Good Sam - still worth it?

[Beachbourbon]

Hi everyone,

I researched and read the Good Sam threads here, but since they are from way back in 2013-2014 and earlier,I thought I’d create a new one. Those threads seem to have a consensus that Good Sam is worth it, is this still the case?

We just joined because the one year membership paid for itself, but I’m not sure this will always be the case. Although I like the campground discounts, they only seem to work for pricey private parks and not county, state and national parks. Additionally, these private parks also take AAA for the same discount.

We like the discounts at Camping World and free shipping on orders of $49 or more. This alone may pay for future membership fees, but Amazon is stiff competition.

What benefits do you find make Good Sam worthwhile?

[koller1509]

I get enough discounts at campgrounds to pay for the membership several times over in a year.

[aceinspp]

I see no real benefit anymore . Just keep sending a lot of stuff wanting you to buy this and that. I don't go to CW much at all. Only thing is the GS cg discounts. I'm a life member and did it years ago when it was cheap. Then it was all about camping and meeting folks not no more they lost contact with reality. Had I known all this was to happen I'd never bought the Life time membership. Later RJD

[KyDan]

You summed it up nicely right here-
>We just joined because the one year membership paid for itself, but I’m not sure this will always be the case. Although I like the campground discounts, they only seem to work for pricey private parks and not county, state and national parks.<

It depends on where you stay. Obviously it only works if you actually stay in GS camp grounds. If you tend more to state and national parks then save your money.

GS also gets you a 5¢/ gal discount at certain truck stops.

Some years we save a few bucks with GS, some years we loose...

[NMWildcat]

I still enjoy our membership and it still more than pays for itself.

I mainly use the fuel and dump discounts at Flying J/Pilot as well as discounts on anything you buy inside. The RV Plus card works well for us.

The discounts at RV parks and Camping World are alright but we don't use them much. I do enjoy perusing the CW wish lists we get in the mail

Also use their website when planning trips and go to an occasional rally.

Overall it's just a good group with decent benefits.

[aceinspp]

Well I did forget I get the $.06 a gal off gas. Later RJD

[Beachbourbon]

Is the discount on propane at camping World worthwhile?

[MilCop4523]

I purchased the life time sub. years ago under their military program. the roadside assistance is worthless though IMO when they cannot locate a tow truck company within an hour and 24 hour response for a tire change. I located a garage 1 mile down the road.

[Stlcaly]

Since you can always negotiate a deal for extra months or years when you get close to expiration, and the gas discounts are real, at least along the interstates, and face it CW does carry some stuff that is worth it, I keep my membership active

[Roberte52]

IMHO.......NO!

[Stlcaly]

Nice constructive answer, real helpful

[camaraderie]

IMHO...absolutely...pays for itself many times over for us in CG prices and flyingJ/Pilot gas discounts and propane. The other major benefit to me is the on line trip planner which is only accessible to members and is terriffic if you are going on extended trips and want to plot the trips and nightly stops and know where things are in relation to your destination.
I rarely shop at Camping World since even with the discount I can generally find cheaper...but it is convenient when on the road if I need something NOW or need a bit of service (NOTHING FANCY!) with a discount.
I also get my RV insurance through them and I have my RV Road Service ...both of which are comparatively good deals to other choices...but I always check!

[kawac14]

bought the two year membership for $50 and it came with a $25 camping world gift certificate. We spent that on something we were already planning to buy so the net cost was 12.50 per year. We have saved that much on pilot and flying j gas.

[jrmorris]

I have been a member for years and say it is worth it. I use the Good Sam credit card and build up the points for the $100 gift card at camping world. Am waiting for $200 right now. Of course I pay off the balance as fast as I use it. The interest rate is outrageous. The other discounts more than pay for the membership.

[rlh1957]

The roadside assistance and whistles and bells are great on paper, and good when you can get the service. They have problems locating a service that can come assist you, or perhaps the service doesn't want to mess with GS.

[jimmoore13]

It really depends if you use it or not.
1) Campground discounts? NO I boondock exclusively.
2) Product discounts and free shipping? NO Amazon Prime offers many of the same items. If I were looking for a hydraulic leveling system installed, I might reconsider and buy the membership to get the OTO discount on a pricey item.
3) Fuel discounts? NO I don't go long distances. I live where other people dream of camping (Rocky Mountains) so I don't need to go far.
4) Repairs, etc. at CW? As a personal choice, I would not buy or seek repairs at CW.

NONE OF THOSE DISQUALIFY THE VALUE TO OTHERS. They simply illustrate why a Good Sam membership is not a bargain for all. As they say, "your mileage will vary."

[RLHAMILTON]

In my opinion, definitely not.

[Hoffwmn]

I had 2 bad experiences with the roadside assistance and gave that up. I love the trip planner, campground discounts and gas savings at Pilot/Flying J. So I’m sticking with them.

[EDABEUT]

I have been a member for many years only to get the discount for parts at Camping World. Now with Amazon Prime most parts are cheaper but the real difference is even with free shipping from both I get the order next day from Amazon. Last order from Camping World took 6 days. So this is the first year I will not be renewing my GS membership and the money will go towards my Prime membership. I also have the GS extended warranty I have not used and the roadside assistance I have used at least twice a year. It seems to be the only thing worth renewing now to me. I hope the next time my 15k Dometic A/C goes out I can use the extended warranty to justify having it.

[Trawlerphil]

So far, it makes sense for us in fuel and campground discounts, but I do wish they had a switch in their database to eliminate all the junk mail. I quit AARP because of junk mail and it took years to dry up.