Is there any benefit to applying to CFAI for membership now instead of in August (assuming pass)?
Yes. If you pass, you will get your designation very quickly. Depending on your local society, it might be 1-10 days. If you wait until after you see your scores, it will take longer, in my case, about two weeks longer.
Here is the downside. You might get recommendations and not pass. Embarrassing .
The only benefit is in scenario of passing an exam you’ll be immediately a Charterholder. If you fail, you’ll pay a membership due in vain. OK, anyway you’ll receive events invitations and Journal editions.
a little off-topic but how big is the jump in value from passing level 3 to having the charter? aside from the obvious ones such as bragging rights, networking or business cards.
You’ll earn some credits from persons within Industry who knows what CFAI charter is. Persons outside the industry will be mostly indifferent like me while see someone with ITC industry certificates like MCTS, CISSP or whatever.