Community Forums

smlranger · 01-25-2014, 06:09 PM

Getting ready to retire and we hope to travel more (2 -3 months at a time). Is Passport America really worth the membership fee?

SeeTheUSA · 01-25-2014, 06:13 PM

One of those rare bargains ... for real!

Bfmorgan · 01-25-2014, 06:14 PM

This is my opinion, if you have a flexible schedule then it will pay for itself very quickly. Lots of restrictions, so make sure you review them and see if they fit with your travel style. Some CGs will not honor a Passport America discount on a weekend or holiday.

TwelveVolt · 01-25-2014, 06:18 PM

I am staying at a campground this week for half price in Florida's prime season. The saving on these seven days alone is more than double the annual PA membership fee. Yes, it does take some planning and is limited to the PA participating CG's. PA rate is always subject to availability. Some CG's say 'off-season only', while others say 'subject to availability during season'.

KIX · 01-25-2014, 06:21 PM

Passport America (PA) parks set their own restrictions on PA rates. Some limit to one or two nights, some limit to off season and there are other restrictions too. But, having used PA for several years I can tell you we've saved a lot of money. You may want to look at PassportAmerica.com and check the map of CGs that accept PA. If you're planning on camping where parks accept PA then you will save a few bucks.

vsheetz · 01-25-2014, 06:48 PM

Yes a good deal. We use it quite a bit. Their wen site makes it easy to find participating camp grounds and lists the restrictions.

As for the restriction we often find if asked the camp ground will waive the restrictions. Especially if your visit starts or ends outside a restriction. Half your money is better than none of your money.

docj · 01-25-2014, 07:01 PM

The problem we've found is that a fair percentage of the PA parks are lower-rated ones that we don't care to stay at. We always check the PA listing against campgroundreviews.com to see how the parks rate. This year we didn't bother to renew because we didn't see enough opportunities to use it in the cities we planned to stay. We plan our trips to go where we want; we don't change our stops to coincide with where PA (or any other kinds) of parks are.

smiller · 01-25-2014, 07:05 PM

As was mentioned, there are a number of gotchas (lots of restrictions and limitations, and sometimes the parks that offer a Passport America discount are the ones that have to offer a Passport America discount, if you catch my drift) but if you're on the road a lot then you'll probably end up money ahead. You don't have to use it very often to pay off the $44.

BTW the latest twist I've run into are parks that provide the requisite 50% discount, but then tack on a high 'electricity fee' or whatever (only to PA rates) that eats up much of the discount. PA really shouldn't allow such practices as it erodes their credibility.

baraff · 01-25-2014, 08:22 PM

In my opinion, PA works great for inexpensive overnights at parks enroute to your destination. Given a choice between $12-$15 at a PA park with some basic amenities, or a free overnight at Walmart or Cracker Barrel, I'll take the PA park.
I can't see using PA for destination campgrounds as I don't think the program is really meant for that. I'm sure there are some exceptions though.

missourijan · 01-25-2014, 08:29 PM

Good responses from other posters. Like others said, it doesn't take much effort for the membership to pay for itself. We have had PA for about 7 years and think it's worth it. Some parks are less than stellar but usually we are only passing through and stay 1 night. We have found others to be worth staying a week. We stayed at a park in Gettysburg for 1/2 price during the week, $25 versus $50, so we stayed 5 days. It seemed to us there were far more parks in the east excluding weekends. I always call ahead or check the website to see if they are still affiliated with PA.

Barbara S. · 01-25-2014, 09:05 PM

I am new to Passport America but in my first use I made back the cost of the membership.

I have checked out some of their other campgrounds and found some very nice ones and one I wouldn't stay at for even half price. Most that I am familiar with are nice campgrounds and I plan to use the membership again within the next two months. If you are able to camp during the week it is a good deal. Most don't accept it on weekends.

AdirondackJa · 01-25-2014, 09:12 PM

We have been PA members since 2008. We stay at maybe 20 campgrounds/RV Parks each year. 75% of the stays are PA. To us the fun is the journey and half of that is planning our trips with new routes and campgrounds. Fortunately we have stayed at only one PA campground that my wife un-fondly called "Deliverance". Read the PA Park description carefully and do check the RVPark Reviews website. We also learn a lot about the places on Google satellite maps. Depending on your type of travel PA can save you a lot of money. It saved us a little over $300 in 2013.

H-Rambler25 · 01-25-2014, 09:36 PM

We do Passport America, Corps of Engineer RV Parks, State Parks, BLM, Walmart, Escapees and Good Sam.
Chuck

osok · 01-26-2014, 04:15 AM

Would not leave home without my Passport America. Yes it is true campgrounds can put some tight restrictions on use. But some are very liberal, such as Stagecoach in Branson, Mo. We stayed 12 nights at half price and this park was equal to several other full priced campgrounds I looked at in Branson. On a 6 week trip this club saved us $334 by staying a total of 17 nights in Passport parks. Only one park charged for electricity and for one night that cost $1.40 plus $10 FHU. If a Passport park is on my route then I try to use them first.