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Gren, have a look at  both websites.  Basically both offer a discount on the 'normal' campsite tariff.  With ACSI Card you pay either 10, 12, 14, or 16 euros per night and that includes pitch, two adults, car and caravan, awning and electricity.  You buy the ACSI books, and included is a detachable card, which you present when you book in at reception, and tell them you want the ACSI rate.

With Camping Cheques you pay £13.95 up front for your Camping Cheques, each, either as a paper version or 'electronically' on a Silver or Gold Card.   Each Camping Cheque pays for a night on site.

With both schemes some sites offer 7 nights for 6, 14 nights for 11, or even 30 nights for 20.

Take a look at the Els Ports at Arens, in Spain, which I've mentioned in another thread.  The normal site price is around 25 euros for the pitch, two adults, etc., but with the ACSI card it's just 10 euros per night - and the special offer is 30 nights for 20.

There are some sites which are open all year, but have a look at the websites, and make sure that enough sites which accept ACSI or Camping Cheques are open in the areas you want to visit.

The object of both is to fill up their pitches out of season and both provide a good site guide and map.  They are very convenient if you just wish to turn up without booking ( which is rarely needed out of season )

Many sites do now let you pre-book if you wish.  If this is your first time abroad you may feel more comfortable doing so.

Personally, we take both Camping Cheques and the ACSI card to get the best of both worlds.  The Camping Cheques are valid for 2 years so you can always spend any left over next year.

Just one thing to be aware of.  Depending on the time of year you are going, camp sites that are open all year on the route down are few and far between.

Go for it !

DaveS1

Given the modest cost of the ACSI Card its almost a no brainer not to take one. Camping Cheques are a little more difficult to quantify because you are committed to buying them in advance and you may well not use them. OK I appreciate that you can by them online whilst you are away. Perhaps best to have a rough outline of the sites you think you might use to judge the usefulness of both schemes. Don't forget also that some campsites offer considerable discounts for longs stays. Just be aware that the ACSI Card is valid for a calender so if you are away over new years you will need to obtain a new one to carry on using it from 1st January onwards.

David