Beware KOA National Cancellation Policies

[yellowwing]

I'm guessing that the writer of the complaint has never run a small business as their SOLE means of support.

I have stayed at many KOA's over the years and have almost 100% good experiences. Remember also that many of these locations are seasonal and the owners must make 100% of their annual income in less than 12 busy months.
As a community WE should be grateful that some people make the effort
to keep these places open.

They are in the hospitality business and THAT is not easy money.

[mike.t]

It seems that not only KOA but lots of companies that has franchises's that is how they work. The company puts the blame on them and they say sorry it's a company policy. Another way to deceive the public.

[ben31]

All campgrounds, even State Parks have some kind of cancellation policies (and associated charges). I simply chalk it up to changing plans. I like to have reservations, so I make them - knowing I will be charged if I cancel it.

Sorry you had a bad experience, but it is part of the life. If you don't want cancellation charges, don't make reservations.

[jgriffin7]

I love KOA, never a problem that couldn't be resolved. If you haven't stayed at KOA in Durant, OK (Choctaw Casino), then you haven't seen the best of the best.

[poppytoymaker]

Don't forget you also get points. i didn't know about that until I stayed at a KOA in Ga in Nov. the person billing me at the desk told me I had an additional $20.00 in points.

[NMWildcat]

koa has taken over several parks in our area and at first we were excited. Some were very nice parks already and others needed some work and we thought koa would fix them up. As far as we can tell all they did was change the sign and increase the price... A lot. Absolutely no improvements. Very disappointed.

[mike.t]

KOA Seligman AZ. What a beaut.

[keeprr]

I traveled to six different KOA's this year and found everyone of them helpful, clean and well kept. East Tennessee KOA went out of their way to help us as our Truck was in the repair shop 9 days and the KOA owners kept shuffling their reservation to accommodate us as we had no easy to move our rig.

[satdog01]

Have typically avoided KOA because of price, typically over $50 per night. Other complaint is the few I have checked out are too close to the highway! On the other hand do take grands out to one near by because they have hayrides, fishing and outdoor movies for kids in summer months! Just have to check before you reserve. Good place to stay to get off the road after full day of driving, just ask for site furthest from road noise!

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by bikendan

There's a reason KOA is called "Keep On Adding".
In 30+ years of camping, we have never nor will we ever stay at any KOA.

Around there parts, KOA gas a worse reputation than Camping World.

KOA is referred to Krud Ground if America.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by bruane

Beware KOA National Cancellation Policies as they are overriden by local Franchise rules. I just had a two time experience at the Myrtle Beach KOA. The first time was OK except although the the campsite was 80% empty I was parked next to a semi derelict trailer with flat tyres. Not a welcoming sight when you look out first thing in the mornng.
The second planned visit two weeks later had to be cancelled. I looked at the National cancellation policy and it said that it had to be done in not less than two days before and that there was a $10 cancellation charge. I phoned the Myrtle beach KOA and thay said the charge was $25 and that was their policy take it or leave it. The National KOA washed their hands of it and said it was up to the local KOA Franchisee and that they did post their cancellation policy! I looked and there was a small button on the booking screen that is easily missed and when one looked the screen that comes up reiterates the National policy Web screen except they add a line at the bottom in a smaller font to say that they charge $25. Deceitful at best and anti consumer deception at worst.
I'm washing my hands of KOA. They send regular entreaties to renew their membership. I use them as they are convenient while travelling to my final destination but I find many are run down and are nearly as expensive as staying at Days Inn or Super 8 which are comfortable and take the dog.
State Parks are the best with better sites and facilities and are geared to real RV snowbirds!
One wonders what the value of KOA National Policies are as its obvious they have little control over their Franchises and their standards.

Back in the 70s and 80s a KOA was near the top of our list. Now near the bottom. Most were built when RVs were smaller and slides a rarity. Few pull through sites. Most have upgraded to 50 amp but some have not gone farther. Prices are high. Would work for an overnight if prices not higher than most others along the interstates.

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by bikendan

There's a reason KOA is called "Keep On Adding".
In 30+ years of camping, we have never nor will we ever stay at any KOA.

Agreed. Stayed one time in Leavenworth (you know where that is) on Icicle Creek. It was a pretty nice campground but wouldn't have stayed there had it not been for several friends wanting to do so on an annual business conference.

Here in the states of Washington and Oregon we have pretty nice state campgrounds and the prices, I think, are reasonable. They have discounts and free camping for some folks (I'm a disabled combat veteran so I get those free trips, although I do opt in for the additional vehicle license fee to support parks).

[lbrjet]

We have stayed at about 75 KOA's (about 1/3rd of our total campgrounds) across the country only two didn't have pull thru sites. I always know I can get a pull through full hookup which is what we use 99 percent of the time. They are very easy to do business with online as well. If I have to pay a bit more to get what I want then it is my choice. I could care less about what others think of KOA's or any other campground. I don't read any campgrounds reviews period because I prefer to make up my own mind where I will stay, not based on others biases.


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

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

We have stayed at about 75 KOA's (about 1/3rd of our total campgrounds) across the country only two didn't have pull thru sites. I always know I can get a pull through full hookup which is what we use 99 percent of the time. They are very easy to do business with online as well. If I have to pay a bit more to get what I want then it is my choice. I could care less about what others think of KOA's or any other campground. I don't read any campgrounds reviews period because I prefer to make up my own mind where I will stay, not based on others biases.


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

Your choice, your wallet. If you ever get out this way Michigan, try the Toledo North KOA. You might change your opinion of KOA campgrounds.

[OscarsMom2]

Last summer we stayed overnight at the Albany-Corvallis KOA in Oregon on our way to the Coast. We've stayed several times overnight because of its location. We will never stay there again. They are overpriced for a site that is right next to the neighbors and it's not well maintained. It looks like it has turned into a trashy trailer park.

[txredfish]

I don't stay at the overpriced KOA unless they are the last place. All seem more pricy than others in the area.

[itat]

We've always had good luck with KOAs up here in Canada. The website for each CG provides representative pics and you can decide based on the info on their website, including price and cancellation policy, if you want to book with them. I've never stayed at a KOA that I felt was misrepresented by their website although the one in North Sydney, NS didn't have a fire pit. They've always been friendly. They can be pricey but there are a lot of poorly maintained CGs out there. The well maintained private parks are equally pricey and have much steeper cancellation penalties. We tend to alternate between KOAs and provincial parks.

[santarich]

Because the cost to camp at a KOA is so high, if I need to stop overnight, I look for a Motel 6 to stay for the one night!

[Mstrshop1]

Have not had to stay at KOA last 3 years but for those looking for one night stands look at Boondockers welcome, we are host and have stayed with other host around country. the only one we paid at was 12.00 per day and that was for full hook-up. we could have stayed for free with no hookups (over night) but we needed to stay a week so was glad to pay the price. we have meet several very nice people that have stayed 1 or 2 nights with us
Chris

[John Hagen]

We have stayed at quite a few KOAs, but mostly when grandkids are traveling too. They are over priced, but I do it for the kids.

What I don't understand is why it costs to cancel a reservation... I don't care if it is a KOA or another campground. I fail to understand why they have the desire to charge me for something I was unable to use. If I call and say my plans have changed, why would I have to pay? I'm not talking about a last minute, same day change. I am talking days or weeks in advance. Motel's don't do it. Airlines charge for everything now-a-days. Yes, everyone needs to make money.

Personally, I think the policy in general is totally unfair.

Ok, fire the darts at me...

John