Beware KOA National Cancellation Policies

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Too bad one has to read the "fine print" to discover the true costs for doing business with KOA. We were surprised with unexpected additional charges at the last few KOAs we stayed at. And sure enough, the charges were detailed on their webpage, but hidden in the many pages of fine print instead of being clearly stated with the rest of the charges on the reservation costs page. That is deceitful and one of the several reasons we now avoid these parks.

I am not a KOA camper or supporter. Every KOA has the right to have a different pet policy than the "National" policy. It is on the Camper to know that policy. It doesn't make them deceitful.

COULD or SHOULD it be listed better...sure it could.
I am just saying a mistake was made. Heck I have made similar mistakes.

[5picker]

I have to disagree with the OP.

It isn't hidden, it isn't deceiving it isn't mired in fine print.
It is right there for all to see.

Below is a screen shot of me going to the 'National' web site and following the links to make reservations at the MB KOA.

It CLEARLY STATES at the bottom of the page about the $25 cancellation policy. (again, by going there from the 'National' site)

What is there to not understand?

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I'll bet they don't leave a BLACK light on for ya!

Take your own black light next time you're in the Super 8 and you won't be able to get back to that KOA in your OWN campers' bed fast enough!

This reminds me of far too many crimes I investigated.

[KyDan]

Added charges aren't just KOA.

I'm in the process of figuring stops on our next big adventure.
Some CGs have a "rates" tab that tells the daily, weekly, monthly, etc rate and it might even say "includes tax".
Great!
Others give a rate and say + tax but those rarely ever say what the tax is.
That's what gets me! Some states or localities have really high tourist taxes and some don't.
If they're going to say + tax it would only take a few more electrons to actually tell me what the tax is!
Of course they almost all have toll free numbers to call but if I'm surfing the net looking for bargains it's extra nice to click and get the actual full price.

[CaptnJohn]

Many CGs have a cancellation policy of 1 nights fee. I'm OK with that. It is almost always stated at the time reservations are made BY PHONE.
When my daughters were young a KOA fit our needs. Now we have outgrown what they provide. We often stay at more expensive CGs than a KOA simply because of what is offered. I may stay at a KOA in the future but it will likely be due to an emergency/location if at all. Surely they must recover the franchise fees. The NC GS has had the annual rally at a Jellystone CG, much nicer than many KOAs and less expensive too.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by bruane

Yes this is hidden behind at the head of the page which has a reiteration of the "National" policy which is $10. This is tagged on at the end in a smaller font and the $25 line is the last line in this iteration. Deceitful at best and decidely consumer unfriendly and all hidden behind a small button thats easily missed on the booking page.

I mostly agree with you. I looked at the cancellation policy on the KOA app for this campground and it does say $10 at the beginning. You have to scroll to the end to find the $25. I would say it is misleading, but it is clearly $25 in other places like on the reservation page and where you agreed with it by making the reservation. Life is short. You burn $15 in fuel every one or two hours getting to a campground. Need to keep things in perspective sometimes.

Simply unite with the KOA bashers club which clearly states in their membership rules that if you have one bad experience with any KOA in the country that you must now avoid all KOA's for the rest of your life. And of course to bash KOA on every thread possible, that is the numero uno.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[5picker]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I mostly agree with you. I looked at the cancellation policy on the KOA app for this campground and it does say $10 at the beginning. You have to scroll to the end to find the $25. I would say it is misleading, but it is clearly $25 in other places like on the reservation page and where you agreed with it by making the reservation. Life is short. You burn $15 in fuel every one or two hours getting to a campground. Need to keep things in perspective sometimes.

Simply unite with the KOA bashers club which clearly states in their membership rules that if you have one bad experience with any KOA in the country that you must now avoid all KOA's for the rest of your life. And of course to bash KOA on every thread possible, that is the numero uno.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

I agree. And once you join that club, one can live by this philosophy...
"Everything that goes wrong in one's life... is someone else's fault."

