ACSI not as good as it seems?

ChazandZoe

ChazandZoe

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Sep 11, 2019
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Only been using ACSI this trip and over half the pitches we have booked so far have not been of an acceptable size to fit our van (7.5m), either that or there are tree branches hanging (or other obstacle) over to stop you manoeuvring. We have then gone on to pay for a bigger pitch, just to have an easy life. Also the pitches aren’t in the best location. Sometimes a better deal to be had contacting site direct. Thoughts?
 
Depends on the site the odd time we have stayed on a site we have had full choice of pitches.
We did stay on one a few weeks ago as we don't need EHU the non ACSI rate was cheaper.
 
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I found particularly in Italy and Croatia that the campsite allocated ACSI rates to certain pitches which were much less appealing than the rest. At the back, furthest from the sea / lake and often next to the service areas or amenity blocks.
I think they may be a little better in France and Spain.
To be honest it doesn't take many nights discount to cover the cost of the card, but as you say, sometimes it's nice to pay a little extra for a nicer pitch.
 
We were offered any choice of pitch at camping Pont d’avignon, any pitch excluding river side at Tremolat but sadly at Massereau , sommieres we were offered only 2 pitches which imo were dreadful snd it was less than half full

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Not used ACSI for a few years. Far better apps that have honest reviews of sites, and the discount system doesn’t interest me, as found most site will do deal, during non peak times.
 
I’ve used ACSI sites in about 10 countries over the past 5+ years and only once have I had to waive the discount to get the pitch of my choice and that was 3 days ago in Italy! In some cases I’ve driven in and then immediately out again of an ACSI site and paid more for somewhere nicer, but that’s rare. For me it works, plenty of choice, ok or better sites and discounted rates. I’m generally touring on the continent this time of year and it strikes me that everywhere is much busier than usual, so sites don’t need to discount. Maybe that’s just because of the route I’m taking which I seem to be sharing with half of the German population?
 
I’ve never experienced this in the years we‘ve been using ACSI in France and Belgium. We’re in France now and on several occasions been told to pick a pitch and come back to check in.
Just been to Le Cormoran in Ravenoville Plage and paid €21 using ACSI and a Dutch couple checked in without and paid €32.
 
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I think if you have a smaller van say 6-7m, life is less stressful on the pitches they assign to you. It is more noticeable in Spain we have found. Also they do stiff you if you have more than one dog, we have just paid 6 euros per night for a farty little jack Russel. However they don’t check, so I might forget to mention I have two farty little jack russels next time.

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We went to a site in Grimaud last September, and we’re told the only pitch left wasn’t ACSI and we had to pay the full price. They said they only had a certain number of allocated ACSI pitches and they had all been taken.

Never heard of that happening before, but the campsites were so full we had to grin and bear it.

We were also told in a few sites that our van size (8m) didn’t qualify for ACSI, even though the ACSI book showed that the sites accepted larger vans. Never experienced that before either.

I think with the number of people using the sites after two years of lockdown, they didn’t need ACSI to bolster their incomes.
 
ChazandZoe said:
Only been using ACSI this trip and over half the pitches we have booked so far have not been of an acceptable size to fit our van (7.5m), either that or there are tree branches hanging (or other obstacle) over to stop you manoeuvring. We have then gone on to pay for a bigger pitch, just to have an easy life. Also the pitches aren’t in the best location. Sometimes a better deal to be had contacting site direct. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Tree Branches:
Part of the 'standard kit' I always carry is a pair of telescopic tree loppers.

I probably use them on about one site in five to clear undergrowth or cut back trees, as the last thing you want is a damaged roof, or branches tapping on your roof all night in a gentle breeze

1684191604097.png


I also carry a pair of secateurs, a small folding bush saw and a hatchet, so a bit of 'industrial gardening' is easy (As is making kindling and chopping wood when camp fires are permitted)
 
Perhaps the ACSI scheme is less attractive to Site Owners now...it was a means to get the Bums on seats. ( Vans on sites) during the slack periods, this may not be the case now. The popularity of motorhoming over the past few years has ensured that the sites are well attended, even during the quieter part of the seasons...
 
A French site owner told me It's expensive for sites to be in ACSI. He came out but still gave us the rate. With the site rates going up every year I wouldn't bother with it now. The cheapest ones used to be €10

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ChazandZoe said:
I have two farty little jack russels next time.
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I only say yes when they ask if I have a dog😁
Been on sites where there have been dogs the size of bears so cannot see why I should pay double for my 2 Jacks.
Went on a site in Germany and I think it was €5 per night for a dog but they never had any dog bins, poo bags or dog shower so obviously just jumping on the Rob the campers band wagon 🤬🤬
 
We make a lot of use of ACSI sites, and rarely have any problems with them. One exception on current trip was a site in Holland, Camping Petrushoeve, in Reuver near Roermond. They don’t tell you in the book or ACSI app, or at any point before paying, but their so-called ACSI pitches are only available for vans up to 6m, (Even though they are plenty big enough for anything short of a liner!). When it comes to paying, they demand an extra €5 if your van is over 6m. Apparently you are expected to have gone to their own website to be aware of this.
It’s quite a nice site, and I don’t mind a bit of honest upselling tbh (we’ve often paid extra for a larger pitch on ACSI sites) but this felt like sharp practice bordering on dishonesty.
 
