Well, we did it again.
While wandering through Camping World in Burlington, Washington we signed up for our second big discount camping membership. Our little RV family is now a proud member of Camp Club USA.
Last year we purchased a lifetime membership to Passport America.
The cost was $400 CAD to receive a 50% discount at all Passport America RV parks. I'm happy (and perhaps a bit freaked out) to report that our membership cost has been paid for within the first year of use.
RV park budget breakdown:
- $2500 for 4.5 months at a park in AZ
- $900 spent on Passport America parks while in transit - without the 50% discount, it would have been $1800
That means our PA membership saved us $500 above the $400 cost of the lifetime membership. In a single year. These are parks we would have had to pay full price for anyway since we gotta stay somewhere - so the PA membership turned out to be great value for the money. That little phrase just warms the cockles of my cheap money-conscious heart.
Today while loitering at the end of aisle number three in Camping World, we read the loooooooonnnnnnng list of parks that have partnered with Camp Club USA. And through the current Camping World promotion, we were able to purchase a 15 month membership for the price of 12 months, or $40 - PLUS we received a free 2011 Woodalls Camping Directory for free.
The Woodalls Guide retails for $26, so the 15 month Camp Club membership only ended up costing $14.
You can see why Ol' Cheapy Cheap-a-roni (a.k.a. ME) caved and bought a membership.
Special Note to the In-Laws: You guys are welcome to snag our 2010 Woodalls Guide if you don't have one yet. It's a great resource when you're on the road.
Did you find that the Passport of America parks were in most areas that you traveled? I hope Camping world has that special on when we head to the Oregon coast within a month or so! (Our 1 nite shake down trip will be at our local Shushwap Falls RV Park).
Posted by: Don | April 13, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Mr P - depends on how far you wanna drive in a day but there are lots of PA parks in western USA to choose from. We try not to travel more than 5 hours in a day.
Not sure how long Camping World will offer the Camp Club USA promo, but you can get it online too on the Camp Club USA website. It's $9 more ($49) and you only get 12 months instead of 15 but you do still get the huge 2011 Woodalls RV park guide, worth $26.
Posted by: kelsi | April 14, 2011 at 08:25 PM
I lost you for a while. I forgot to put the new Blog into my Google Reader.
Camp Club USA has most of the same parks as PA but one trick is to use CC after you have used up your max stay with PA. We have both as well although CC is un-renewed until we need it.
Posted by: Croft | April 19, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Do you have Good Sam too? That's the card we're probably not renewing since it's only a 10% discount.
Posted by: kelsi | April 20, 2011 at 07:17 PM