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tburnand · 03-04-2018, 04:23 PM

We don't typically stay at a KOA, but we are heading out in May and already we would be staying at a KOA. Is it worth the $30.00 to get the 10% discount?

Bill M. · 03-04-2018, 04:41 PM

Well, it is to me. On the road we sometimes stay at KOA because it is so easy to find and reserve. And having the card makes checking in so easy.

Glenritas · 03-04-2018, 04:58 PM

I have one and it all depends on how many nights per year you stay at a KoA and how spendy they are. Prices very $30 - 60 per night .

I've kept the card since 1999 , some years only stayed a couple of nights other years stayed enough to get a free night. It all depended on where we were going or touring.

The nice thing is it will offset taxes that are added by locations.

So far this year we have stayed 1 night and have a 4 more reserved at KoA's. This will save me $ 24.50 so its close to the card fee and the year is young.

So is it worth it ? That's up to you .

switz · 03-04-2018, 05:02 PM

A given level of quality with amenities and ease of check-in for us. Cost is nearly less than a McDonalds meal for two.

joekr · 03-04-2018, 05:39 PM

We use KOA a lot. The main draw for us is ease of reservation. Is it always the best experience? Probably not, but they make it so simple to book we end up turning to them more often than not. Especially while we're headed to our destination.

rhutson · 03-04-2018, 07:09 PM

Spent last summer going across the south taking our daughter to college. Went from KOA to KOA and had a blast. They may not all be a destination but they sure served a purpose! Looking forward to many more such trips and will definitely stay at a few KOAs along the way. Rick.

KK4YZ · 03-04-2018, 07:32 PM

I’d say it’s worth it. Stayed at several KOAs last summer driving around the Midwest. Go online and make a reservation from the road. Easy, peasy

AWCHIEF · 03-04-2018, 07:37 PM

They give a 10% military discount. Never bought the card. I do have the Passport America card and have stayed at several KOAs they honored the 50% off.

PKI · 03-04-2018, 08:36 PM

For us, it does. Like all discount cards, you have to use them. Decide which parks work for you and plan your routes to use their location to advantage.

The GoodSam card works for a similar discount at many parks and Camping World too.

Many parks will give you a discount for AAA or AARP membership.

Suggest you look into the PassPort America membership. If their system works for you (often weekdays M-T only), a 50% discount can help your budget.

And don't ignore the value of cash as that can help in your negotiations too.

Good luck with your trip. Pat

**Hans627** · 03-04-2018, 09:34 PM

Yes it is money well spent in my opinion. But you must use it to get the benefit, of course.

RxGuy · 03-05-2018, 07:33 AM

I would say it is worth it. We use KOAs quite often. Like stated above reservations are easy. The membership has paid for itself.

Mollysdad · 03-05-2018, 08:10 AM

I tend to avoid KOA's. Not because they aren't nice, but rather they try to appeal to a certain crowd, that being families with kids.
They provide bicycle rentals, volleyball, pool, playgrounds, and lots of things I won't use. And they adjust their price to pay for all those things.
When traveling, I want power, water and a quiet night's sleep. I'll arrive at 7 pm and leave at 9 am and barely use a picnic table.
Give me minimal extras and lower rates. (and no kids riding their bikes through my site.)
They also plaster every square foot of property with signs, "No running, no skateboarding, pool closes at 9 pm, no spitting........"

Roadtech · 03-05-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

When traveling, I want power, water and a quiet night's sleep. I'll arrive at 7 pm and leave at 9 am and barely use a picnic table.
Give me minimal extras and lower rates. (and no kids riding their bikes through my site.)

Sounds like a great business model for a new campground chain. Sign me up...I'll be the first customer...

**Rocinante** · 03-05-2018, 08:48 AM

We, on the other hand, love camping with kids all around. [emoji6]

cazual6 · 03-05-2018, 10:09 AM

Short Answer: Yes IMHO

KWN306 · 03-05-2018, 10:13 AM

We only go camping a few times a year right now, about 10 to 25 days (wife hasn't retired yet.) We mostly stay at KOA's because we take the grand kids with us and they really enjoy all the stuff that is going on and grandma is a kid at heart. We do not find them noisy or have trouble with kids driving through the site on bikes. The card pays for itself each year.

Now if you want to talk noisy camp grounds I have compiled a list and they are mostly Good Sam or privately owned campgrounds. Then there are others that when I open up my awning it hits the camper next to me because they are packed in so tight.

There are good and bad everywhere, but every KOA I have been to goes out of their way to make your stay enjoyable.

kdickinson · 03-05-2018, 11:08 AM

Agree with the posters about ease of reservation and general consistency among the campgrounds. As for the card itself I'm not tuned into exactly what awards are available through the year because we just go, stay, leave. For me it's worth the cost just to not have to talk about it every time I check in ...

Scott59 · 03-05-2018, 11:25 AM

It is very easy to save enough to pay for the card in 1 trip. I just stayed at a KOA in Orlando for 5 nights, the cost was $300. If I bought the KOA card for $30 I would save 10%, or in this case, $30. So I got the card for free with just a 5 night stay. I know I will stay at least stay 5-10 more nights this year at a KOA so this was simply a no brainer.

firstwave · 03-05-2018, 11:43 AM

My card was more than paid for with my first stay at KOA in Tucson. If I don't use it again I've lost nothing.

Protagonist · 03-05-2018, 12:06 PM

Also consider the KOA Reward coupons that come with KOA membership. You can save more than the price of your membership without ever staying at a KOA, depending on where you shop.

Coupons vary by location, but in my home area alone, I've grabbed KOA Reward coupons from Sonic, Carraba's, Men's Wearhouse, Honeybaked Ham, Denny's, Taco Bell, Arby's, Rally's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Outback Steakhouse, Tutti Frutti, Popeye's Fried Chicken, and half a dozen others. You can either print out the coupons, or access them from your KOA smartphone app.

When I plan a trip, I also check to see what KOA reward coupons are available at my destination. Sometimes nothing I want to use, sometimes something really useful.