ACSI not as good as it seems?

[Apacheman]

Joined for the first time this year prior to a France/ Spain trip. Used it 4 times and each time got a decent pitch. The ones in Spain always had trees, guess they are there for shade and welcomed at times. Twice we chose our own pitch, twice we were directed to a specific pitch. For around £18 + £3 for the app thought it was good value and with pitches costing less than £20pn I’m sure it saved us more than we paid.

 

[steve69]

There was a saving of 20 Euros to be made at the Spanish site I used in March this year, and I had a the choice from many pitches.
Pity my ACSI card had expired.

 

[Eloceo]

I'm with biker Jon, hetties crew and al. We're currently on tour of Slovenia & Croatia (since April). Every stop has been ACSI CC (12 so far). All have accommodated us quite fairly. In all, bar 2 we have had the choice of multiple pitches, many in the premium areas costing €60-70 pn. Some have been extremely busy, others almost empty. All have been courteous, although a couple have given the impression that we are the poor relations because they think we can't afford full price . The only interesting thing to remark is the lack of a standard when * 'rating' the site itself. Two 4* have been stunning (6 stars in my book), and two 5* were really only a reasonable 4*. Not ACSI's fault, but I would like ACSI inspectors to come up with their own rating system. We'll continue to use the card. It has saved us hundreds €.

 

[ChazandZoe]

I wasn’t having a go at ACSI per se, it’s just something we noticed more than once on our travels. Out of our 9 stops to date, 8 have been ACSI we have had hassle with 4, pitches mainly not big enough for a 7.5m Rimor, the last one at Tamarit we paid extra as all the ACSI pitches were under a forest canopy and separated by rope. I think the larger sites aren’t too bothered about them and treat them a bit like affordable housing just to have the accreditation.
I will still use my card as is still a useful tool. Photo is of Tamarit ACSI pitches.

 

[mubob]

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?

We’ve been using Acsi sites for years , can’t say we’ve had any problems, van is 7.5 meters

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[SalcombeRegis]

Just to give you some background on ACSI. I ave just sold my campsite in Devon - purchased it in 2014 and the previous owner was in the ACSI scheme so I continued with it.

Firstly their membership fees are extortionate and then you have to offer a certain number of weeks per season. That in itself is quite hard to do without discounting premium weeks. It was really touch and go to justify the expense.

We allowed choice of pitch but the rules say you can have specific ACSI pitches - in other words dedicate the pitches no one else wants but that then leads to grumbles from the customer. It was easier to allow choice unless we were really busy.

The rates are set in € so back in the UK the rate we got was dependent upon the exchange rate at the time which in 2014 was about €1.5 - £1. When this dropped to almost €1 we lost 1/3 on ACSI pitches and with very little chance of the rates improving and the high membership costs we came out of the scheme.

And guess what - the biggest wingers were the ACSI cardholders!

Now retired and travelling in the MH but not in ACSI as like others I like a choice of pitch if possible.

 

[ChazandZoe]

I think another reason is that in France we never had a problem with sites and pitches as no one was very busy and we had our pick of any pitch, in Airvault in early April we had the choice of the whole campsite, it was only us in it. However now we are in Spain and it is warming up and busying up, choices are less. We are still having an amazing time though whatever booking service we use.

 

[Eloceo]

Bit of an update. Just arrived in Krk. Went to Krk Premium Camping Resort 5* Valamar. ASCI pitches full as the management had reduced their ASCI allocation by about 2/3rds this year. Very pleasant receptionist apologised profusely and offered us 10% discount on standard pitch per night which worked out at 40€ for the pitch plus 20€ for us two, plus 6€ for the dog, plus €2 tax. He then suggested that we try their sister 4* camp (Jezevic Premium Camp) on the opposite side of Krk. This we did and were spoilt for choice of ACSI pitch. Admittedly, none were front line, but very acceptable nonetheless (23€ + 2€)

 

[missmollie]

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.

Unless they ask I don’t tell them l have 2 dogs when on ACSI sites.

 

[Charlie57]

You can negotiate better direct in many cases.
Phil

Can you negotiate on prices at site? Suppose it depends on how busy they are

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[Gaston aires]

Can you negotiate on prices at site? Suppose it depends on how busy they are

You can and it does depend on how busy they are. Some sites showing ACSI signs are not actually signed up but keep the sign to lure you in. We never pre book or go at peak times either. (example) in September after the mad rush some really good sites in South West France were offering pitches at 10/12 euros.
Phil

 

[ChazandZoe]

Unless they ask I don’t tell them l have 2 dogs when on ACSI sites.

We are keeping quiet about it now.

 

[GAVLAD]

I would suggest writing to ACSI and tell them that for some countries, their scheme does not seem worthy. I’d want to know customer feedback on what sites were doing if it was my scheme

 

[Dart]

You can and it does depend on how busy they are. Some sites showing ACSI signs are not actually signed up but keep the sign to lure you in. We never pre book or go at peak times either. (example) in September after the mad rush some really good sites in South West France were offering pitches at 10/12 euros.
Phil

I don't necessarily think the sites keep the ACSI sign to lure you in under false pretences. The ACSI sign just shows that they are listed on the ACSI Eurocampings website and in their guide books but that's different to the ACSI Camping Card scheme. There are currently over 9000 ACSI Eurocampings sites but just 3000+ in the Camping Card discount scheme.

 

[LeonC]

Just got back last night from five weeks touring around France, using almost exclusively ACSI sites. I reckon it paid for itself by the end of first week.

Only had one naff site - at Villeneuve-les-Beziers - very small pitches and crowded. Don't go there.

The rest ranged from pretty good to excellent. Will definitely rejoin next year.

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[TheMachMan]

Used for a total of 13 nights on current trip around Italy, pitches no different. So definitely paid for itself. Though we go where we fancy then if we can use the card it’s a bonus.

 

[seasideBill]

Timing is everything. Currently staying on a site in Croatia alongside a significant proportion of the German population. They’re happy to pay €48 or more, but come here after 11th June and you’ll pay €23 for the same pitches with ACSI.

 

[ChazandZoe]

It all depends on where you go (ie warm) and how busy the site is. I have made back my subscription on France sites (not busy) but dipped out on Spanish sites ( busy).