DL Rupper
Senior Member
Re: Introduction...
We use the PA on the "when available" plan. We like Cable and wifi so it makes it harder to find Pa Parks with the amenities, but if it's cost effective and only 1 night we make the sacrifice. lots of times the PA parks are also Good Sam or KOA. Makes it nice to get the lower rate. I know we should get satellite TV, but I honestly don't have any place to put the dish and I hate contracts (use TracFone cell to avoid contracts).
I have noticed that lots of RV Parks don't advertise on their office or billboard the fact that they are PA members (looking for the higher camping fee) but, I use the PA Directory to identify them. I always ask if they are PA members before filling out the register. Sometimes they have dropped out of the program.
I noticed the PA member RV Park in Naples, FL has changed their restrictions in the new PA Directory (17th edition). They now exclude Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar. Maybe they didn't like my review in www.RVparkreviews.com. I don't mind restrictions as long as I know up front. Just need to plan ahead and go to the PA member parks that have the least restrictions or restrictions that don't impact your plans. I try to avoid parks that exclude electricity or water and nickel and dime you with amenities. Don't know what they think full hookups mean when they advertise full hookups and then in restrictions want more money for electricity or water or AC's. They must think RV'ers are stupid. By the time you pay for all the extras you are back to full price. I use a rule of thumb that as long as I don't pay more than 70% of the regular advertised non-PA member rate I'm still ahead. Very seldom do you really get the full 50% discount. Every little bit helps.
Bottom Line; PA membership is a good deal if you have the latitude to plan around restrictions or localities. Obviously if you don't travel often and in areas where PA members are located it won't do you much good. The eastern states and parts of the mid-west are not too favorable for finding PA Member Parks.
We use the PA on the "when available" plan. We like Cable and wifi so it makes it harder to find Pa Parks with the amenities, but if it's cost effective and only 1 night we make the sacrifice. lots of times the PA parks are also Good Sam or KOA. Makes it nice to get the lower rate. I know we should get satellite TV, but I honestly don't have any place to put the dish and I hate contracts (use TracFone cell to avoid contracts).
I have noticed that lots of RV Parks don't advertise on their office or billboard the fact that they are PA members (looking for the higher camping fee) but, I use the PA Directory to identify them. I always ask if they are PA members before filling out the register. Sometimes they have dropped out of the program.
I noticed the PA member RV Park in Naples, FL has changed their restrictions in the new PA Directory (17th edition). They now exclude Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar. Maybe they didn't like my review in www.RVparkreviews.com. I don't mind restrictions as long as I know up front. Just need to plan ahead and go to the PA member parks that have the least restrictions or restrictions that don't impact your plans. I try to avoid parks that exclude electricity or water and nickel and dime you with amenities. Don't know what they think full hookups mean when they advertise full hookups and then in restrictions want more money for electricity or water or AC's. They must think RV'ers are stupid. By the time you pay for all the extras you are back to full price. I use a rule of thumb that as long as I don't pay more than 70% of the regular advertised non-PA member rate I'm still ahead. Very seldom do you really get the full 50% discount. Every little bit helps.
Bottom Line; PA membership is a good deal if you have the latitude to plan around restrictions or localities. Obviously if you don't travel often and in areas where PA members are located it won't do you much good. The eastern states and parts of the mid-west are not too favorable for finding PA Member Parks.
