Are Good Sam Memberships worth the Money?

[SpaceNorman]

Here's my .02 in on the discussion regarding KOA.

My experience has been that the quality and amenities offered by individual KOA parks very greatly - but that their pricing (which is typically at a premium for whatever area they're in) is consistent.

We've stayed in a couple of really nice ones - but found that the park amenities that drive their pricing weren't really things that we use much. (Give me a site with full hookups in a park that provides a little space ... and that leaves me with a sense that it's a safe place to stay and I'm happy).

We've also stayed in a couple that advertised "big rig" pull-thrus that had the front end of my 44' coach sticking out a foot into the road in front of us while the rear end stuck out a foot into the road behind us ... at nearly $60 for the night.

Now we only use KOA campgrounds if we've had an opportunity to check out the park in advance ... and can't find something that's a better fit for our lifestyle in the vicinity.

[Badlands Bob]

I guess a lot depends on where you want to camp and how much you're going to camp. We like the State and National Parks. The commercial campgrounds offer sewer but they tend to pack you in like a shopping center parking lot. The Golden Age Federal Pass is great if you've reach 62 years. $10 one time fee and 1/2 price camping at Federal and COE parks forever. Best deal around. I got a 2 year GS membership last year and I think I've used it twice for camping discounts. I do save 3 cents a gallon when I fill up at Pilot but a tank full only saves me a dollar. I probably won't renew since we don't use that many privately owned campgrounds.

[schrederman]

I had a Good Sam membership for 1 year... my first year as an RVer. I camped about 16 nights and not once did I find a place that honored their discount. Their magazine was nothing more than an ad rag for selling their insurance and other services. They have not gotten another cent from me and probably won't.

As to KOA: I bought their membership in August, and I do receive a discount at KOAs... which as mentioned are nice but overpriced. Their niceness does vary considerably, but their prices do not. We used KOAs exclusively on our recent trip from Texas to Northern Virginia and back, except for the last night at a state park for less than half what a KOA costs. That being said in the 9 nights we stayed in KOAs, the membership has paid for itself, sort of. I know state parks are not for profit, and should be cheaper, but every time I stay at a KOA, I feel like someone should kiss me... ... If I had done more research and found close state parks I'd probably have been a couple of tanks of fuel ahead on that trip... my bad...

I'm going to look into some of the others mentioned... Thanks!

[davendeb]

Used to be worth it with the Highways magazine, which they discontinued a few months after I paid for lifetime membership. Still get the camping world discount and cg discount but miss the magazine.

[davendeb]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We bought a Charter Lifetime GS membership years ago. Frankly I wouldn't bother with even a yearly one now.

Me too

[kalynzoo]

We enjoy KOA campgrounds as some are great and most are consistent. We also vacation at many Good Sam rated campgrounds, and I think the 10% discount covers the cost of membership. We have a Camping World about 12 miles away from home, and although we don't shop there often, again the discount is helpful. I do believe membership costs less when purchased directly at a Camping World. That said, given your original description, membership will probably not be of much use to you. JMHO

[Mr_D]

I just bought 8 tires using the FMCA Advantage program. Saved somewhere over $300 per tire over the list price, but then no one pays list either. So, even if it was only $200 per tire that's still $1600.

[Mayberry32]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

Passport America YES 50% off Camping
AARP YES 10% off Camping
AAA YES 10% off Camping
FMCA YES Michelin Discount, Medical Assist

Good Sam NO! Junk Mail and Spam, over priced products

My opinion only.

Not old enough for AARP . We are only 38 with 3 small kids.

Michelin Discounts? How much and any restrictions? That's the only tire I'll buy.

[UFO Pilot]

Originally Posted by Mayberry32

Not old enough for AARP . We are only 38 with 3 small kids.

Michelin Discounts? How much and any restrictions? That's the only tire I'll buy.

Discount runs $150 to $300 per tire as reported by a few on this site. Go to the FMCA website and read about the tire program for the best info.

[lenkerb]

Passport America is the best program!!!

[Mayberry32]

I'm interested in the FMCA membership. I see the Michelin Advantage benefit on their page. Those are good prices on Michelin tires. Is that a discount at all dealers, only at participating dealers, or a rebate back from FMCA after purchase? Anyone know how that works?

[George Schweikle]

The Passport America discount is certainly good, but we find that most of the parks are too far from our travel route.

Regarding KOA, if you do use these, their points eventually add up to sizeable discounts.

I just checked FMCA Michelin discount for 225/70R19.5 XZE load range F: $400 + shipping at Tire Rack, $349.82 through the FMCA program

Originally Posted by lenkerb

Passport America is the best program!!!

[sbleiweiss]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

I have been a Good Sam member since 2009, after using their parks over the years..........I will be dropping them at renewal time as their "Park Inspection" process/expections are not good in my opinion.
KOA has a couple of traveling inspection RV's that travel the country inspecting their campground's...............
I have never been let down on expectations of a KOA in my travels........
This photo is a 3 day inspection/Observation by the KOA inspector's
Never have I seen this in a GS campground............and they show it.

We met a couple in CA that were GS inspectors. They do the same thing as you describe for KOA.

[RPr]

We think it is worth it. We have both a CW and KOA memberships. We also do a lot of state parks but they fill up during tourist season. It seems we can always find a CW or KOA spot.