Last Updated on February 16, 2024
Key Takeaways:
- The Good Sam Club offers numerous benefits for RVers and camping enthusiasts, including discounts on gas, campgrounds, repairs, and access to emergency road service.
- Membership costs vary depending on the level of membership chosen, ranging from $39 for a Standard Membership to $109 for the Elite Membership.
- Benefits of joining the Good Sam Club include saving money, accessing exclusive camping areas, mail service for travelers, roadside assistance, customer service, and a sense of community among members.
- The club is suitable for both new and experienced RVers, but may not be worth it for those who only take short trips occasionally.
- While the club offers fuel discounts, the actual savings may vary, and service discounts are available at select partner locations.
- Good Sam Club membership is ideal for online shoppers, as it offers discounts on purchases from major retailers in the RV industry.
One of the best things about living in an RV is that you can take your home with you wherever you go. That means no more expensive hotel rooms, and no more packing and unpacking every time you move to a new location. It all comes with all the experiences and new people you meet along the way. However, one downside to RV living is that you can quickly rack up some expensive costs, from gas. repairs, and more.
For most RVers, one way to help offset these costs is by joining a club like the Good Sam Club. If you’ve been on the verge of signing up but aren’t sure if it’s worth it, this article is for you. We’ll explore what the club entails, what you get as a member, and what people have been saying about their experience as members.
So, is the Good Sam Club really worth it? Let’s find out.
What is the Good Sam Club?
Based in Colorado, the Good Sam Club is a membership club for RVers and camping enthusiasts. The club has been around since 1966 and currently boasts over two million members. Its reputation has earned it the title of “the world’s largest RV club” and they’ve partnered with multiple RV parks and campgrounds all over the country.
There are a few different levels of membership, but all include discounts on gas, campgrounds, repairs, and more. Members also receive access to a number of benefits like emergency road service, RV insurance, discounts on RVs and RV supplies, a subscription to the Good Sam Club magazine, and more.
Note: Some of these discounts and affiliated services are only available in the United States. Additionally, affiliated stores may also change without further notice, so make sure that you check their website regularly for new updates and promos.
What Do People Say About the Good Sam Club?
Generally, people say that the Good Sam Club is definitely worth joining if you’re an avid RVer. The discounts alone can help offset the cost of membership, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have emergency road service is priceless. However, it comes with a caveat: you need to be an active RVer. If you only go camping once or twice a year, the Good Sam Club might not be worth it for you.
That said, some people complain that the discounts aren’t as good as they could be, and that the club is a bit too expensive. This can be true for those who only go camping a few times a year, but for the majority of RVers, the Good Sam Club is definitely worth it.
Moreover, the Good Sam Club is a great way to meet other RVers and camping enthusiasts. If you’re new to the lifestyle, it can be a great way to get started. One of the best things about going on an RV adventure is meeting new people. While the sights, sceneries, and the freedom to travel are all great, the people you meet along the way will make your experience even more memorable.
How Much Does it Cost to Join the Good Sam Club?
The cost of membership depends on the level of membership you choose. For instance, a one-year Basic Membership starts at $39, while a three-year membership starts at $79.
Here’s a breakdown of the differences in membership:
Standard Membership: $39/year
- Access to all membership benefits.
- 1,000 welcome points, equivalent to a $10 value.
- Member-only specials.
- Campground discounts.
- Propane & fuel discounts.
- Health savings (coming soon).
- Free shipping
- Member-exclusive events.
Elite Membership: $109 for 3 Years
- Access to all membership benefits.
- 3,000 welcome points, equivalent to a $30 value.
- Member-only specials.
- Campground discounts.
- Propane & fuel discounts.
- Health savings. (coming soon).
- Free shipping.
- Good Sam concierge service.
- RV Tech Hotline.
- Member-exclusive events.
The main difference between the Standard and Elite memberships is that the Elite membership offers additional perks such as concierge service, tech hotline support, and a discount on installation services. Additionally, the Elite membership has a higher welcome points value compared to the Standard membership.
Overall, the membership prices are pretty reasonable, especially when you consider all of the benefits that come with being a member. Some people opt for the 3-year membership. As you retain your membership, the club shows how it values its members by providing additional perks and benefits which will keep you coming back for more.
Benefits of Joining the Good Sam Club
With more than 2 million Good Sam members, what makes it one of the most popular clubs for outdoor enthusiasts? Here are some of the benefits:
Save Money
While discounts and other membership benefits may vary from time to time, you get camping discounts and some other Good Sam perks exclusive to members only! As of this writing, Good Sam members get to enjoy up to a 10% discount when they choose among any of the 2,000 campgrounds and parks affiliated with Good Sam.
That’s a lot of dough saved, and depending on your destination, that could be the tipping point for you to choose one campground over another. People who have been RVing full-time for a long time will tell you that saving money is crucial, and every little bit helps.
