RV Campgrounds discount/saving clubs

Try looking at Passport America. Beware that each campground can impose their own limitations, not necessarily a bad thing, just something you need to know.

First thing to do. Check with the Campgrounds you visit the most. Find out what card they will honor. After you have determined what card you CAN use. Get that one.

Most of the CGs we go to no longer accept any cards. So we don't have any. At one time most honored Good Sam. But they no longer do. Why? I don't know.

Passport America was one I was looking at. Also wondered if AAA, AARP or retired Military would get any discounts? I also wondered about buying one of the national park memberships if that would be worth it?

We have Passport America. Always pays for itself. You have to work around their restrictions. We also have the America the Beautiful pass for seniors or disabled for Corps of Engineers and National Forest camping. We use the Good Sam discount. We also have the KOA card and you earn points for coupons for discount on camping at KOA's. KOA's are usually more expensive than other campgrounds in the area, but we still like them. Our state park gives discounts for residents who are seniors.

Any of the discounts you actually use are worth what the programs cost.

The one that saves me the most money is my America the Beautiful Senior Pass, although I've been in few National Park facilities, because I use it for 1/2 price discounts at local Corps of Engineers campgrounds. You have to qualify for Senior Pass by age, Access Pass by disability, and both are permanent.

The annual America the Beautiful pass that replaced the National Parks pass (bought that for two years) doesn't offer the same discounts, but is still a savings on entrance fees if you are visiting parks with such fees more than 2-3 times a year. Same for state park passes, they save money if you actually use them.

KOA membership worked for a while, because wife preferred to stay at KOA when we were traveling. Not doing that since she died, so no longer pays for me.

Next most used for me is Good Sam, because I already have the membership to buy road service insurance, and so many parks offer the small discount. Some offer similar discount for AARP.

Passport America doesn't work for me because I have few PA parks regionally, and won't use them where I have better options like public campgrounds. That doesn't mean PA won't work for you.

You also have to figure out what you mean by "campground." There is not much crossover between programs that offer discounts at actual public campgrounds, and programs that offer discounts at private facilities like resorts, RV parks and trailer parks.

Wow you guys gave me a lot to look at. I am only 57 but retired so not sure I will qualify for any real senior discounts but I will check out all the ones you guys mentioned. We are planning a 55 day trip across country and so I want to save where I can but would still like electric and water too. Does that help?

IF you use it, it may be worth the cost.
If you do not or can not use it, it definitely is NOT worth the cost.
Last fall, a week at a KOA in North Georgia paid for the card, and staying at some KOA's on the trip down and back was a bonus. This year, no long trips are planned, so I am debating whether or not to renew the membership. Since there is only one KOA in the state where I stay, and that only once or twice per year for one or two nights, probably not.
That is the same reason I allowed Good Sam to expire. I seldom used it, so why renew it!
Will you use it enough to recoup the cost? That is a question that only YOU can answer.
Good luck.

mowermech wrote:
IF you use it, it may be worth the cost...

Will you use it enough to recoup the cost? That is a question that only YOU can answer.
Good luck.

We plan to be camping across country for 2 months and then we are looking at some 3-5 days trips a couple more times so I am thinking we will?

mowermech wrote:
IF you use it, it may be worth the cost.
If you do not or can not use it, it definitely is NOT worth the cost.
Last fall, a week at a KOA in North Georgia paid for the card, and staying at some KOA's on the trip down and back was a bonus. This year, no long trips are planned, so I am debating whether or not to renew the membership. Since there is only one KOA in the state where I stay, and that only once or twice per year for one or two nights, probably not.
That is the same reason I allowed Good Sam to expire. I seldom used it, so why renew it!
Will you use it enough to recoup the cost? That is a question that only YOU can answer.
Good luck.

What state only has ONE KOA? Hawaii?

Here's the info on the America the Beautiful senior pass for those 62 or older. One time fee of $10 and good for life. It's good for free entrance fees in any national park and may be good for discounts on other fees on a site by site basis.

And Here's the info on the KOA Value Card.