all the events, and since the annual fee clearly isn’t a hardship for you…You may meet some scintillating people, though unfortunately I won’t be there, lol!
I would love to attend any party or social event that has brilliant conversatiionalists, with something to say. Or even people who are great story tellers or joke tellers. But especially a function attended by artists, in particular performing artists.
I’m going to an event myself this week, the Professional Dancers Society Fall Ball. The celebs there are mostly from the “Golden Age” of TV and films, all with some connection to dance. The majority of members aren’t particular famous, but have led fascinating lives in show biz, many with credits from Broadway, touring productions, television variety shows, big movie musicals, etc.
For me, if I had to choose between attending that function and a party at the Playboy Mansion, I’d probably go hang out with the dancers. But if you ever need a sidekick to tag along when you visit the mansion, John P., I’m available. And I’ll laugh at all your jokes, even the lame ones!
I envy you. :naughty:
These are very good points. And of course, we have no way of knowing what other doors may open as a result. It seems that life is really just a string of interconnected coincidences…
John
As I’ve said before: my advice is to do it for a year so you can say you’ve done it and have the experience, then move onto other things. Sure it’s expensive, but, well, you only live once … and as great a guy as you are invites like this don’t show up on your doorstep every day! :D
Yes, of course the invitation is flattering. It is nice to be invited to participate in something exclusive, and I think there is always a part of any of us that somehow feels we don’t quite deserve it. These are some of the factors that drive the value of this program up cost-wise.
The issue to be considered here, is one of opportunity cost. I already have the means and connections to do things in style ;-), so the main thing Playboy Passport has to offer me is the chance to meet new people and enjoy events they offer.
John
Sounds fun John,
If you need a guest, just let me know ;)
lol
im sure they’ll kick you out for doing that… These clubs are not for people who care about the few bucks, that’s why you have to pay 10k to get in, its to attract only the high class..
I doubt it ends with 10-20k/year, im assuming 10k is just the membership without anything else, you’ll have to pay for everything else which would round up to at least around 50k/year but then again im just assuming, please do let us know if you get some more info.
That’s awesome John! Definitely more expensive as others have said, but you get to do things “in style”.
I can’t afford to be in style yet, but the invitation alone has to be flattering :)
Marketing idea: auction off attendance at several of the events to subsidize your overall cost.
Example: you have an invitation for two to a party at Heff’s mansion. Let’s say your wife doesn’t really want to go, or thats her book club night, or whatever. You simply auction off the opportunity to attend and the highest bidder goes to Heff’s mansion with you.
Depending on the actual “cool factor” of the events, you may be able to make a few bucks over the course of a year.
I am honestly not leaning either way at the moment. There are some details that I’m waiting to hear back about, but in the end we still have to decide if the opportunity cost of being a member is worth it.
After all, for the $10-20k involved in membership and travel expenses we can buy several nice vacations a year. So I guess it all comes down to the uniqueness of the events and what kind of people we would be meeting / hanging around with.
Difficult decision either way…
John
That seems quite high, but I guess that you’ll pay a high price to get to places where normally money not be able to give you access. I’d say that if you could afford it, you should try it out.
Are you leaning any which way at this point?
Hello dear John. It is for the first time that I read your blog. I am a Persian citizen. I would be glad if you read and comment my last post titling “A letter to the global people” about the history of Iranian peacemaking activities and about the fact that “Iranians are not terrorists…”
i would not think twice about it, the experience can be pretty cool, and well, you never know when it can lead :-)
If you spend 250k per year…go with the AmEx Centurion (Black) card crafted from anodized titanium.
Its cheaper per year (if you spend 250k) at $2500…and you get to use it all the time.
I was in Burberry last weekend, and the woman helping us said that she chipped the floor 5 minutes before when she dropped a customers Black card. How cool is it that your credit card is a sudo-weapon, like a rectangular throwing star!
Wow…you have a chance to bust it with Busta! If you join, we want lots of video clips :
Yes, well unfortunatly (or fortunatly depending on how you look at it) they don’t disclose member information. Only the people who have gone on record as joining are members. The ones that have been publicly reported that I can see are: Jamie Foxx, Wilmer Valderrama, Busta Rhymes, Nick Cannon, Hugh Hefner, and Zoe Saldana.
If anyone else finds other members feel free to point it out.
John
Point taken Tom. ;-)
I’d want to know who the other 999 members are. I’d hate to end up hanging with a bunch of losers at all these classy parties, restaurant openings, etc.
I find it funny that the terms “classy” shows up in association with a soft core porn mag. But then again, strip clubs try to market themselves as “gentlemen’s” clubs.
Sounds like a high priced card for over priced events with overrated guests in attendance.
Yes, well that is a good point. I guess Playboy is a nudie magazine… but I just don’t think about that.
Its been years since I’ve even see one of those. But my wife’s favorite show on TV is The Girls Next Door, which is about Hef and his three girlfriends. Amazingly, over 70% of the viewers are women – they just love this show!
So, I associate Playboy more as a brand with things like this TV show, celebrity parties, Las Vegas, etc. and less with the fact that they have a magazine that has a few naked women in it.
Oh, and by the way I don’t think you have to hand over your card at the Ritz. I believe you call the Playboy concierge service and they let the Ritz know you are coming. ;-)
John
Oh, by the way gang… SuxMonkey started a Digg on this article, so if you don’t mind chipping in and seeing if you can help it get to the front page please follow that link at the top of the article. :-)
Much appreciated! And while you are digging don’t forget to mark me as a friend. You can find me on Digg here, but make sure and let me know if you add me so I can tell who is who and potentially friend you back.
John
Yeah I fully understand that…
But for the serious business traveller to hand over a VIP card from a porn mag at the Ritz or just does not sound right to me… I might be totally wrong, but that is just the way I see it.
This is by the way the first I heard about this membership, thanks – another good post :)
Kim:)
Hehehehe
I hope someone will bring this to his attention and he actually does pick up the phone and give you a call… That would probably be the funniest “trying to get your foot out of your mouth” post ever on the blog. :-)
Oh… That membership would also be a cool members competition price for next month *wink* *wink*
Kim:)
Yeah, no doubt it’s expensive.
I guess you could say it’s not so much for people who are on a budget. It’s more for people that already travel a lot and can benefit from the concierge services, or people who can afford to be invited to all the coolest parties. :-)
John
OUCH… That is a lot of money 10K would bring me a lot of FUN right here in Philippines, without being a member of any club :-)
I guess I won’t be holding my breath at the mailbox waiting for my invite then…
Kim:)
The annual membership fee is $10,000. Then some of the events such as partys are free, and other events such as the Super Bowl may have ticket prices as high as $2,500.
There are also the costs associated with travel to and from events. So all in all it’s not inexpensive to be a member…
John
Spill the beans… how much :)
Kim:)
That’s what I was about to ask actually… Can it be THAT expensive??? If it’s not anyway, I would do it, no second thoughts… Partying with Hef can be GOOOOOOD!…
C’mon, how much does it cost????
Hehe,
It does sound cool, the question is how many times you go on a private yacht. And how much the membership is…
I was a vodaphone platin-member, and all “special events” like Formula One -Tickets were with this special offers for members more expensive than booked as a “normal” human being… But once at the Hungarcitcuit, I had a warm coke for free as one of the benefits…
cheers (with a cold beer)
Rhoody