Community Forums

TheArnolds · 07-29-2012, 06:33 AM

I have been reading posts on iRV2 about Passport America but was unable to post this question because the discussion was too old >255 days. At any rate I did see several comments regarding restrictions, "Good deal even with the restrictions".

I looked all over PA's WEB site and I did not see anything about restrictions and I am fearful that it will be in the fine print somewhere that PA will beat me over the head with down the road.

Has anyone found these restrictions to be a big issue

Steve Ownby · 07-29-2012, 06:51 AM

The restrictions are by the member campgrounds. They should be listed on the individual campground page. It could be one night only at PA rate, or no PA rate on holiday weekends. Or not between certain dates. One restriction that is sometimes not listed is some will not accept credit cards at the PA rate. It's a good idea to call any PA listed campground and check to see if there are any restrictions which would apply. Some will not accept reservations at PA rates. Since they are all campground based restrictions, the campground is free to ignore or relax them if it suits them.

danandcarol · 07-29-2012, 06:54 AM

I think the restrictions are referring to the restrictions that campgrounds have in place when accepting PA customers (i.e., I recall seeing one recently that would only give the PA rate for your first nights' stay).

bronk · 07-29-2012, 06:59 AM

To answer your question firstly - no, the restrictions are not prohibitive considering the price you pay for the "service". We just returned from a 3 month trip to the northeast and used PPA on a number of occasions. The first night paid for the yearly fee one pays to belong. The restrictions are used by almost all campgrounds that participate, but here is the way to use the membership most effectively, in my opinion: study the catalog that is sent with your membership and plan to use PPA when restrictions don't apply - such as "no restrictions on Monday through Thusday" , for example. In our case, restrictions (full price for campground stays) started the week of the 4th of July. Up until then, we could use PPA at a number of campgrounds in Maine for the months of (May 15th when some opened) and for the entire month of June!! This was a GREAT savings for us, and the only disadvantage was that some of the participating campgrounds were not in the area/s that we wished to visit; however, the savings allowed us to stay at some "full-price" campgrounds without breaking the budget. Sorry for the long post, but if you would like more information, shoot me a private e-mail, and I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Bronk

RickO · 07-29-2012, 07:48 AM

IMO, Passport America membership is a no brainer and pays for itself quickly. Yes, parks put restrictions on when they give the discount, but with a half off offer that's to be expected.

Rick

TheArnolds · 07-29-2012, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the info, I did not think that it was the individual campground that had the restrictions. Reading everything I think it is a good deal restrictions and all

vsheetz · 07-29-2012, 12:55 PM

Just spent the weekend at a Passport America partisipating CG - the savings paid for the years membership. Good deal even if infrequently used, IMHO.

Be aware that some CG online registration system don't have provision for the discount - instead a telephone reservation is needed.

Iron Man · 07-30-2012, 07:17 AM

My gripe is that some parks add on for 50 amp and for people staying over 2. With that a great deal is not so great. I realize they are in it to make money but you have to read the restrictions to caculate the actual cost.

Triker56 · 07-30-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

My gripe is that some parks add on for 50 amp and for people staying over 2.

I like that add on for 50 AMP service. Those campgrounds help keep my 30 AMP MH site at a more reasonable cost. The ones that don't do that, has me paying extra for a site to subsidize those 50 AMP owners that run 2 15.5K AC & their Washer/Dryer at the same time.

Those campgrounds that charge for more then 2, never give me a discount for being one.

skipwil · 07-30-2012, 08:03 AM

This week I saved $40.00 on a 2 night stay & if I stay 3 nights a saving of $60.00. This saving goes into the fuel account. P/A has consistently saved me money each time I've gone RV'ing. A "no-brainer" for me.
SAFE TRAVELS...

TheArnolds · 07-30-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipwil

This week I saved $40.00 on a 2 night stay & if I stay 3 nights a saving of $60.00. This saving goes into the fuel account. P/A has consistently saved me money each time I've gone RV'ing. A "no-brainer" for me.
SAFE TRAVELS...

Thanks to all for the recommendations!

Yesterday we signed up and now I am a proud member of "Passport America"!

Wayne M · 07-30-2012, 12:09 PM

You should not be sorry in the long run if you use it. The Southern states, except FL, have longer stays and more campgrounds, in my opinion. We use it when we can and we always get a return on our investment.

Use the Passport America The original 50% Discount Camping Club - Passport America Discount Camping Club to check the CG along your route, then visit the CG to see what their restrictions are.

Happy trails.

Horizonchase · 07-31-2012, 07:20 PM

Some of those CG restrictions prohibit using the PA discount during the months of July & August! At first that blew my mind. I thought, what good is it? But, like a previous poster said, they went during May and the month of June. Those are prime months too and with a savings of 50% that's a pretty good deal IMO. Also, we will be checking out the Fall foliage during the non prime time months.
I am way too new at RVing to give any kind of sound advice but I plan on using PA often and I'll be able to give a better opinion after I've tested the system, so to speak.

RickO · 07-31-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizonchase

Some of those CG restrictions prohibit using the PA discount during the months of July & August! At first that blew my mind. I thought, what good is it? But, like a previous poster said, they went during May and the month of June. Those are prime months too and with a savings of 50% that's a pretty good deal IMO. Also, we will be checking out the Fall foliage during the non prime time months.
I am way too new at RVing to give any kind of sound advice but I plan on using PA often and I'll be able to give a better opinion after I've tested the system, so to speak.

Yep. If one does much travel at all, it's a no brainer IMHO. It certainly isn't a case of someone wanting to give away the store, but it provides PA parks an opportunity to fill spots which would probably go unfilled, and I'm willing to put up with the restrictions because when it does work, it pays for itself quickly.

We've found them especially good for overnight stays... although once in a while we've found one that honors the rate for an extended period and have taken advantage of it.

Rick