With Paypal it was almost instant for me!
I just checked back and they send an E-mail that looks something like this:
Your subscription code is:
S-*****************
This code is used to apply your new membership with your account on Geocaching.com.
Follow these steps:
1. Log in with your Geocaching account. If you have not created one yet, click on the “my cache page” link and follow the link to create an account.
2. Visit http://www.geocaching.com/subscribe after logging in. (AOL Users: click here )
3. Enter in the above subscription code into the box provided on the subscription page.
[This message has been edited by Miata (edited 09-09-2003).]