KOA for real or scam?

[StevieG]

Sorry if I came off as a little rude... I didn't mean to... When looking for a campground to stay at, I usually check ALL the campgrounds in the area.... that includes reviews from folks like you, amenities, proximity to local attractions and price. KOA used to get some extra consideration because of my membership discounts. I am also a Good Sam member, but for some reason, haven't really gotten to take advantage of that 10% discount too much this year....

[poppopc]

We stay at KOA'S across the US. Stay 3 months at the KOA on
South Padre Island. In south Tx. The only problem is with the KOA'S
they tend to be a little pricy. We get points for staying there, which helps
on the price. We ck all campgrounds in the area before making our decision.
We also have all the books and discounts from the othe re sources. Usually depends
on how long we are staying!

[Newmar2856]

We have also been hit with the resort fee and an extra fee for each of our dogs. Originally the dog fee wasn't disclosed when we made our reservation and that was frustrating and I complained to corporate and got that fee refunded for that visit. Everywhere we turn people are lowering their posted price but recouping those costs with fees. I wish they'd just be up front with the costs or not charge me the resort fee if I'm not going to use the pool or other amenities.

[DMTTRANSPORT]

Ripoff report.com

[padre44]

My experience is that KOA's are generally better than most. We've come up on some other campgrounds that are dumps that looked good on their web site and reviews. I've never experienced what the original poster mentioned - we get as good of a site as they have available. I've never understood why some would rather stay in a parking lot. That's not my idea of camping. I want the amenities, and KOA usually has them.

[RickO]

Yes, I have experienced the "resort fee" and other assorted add on charges at KOAs.

Originally Posted by padre44

I've never understood why some would rather stay in a parking lot. That's not my idea of camping. I want the amenities, and KOA usually has them.

One explanation is that not everyone is seeking a destination resort for kids or even a "camping experience". We are travelers, not campers. We use the hook ups at CGs but are rarely there for the amenities they offer beyond that.

Rick

[ChallengerRN]

Yep. I agree with Rick on 2 nd part

Russell

[aauummm]

Originally Posted by StevieG

When I originally posted this thread some months ago, it was because of the fees I was being charged to reserve specific sites and the "unethical" (IMO) practices my local KOA uses to bump their revenues. Please see the original post if interested. I wanted to see if others had the same experiences in making their reservations at other KOAs around the country or if it is a "somewhat" sole practice at the Newburgh, NY KOA. Please don't tell us in this thread which KOAs you like or dislike or why... why you don't stay at KOAs... or about your experiences while there. Please let me know if you have encountered this type of price bumping elsewhere. As I said in a recent post in this thread, I was charged a $5 resort fee, which basically cancelled my 10 % discount for being a VKR member.

To answer your original question, I have not noticed a resort fee or any other fee added on to my charges at any KOA. We have stayed at 38 different KOA's. However I haven't tried to reserve a specific spot or anything like that.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by ;2188061

I've never understood why some would rather stay in a parking lot. That's not my idea of camping. I want the amenities, and KOA usually has them.

padre44
No "campers" stay in a parking lots....however "travelers" often DO!
When camping in an RV, only those with little concern for how they spend their $$, (and those who don't know better), waste their $$ at KOAs.

But whatever "trips your trigger" suits me just fine.

Mel
'96 Safari

[GunnyClark]

Originally Posted by RickO

Yes, I have experienced the "resort fee" and other assorted add on charges at KOAs.

One explanation is that not everyone is seeking a destination resort for kids or even a "camping experience". We are travelers, not campers. We use the hook ups at CGs but are rarely there for the amenities they offer beyond that.

Rick

Rick I agree with you, it is now just the DW Myself and our (Beagle Shadow) we stop 90% time at Walmarts on our cross country trips - for me I like to hit the major cities before dawn to avoid traffic and it is not worth the cost of a CG to pull out at 3 - 4 AM - so parking lots work for us - park run the gen to watch a movie or a little tv before hitting the sack.

But to each their own - we have looked at Diesel pushers and another thread a commentator mentioned Casino Interior - we feel the same way do not like the pop art feel with mirrors on the ceiling, disco lights, big screen tv outside and a couple inside, we like the like home feel - functional, comfortable (my requirement) not afraid to actually live in it - guess my tastes aren't high brow - living in a tent (divided into 6'x7' rooms) for the last 4 years in Afghanistan does give you a appreciation for the basic comforts - heck the shower was 1/4 mile away and the bathroom was a port-a-john 50 yd away - so I love my RV

[Alan Wilson]

1989 when my kids were still living at home we stayed at a KOA in Wyoming. Wife and I were tired so we stopped to spend the night. Base rate at that time wasn't bad. $24.00 if I remember right. Oh, but there were two kids so that added to the bill and yes it was a trailer so that added to the bill and they had other charge that got us up well over $35, which at that time was about $15 over what we had been paying for some very nice campgrounds. We accepted our fate of the high prices just to rest. OMG! Could not squeeze between the open door of our camper and the next MH!! Had to shut the door first. Yes, this was before slide-outs. Fire rings!!? They hadn't (couldn't is a better definition due to lack of space) been used in years. Son ran up to the bathroom while I was setting up and came back to ask for money. Why I ask. The restrooms required money for their use as did the showers I found out. What a miserable time that was. Everyone close by telling me I had better not build a fire. Hell I didn't want to burn my own rig up! That was my last time in a KOA. Keep On Adding is the best description I have heard. I will park anywhere else before a KOA. They made a very lasting impression on us as our kids don't use them either. They should realize how much they hurt themselves with their all out for profit practices hurt them.


Thanks,

Alan

2001 HR Scepter 38 PDQ

[padre44]

Originally Posted by mel s

padre44
No "campers" stay in a parking lots....however "travelers" often DO!
When camping in an RV, only those with little concern for how they spend their $$, (and those who don't know better), waste their $$ at KOAs.

But whatever "trips your trigger" suits me just fine.

Mel
'96 Safari

Thanks for giving me permission to do what I want. I was simply giving another perspective on KOA's, which takes lots of abuse in this forum. For me, camping is part of the enjoyment of traveling. Saving a few bucks in some parking lot does not give me any enjoyment in the trip.

[Clayobx]

Originally Posted by padre44

Thanks for giving me permission to do what I want. I was simply giving another perspective on KOA's, which takes lots of abuse in this forum. For me, camping is part of the enjoyment of traveling. Saving a few bucks in some parking lot does not give me any enjoyment in the trip.

Well said! My sentiment exactly!

[Mike_Harriet]

Walmart parking is never free. Spend in Walmart, and 12-14 hrs of gen time = 24$ in fuel usage, and every 125 hrs means oil/filter change. My version of free is different. 😆😀😎