Terre Haute KOA Cancellation Policy

[jrcrosby]

We planned a trip to see family in Indiana and made reservations at the Terre Haute KOA. The cancellation policy for KOA states that any cancellation submitted < 3 days in advance is subject to a $10 fee which is fair. We cancelled > 2 weeks in advance and because it was a holiday weekend (July 4), they charged me $ 107 (2 nights). Is this a general policy for any campground or KOA ? We fulltime and have never had this experience anywhere, so I am wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.....

[colliehauler]

Bigdog wrote:
The state of Oregon has been very forward looking as they discovered that folks were making numerous reservations for campsites all summer and then cancelling the ones they didn't want to use at the last minute and only losing their reservation fee. Now you have to pay in full at reservation time and if you cancel, there is a major hit on your credit card for those cancellations. It seems to be working as it is a litle easier to get reservations.
The sate of Washington is following suit also. I jad to pay for my reservation at Fort Worden for this weekend, last year on the 1st of July when I made it.

Glad to hear that, gets rid of the people who tie up site's.

[Bigdog]

The state of Oregon has been very forward looking as they discovered that folks were making numerous reservations for campsites all summer and then cancelling the ones they didn't want to use at the last minute and only losing their reservation fee. Now you have to pay in full at reservation time and if you cancel, there is a major hit on your credit card for those cancellations. It seems to be working as it is a litle easier to get reservations.
The sate of Washington is following suit also. I jad to pay for my reservation at Fort Worden for this weekend, last year on the 1st of July when I made it.

[soren]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

soren wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
It is not a KOA only policy. We have found only stiff cancellation penalties will deter people from making multiple reservations in multiple places and leaving those parks high and dry when they finally decide where they actually are going. The current logic is they like to keep their options open.
Holidays are probably the worst, because if you get a cancellation, it is very difficult to fill that site. Most people make reservations for weekends like the Fourth and Labor Day leaving fewer last minute travelers on the road. Hence the reason for two weeks or greater notice.

Sorry, but it's tough to imagine having any difficulty filling a site in any desirable park, for the three big holidays. Most I have dealt with have waiting lists of back-up guests in the event of holiday cancellations. We had a change of plans, and casually shopped for a last minute spot at one of our favorite parks, this recentedly passed Memorial day. The desk clerk asked if we wanted to be #30 on the waiting list? Today I booked a last minute spot in West Yellowstone for the July 4th holiday. The spot was available for less than thirty minutes, following a cancellation.

I have no issues with pretty harsh cancellation policies, and understand why they are necessary. That said, assuming you have a park worth going to, if you can't fill it on a holiday weekend, there is a problem, and it's not a shortage of customers.

Well, just because you can't imagine it, doesn't mean it isn't true. I just did a quick look at one row of sites, the guests are from Alberta, California, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin and 2 from Florida. Exactly how many of those would be available to fill a last minute site in Montana?
I get nearly ZERO local business. Montana is sparsely populated and the locals generally don't travel to the local RV parks. They have millions upon millions of acres of Forest Service, BLM and National Park land to play in and every local has a favorite, secret spot.

Thank you for validating my point. I spend a lot of time in SD. another lightly populated state with little in the way of local business. From Sioux Falls to the Hills, it's the same story, campgrounds stuffed full, and not just on holidays. As for your question, about how many travelers are available to fill a last minute opening on a holiday weekend, in MT. Apparently more than a few. As I described, I grabbed a cancellation, in MONTANA, that was only open for less than half an hour. Prior to that, I spent a half hour on the phone hearing, "sorry we are booked full for the holiday.

Seems to me that pleasant and agreeable management, in a booming economy, would have little issue in keeping a popular CG full this season. So far, having spent the last few weeks in the mountain west, we have seen little evidence to the contrary.

[Fulltimer50]

jrcrosby wrote:
Just to clarify... I made the reservation for 6 nights and paid in advance as is their policy. The only policy statement I could find is that if you cancel with less than 3 days before the reservation start date, they will charge you $10 which is fair. I cancelled with more than 2 weeks to go before the start date and was charged 2 nights ($ 107). They already had my card number from the reservation, so I had no choice. I just think it's unfair to get charged 2 nights when I believe they'll fill my spot with no issues over the fourth holiday..... And I cancelled 3 weeks in advance of the reservation start date.