There are no accidents anymore, no misunderstandings, no mistakes.
It's easier to just blame someone/something else.

[Herk7769]

Have we sucked the juice out of this lemon yet?

(Also a friendly reminder that class action talk is prohibited on this forum. Solicitations for legal proceedings of any flavor are crash landings and can result in immediate suspension or outright posting ban. This is to protect the Forum owners and is non-negotiable. Additionally, questioning a Moderator action in the open forum is also not permitted; you must follow the adjudication procedure in the posting rules if you have an issue with an action taken by one of our volunteer staff members.)

[B and B]

Right now with Winter upon us I would like to camp anywhere.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by B and B

Right now with Winter upon us I would like to camp anywhere.

Amen.

[CaptnJohn]

Since when did opinion and fact become bashing? I'm happy KOAs are there and wish more people used them to free up places in CGs I'd rather go.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Since when did opinion and fact become bashing? I'm happy KOAs are there and wish more people used them to free up places in CGs I'd rather go.

You said you may stay at a KOA in the future, so by definition that does not make you a basher. We stayed at a large private campground by the Northern CA coast over labor day weekend this year and it was just over half full. I was shocked. There were plenty of spots available for you. The pull throughs there were over 100 feet long and at 52 bucks a night a bargain for CA.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by B and B

I dont RV at KOA to avoid this issue. Seem to be overpriced compared to alternatives available and restrictive on things like this.

x2 ..... VASTLY overpriced.

And they are usually at the intersections of 18 wheeler shift points, railroad crossings, and takeoff patterns.

Actually stayed at one in MA that was assaulted by a horn buoy in the harbor.

[poppytoymaker]

I recently made a trip to Conn. and back by car and I Stayed in name brand motels up and back and the cheapest was a Comfort Inn in VA. Beach, $100 for the night seedy looking clientele and the stains. I'll travel with my own bed and bath and not worry about the $10 or $20. more it might cost me If a KOA is convenient to my route of travel and not worry about bed bugs or something else.

[ronheater70]

Seems the KOA's are hit and miss depending on location from what Im reading here. Kinda like Trucks.. One person can own 3 fords over 15 years with 500k miles between them and no problems, someone else can own two in a row that are nothing but trouble. Everyone has their own experiences I reckon.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

You said you may stay at a KOA in the future, so by definition that does not make you a basher. We stayed at a large private campground by the Northern CA coast over labor day weekend this year and it was just over half full. I was shocked. There were plenty of spots available for you. The pull throughs there were over 100 feet long and at 52 bucks a night a bargain for CA.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

$52 a night is often a bargain anywhere. Even the monthly rate at a nice CG in southern FL is higher than that during Jan & Feb. It would also be a bargain in Gatlinburg TN ~~ in the mountains with nothing around after Sept 15. I've often paid more depending on the season and location. I've paid $85 a night and did not complain if there was reason for the cost and I have felt taken at $37.

[BandJCarm]

They're all always pretty full.

[MarkyB]

$85 would be dirt cheap at any of the CGs close to the beach in the Destin /Fort Walton Beach, FL area as well.

[itat]

Campsite prices should always be lower than the local motel rates because we bring and pay for our own room. As the price of roofed accommodation goes up or down, so should most campsite rates in that same area, RV Resorts being the exception.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by itat

Campsite prices should always be lower than the local motel rates because we bring and pay for our own room. As the price of roofed accommodation goes up or down, so should most campsite rates in that same area, RV Resorts being the exception.

Disagree for a couple of reasons.
1. The acreage for an RV park and ameneties often dictate a higher cost than the local motels...especially if they can build multiple stories and get more bang for their square ft. of real estate. This is particularly true in high rent districts like beaches.
2. Price is ALWAYS a function of supply and demand...and in many places RV parks building has been a tough sell since it is synonymous with trailer parks and "trailer trash" in many locales and zoning boards. Often you can find dozens of hotels all trying to fill their rooms and competing...while the RV park has no competition and a full sign all season leading to higher prices.