Age Discount or Good Sam or Another

[DanandDonna]

Hi All,

I am looking for a little input from all the campers out there that have reached senior status. I am fast approaching the ripe young age of 65 and was wondering what kind of senior discounts are offered to those of us that are 65 or older. I am also wondering about join a group like Good Sam and whether you feel it is worth it or not. Thanks in advance for all your help.

[B&T]

Most times i just check out the AARP site and/or just Google "senior discounts" to see whats available, and sometimes just ask at a store.

Good Sam is ok if you actually use it for camping discounts and discounts at camping world, just depends on ones lifestyle i guess. We lucked out when the CEO, Marcus sold us a GS Lifetime membership for $20 at a Camping World grand opening.

[Festus2]

If you are talking about "camping/travel" discounts for seniors, they vary from region to region and from country to country. Many State and National Parks offer discounts for seniors at certain times of the year but you have to be a resident of that State or an American citizen - which makes me ineligible.

You would be eligible for a discount in our BC Provincial Parks - again at certain times of the year.....usually the OFF season.

You need to check out the residency/citizenship laws - don't assume that because you are 65, you automatically qualify.

I belong to Good Sam, not because of the 10% discount you might get at a Good Sam Park (if you pay by cash), but because of their Emergency Road Service Program. It's better IMO than BCAA or other auto insurance companies here in BC/Canada. It also qualifies me for the "discount" at CW......mmmmm

[dirt33]

The Good Sam membership pays for itself pretty quick if you camp very often at all. I made the cost up within two weekends of camping. I like getting the discount at CW also.

[JRTJH]

Don't forget that the CW membership also includes a Pilot/FlyingJ fuel discount as well. I believe it's 3 cents for gas and 5 cents for diesel.

[DanandDonna]

Thanks for the input much appreciated and after talking with some campers last weekend and not getting a 10 percent discount at the campground we were at have decided to go ahead and join Good Sam.

Again thanks all much appreciated!!!

[Bob Landry]

As far as senior discounts in state parks, some states do it, Arkansas being one. Out of state seniors do not get as good a break as in state people, but they do get a break. Check it out state by state. You may be surprised.
The National Park Senior pass is the most beneficial IMO. Not only does it get you free admission in the national parks and some campsite discounts, it also gets you into the USACOE parks all over the country and the RV sites will be half price. We never go to a state park any more since the most I pay per night at a COE park has been $13. Most ll of the COE parks have FHU except sewer, but for #13 a night, I can learn how to conserve water.

[JRTJH]

The National Park Senior Pass is an excellent benefit, however it is only available to US citizens. Our neighbors to the north unfortunately are not eligible to apply for the NPSP.

[bsmith0404]

I've been wondering about the Good Sam membership as well. I'm a member, but have to admit that I have not used any of the benefits of membership yet. I don't have a Flying J or Pilot in my area that is convenient for me to get fuel, I typically don't shop camping world that often, and I have found that my military discount is offered at more parks and is usually the same or better than GS. I also have not had a need to use the roadside assistance. Are there other benefits to the GS membership that I'm missing out on?

Getting ready to move soon, there is a CW just down the road from me, that may lead to taking advantage of that discount more often.

[Festus2]

Brent -
If you go to the Good Sam websie (www.goodsamclub.com), you can browse through a listing of their benefits ( Why Join?) and a description of each. With your military discounts, becoming a GS member may not be all that beneficial. Membership fees also apply so their services and benefits are not "free".

[JRTJH]

Also consider that Good Sam has a "lifetime membership" that is available to military members/retirees at a substantial discount. Buying the "once and forget it" lifetime membership with the military discount at a relatively "young age" gives the member a substantial advantage over buying an annual membership. Look at the options from both sides and consider if "doing it once" may or may not benefit your personal situation.

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Brent -
If you go to the Good Sam websie (www.goodsamclub.com), you can browse through a listing of their benefits ( Why Join?) and a description of each. With your military discounts, becoming a GS member may not be all that beneficial. Membership fees also apply so their services and benefits are not "free".

I find I rejoin when I am at the store buying stuff. The savings pays for the membership fees, but then I let it lapse until the next time I am in the US and buying stuff.

Get lots of mail reminders from them on it, but unless I am in the US, I don't see a point. If I am buying RV stuff online, Amazon seems cheaper.

[bsmith0404]

Well I looked at it a bit closer, I can get a lifetime membership for about the same cost of buying a yearly membership for 12 consecutive years. Of course the annual price will go up so call it 8-10 years to pay for itself that way. The biggest advantage for me is the Flying J/Pilot fuel savings. The difference between annual and lifetime is 2-3 cents per gallon. I typically buy my fuel there when traveling. Now that I'm getting ready to retire, we will be on the road much more. My guess is I can pay for the price of a lifetime membership instead of an annual in 3-4 years. BTW, the fuel discount is off of the cash price with the RV Plus charge card.

[dhn]

You might call stop by a Camping World store and see if they are doing any promotions for joining or renewing a Good Sam membership. The last time I was in they offered me a $10.00 discount on what I bought and a $10.00 gift certificate in the mail, to use later.

[bsmith0404]

I can actually get a free military membership.....they don't advertise that too well when they send the crap in the mail or when you are at the store. Found it on-line.