Pros and Cons of ACSI and Camping Cheques

[otherclive]

We have been on the Continent many times but never really considered ACSI or Camping Cheques. But thinking of venturing over there again and would welcome any views/experience with the two options. One thing I would say is that we do like to book ahead rather than risk a "full" sign on arrival.

 

[Hutch]

We have used both, Camping cheques silver worked ok on a lot of sites, but got turned down a few times because of the season, and you had to buy them up front, ended up with about £60 worth being unable to use.
ACSI, you have nothing up front except for the card for the year, you check on the site and the periods that you want to use. We have booked ahead many times, but mostly just turn up just after lunch, to get a pitch.
I prefer the ACSi.
Hutch.

 

[Firkle]

Like hutch I prefer ACSI and have used it for a number of years.

The only thing I have found in the last couple of years is that certain sites in France, Germany and Spain are now starting to charge you an admin fee if you book ahead.

This usually is not deductible from your site charges

 

[Grahamh]

So what do you do with left over cheques? I complained last year because I only found out after ordering them that lots of sites had dropped out of the scheme (after the sites book had gone to press). Still have some left - couldn't find enough decent sites that still took them. Stayed in some awful ones - never again.
With ACSI you have to learn to read the giveaway signs in the sites directory - size of site versus No of pitches etc. We went onto one or two only to drive straight out again. Some of the UK sites that take ACSI are good value and lovely sites.

 

[JTQ]

Both only work at set periods, basically their quieter ones, so unless you are holidaying at those times they are of no use.
We use both, but feel CCs are losing the plot and now only are usable at sites where if it was not for the deal nobody would go. They are compared to a decade ago few and far between in France and biased towards coastal holiday locations.
Buying them can have a very beneficial effect on Brittany Ferries prices via the Caravan Club and its subsidiary Alan Rogers. We do this even if we can't find anywhere to use the minimum 3 we buy.

ACSI, by comparison, have gone from strength to strength, with a much greater number of discounted site very extensively covering all of France; by far for us the better option as we travel in the quiet season with no structured plan. Long past working to plans.

 

[Gafferbill]

Simple calculation really with ACSI.............are you going to use it enough times to equal or better the cost of the handbook and card. (You can spend more if you have their App and various high tech cards).

In Spain during the scheme season that can be done after staying for just 3 site nights.
I personally have found ACSI more useful for overnight stops.
I can always beat their price for longer stays by carefully choosing the site.
Their handbook alone is an extremely good site information tool.

 

[otherclive]

Thanks for the replies, and after looking at the ACSI web site I think that we will probably go down that line. The vast array of sites gives it a distinct edge over Camping Cheques. We never venture far during the mass holiday season, so most of our trips in UK or abroad will be out of peak times. The only exception is when we take our granddaughter in the caravan as it then has to be within school holidays. I like the ability to book ahead even if some sites charge a small admin fee. It allows us then to research the area that we are staying and find out what there is to visit.

 

[alan29]

If you are using ACSI you are out of season. Its almost unheard of for campsites to be full out of season. We have never booked and have never found a site anywhere near full.

 

[JTQ]

If you are using ACSI you are out of season. Its almost unheard of for campsites to be full out of season. We have never booked and have never found a site anywhere near full.

I would agree other than just once on a very popular site we had to settle for pitching up for a night away from our preferred location, before resiting. That's in decades of visiting France.

We are against booking as to an extent if you don't know the site then there is a risk once there you might not be enamoured with it, probably liking the one you tumble on in the next valley. Plus we weather chase to an extent, liking mountains but not into sitting out, set in mountain weather hoping it breaks before the vacation is over.
ACSI suits us very well.