Look at your confirmation. It should show what you paid and how much, and will show the cancellation policy. If they charged you more after that date then you can dispute that charge with the card company because that was not authorized. Again call the campground and talk with the owner/manager.

[colliehauler]

jrcrosby wrote:
Just to clarify... I made the reservation for 6 nights and paid in advance as is their policy. The only policy statement I could find is that if you cancel with less than 3 days before the reservation start date, they will charge you $10 which is fair. I cancelled with more than 2 weeks to go before the start date and was charged 2 nights ($ 107). They already had my card number from the reservation, so I had no choice. I just think it's unfair to get charged 2 nights when I believe they'll fill my spot with no issues over the fourth holiday..... And I cancelled 3 weeks in advance of the reservation start date.

Holiday weekend, most campgrounds have similar policies for holidays.

[Crowe]

I just think it's unfair to get charged 2 nights when I believe they'll fill my spot with no issues over the fourth holiday.....

Then why did you agree to it? And there's no guarantee the spot will get filled. You could put it in dispute with your credit card company but I think you'll be hard-pressed to win. Just as an FYI, the Bar Harbor KOA website has similar wording as above: If you are unable to join us the cancellation policy for RV and Tent sites, cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance and 7 days in advance for all Accommodations such as Cabins, Airstreams and Eco Yurts. There maybe additional requirements for groups, holiday, or special hot deals. If cancellation meets advance notice requirements the deposit will be returned less a $10.00 processing fee. KOA does not hide their policies.

Some of you really need to put yourself in the shoes of the business owner. It's a BUSINESS, not a charity and I fail to comprehend how so many don't understand that. It's up to the consumer to look into all policies, rules and regulations prior.

[tpi]

Here's cancellation policy for the KOA in Chula Vista I go to occasionally. Holidays have more strict policy than the general $10. cancellation charge. To me this policy is not bad. But some are less consumer friendly and I recommend shopping this policy like any other facet of the campground amenities. Sometimes you may be stuck with stringent policies because of location and demand period. But I'm not going to make reservations at some ordinary location at ordinary time with a stringent deposit policy-such as forfeiting half the cost of the stay 8 weeks in advance for a cancellation. In general making less use of reservations when RVing has served me well.

QUOTE KOA:
Need to Cancel? If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 800-562-9877 before the deadlines listed below to receive your deposit refund, minus a $10 cancellation fee. Text and email notifications of cancellations are not acceptable.

Reservations made after these deadlines require nonrefundable deposits. Cancellations made after deadlines will result in forfeiture of all deposits.

RV & Tent Sites: 48 hours cancellation notice is required. Notify your KOA by 4 p.m. two days before your scheduled arrival.
Camping Cabins: 7 days cancellation notice required. Please notify your KOA one week before your scheduled arrival.
Deluxe Cabins & Unique Accommodations: These units may have special deposit and cancellation requirements. Please check with your selected KOA campground location when making your reservations.
Reservations made after these deadlines require nonrefundable deposits. Cancellations made after deadlines will result in forfeiture of all deposits.
Holidays and special events may have special deposit and/or cancellation requirements. Special conditions may apply during high-demand periods and special events. Please check with your selected KOA for details.

Campground Cancellation Policy:

We require a 3 night deposit and 3 night stay for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends. Memorial Day and Labor Day must include Fri, Sat, and Sun nights in the reservation. If you are unable to honor your reservations, you must call and cancel 14 days prior to your arrival date to receive a refund of your deposit. Cancellations after the deadline result in
a forfeiture of your deposit.

[lbrjet]

The cancellation policy will be clearly stated in the confirmation email. This should be the same as the terms and conditions you agreed to if you made the reservation online. If the 2 day holiday charge verbiage is not present on the confirmation then talk to the manager of the campground. It is not a matter of whether you think it is fair or not, it is a matter of the terms you agreed to when making the reservation.

[jrcrosby]

Just to clarify... I made the reservation for 6 nights and paid in advance as is their policy. The only policy statement I could find is that if you cancel with less than 3 days before the reservation start date, they will charge you $10 which is fair. I cancelled with more than 2 weeks to go before the start date and was charged 2 nights ($ 107). They already had my card number from the reservation, so I had no choice. I just think it's unfair to get charged 2 nights when I believe they'll fill my spot with no issues over the fourth holiday..... And I cancelled 3 weeks in advance of the reservation start date.

