Now I am not knocking the ACSI CampingCard scheme, as of course I am a subscriber, but choose to hand over my ACSI card to folk who go of peak.
Anyway the fact is that we can all see what the ACSI CampingCard is all about, it's purley another form of marketing, ACSI CampingCard campsites no doubt pay a hefty fee to be in the scheme, or maybe they pay a fee based on how many ACSI CampingCard users they have visit there campsite each year, and maybe even the duration of each stay is factured in.
So this scheme is a win win, the participating campsites have punters directed to them through the incentive of discounted tariffs, and the campers pay a cheap rate.
So who are the losers, the none participating ACSI none CampingCard campsites you might think, not so many campsites in France offer rates out of season as good as ACSI CampingCard if not better. but in theory as a campsite offering ACSI CampingCard you may stand a better chance of pulling in more punters, but there again your higher of peak rates may push none ACSI CampingCard users to use other cheaper campsites, who knows.
So there we go ACSI CampingCard a clever bit of marketing, nothing wrong with that at all.
Post last edited on 05/11/2012 10:09:43
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So in fact, David, you're confirming that on some ACSI sites you do get a slightly inferior deal - ie, lower ampage - unless you're prepared to pay extra! Admittedly, another 1.50 euros a night isn't much, and according to the rules the basic ACSI allowance is only 6 amps, but the fact is that most sites are rather more generous and don't discriminate between ACSI and non-ACSI guests, and these are the sites I prefer. Unfortunately it doesn't always point out the difference in the ACSI book.
Don't know how but I have always known that both Camping Cheques and ACSI sites offer the base pitch and 6 amp as standard and that you may have to pay to upgrade to a superior pitch. That is why I always look carefully at the average pitch size. I suspect Natterersee is not a good example as its always busy and during our stay in mid June, for a week, it was full every night when we were there. I had previously researched the site and knew what their pricing structure was re the size of pitch so I was not surprised. The ACSI DVD states that pitches are between 60 and 155 sq mts, with the largest pitches having a €4.50 surcharge. We would not have got on a base pitch with our van anyway especially if we wanted the Caravanstore out and the car on pitch, although there is some parking off pitch. It cost us £18, including local taxes, a night to stay at Natterersee which is still a lot cheaper than most Caravan Club sites we stay at and I doubt there is a Caravan Club site set in such superb scenery. As to whether you get an inferior deal that very much depends on the site, I went to Natterersee knowing I would have to upgrade to a larger pitch so I didn't see it that way. I still think that the term 'Scrag end pitch' is way out of line with the reality. As I said we have used dozens of ACSI sites across Europe and on the majority we have been able to select our own pitch. The exceptions have usually been at the end of the high season or during the German school holidays when the sites are full anyway and the choice of pitches have been limited
Yep, will I ever be forgiven for using the term "scrag end" at least it did provoke a debate of a kind, and from that came some very helpfull information.
Fact is I have yet to come accross any other campers out side of this forum, that have even ever heard of ACSI let alone the CampingCard scheme.
So the more mentions ACSI gets, all the better imho.
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That's probably because you're peak season campers, Francais - everyone I know who camps or caravans in low season has heard of ACSI - and almost everyone (apart from the odd full-paying couples) is using either one or other of the discounts when we're away.
We went to a meeting with lots of other caravanners a couple of weeks ago and everyone there used either ACSI or Camping Cheques - but to be fair they were all 'of a certain age!'
Our 'notional' savings of 250 euros in May/June this year helped us stock up on enough wine to last quite a long time, so I'm quite happy with the ACSI rates too!
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 05/11/2012
Yep, will I ever be forgiven for using the term "scrag end" at least it did provoke a debate of a kind, and from that came some very helpfull information.
Fact is I have yet to come accross any other campers out side of this forum, that have even ever heard of ACSI let alone the CampingCard scheme.
So the more mentions ACSI gets, all the better imho.
Francais
I might forgive you but only because you provide such excellent information elsewhere
On a more serious note I suspect there is a difference in mind set between those that have to camp in the main season and those legions of us that are able to camp in the low season and can take advantage of such schemes as ACSI and Camping Cheques. You are right that there are lots of people that don't know about either of the two main schemes but I suspect they don't belong to caravan forums either!!! The fact that we are discussing it here must have meant that someone new now has the information. We met a couple in the Dordogne who had paid double what we had paid using Camping Cheques. When talking to people I often show them a copy of my ACSI book. I suppose the truth is that if people able to go in the low season are still only able to have a two week holiday then the price difference in most cases won't be massive but if you are away 6 weeks or more, as Val says it pays for the wine!!!
As from April next year my wife and I will fortunately (if we get there!) be in a position to take off camping as and when we want, we should therefore be able to take off in low season Sept/Oct and take advantage of some great savings using ACSI membership. We are newcomers to camping in Europe as we have never had flexibility being tied to set holiday periods. There are two sites in the Valais area of Switzerland that we have had a look around whilst on holiday (not Camping) The membership gives great discount even on their best low season rates so we will give it a go. ACSI membership is very cheap so we cant expect too much or complain if things are not at "top drawer"
Thanks to everyone who has contributed I being that "someone new" who has benefited from the disscusion
Quote: Originally posted by iwalani on 03/11/2012
The worst instance of this was Natterersee in Austria, where the pitches available to ACSI card users were so small we quite literally couldn't have got our caravan on, never mind our car! To add insult to injury the ACSI pitches only had 6-amp electricity whereas all the others had 16-amp.
We had No Problems at Nattersee last year, We had the last available Pitch, but it had 16 Amp Elec, TV Hookup, on Pitch Water. The Pitch was possibly smaller than some, but a good size.
Our experience has been pretty much the same as David's, mainly a free choice of pitches, often able to upgrade to a serviced pitch for extra payment, and sometimes able to pay extra for more amps.
At Natterersee we upgraded to a serviced pitch for 1 euro per night, our van would not have fitted on the basic pitch. They could see this and immediately offered the larger, serviced pitch.
The only place we have had restricted choice was at Camping Arneitz near Villach in Austria. The ACSI pitches were in 2 areas, we chose the sunny area further from the toilets, but as it was a serviced pitch at no extra cost, this did not matter.
We have found the low amp EHUs are invariably found in the hotter countries....Italy and France. In France we were able to upgrade at a small extra cost a couple of times, in Italy the ampages were fixed.
Where more than 6 amps is standard, consumption may be metered and if you use over 4KWH per day you can be charged extra. This is quite common in Germany and Austria, and the KWHs are VERY expensive!
We have been using the ACSI card since 2007, spending between 2 and 4 months touring every year, we must have saved several hundreds of euros.
Quote: Originally posted by soapyagm on 05/11/2012
As from April next year my wife and I will fortunately (if we get there!) be in a position to take off camping as and when we want, we should therefore be able to take off in low season Sept/Oct and take advantage of some great savings using ACSI membership. We are newcomers to camping in Europe as we have never had flexibility being tied to set holiday periods. There are two sites in the Valais area of Switzerland that we have had a look around whilst on holiday (not Camping) The membership gives great discount even on their best low season rates so we will give it a go. ACSI membership is very cheap so we cant expect too much or complain if things are not at "top drawer"
Thanks to everyone who has contributed I being that "someone new" who has benefited from the disscusion
Many thanks to all
A tip for Switzerland.....make sure you have a Swiss adapter if using EHU. Many of their sites do not yet use the standard system. Sites may have adapters to lend out, but do not depend on it.
------------- Jennifer
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Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: ACSI Discount Card
