Which card gives the best value?

Ummm Neither. Passport America makes the most sense.

I have had both. My vote would go to Good Sam. First, I believe you have many more campgrounds to choose from that give you the discount and those campgrounds have a wider variety of amenities allowing you to choose a lower-cost campground if you're not looking for a lot of bells and whistles. Second, Good Sam gives you discounts at more places, including Camping World.KOA's, while generally very nice, tend to be on the more costly side. Not compared to the fancy resorts, of course, but on average, I believe more costly than "regular" campgrounds. When I had a KOA card, it was only good at KOA campgrounds, so pretty restricted in ability to use it.My two cents. To some degree, the choice may be based on what a particular individual is looking for.

Both GS and KOA give a 10% discount, but the KOA card is only accepted at KOA branded parks. The GS card is accepted at a much larger selection of parks. KOA parks also tend to be more expensive than other parks in the area, so the 10% discount just makes their pricing a little more competitive.

Dutch_12078 wrote:Both GS and KOA give a 10% discount, but the KOA card is only accepted at KOA branded parks. The GS card is accepted at a much larger selection of parks. KOA parks also tend to be more expensive than other parks in the area, so the 10% discount just makes their pricing a little more competitive.Not true on being more expensive - that is urban legend - they are priced competitive for the area We have both cards - we stay at commercial parks 56% KOA 25% and government campsites 18%

rr2254545 wrote:Dutch_12078 wrote:Both GS and KOA give a 10% discount, but the KOA card is only accepted at KOA branded parks. The GS card is accepted at a much larger selection of parks. KOA parks also tend to be more expensive than other parks in the area, so the 10% discount just makes their pricing a little more competitive.Not true on being more expensive - that is urban legend - they are priced competitive for the area We have both cards - we stay at commercial parks 56% KOA 25% and government campsites 18%So when I see a $10 difference in price between a KOA and another nearby park with similar sites I should just consider that an "urban legend"? For those that use them, certainly the additional amenities at some KOA's may be worth the extra cost, but not to those of us that don't use them. I'm a little old for bounce houses and such... ;)

Good Sam's vs. KOA | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

LarryJM
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2018
bikendan wrote:

The OP asked about best value, which IS Passport America.

NO the OP ask which card is a better value Good Sam's vs. KOA NOT Good Sam's vs. KOA vs. Passport America

Just like boondocking, WM, Cracker Barrel, etc., etc. Passport America was NOT asked to be included as an option.

Larry
Planning
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
westernrvparkowner wrote:
Wow, the first time I heard that joke I nearly fell off my Dinosaur. Did the manager bend over backwards and reprice the entire park due to your sage observation, or did he just let you leave and move on to serving the next customer in line? Every business owner knows you cannot please everyone, all the time. When one of those customers we can't please makes a wise crack like that, we smile and realize they probably just dodged a bullet.

+1

And we are thankful that we dodged it as well.

We are at the point in our lives whereby we enjoy comfort and convenience, and are willing to pay for it. We prefer modern, clean, upscale, tending more toward resort style accommodations.

As an RV park operator, do you know if there is a brand or even a type of index that points to this genre of RV park?
rk911
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
value is about much more than cost. if you can't use PA when and where you need to use it then PA has no value. that was our issue. we could've used PA campgrounds nearly every day during our spring trip the year we had the membership but that would've meant traveling far out of our way to save a few bucks. OTOH, the GS parks were virtually everywhere and we'd rather be where we want to be and save 10% than drive miles out of our way to maybe save more...if there was a PA space at the campground in question and it was the right day of the week during the right month of the year.
bikendan
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
LarryJM wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Ummm Neither. Passport America makes the most sense.

You're kidding .... RIGHT:h With all there limitations and much more spare locations you must like staying were no one else wants to:S

I have both GS and KOA and generally use KOA more than GS with KOA nosing out GS in the price game (i.e. more expensive) for what we now need with no kids and generally use just for overnight stays.

Larry

The OP asked about best value, which IS Passport America.

Yes it comes with restrictions but the campgrounds don't have problems getting campers during the summer, holidays and weekends.

For us it works because we avoid camping during those times. Even before we knew about PA, we only camped spring and fall and weekdays.

Now that were retired, it works even better for us.

We would NEVER use any KOA. We get the same 10% off with AAA, that Good Sam offers.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 27, 2018
Hi,

I boondock as much as I can and use freecampsites.net

LarryJM wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Ummm Neither. Passport America makes the most sense.

You're kidding .... RIGHT:h With all there limitations and much more spare locations you must like staying were no one else wants to:S

I have both GS and KOA and generally use KOA more than GS with KOA nosing out GS in the price game (i.e. more expensive) for what we now need with no kids and generally use just for overnight stays.

Larry
FunnyCamper
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2018
.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
MarkTwain wrote:
KOA's
Near Portland Oregon, the KOA manager quoted me a price of $85 per night!!! I responded "I just want to rent the site, I don't want to buy it"
westernrvparkow
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
MarkTwain wrote:
KOA's
Near Portland Oregon, the KOA manager quote me a price of $85 per night!!! I responded "I just want to rent the site, I don't want to buy it"
Wow, the first time I heard that joke I nearly fell off my Dinosaur. Did the manager bend over backwards and reprice the entire park due to your sage observation, or did he just let you leave and move on to serving the next customer in line? Every business owner knows you cannot please everyone, all the time. When one of those customers we can't please makes a wise crack like that, we smile and realize they probably just dodged a bullet.
mowermech
Explorer
Mar 27, 2018
In the past, I have been members of both GS and KOA. Then it came to me: I am over 70, and retired military. I already qualify for a 10 to 15 per cent. discount almost everywhere, I don't really need any club membership! So, I allowed both cards to expire.
I don't miss them.
Toolguy5
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2018
We have both and both are 10%. We stay mostly at GoodSam. It depends on where we are at and what is around us. With the KOA card sometimes are length of stay in an area ends up paying for renewal or close to it.
We find that KOA's not near a major city sometimes are not the best place. But also they maybe the only choice.

Forum Discussion

Good Sam's vs. KOA

38 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

iPhone Good Sam app(s)

good Sam VS AARP.

Good Sam Community Update (Patch Notes) 03/05/24

Coach Net vs Good Sam

Good Sam Community Update (Patch Notes)