[Fulltimer50]

jrcrosby wrote:
We planned a trip to see family in Indiana and made reservations at the Terre Haute KOA. The cancellation policy for KOA states that any cancellation submitted < 3 days in advance is subject to a $10 fee which is fair. We cancelled > 2 weeks in advance and because it was a holiday weekend (July 4), they charged me $ 107 (2 nights). Is this a general policy for any campground or KOA ? We fulltime and have never had this experience anywhere, so I am wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.....

A red flag would have been when you paid for 2 nites when you made your reservation. The norm is one night. Check your confirmation. Dont bother calling KOA corp as they dont care. I can find nothing on the parks website that tells a different policy other than KOAs for holidays. You might try calling the park and be sure to talk to the owner/manager.

[westernrvparkow]

soren wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
It is not a KOA only policy. We have found only stiff cancellation penalties will deter people from making multiple reservations in multiple places and leaving those parks high and dry when they finally decide where they actually are going. The current logic is they like to keep their options open.
Holidays are probably the worst, because if you get a cancellation, it is very difficult to fill that site. Most people make reservations for weekends like the Fourth and Labor Day leaving fewer last minute travelers on the road. Hence the reason for two weeks or greater notice.

Sorry, but it's tough to imagine having any difficulty filling a site in any desirable park, for the three big holidays. Most I have dealt with have waiting lists of back-up guests in the event of holiday cancellations. We had a change of plans, and casually shopped for a last minute spot at one of our favorite parks, this recentedly passed Memorial day. The desk clerk asked if we wanted to be #30 on the waiting list? Today I booked a last minute spot in West Yellowstone for the July 4th holiday. The spot was available for less than thirty minutes, following a cancellation.

I have no issues with pretty harsh cancellation policies, and understand why they are necessary. That said, assuming you have a park worth going to, if you can't fill it on a holiday weekend, there is a problem, and it's not a shortage of customers.

Well, just because you can't imagine it, doesn't mean it isn't true. I just did a quick look at one row of sites, the guests are from Alberta, California, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin and 2 from Florida. Exactly how many of those would be available to fill a last minute site in Montana?
I get nearly ZERO local business. Montana is sparsely populated and the locals generally don't travel to the local RV parks. They have millions upon millions of acres of Forest Service, BLM and National Park land to play in and every local has a favorite, secret spot.

[soren]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
It is not a KOA only policy. We have found only stiff cancellation penalties will deter people from making multiple reservations in multiple places and leaving those parks high and dry when they finally decide where they actually are going. The current logic is they like to keep their options open.
Holidays are probably the worst, because if you get a cancellation, it is very difficult to fill that site. Most people make reservations for weekends like the Fourth and Labor Day leaving fewer last minute travelers on the road. Hence the reason for two weeks or greater notice.

Sorry, but it's tough to imagine having any difficulty filling a site in any desirable park, for the three big holidays. Most I have dealt with have waiting lists of back-up guests in the event of holiday cancellations. We had a change of plans, and casually shopped for a last minute spot at one of our favorite parks, this recentedly passed Memorial day. The desk clerk asked if we wanted to be #30 on the waiting list? Today I booked a last minute spot in West Yellowstone for the July 4th holiday. The spot was available for less than thirty minutes, following a cancellation.

I have no issues with pretty harsh cancellation policies, and understand why they are necessary. That said, assuming you have a park worth going to, if you can't fill it on a holiday weekend, there is a problem, and it's not a shortage of customers.

[Crowe]

While I hate to waste $$ truthfully the penalty is negligible in the scheme of my overall camping budget.

Bingo. I feel the same way about toll, but that's a whole 'nuther subject!

[Lantley]

I just had a situation with South Carolina state parks that led to me getting a 1 credit good for a year for a 1 night stay. It's worth about $50.00.
I doubt I will return in a year to use it,but it was a nice gesture.
In the end I blame myself for the outcome. I made a last minute cancellation.
I understand the rules and consequences.
While I hate to waste $$ truthfully the penalty is negligible in the scheme of my overall camping budget.
I could have avoided the penalty and stayed at another state park 20 minutes away and drove back and forth a few times. Resulting in wasted gas and time. Or I could pay the penalty and stay at my desired park the entire time.
Bottom line a wise camper knows the rules, cancellation policies and consequences.
The CG management has an obligation to enforce those policies for everyone if the policies are to be effective.