Maybe y'all can learn from my mistake

[jrgwdenner]

We're leaving tomorrow for Fort Worth to visit our grandaughters (and their parents ). I made reservations for Holiday Park through the Corp of Engineers reservations site. Boy, was I blind! A nice site, pull through, on the water for only $5.00 per night with our Old Age Pass. Was it too good to be true? Yup, NO hookups. It wasn't a cruicial mistake on this trip as we can always stay at our son's home. And we need practice dry camping. But it made me realize that I need to investigate internet reservations more closely when I sign up. Just wanted to share as it might help you avoid the same mistake.

[stiles watson]

Looks like one might need a check list for everything. Hecky darn.

[jrgwdenner]

Or better observation skills, Stiles. Gotta check those details. It's pretty cheap storage/parking. Might be a good chance to try out our new generator, if it's allowed.

[stiles watson]

Rving has a learning curve comparable to many of the software packages I have attempted to master over the years. I have to admit, though, it does seem to be more fun.

[Wordsmith]

Let me add a twist to this as well, something we have learned since booking reservations at SC parks recently. Most of you probably already know this, but when you book online reservations through ReserveUSA, they tack on a $1.50 service charge PER DAY. Though convenient, it is rather steep and seems rather unfair to charge when people might want to stay for up to two weeks.

You are correct, though, that it is wise to check before hitting the submit button on our browsers.

[jrgwdenner]

I didn't see that charge, Wordsmith, but I thought there was a $10.00 "handling fee". I know if you need to change anything about your reservation, there's a $10.00 charge. Guess we have to help pay their salary. It is convenient though and you save the long distance charges by not using the phone.

[sreigle]

Drive safe, Judy and Glen!

[Wordsmith]

Judy, I do not remember the $1.50 service fee from several years ago—might have been there and I just forgot it—but it has been there both times this spring when we made reservations at Calhoun Falls SP in South Carolina, which has just started phasing in all of its reservations with ReserveUSA. My father–in–law was none too amused to see that charge tacked on to his fee when he camped in the spot next to ours on the last trip—$6.00 for four nights!

[faeb and genb]

I have reserved on line but didn't know that charged that. If you want callthe Number is 1877 444 6777 no charge.
Gene

[jrgwdenner]

I don't think we got charged the $1.50 per nite. Our fee was $20.00 for four nights, half of the regular fee because of our Golden Age Pass. Can't say I've seen it before.

Thanks, Steve. Emily, who is four, plans to get Grandpa up on their new trampoline. I'll have my camera ready!

[DL N K]

We use ReserveUSA frequently (12 to 15 times a year) when going to our local Corp of Engineers campground and have never seen a service fee. We are charged the same as if we check in and pay at the campground.
We have paid the $10.00 fee a few times when we had to change the reservation.

[jrgwdenner]

That's been our experience, too, Dickie 'n Kay. We love the Corp campgrounds and their prices. We usually look for a Corp campground before any other type, but we do like the wooded settings that most of them have. They are also very well kept. We're going from Holiday Park, near Fort Worth, to Alley Creek, near Longview.

[Wordsmith]

Hmmmmm…perhaps a phone call is in order. Perhaps it is only for the South Carolina parks that the service charge is added. I will let you know.

[Wordsmith]

Update here: I went to the South Carolina SPs web page, and it is ReserveAmerica with which they are affiliated. Of course, I see the same logo on the ReserveUSA website. When working my way through a sample SC park—Devils Fork—I got the same $1.50 per day service charge at the payment window. I do not see this on any of the information pages, however.

[jrgwdenner]

Good news from Texas. When we got to Holiday Park this morning we had the choice of several open sites with water and electricity. We sure are thankful since the temp is supposed to be in the 90's today.

[Native Tex]

We are headed to Texas tomorrow and made reservations with ReseveUSA as well on Corp of Engineer lakes along the way. I just re-look our totals and we were not charged either. I will ask however when I arrive just to confirm if there is any hidden charges.

[Thunderman]

quote:Originally posted by Native Tex

We are headed to Texas tomorrow and made reservations with ReseveUSA as well on Corp of Engineer lakes along the way. I just re-look our totals and we were not charged either. I will ask however when I arrive just to confirm if there is any hidden charges.

Native Tex,
Is their a website for locations of Corp of Engineer lakes?
Thanks!

[TerryMc]

This could be a starting point for locating COE parks throughout the US.

http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

[jrgwdenner]

That's a great site, Terry and Brenda. Thanks for the information. I'm sitting at the picnic table on Benbrook Lake, enjoying the view, while our two little granddaughters are enjoying Clifford, the big Red Dog on TV. There are somethings you just can't give up, even when you're camping!

[Thunderman]

Terry and Brenda,
Thanks so much for the web site, looks like it had all the info needed.
Looked at your photos and noticed you were at Lake Georgetown, Cedar Break park. We were at Lake Georgetown a few times but stayed at Jim Hogg park (think that is the correct name). Really enjoyed the area, maybe next time we will try the Cedar Break park.
Thanks for the web site.