Community Forums

dsnutes · 01-20-2021, 07:07 AM

Has anybody found and tricks other than pure luck in reservations at Reserveamerica.com?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

chunker · 01-20-2021, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsnutes

Has anybody found and tricks other than pure luck in reservations at Reserveamerica.com?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

With the changes a while ago it's not a user friendly site anymore. Let's say just typical government mismanagement of something. The I was going to stay in a COE in KY last fall I called the campground direct for info.

jrollf · 01-20-2021, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunker

With the changes a while ago it's not a user friendly site anymore. Let's say just typical government mismanagement of something. The I was going to stay in a COE in KY last fall I called the campground direct for info.

Reserve America is not a government website. It is owned and operated by a software company called Aspira. Many states/local municipalities and private campgrounds have contracted with them for reservations.

https://www.reserveamerica.com/outdoors/about-us.htm

For fedral lands, COE, National Parks, BLM etc, reservations are through Recreation.gov, which is government run.

https://www.recreation.gov/

egwilly · 01-20-2021, 12:24 PM

We don't have any issues using it. Look up the park, read their notes in the website listing for exclusions. Then call them to follow up.

Recreation.Gov works the same. Reserve California is a little different due to the state took it over.

chunker · 01-20-2021, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrollf

Reserve America is not a government website. It is owned and operated by a software company called Aspira. Many states/local municipalities and private campgrounds have contracted with them for reservations.

https://www.reserveamerica.com/outdoors/about-us.htm

For fedral lands, COE, National Parks, BLM etc, reservations are through Recreation.gov, which is government run.

https://www.recreation.gov/

My bad, I was thinking of the .gov.

Mudfrog · 01-20-2021, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

We don't have any issues using it. Look up the park, read their notes in the website listing for exclusions. Then call them to follow up.

Recreation.Gov works the same. Reserve California is a little different due to the state took it over.

Just made reservations today without issue.

Because there are so many campers these days, could it be that the OP is asking about tricks on how to score a reservation ahead of others?

chunker · 01-21-2021, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

Just made reservations today without issue.

Because there are so many campers these days, could it be that the OP is asking about tricks on how to score a reservation ahead of others?

The key I've found is start early researching. The days of waiting to the last minute or just showing up and expecting a "room in the inn" are largely gone. The new normal is changing and no guarantee that anything you do this month will be like this summer or next year.

Fiesta48 · 01-22-2021, 08:38 AM

Tricks no. You pay a seperate fee for each reservation booked, not combined. Hardly can get around it at State Parks.
Book early, or use their service to find out if sites are available at the last min. This service may not work for same day bookings and walk-in may work. Good Luck!

baraff · 01-23-2021, 07:44 AM

Keep in mind if you make a reservation with RA and the reservation is cancelled by the government due to Covid closures (i.e. New Mexico State Parks), they will not refund your reservation fee. This happened to us, it was only $12, but still. I even disputed it with our CC company but to no avail.

ArtJoyce · 01-23-2021, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

Keep in mind if you make a reservation with RA and the reservation is cancelled by the government due to Covid closures (i.e. New Mexico State Parks), they will not refund your reservation fee. This happened to us, it was only $12, but still. I even disputed it with our CC company but to no avail.

I would think that is because RA was paid by that fee and now the state cancels the reservation because of covid. The state does not want to pay the fee out of its pocket.

Ohio fired RA and started its own system before covid came around. Ohio returned the reservation fees when they closed the camp grounds. I believe that has been true with the other states and fed that operates there own system? The RA states it was a crap shoot weather you would get it back.

twinboat · 01-23-2021, 09:07 AM

I had 4 Florida State Park reservations canceled by them, last April, 2020, due to Covid closings.

All booking were made thru Reserve America and all 4 returned ALL of my money, including the fees.

I had 3 to 4 reservations, in GA, AL, and TN thru Recreatation.gov also canceled by them. They to returned all of my money.

Only one private site, who wasn't closing, in PA, would not refund all of my money. They kept $10. Of course, I canceled that one.

Unless Reserve America has different rules for different states, I have to wonder, did they cancel or did you cancel.

twogypsies · 01-23-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baraff

Keep in mind if you make a reservation with RA and the reservation is cancelled by the government due to Covid closures (i.e. New Mexico State Parks), they will not refund your reservation fee. This happened to us, it was only $12, but still. I even disputed it with our CC company but to no avail.

?? This is the state park reservation site and it says it's powered by ASPIRA; not Reserve America. If you read the top red lines it states that fees will be refunded.

https://newmexicostateparks.reservea...archResults.do

Mr.Goodbar · 01-25-2021, 12:15 AM

Made a reservation at a private CG in Minnesota In January for mid July 2020 through Reserve America. The CG cancelled the reservation in March due to Covid 19 and I get an email saying that I’ll get a refund minus cancellation fee. CG post on RA entry that they are closing permanently. RA says it’s up to the CG on whether they cancel with or without the fee. CG isn’t answering the phone. RA says they can’t process my refund to my credit card until the CG releases the funds. After 3 months, I finally got the refund on my credit card. RA was as helpful as they could be. Never could connect with th CG.