I’ve used ACSI for about 10 years now and never had a problem anywhere in EU with a van over 8m. Yes I have sometimes paid extra for a nicer pitch or better view.

I’ve just done 8 weeks, totally in Spain, and stayed on 9 ACSI sites plus others and never had any pitch issues. On one site I reserved with ACSI on a fiesta weekend and when I arrived they had allocated us the Grand Lux pitch, best on the site at no extra cost and we could have moved if we wished. We’re smaller at 7.16m now with the bikes on the tow bar.

I find them excellent value

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On an ACSI site at Lac St Cyr, the OH deciding on a bit of luxury(?) rather than the CCP next door. Just a few more Euros and only for three nights so I agreed. Place bit scrappy and OH decided to still use the van shower. Might as well have saved 10 Euros.
 
There’s a lot of reference to ACSI sites as if they’re a thing, run by or owned by ACSI. They’re not like CCC or CMC, belonging to the club, they’re just sites, private, municipal or part of a chain that accept ACSI as a discount, as well as numerous other European discount schemes.
If you get a dodgy EHU or a crap pitch that’s because you’ve chosen a site that’s not so good, not because ACSI discount is available.
I never had a Kw limit on EHU because we’d booked in on ACSI or been given inferior pitches.
I find it an excellent scheme that’s saved us loads.
 
This was on an ACSI site in Bavaria, but we happily paid an extra €5 to upgrade to a waterfront pitch. :giggle:

Worth every cent for a really nice overnight spot. We wouldn't have found the site and stayed if it hadn't been offering the ACSI rates in the first place. ;)

IMG_20170616_142912288~2-1.jpg
 
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ChazandZoe said:
Only been using ACSI this trip and over half the pitches we have booked so far have not been of an acceptable size to fit our van (7.5m), either that or there are tree branches hanging (or other obstacle) over to stop you manoeuvring. We have then gone on to pay for a bigger pitch, just to have an easy life. Also the pitches aren’t in the best location. Sometimes a better deal to be had contacting site direct. Thoughts?
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We keep forgetting to you out but on the odd time we do either they do t take to ACSI or it only on certain dates.
 
We are away for 10 weeks and as usual we plan our trip from ACSI site to ACSI site. We can't afford to stay on other sites but we like the luxury of being on camping sites. We have found the scheme to be incredible saving a fortune on regular site fees. And amazingly when we have been told on some sites of the ACSI pitches they have been the ones we would have chosen anyway. Quieter on the edge facing countryside. Mostly though we have the whole site to choose from. We have stayed on sites asking 75 euro a night and been charged 23 euro with ACSI.

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Never had any problems with ACSI, use it a lot. Mainly in France. I even tried my luck on our way home from Italy last year year after it had been stollen. Normally leave it van, had a muppetry moment. All 3 sites accepted my tale on presentation of the book. I had my email from Vicarious books ready. Admittedly they were quiet but if they’d said no we’d have paid the full price as the weather was terrible and there was nowhere else to go.
 
We used ACSI 5 years ago on a trip to the Loire valley en France and had no issues in our 6m pvc. Only stayed in UK since but we have just renewed and also purchased their ID card in readiness for our 24 day France trip from Dieppe, around the Dordogne, to La Rochelle then back up coast to Dieppe. We will be using ACSI sites as needed plus a good few Aires and will try French Passion if we can.
 
I’ve had more issues this year, albeit mostly in Italy, about what does & doesn’t qualify for ACSI discount. However, still good value and very happy to pay the subscription.
As BikerJon I’ve have also come across some stupid prices this year - €75+ a night! They’re having a larf?
 
We saved a load using Acsi on sites this year. But some sites are cheaper not using Acsi if you don’t want electric. I now as for the normal rate as well. It is rare though. Had some fantastic sites and saved s lot of money.
 
last September when in France we came across many sites that did not accept ASCI despite being in the 2022 book. I always asked when arriving on site and often got the no we are no longer members. They accepted the card as ID though.

mind you also found many municipal sites at under 20 euros for the night including electricity. I think our average per night for the whole month was just under 20 euros. So happy with that.

See what it is like this year. Away on 1st June for a short trip, returning on 19th. Heading towards the Loire and Dordogne. :giggle::giggle:

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