RV clubs and memberships
I see that there are many different clubs and memberships out there for us RVers. Groups like Escapees, KOA, and more. Are they a good value for what they cost? What are the ones I should look into. I...
Forum Discussion
We have a liftime GS membership and have since they first offered it many years ago. 10% discount on most of their overpriced CG's isn't squat and only brings the cost closer to the other CG's in the same area. That said, we are lifetime members so having a GS membership doesn't cost us a dime. Very rarely used though and doesn't entice us to do so. KOA's are in the same catagory and most are over priced and thus underused. Private CG's and they make all the decisions. One thing that really sticks out the constant changes of ownership and/or closing down of so many KOA parks we see when traveling over the same roads from year to year. Tells something as to why. Being a long time business owner before retiring, it's quite obvious to us as to why most do!
Also had 3 home parks around the USA with our C2C (Coast to Coast) RPI (Resort Parks International) and TT (Thousand Trails) memberships. Very expensive and a ripoff and yearly dues are very high, yes, all 3. Finally dropped out as ehen your home park closes or is sold, they move you to another park willing to accept you and hit you with more fees and restrictions. Joined C2C in 1987 and other member parks use was $2/day, now 5+ times that and you have had to upgrade your membership at high additional costs to be able to use most of them. Basically the same with the other 2 we joined also about 2-3 years later. Miss all 3 like missing the having of a broken leg!
The winners today are PPA (PassPort America) and if old enough etc, the National Parks Senior Pass or the Access Pass if disabled. Some states give seniors a discount to all seniors and some only to residents of that state at their state parks. We've been PPA members for about 15 years now and never had a problem with finding a site at a member CG. Saved us hundreds of dollars each and every year over the cheap membership cost. So has Some allow one night and most allow 2+ nights. Of course they have blackout times when they are full anyway and most on weekends too as why give a 50% discount when they don't have to? Smart RV travelers plan their trips and CG use/needs accordingly as they are not usually staying at one CG for an extended time. PPA is designed to better fill member CG's during the slow times or during the week as 50% is so much better than getting nothing! Have to pay rack rate for 2 days out of 7 and get a 50% discount for the other 5 days and complain? How incredibly cheap can some people be anyway??? A CG has to be profitable or it won't be open long, DUH!
Also had 3 home parks around the USA with our C2C (Coast to Coast) RPI (Resort Parks International) and TT (Thousand Trails) memberships. Very expensive and a ripoff and yearly dues are very high, yes, all 3. Finally dropped out as ehen your home park closes or is sold, they move you to another park willing to accept you and hit you with more fees and restrictions. Joined C2C in 1987 and other member parks use was $2/day, now 5+ times that and you have had to upgrade your membership at high additional costs to be able to use most of them. Basically the same with the other 2 we joined also about 2-3 years later. Miss all 3 like missing the having of a broken leg!
The winners today are PPA (PassPort America) and if old enough etc, the National Parks Senior Pass or the Access Pass if disabled. Some states give seniors a discount to all seniors and some only to residents of that state at their state parks. We've been PPA members for about 15 years now and never had a problem with finding a site at a member CG. Saved us hundreds of dollars each and every year over the cheap membership cost. So has Some allow one night and most allow 2+ nights. Of course they have blackout times when they are full anyway and most on weekends too as why give a 50% discount when they don't have to? Smart RV travelers plan their trips and CG use/needs accordingly as they are not usually staying at one CG for an extended time. PPA is designed to better fill member CG's during the slow times or during the week as 50% is so much better than getting nothing! Have to pay rack rate for 2 days out of 7 and get a 50% discount for the other 5 days and complain? How incredibly cheap can some people be anyway??? A CG has to be profitable or it won't be open long, DUH!
