KOA Early Arrival Fee at Jackson, Minnesota

[Byron B]

Last week we were charged $10 for arriving a bit more than an hour early at the KOA in Jackson Minnesota. I know the brochures all say early arrivals are subject to a fee. This is the first time (in at least 10 years) we have been charged this fee. We often arrive an hour or two early but have always been told that if the space is empty we are not charged. Yes, all or most of the KOA locations are franchise and each owner or manager is different.
My ire was raised when we were told that the time before 2pm is used for cleaning and preparing for new guests and “we are always busy during that time.” This KOA had about 65 or so sites. When we checked in there were the lady checking us in and three other employees chatting when we arrived. We paid the $10 and went to our site. The whole row (12 spaces) was empty when we pulled into our site. By 8am the next morning we were 1 rig of 15 parked in the whole place.we felt that the charge was nothing but a cash grab. Most if not all of the parks we have stayed in this trip (20+ parks) have been at less than capacity. Maybe this one was really hurting but we felt ripped off. Particularly due to the explanation given about being busy preparing for guests arrival.
Done venting now! Have a good evening.

 

[Ram Montana High Country]

I've been watching details more closely and if in doubt call the CG and advise them I won't stay because X. If we don't speak up, they'll do as they please.

 

[RMcNeal]

Had that happen in Charlotte/Ft. Mill KOA a few years ago. We arrived 15 minutes early. I told them I would go sit in the truck and wait before I paid the fee. They waived it. They were already charging us almost $200 for a nights stay. Check in was at 3PM an Check Out at 11AM. We don't stop there any more.

 

[Mikendebbie]

A couple of weeks ago - we were on a short trip headed to the San Antonio KOA. I called to inquire how early I could check in, and they told me 12:00 noon…so we got there at 12:05. When I checked in, she said offered me an upgraded shaded site at no extra charge! The shade came in handy!

I know summer is over and the kids are in school, but I have NEVER seen that place SO EMPTY!

 

[DutchmenSport]

Never had that happen to us at any KOA, but it's good to know for future reference. If it does happen, I suppose we'd just go ahead and leave and come back a little later. We use KOA's for overnights when traveling and we usually have supper once we get settled in. If that happened, I'm pretty sure we'd go ahead and leave and find a local restaurant and go ahead and eat first. Then return later.

But for the last 5 years we have been using the same KOA's many times as we've traveled the same roads from one camp host gig to another and we are KOA members. Maybe because of a combination of repeat business and the KOA membership, they don't push an early arrival charge on us. But, it's never happened.

KOA locations with good success:
- Sioux City North, North Sioux City, South Dakota
- West Memphis KOA, Marion, Arkansas (near Memphis Tennessee)
- Huntington Firefox KOA, Milton/Huntington, West Virginia

 

[Byron B]

Never had that happen to us at any KOA, but it's good to know for future reference. If it does happen, I suppose we'd just go ahead and leave and come back a little later. We use KOA's for overnights when traveling and we usually have supper once we get settled in. If that happened, I'm pretty sure we'd go ahead and leave and find a local restaurant and go ahead and eat first. Then return later.

But for the last 5 years we have been using the same KOA's many times as we've traveled the same roads from one camp host gig to another and we are KOA members. Maybe because of a combination of repeat business and the KOA membership, they don't push an early arrival charge on us. But, it's never happened.

KOA locations with good success:
- Sioux City North, North Sioux City, South Dakota
- West Memphis KOA, Marion, Arkansas (near Memphis Tennessee)
- Huntington Firefox KOA, Milton/Huntington, West Virginia

We are what KOA calls “VIP MEMBERS”. Free annual dues and additional perks. We have used over 50k points this year and counting. I learned that the individual KOA campgrounds cannot see your personal history. They can only see your present points balance and your membership number. We do have several locations we revisit each year but in our quest to see more of the country we visit a lot of new locations as well.
Perhaps one day we will try the “camp host” gig like y’all do but for now we enjoy moving around frequently.

 

[Byron B]

A couple of weeks ago - we were on a short trip headed to the San Antonio KOA. I called to inquire how early I could check in, and they told me 12:00 noon…so we got there at 12:05. When I checked in, she said offered me an upgraded shaded site at no extra charge! The shade came in handy!

I know summer is over and the kids are in school, but I have NEVER seen that place SO EMPTY!

During our summer travels this year we have benefited from that same treatment. We have noticed a larger number of vacant sites this year. Our last stop was one. Given a choice between 3 sites at no increase in price, we chose the one in the middle; most space, a patio and best sky viz for our Starlink! I feel bad for the lack of traffic for some of these owners.

 

[Mark77]

Last week we were charged $10 for arriving a bit more than an hour early at the KOA in Jackson Minnesota. I know the brochures all say early arrivals are subject to a fee. This is the first time (in at least 10 years) we have been charged this fee. We often arrive an hour or two early but have always been told that if the space is empty we are not charged. Yes, all or most of the KOA locations are franchise and each owner or manager is different.
My ire was raised when we were told that the time before 2pm is used for cleaning and preparing for new guests and “we are always busy during that time.” This KOA had about 65 or so sites. When we checked in there were the lady checking us in and three other employees chatting when we arrived. We paid the $10 and went to our site. The whole row (12 spaces) was empty when we pulled into our site. By 8am the next morning we were 1 rig of 15 parked in the whole place.we felt that the charge was nothing but a cash grab. Most if not all of the parks we have stayed in this trip (20+ parks) have been at less than capacity. Maybe this one was really hurting but we felt ripped off. Particularly due to the explanation given about being busy preparing for guests arrival.
Done venting now! Have a good evening.

