Caravan and Motorhome Club

[BeeBee]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

 

[WelshGas]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

You've not used the CL sites then?

 

[Californication69]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

Good question. Exactly what I’m currently debating.

 

[acer]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

I guess each individual has to just weigh up the cost and benefits. Does one visit those types of sites sufficiently frequently to make the subscription worthwhile. (We only use ACSI because we travel in Europe either side of high season and it saves some money.) Interested to know what else C&M offer that people value.

 

[colintfcolintf]

we've not yet found a need to join, preferring independent sites instead, sometimes at the same destination. happy to be educated in the big benefits though. i guess what suits some wont suit all. do they have a club insurance scheme for example?

 

[Coachella]

As a point of reference - what's a typical range to pay per night for a CL in the club ?

 

[Mansfieldman750]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

If you are not getting any benefits from membership there’s no point being a member.

This year we’ve used them for 2 nights 2 people Broadway in Feb, £75.80. 2 nights 2 people Moreton-in Marsh in Feb £69.50. 3 nights 2 people Buxton in May £95.85. 3 nights 2 people Coniston in August £119.00
These prices are not exactly cheap, but if you stayed at the same sites as a non member it would cost you an arm and leg.

Plus a ferry crossing through them Harwich to Hook of Holland end of June, 3 people, daytime crossing no cabin, £173.60. Now that was a bargain, think it was 15 or 20% discount.

As I say, you need to work out whether it saves you or costs you to be a member.

 

[acer]

If you are not getting any benefits from membership there’s no point being a member.

This year we’ve used them for 2 nights 2 people Broadway in Feb, £75.80. 2 nights 2 people Moreton-in Marsh in Feb £69.50. 3 nights 2 people Buxton in May £95.85. 3 nights 2 people Coniston in August £119.00
These prices are not exactly cheap, but if you stayed at the same sites as a non member it would cost you an arm and leg.

Plus a ferry crossing through them Harwich to Hook of Holland end of June, 3 people, daytime crossing no cabin, £173.60. Now that was a bargain, think it was 15 or 20% discount.

As I say, you need to work out whether it saves you or costs you to be a member.

Do they do discounts crossing via the tunnel I wonder?

 

[KevH]

As we are in a quandary as regards continuing our membership of the C & M club, thought I’ld seek current views on the subject.
Over our six years of ownership we increasingly use Independent sites, preferring smaller and quieter locations,
And given the pricing of C&M sites we haven’t really found membership that beneficial.
What do others think ?

I am having similar thoughts, the cost per night has increased dramatically over the past two years unless you can wangle one of the offers, which often involves booking far in advance and staying a predetermined length of time.
It sort of defeats part of the pleasure of Cali ownership.
As an example of costs, I paid over £40 a night at Old Hartley in lat July, booked months ago, for a very tight space with no room for the awning. A non-member would pay £55.
I also stayed at private sites and rarely paid more than £30.
I does make me think.

 

[HarveyMilners]

One advantage we find is there is only a 1 night minimum which is great for a short weekend getaway (assuming there is availability). Some other sites at this time of year have 3 or 4 night minimum nights

 

[Mansfieldman750]

Do they do discounts crossing via the tunnel I wonder?

I think so, but you may get a better discount elsewhere.

 

[Meoncoast]

We have decided not to renew when due this year, prefer the smaller sites, and there are plenty. I think it changed when they changed to wanted deposit on booking.

 

[lohr500]

Its a close call for us.

Against renewing : The pricing is no longer as attractive as it used to be. Especially considering the membership fee.There are plenty of independent sites offering reasonable facilities at a lower price. And in my opinion a lot of the sites are not well located for easy access to popular attractions and points of interest.

For renewing : There is generally a consistency of quality across the sites and you know what to expect. It takes the gamble out of booking independent sites using on-line reviews to make decisions. With only a back-up porta potty and no shower in the Cali, we both like to know there will be some half decent ablutions available wherever we stay

 

[CaliforniaCylus]

There's a consistency to the sites. Whilst pricey you know exactly what you're going to get.

Our caravan is insured through them and the prices are competitive.

Their Red Pennant European breakdown and medical insurance product is second to none

We tend to view the deposit as throw-away. It costs a fiver to reserve a site with no further payment until you arrive (if you arrive). Never seen that at commercial sites.

It's very easy to book a stay with them.

We will keep our membership, we are at 16 years I think. We are also members of the other club where we tend to use their Certified Sites more than the Caravan Club Certified Locations.

Caravan club sites have lots of hardstanding spaces and heated toilet blocks making them ideal for over winter.

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

Happy to continue our membership but agree that £45 a night for 2 in the summer period is steep for what’s provided. I renew membership at the same time as renewing insurance and annual servicing so the cost is hardly noticed!

 

[Hawthorn37]

We use both clubs and private sites. Currently we’re staying at a private site and whilst the park is fine, the washrooms aren’t up to club standards and pot washing closes at 8pm. At CAMC and CCC sites you know what you’re getting, they’re usually in good locations, and quite a few are open in the winter.

 

[California Dreamer]

One advantage we find is there is only a 1 night minimum which is great for a short weekend getaway (assuming there is availability). Some other sites at this time of year have 3 or 4 night minimum nights

Agreed - I generally prefer independents but we keep our membership for the one night stopovers as many of the sites are in convenient locations close to towns. Also the site we use most often (Broadway) is members only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BeeBee]

Lots of similar views both ‘for and against’ renewing, the one night booking option, which I hadn’t realised, got me swaying towards renewing.
It’s funny isn’t it, the money that’s gone into owning our Cali, in comparison this is pennies, but the older we get we focus on these.
Heavens, Im beginning to sound like my mother…. lol

 

[Daveb999]

I think some of the site prices are a bit crazy (Bunree (Glenn) that I used to use quite a bit has gone up to over £50 per night for a solo traveler - nope). However as some have mentioned I often look out for the deals and also like the one night option.

Bar one ive been to the sites are always clean, well maintained and good shower blocks.

I dont use many of the club “deals” such as insurance as I think it’s overly expensive but got my money back when buying a towbar with the discount they offered.

Next year I am doing a European trip where again I expect I will get most of the membership money back.

 

[Mansfieldman750]

I had a hankering to make a return visit to East Fortune motorbike racing, 50 years since last time. There is a meeting 20th and 21st September.
Then I got an email from the other camping club, CCC, “ the friendly club “ - 40% off grass pitches until 21st September on 60 sites.
Dunbar, which has a very good chip shop, or used to anyway, and kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs is close to East Fortune.
£12.30 a night. Take the van to the racing will guarantee it will last 3 days without hook up. Sorted !

 

[Van Diesel VW]

we've not yet found a need to join, preferring independent sites instead, sometimes at the same destination. happy to be educated in the big benefits though. i guess what suits some wont suit all. do they have a club insurance scheme for example?

 

[Van Diesel VW]

Also check out attraction discount they offer, got a third off at a recent visit to Beaulieu motor museum.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

We saved £150 on a euro tunnel ticket by booking through CMC last year, was shocked. Also saved on some of the offers over last few years. Use a mix of sites but overall think we will renew.

 

[WEHILL@SONS]

20% off Ravenglass/Eskdale railway with C&C card.

 

[sticky1]

I renew almost exclusively because of the ease of booking and seeing availability.
I wish more independents would use online booking tools, for me it saves time and hassle.