Reserve America and Active.com......

jtjohnston1970 · 02-12-2015, 10:06 AM

I made 2 reservations with Reserve America for Louisiana State Park camping spots, Reserve America is the only way we can do that now. Anyway, I see that I have gotten a 64.95 charge on my card from Active.com. When googling it I found out that they are a partner company of Reserve America and I was entered automatically in a one month free trial that I had to cancel or it would auto bill at 64.95. I didnt see this but could have missed it. I have my bank working on refunding the charges now. if you google active.com there are pages and pages of them scamming folks, be aware.

Bunkhouse · 02-12-2015, 10:13 AM

Thanks for that heads-up!

00buck · 02-12-2015, 10:21 AM

These people are bottom feeders. $9+ to make a one night reservation for $22. You have to read everything on the reservation page. There is often fine print with opt outs that will cost you money if you miss them. They did the same thing to me. I called them, melted the phone lines, and had the charge removed. It's a shame that this company has a lock on so many campgrounds.

Still Kickin · 02-12-2015, 10:36 AM

Reserve America reservations for the vast majority of US camping locations are all handled from a call center in; guess?

whitmw · 02-12-2015, 11:14 AM

I think we need to start complaining about Reserve America. Any one know who? Their fees are high and thats the only way you can make advanced reservations now at just about any public park. The little scam with adding a freebee at the bottom is just deceptive.

DreiHunde · 02-12-2015, 12:16 PM

Interesting...Did you call in to make the reservation or use the website?
The reason I ask is that I've made 3 reservations(one was made yesterday) thru the website for SC & NC State campgrounds and never had an issue. I couldn't find anything about reservation fees on the website but looking back at my reciepts the reservation fees were $3 twice (1 night $22.00 both times) and $6.40 once (5 nights S118.10 ) so they must be prorated and may even have different fees for different campgrounds. Now, I don't like "reservation/convienence fees" when you have no choice, but considering FANDAGO is $2.00 a movie ticket, I guess this is in line with others. As far as the "ACTIVE" issue I've never had any charges or subscription from Active showing up on my credit cards. I got burned by a similar thing I few years ago so I am always on the look out for those "freebies".

jtjohnston1970 · 02-12-2015, 12:29 PM

it took a month to show up on my card, I would advise you to goto active.com and hit the sign in page. Then pick forgot my password and log into active dot com like that and see if you have an account and if it is set to auto bill.

DreiHunde · 02-12-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtjohnston1970

it took a month to show up on my card, I would advise you to goto active.com and hit the sign in page. Then pick forgot my password and log into active dot com like that and see if you have an account and if it is set to auto bill.

Nope....no account shows up. Two of my reservations were made over two months ago.
Good idea though to keep an eye on it!

Old car · 02-12-2015, 12:49 PM

I've never had an issue with making reservations through Reserve America. A lot of Corp parks use them and we prefer state parks and corp parks. Most states have a "process fee" as well so I just consider it part of the overall camping fee.

FIVE2MH · 02-12-2015, 01:03 PM

Never a problem either. Thanks for the warning!

WrongWayRandall · 02-12-2015, 01:52 PM

I've seen that before when making reservations, but I don't recall exactly how it shows up on the page. You can opt out of the active membership before you make the reservation on the main site, you just have to check all the content on the page to make sure that the active.com membership is not part of your 'order'. It's a pain in the rear, but that's how the Internet works a lot of the time...

- Randy

**Flybob** · 02-12-2015, 02:14 PM

Many states use RA to process their reservations as it is less expensive than paying a full time staff for a few months during busy season. Some states, including Maryland, specifically prohibit RA from using the auto opt in to third party offers while processing reservations for their state. Rather than call RA who obviously is profiting from this scam, call yourf State Park Service and complain to them If they receive enough complaints, they will have this removed while making reservations at state facilities.

DreiHunde · 02-12-2015, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

Many states use RA to process their reservations as it is less expensive than paying a full time staff for a few months during busy season. Some states, including Maryland, specifically prohibit RA from using the auto opt in to third party offers while processing reservations for their state. Rather than call RA who obviously is profiting from this scam, call yourf State Park Service and complain to them If they receive enough complaints, they will have this removed while making reservations at state facilities.

Very good point and that may be why I'm not seeing that here in NC!

Gilm2113 · 02-12-2015, 02:26 PM

We don't see it Idaho either. So far that is, but I do agree that the "processing" fee seems high. With my Inter Agency Senior Pass the fees are higher than the nightly fee.

RPAspey · 02-12-2015, 03:30 PM

One has to be careful as once you make a reservation on RA, there's a screen that asks you to confirm your address. On that screen it also says you're eligible for trial subscription of certain magazines (popular science is one). So, if you click on "confirm" you also are signing up for the trial subscription. If you hit "no thanks" it'll take you back to the confirmation page and all is well. BTW, you must write a note to unsubscribe to this trial before you get charged!

Vern · 02-12-2015, 04:00 PM

We have used Reserve America (as one must) for Indiana State Park reservations for a few years. I don't recall any troubles or weird charges. System has always worked smooth as silk without any concerns.

rbq · 02-12-2015, 04:07 PM

I have used this website numerous times & never any problems. My suggestion is that you use a good antivirus software & run it on your computer. It appears that you could have malware mooching off of you that may actually have nothing to do with reserve america.

mlangdn · 02-12-2015, 04:18 PM

I've used Reserve America for a few years now without incident, but not yet this year. I'll make sure and keep an eye out for Active.com. Thanks for the info.

RPAspey · 02-12-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbq

I have used this website numerous times & never any problems. My suggestion is that you use a good antivirus software & run it on your computer. It appears that you could have malware mooching off of you that may actually have nothing to do with reserve america.

No, its not malware, I've seen it on different PC's. My buddy made reservations and he got it too. Maybe it has something to do with NY parks? I think I've only used RA with NY state parks.

**Flybob** · 02-12-2015, 05:47 PM

It is not malware. If it is a money making scheme used by RA. As I mentioned, some state park systems specifically prohibit them from including it in their contracts with RA when making reservations at their parks. Apparently NY does not prohibit it.

You may also like: