Community Forums

adg8165 · 07-11-2011, 01:00 PM

I thought I'd share this with you all. In my planning of my summer trip in August, I had to cancel one of the three KOA's I had booked. I was to check in on 8/22/11. It is July 11. They refunded my deposit less $10! The way I figure it. I am still about 42 days away from the check in date. When I questioned the Chocorua KOA about this, they claimed it was KOA policy. I called KOA, and they informed me that it was KOA policy, however, they leave it up to each owner whether or not to charge the fee. I am currently waiting for a KOA supervisor to return my second request for an answer. After the first request, someone from KOA sent me a rehash of their policy.

Look, I totally understand canceling a reservation in either a hotel, campground, whatever within 30 days. But, 42 days? Read the cancellation policy below from Chocorua KOA, and see what I mean.

KOA SYSTEM RESERVATION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservation Guarantee Deposit
A credit card deposit equal to the registration charges for your first night is required to guarantee a reservation. Deposit charged at time of reservation.

Cancellation Requirements for Deposit Refund
If you are unable to honor your reservation, call and cancel prior to these deadlines: * RV/Tent: 48 Hours - Notify KOA by 4 p.m. two days prior to arrival date. * Kabin: 7 Days - Notify KOA one week prior to arrival date. Reservations made after deadlines will require a non-refundable deposit.

Cancellation Charges
A $10 cancellation fee charged for cancellations made prior to deadline. Cancellations after deadline will result in forfeiture of all deposit. Holiday weekends, special events that require a minimum two night stay or more and KOA Kottage and Lodge reservations may have special deposit and cancellation requirements.

Am I being unreasonable here?

Norm4015 · 07-11-2011, 01:18 PM

I have been RVing since 1972 and fulltimed over ten years. I don't know how many campgrounds I have stayed in. Many campgrounds have cancellation policies and I always ask the amount of the deposit (if any) and the cancellation rules and fees. If I don't like their rules and fees I don't make a reservation. If I accept their rules and fees I live up to my end of the deal.

Our Time · 07-11-2011, 01:19 PM

Besides the majority of their parks are out of date this is another reason we don't use KOA. It also irks me when they charge a guest fee if you have someone come and visit your campsite.

RJay · 07-11-2011, 01:33 PM

After being burned once by them I will never give KOA another penny.

melvonnar · 07-11-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay

After being burned once by them I will never give KOA another penny.

You are not alone; their camp grounds are way overpriced and what I have seen are mostly pretty well run down.

skipwil · 07-11-2011, 02:17 PM

I personally would Eat the $10 loss and NEVER use a KOA facility in the future. Nor would I ever miss a chance to express how I was treated; If felt as you do. I know it's the principle of the thing-so send the KOA customer service people your personal feeling about their policy. If all else fails stay in a wal-mart for the night. oh----sorry that's another thread. 'Course you understand this MY opinion.
Safe journeys...

Wizard · 07-11-2011, 03:01 PM

Did you not read the cancellation policy before making the reservations ???

RJay · 07-11-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melvonnar

You are not alone; their camp grounds are way overpriced and what I have seen are mostly pretty well run down.

I have seen a few parks that are now owned by Care Free RV Resorts that look a lot like older KOA's with the unmistakable A frame office building. I'm staying at one now and really like their management. They are presently upgrading the electrical system and because of the electrical work will be repaving the inner roads.

I don't know if it's Care Free's business plan to buy up older KOA's but it sure would be a positive move for RV'ers.

bluepill · 07-11-2011, 03:28 PM

I don't find 1 $10 fee to be unreasonable. It may well be used to discourage people from making many reservations and then cancelling all but the one that they finally choose. They also may have to pay some fee to the credit card companies - now THOSE guys are the real sharks in the financial waters.

padre44 · 07-11-2011, 03:36 PM

This is no different than most campgrounds. In fact, some won't refund anything. Read the fine print. I've stayed in some great KOA's and some not so good - same as other campgrounds.

mikron · 07-11-2011, 03:42 PM

Campground in MA cape cod area has a $25.00 penelty for cancel even if you cancel same day you booked. KOA is a fair as any IMO. In booked KOA ST Petersburg Florida, checked in had to check out same day and they refunded all my money 100%.

Mr_D · 07-11-2011, 03:52 PM

Read the rules, if you don't like them don't stay there. It's very simple. KOA (Keep On Adding) did exactly what their site says, nothing more.

JC2 · 07-11-2011, 03:58 PM

The cancellation fee of $10 seems reasonable to me as it probably covers a processing fee.

**NLOVNIT** · 07-11-2011, 04:15 PM

I don't like it, but I don't see it as unreasonable. Like bluepill stated, they're discouraging people from blocking out multiple sites & then cancelling the ones they don't want at the last minute. I'm sure the sites won't go unoccupied & the CG will get not only the new reservation's money but your cancellation fee as well, but the CG wants to cover their "perceived possible" loss.

I don't think I've ever stayed at a campground that didn't have a cancellation fee. I always make sure I read the terms & conditions, especially the cancellation policy, prior to making reservations. If I choose to make reservations, then I agree to the policy & can't buck it.

L-