I wonder what would have happened if you (like Robert did) just say... we'll wait and then go out and sit in your rig, out of the way but in their drive and head for the door. Guessing they would have waived the fee and told you to go park.

Then again... What is $10 these days.

 

[Byron B]

I figure my time is worth more than $10 an hour!
I am just making a fuss to cost them s few nights business! We wont be back at any rate!
They were following their posted policies. I just happen to disagree with them. I am being a bit of a C S but it was my wallet the ten bucks came from.

 

[scootsk]

Unfortunately those are the rules of that campground. Often clearly states in the confirmation email that the charge exists. Sometimes they waive, sometimes they don’t. Usually depends on the employee. I don’t get angry if they charge, if I’m feeling sassy, I’ll sit in my truck but usually I pay the fee for the convenience. If it’s 15 minutes, that’s just wrong but an hour or two early, it is what it is. It’s not a surprise

 

[Byron B]

KOA has had that policy for as long as i can remember. If you read my initial post you would see that her explanation was overshadowed by the actual situation at the time. Essentially a cash grab.

 

[jkxtreme]

Last week we were charged $10 for arriving a bit more than an hour early at the KOA in Jackson Minnesota. I know the brochures all say early arrivals are subject to a fee. This is the first time (in at least 10 years) we have been charged this fee. We often arrive an hour or two early but have always been told that if the space is empty we are not charged. Yes, all or most of the KOA locations are franchise and each owner or manager is different.
My ire was raised when we were told that the time before 2pm is used for cleaning and preparing for new guests and “we are always busy during that time.” This KOA had about 65 or so sites. When we checked in there were the lady checking us in and three other employees chatting when we arrived. We paid the $10 and went to our site. The whole row (12 spaces) was empty when we pulled into our site. By 8am the next morning we were 1 rig of 15 parked in the whole place.we felt that the charge was nothing but a cash grab. Most if not all of the parks we have stayed in this trip (20+ parks) have been at less than capacity. Maybe this one was really hurting but we felt ripped off. Particularly due to the explanation given about being busy preparing for guests arrival.
Done venting now! Have a good evening.

The only way to stop this nonsense is to refuse to pay and go drive around for an hour or sit in their driveway for an hour. If we continue paing these fees, you could see additional stupid fees, just like scenarios we see with the airlines. That said... we try not to show up early.

 

[firestation12]

I figure my time is worth more than $10 an hour!
I am just making a fuss to cost them s few nights business! We wont be back at any rate!
They were following their posted policies. I just happen to disagree with them. I am being a bit of a C S but it was my wallet the ten bucks came from.

From my perspective, you received a lot more value for the $10 than is being acknowledged. An early attachment of electrical use allows the interior to be cooled/heated, batteries to be recharge, water heating duties switched to electric, refrigerator operation on electric, another hour of rest and relaxation is possible, park amenities usage will also be available sooner. Essentially, you’ve added an hour plus of quality time to your day for a bargain price of $10.

 

[RMcNeal]

I get the complaints and you're right, it's only $10. My biggest problem with it is that, in our case, the KOA in Charlotte/Ft. Mill has a check-in time of 3:00 PM, and check-out time of 11:00 AM. I'm paying for a day and only getting 21 hours as it is and you want to nickel and dime me for checking in a few minutes early?

 

[Mikendebbie]

…check-in time of 3:00 PM, and check-out time of 11:00 AM…????

I would love to hear an explantation of why it takes 4 hours to “prep and clean” a site. A couple of weeks ago i watched a worker and his wife “prep” a site. Leaf blower blowing for couple of minutes…pick up a gum wrapper and couple of cigarette butts…it was 100* out so there were no ashes in the fire pit…five minutes tops. Check out at 11:00 with check in at 1:00 seems more reasonable.

 

[firestation12]

I get the complaints and you're right, it's only $10. My biggest problem with it is that, in our case, the KOA in Charlotte/Ft. Mill has a check-in time of 3:00 PM, and check-out time of 11:00 AM. I'm paying for a day and only getting 21 hours as it is and you want to nickel and dime me for checking in a few minutes early?

You knew the check-in and check-out times, you did the math that came out to 21 hours, then paid a fee for 21 hours, not 24 hours. $10 seems reasonable for another hour of relaxation, less time on the road, and connection privileges. Just a different way of looking at the $10.

 

[Montie]

Diesel in California is almost $8.00 a gallon. So just driving around the block (or to a restaurant)to kill time will cost more than the fee. I choose my battles.

 

[RMcNeal]

I get it and you're right, I knew the check-in and out times. In my case however, I was there 15 minutes before the 3:00 check-in. I could see it if we were even an hour early, but 15 minutes? Especially knowing that they are already getting 4 hours I'm paying for.