Deals or Discounts

[streaminwild]

I was wondering if their are any deals in the R.V. world. For an example stay x amount of nights and get one free. I know about the national parks card for one year is better than paying for separate entry fees. Are there military discounts ? Senior, AAA etc. Does a campsite ever drop prices to fill sites? Or maybe use this thread as a message board for current price cuts on tires, cameras, i phones or anything that relates to this wonderfull hobby. I do know that some airstream dealers will match amazon's prices on hitches. Share your deals.

[mistermcfrug]

I'll just make a follow up comment about those National Park cards. That would be to acquire an Access Pass, given to disabled people. The list of qualifying disabilities is endless in our "victim" oriented society. I have a card and clearly and fairly qualify. But before you speak too quickly and say that you don't qualify, be careful, because so many physical afflictions can qualify you. With the card, you get the 50% discount.

[Phoenix]

• Annual and Lifetime Passes (U.S. National Park Service)
  
  
• State Park Entrance Passes (All 50 States)
  
  
• KOA/Kampgrounds of America ($10 discount per night, plus rewards points)
  
  
• New Mexico Annual Passes (Non-Resident, Annual Camping Pass = $225)
  

---New Mexico Camping Fees ($10 discount per night, with Annual Camping Pass)

[Foiled Again]

There are a lot of "senior" discounts around. Many start as early as age 55. Check Federal State and even city/county parks.

Many private campgrounds have internet deals. I've saved up to 50% per night by checking the camp's website, but most of these are for weekdays only.

And some Airstreamers (not as many as in days of yore) offer courtesy parking. Usually leads to a nice night discussing all things aluminum - tours of each other's Airstreams are a virtual certainty.

[southsaglejim]

And for military veterans Sams Club gives a deal on lifetime memberships and watch for special sales for those discounts. Active military can get Sams Club deals too.

[streaminwild]

Thanks for sharing everyone. I never heard of most of these discounts. The more we share the more everyone saves.

[AnnArborBob]

Good Sam Club (open to anyone for a modest annual fee) will get you a 10% discount at a lot of private campgrounds.

If you are a member of an Elks Lodge, you can camp for free or on the cheap at a lot of other Elk Lodges.

Casinos will sometimes offer free or cheap camping with the hope that you'll more than make it up inside!

Some campgrounds whose owners have an affinity for the brand (e.g., they own one) will actually give a discount to Airstream owners (this is very informal and not usually advertised.)

[Phoenix]

The following is loosely quoted from the membership page of the Museum of Flight's Website: The Museum of Flight

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If you like aerospace, aircraft and science museums, an annual membership to a participating Association of Science - Technology Centers (ASTC) museum will allow FREE general admission to more than 290 participating museums worldwide through the ASTC Passport Program.

There are a couple of caveats—the program doesn’t apply to centers within a 90-mile radius of the museum you become a member of, or your home address. In addition, the free general admission often does not include tickets to things such as giant-screen theaters, planetarium shows or simulators.

To receive free admission at an out-of-town science center or museum, you need to bring your membership card from your own science center or museum. Additional restrictions may apply, depending on the institution.

For more info, see: ASTC - Passport Program.

List of ASTC participating museums: ASTC Travel Passport Program Participants

==========

EXAMPLE:

For the $55 price of a Navigator (basic) Membership at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, WA, my wife and I get FREE admission to that museum for a whole year. We visited that aviation and space museum three days, which would have cost us 2x$16 (for Seniors) for the first day, 2x$9 (discounted second day admission for Seniors), and 2x$9 (for a third day). However, we only spent only $55 for the annual membership. Total value = $68.

Then, we visited the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, in McMinnville, OR (home of the Spruce Goose), which is an ASTC member museum; and admission was FREE! We visited that museum for two days, which would have cost us $24 each (Senior rate), per day, times 2 days. Total value = $96.

So, the original $55 annual membership got us FREE admission to two museums for 5 days, which would have cost us a total of $164; a savings of $109. Plus, we still get FREE admission to over 290 ASTC member museums worldwide for the remainder of a year.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

Good Sam Club (open to anyone for a modest annual fee) will get you a 10% discount at a lot of private campgrounds.

I joined Good Sam even before I bought my Airstream. Good thing, too. Lots of insurance companies offer a Good Sam discount. But it varies by state— insurance is state-regulated, so coverage varies from state to state even for national companies— so check around. In Louisiana, where I live, Progressive sent me two quotes, one with a Good Sam discount, and one without. The difference for insuring my Interstate was a whopping $400 per year, just for belonging to a club that costs $25 per year to join.

Even if I never take a Good Sam campground discount, the membership has more than paid for itself in my book.

[streaminwild]

25.00 saves you at least 400.00 . Thats a exellent investment Protagonist . I had no idea using Good Sam for insurance discount. Thanks for sharing

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by streaminwild

25.00 saves you at least 400.00 . Thats a exellent investment Protagonist . I had no idea using Good Sam for insurance discount. Thanks for sharing

Just remember, your mileage may vary. Your discount may be a different amount, or with a different company. Still, it never hurts to ask your insurance agent.

While you're asking your insurance agent, also ask about any other discounts you might be eligible for… AARP, AAA, etc. Insurance companies (and insurance agents) are in business to make money, and they may not tell you about discounts that you don't specifically ask about.

[streaminwild]

I found out that Mcdonalds buy one get one free will continue till January 1st. The manager in Maryland said tha this is a national event. In the morning the egg mcmuffin is available. Then the quarter pounder with cheese. Always mention the deal when ordering. The moca frapacino they have is worth trying. Now the calories don't ask.

[Goal15]

Originally Posted by streaminwild

I found out that Mcdonalds buy one get one free will continue till January 1st. The manager in Maryland said tha this is a national event. In the morning the egg mcmuffin is available. Then the quarter pounder with cheese. Always mention the deal when ordering. The moca frapacino they have is worth trying. Now the calories don't ask.

One of the best things about getting more seasons under my belt, senior discount on coffee at McDonald's. It only gets you a small cup of coffee but sometimes at half the price.

[time2play]

Speaking of Museum of Flight, anyone can visit the museum for FREE the first Thursday of every month after 5pm. The museum closes at 9pm, so you have lots of time to visit. Next free night - November 6th.

This is a great time to visit, normal cost of admission is $19 for adults ($16 seniors).

And surprisingly, the museum is never very crowded on these Thursday nights.

[Jim & Susan]

"Friends of Georgia State Parks" annual Family membership for Seniors and Military runs about $50 per year, a little more for others. Comes with two free nights of camping and daily parking pass for two cars all year long. Daily parking is now $5 a day and you have to pay that even when you're camping. Pays for itself in one visit camping. And the proceeds go to a good cause. Friends does a lot of volunteer work in the park system.

Jim