Good Sam's vs. KOA

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

we have a GS card. rarely use it as we are state park, COE type campers but when we need that regular cg we get the little discount, so that is good. I like the GS card cause it is taken in a lot of places.

Remarks about koa prices being higher than others in an area are correct based on where we stay. The kids are well served at koa. My GS discount is well used.

KOA rewards program is worthwhile if you like to stay at KOA. My wife liked KOA, so she kept it up while she was still alive. While KOA is a franchise, and parks are independently owned, the KOA card and rewards program is good only at KOA. KOA parks may also do discounts for other programs and affinities (including Good Sam).

We were Good Sam members from the beginning, so we could buy the Emergency Road Service. The discount is nice, but often a RV park giving a GS discount would be giving same discount for AARP or AAA or some other affinity.

My experience is that discount offers are discounts from standard price, what the hospitality business calls the "rack rate." Just as with hotels, there will be a range of prices for the same facility, depending on state of the business. The park may have group rates lower than the going rate for the day, discount card will usually not discount the group rate, may not even discount the going rate for the day, only discount the standard rate.

For discounts at private parks, Passport America is probably best, often 50% discount for at least one night, if business conditions allow discounts.

Since my wife died, I tend to use public campgrounds rather than RV parks. So I let the KOA lapse, have kept the GS membership going (for ERS) but don't think I've used the discount because all of my visits to Good Sam parks have been for group activities and I've taken the group rate so group gets use of group facilities.

Pass Port America & Good Sam's. KOA's rates are high and aimed at people with kids.

The AAA and CAA cards often offer the same discount as the Goodsam.

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"

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

that’s what we thought several years back so we bought a 1-yr membership. when trying to use it we learned that their parks we’re not anywhere close to where we were at the end of the day. the one time we did stay at a park that accepted PA we got a better deal by using the park’s weekly rate. besides, many (most?) PA parks only offer the discount on some sites on some days of the week during some months. we didn’t renew. we’ve been GS members for 32-yrs now and are happy. good luck.

KOA card gives the discount but my opinion is that KOA's are usually over priced to begin with.

We use all opportunities. If price only were the consideration it would narrow the field considerably. You never shop at only one store do you?
Comparing Koas to Good Sams is like saying one is a Marriott, the other a Motel 6. Often the GS is the Marriott, KOA the motel 6 in the area.
My point is the brand is of little importance, discounts are way overrated. Discounts are any retailers way to sway customers into loyalty.
Good Sams are all privatelly independent locally owned parks, free to do whatever they wish to serve their customers and demographics.
KOAs are primarily privately owned, with corporate ownership for large minority. They do have a minimum set of rules rating standard that must be met for all to retain the brand name.
Good Sams are held to a minimum standard, are judged with rating. They can be from just passable to exquisite....
In our experience corporate camps including 1000 trails will be higher in nightly fees than privately owned camps. As always, buyer beware, What looks best may not be for you.