Can I use or transfer Grand Canyon hiker/permit credit with the new system?

[CGHiker]

Hi all,

I have over $100 of Hiker Credit that will last until Fall of 2024. I'm not sure I will be able to use it anytime soon, and I know the system is changing to Recreation.gov next year.

Do you think I will be able to move the Hiker Credit needed for Grand Canyon Backcountry Permits to pay for trips next year?

If I need to get rid of it quickly, do you think I can transfer it to someone else (at a discount or whatever) who needs to use it to pay for permits?

Thanks!


P.S. If this is allowed, and someone wants my hiker credit feel free to DM me.

[chumley]

@CGHiker

Under the old system I had unexpired Hiker Credit - What will happen to it?
Hiker Credit: If you have unexpired Hiker Credit in our system and would like to apply that credit toward the cost of a new permit on Recreation.gov, here are some special instructions for you:

Before you pay! - When you are eligible to apply for a permit, call a Ranger at the Backcountry Information Center for assistance and tell them you would like to apply your Hiker Credit to the cost of a permit. The Ranger will make or update your reservation and waive costs for your new permit equivalent to the amount of your Hiker Credit. Note, Hiker Credit cannot be applied once payment has been taken, so be sure to call and get Ranger assistance before paying. Once the Hiker Credit has been used, it will no longer be available for refund, reuse, or reissue.

New Cancellations on Recreation.gov Will Not Receive Hiker Credit: Refunds of paid nightly charges will replace Grand Canyon's Hiker Credit system. To be eligible for a refund, partial or full cancellations will need to be made via Recreation.gov before the backcountry permit has been printed and at least 30-days before the permit start date. This 30-day deadline is intended to encourage cancellations to occur in time for others to claim and make use of the cancelled space.

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/ ... stions.htm

Under the old system, the hiker credit would expire in one year, though there was a workaround to make a new itinerary using the credit and then cancel the new itinerary, thus extending the credit (minus $10) another year. It looks to me like you can make a trip plan sometime in 2024 using the new system and some ranger assistance. Once the new itinerary is in the new system, you may have the option to cancel the trip and be refunded the money in cash ... minus the processing fees, which should be either $10 or $20, though this isn't entirely clear to me. Because Rec.gov won't have taken your payment via credit card, they may not have the ability to "refund" it either.

I don't believe you can ever transfer a reservation under either the old or new system except to another person who was listed on the original permit application. However, if you make a reservation before your credit expires with the assistance of a BCO ranger who applies the credit to the new system, you can probably add the name of a 3rd party individual as your "alternate permit holder" and then back out of "your" trip, letting that person lead the trip.

[CGHiker]

Great information, thanks! Maybe I will find someone who might want my credit at some point.