Forum Discussion

Bob_Vaughn's avatar
Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Jul 30, 2017

Reserve America cancellations

Is the reserve america cancellation fee set in stone? We were on our way to a campground that we had a reservation for and our rv broke down and was in the shop for 3 weeks. We called them and was told we had to forfeit our deposit. I could understand if we had not called or did not have a legitimate reason for not showing up......Maybe they need to have a system where by cancellations go into a credit account to be used at a later date.......
Seeking Advice
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2017
    The main problem IMO is that the Reserve America people have no way of knowing if the reason for cancelling is legitimate or not. So they just have a policy and stick to it, obviating any need for judgement calls. Yours was legit, but they may have had another call with the same excuse as yours and the guy was lying through his teeth. Who can tell?
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jul 30, 2017
    I agree with above. No way for them to know if the person had a breakdown, illness, other legitimate reason, or simply changed their plans. They have a stated policy agreed to when reservations are made. Unlikely they have the option to override it.
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2017
    cyntdon2010 wrote:
    Sometimes its cheaper to do a no show, your only charged for the 1st day.


    Not here in PA. If you paid, it's yours. If you don't show up, still no one may park in your spot.

    We recently had a situation where we were going to arrive the next afternoon instead of the day before as we planned. We called as a courtesy, but it wasn't necessary.

    PA state parks use RA as well, so I'm *guessing* the rules are the same?
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2017
    I too have been dinged a fee for changing my reservation. One time a wild fire closed the park, not my fault but oh well. My problem is fellow campers are gaming the reservation and cancellation system. All to often I have problems making a reservation because a park is booked full and then I show up at an empty facility. The park is losing revenue and people with families that have to plan a trip in advance can't find spots. Some will reserve their favorite campsite for every weekend of the season then cancel at the last minute and pay the $8 registration fee. $104 for 13 weeks of automatic camp site is a pretty good deal. No consideration at all for their fellow campers.

    My solution is for Reserve America is to charge $100 reservation fee for the first campsite reserved. When you show up you get $92 back . Don't show up, lose the $100. The only way to stop the abuse is hit people in the wallet. The RV population is growing fast, the campsite population isn't. Full campgrounds will help alleviate the problem.

    Sorry for the rant and I know it strays from a well intentioned OP post but reservation abuse is one of the few things that make my bottom red.
  • Jackfate's avatar
    Jackfate
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2017
    Durb wrote:
    I too have been dinged a fee for changing my reservation. One time a wild fire closed the park, not my fault but oh well. My problem is fellow campers are gaming the reservation and cancellation system. All to often I have problems making a reservation because a park is booked full and then I show up at an empty facility. The park is losing revenue and people with families that have to plan a trip in advance can't find spots. Some will reserve their favorite campsite for every weekend of the season then cancel at the last minute and pay the $8 registration fee. $104 for 13 weeks of automatic camp site is a pretty good deal. No consideration at all for their fellow campers.

    My solution is for Reserve America is to charge $100 reservation fee for the first campsite reserved. When you show up you get $92 back . Don't show up, lose the $100. The only way to stop the abuse is hit people in the wallet. The RV population is growing fast, the campsite population isn't. Full campgrounds will help alleviate the problem.

    Not a bad idea . Last year we couldn't stay in a site for more than two days and generally only one.Had to pay so many additional reservation fees for doing this. And the icing on the cake was we watch our favorite site set empty for days. Paid over $250 in reservation and entrance fees , had to move 26 times in 33 days of camping.
    Sorry you got me started. We are doing better this year but takes up a lot of time

    Sorry for the rant and I know it strays from a well intentioned OP post but reservatioabuse is one of the few things that make my bottom red.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Jul 30, 2017
    RA has set fees that they charge their campground and agency clients for cancellations, changes, reservations, etc. The cancellation policy that's passed on to the customers is set by the campgrounds or agencies that use RA as their agent, just as it is by those that manage their own reservation systems.
  • jerseyjim's avatar
    jerseyjim
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2017
    I've only used any of those centralized reservation outfits once. That's enough. They DON'T know the campground...some of the staff don't know campers and will put a 30 footer into a 20 foot back-in.....
    The one exception MIGHT be the KOA system. However...I personally call the campground itself. Make the reservations there. When you ask (and you should) they will tell you the cancellation policy right then and there.
    It also works when traveling, say coast to coast. Figure out where you will be in, 300-400 miles and callthe cg. around 10AM. (Miracle of cell phones)
    Never a problem.

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