Access Exclusive Camping Areas
In addition to discounts, as a Good Sam member, you have exclusive access to certain camping areas making it easier for you to find a spot during the busy season.
These areas are typically first-come, first-serve, but as a member, you’re guaranteed a spot.
Mail Service
We all know how tough it is to be away from home, despite the great outdoors is our happy place.
The good news is, as a member of the Good Sam Club, you have access to Good Sam Mail Service. It acts as a virtual mailbox for all your mail-related needs when you’re on the road. This gives you access to your mail daily – just like how you would when you’re back home! You don’t have to worry about missed bills, important letters, or any other mail-related items.
Protection on the Road
One of the biggest benefits of being a Good Sam Club member is the peace of mind you get when on the road.
If your RV breaks down, for example, Good Sam Roadside Assistance can help tow you to the nearest service station or campground – whichever is more convenient for you. You don’t have
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Customer Service and Assistance
This one is a biggie – as a Good Sam member, you have access to 24/7 customer service and roadside assistance! This means that whether you’re broken down on the side of the road or just need some advice on your next RV trip, there’s always someone available to help. You’re immediately bumped up to the top of the list when it comes to customer service, which is a huge perk.
A Sense of Community
The camaraderie among Good Sam members is one of its biggest draws. When you’re out on the open road, it’s nice to have people you can rely on for information or a helping hand. Good Sam members are always willing to help out their fellow travelers, and that sense of community is something that keeps people coming back year after year.
RV Show Discounts
As a Good Sam Club member, you’re entitled to discounts when you attend RV shows, with up to 25% off the ticket price. Good Sam sponsors some RV shows, along with your membership, so be on the lookout for those events!
Easy Online Trip Planning
What’s better than planning your next trip on the couch with a cup of coffee (or tea)? As a Good Sam Club member, you have access to exclusive online trip-planning tools that make it easy to plan every aspect of your upcoming getaway. One of the most challenging – but fun – parts of planning a road trip is finding the right campground for your group. With Good Sam’s online tools, you can easily find and compare campgrounds, read reviews from other members, and even book your stay!
These are just some of the benefits that come with being a Good Sam Club member. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to join – whether you’re a full-time RVer or just enjoy the occasional weekend getaway.
Pros and Cons of Being a Member
So, is the Good Sam Club worth it? In general, the consensus is yes – the club offers a lot of great benefits that make RVing easier (and cheaper!). However, there are a few drawbacks to consider before you join.
Great for New and Experienced RVers
One of the great things about the Good Sam Club is that it’s perfect for both new and experienced RVers.
If you’re a newbie, the club provides you with all the resources you need to get started on your RVing journey. If you’re an experienced RVer, on the other hand, you can take advantage of the many discounts and benefits the club offers.
May Not be Worth It for Short Trips
If you only go RVing on the occasional weekend getaway, the Good Sam Club may not be worth it for you. The membership fees can add up, and you might not take advantage of all the benefits (like the RV show discounts). To ensure that you make the most out of the membership fee, try to take at least one longer trip per year.
Fuel Discounts Vary
The Good Sam Club offers a fuel discount of up to eight cents per gallon, but the actual discount varies depending on the gas station. While this can still save you money, it’s not as big of savings as some other RV clubs offer (up to 20 cents per gallon). Additionally, the fuel discount is only valid at participating gas stations, so be sure to check the list before you fill up!
Service Discounts
Peace of mind is something that can’t be bought. The Good Sam Club has partnered with Gearsmith Shop Services to offer 10% discounts on service work. This is something that you can take advantage of if you’re looking for a new RV service center or just need some routine maintenance done on your current rig. On top of that, you also get an additional 5% discount on other shops such as America’s Gunsmith Shop.
Ideal for Online Shoppers
If you’re constantly shopping for new RV accessories and gadgets, the Good Sam Club is a great deal for you. The club offers discounts on online purchases from some of the biggest retailers in the industry, including Overtons and free shipping deals from Gander RV. If you’re a frequent online shopper, the discounts accumulated from these two stores alone are likely to cover the cost of your membership.
In Summary
Should you join The Good Sam Club? The answer fairly depends on how often you go RVing, where you like to shop and if you feel comfortable with the idea of having peace of mind while on the road. Overall, the club provides a lot of great benefits and discounts that can make RVing more enjoyable – and less expensive. Generally speaking, the Good Sam Club is worth it for most RVers. I am personally not a member. I chose other memberships.
Have you been thinking about joining The Good Sam Club? What has been holding you back? Let us know in the comments below!
I like to read all the excellent reviews, so this comment will not be posted or addressed.
I am a severe covid survivor with permanent lung damage, on oxygen, etc. Purchased a 31′ Fleetwood class E. I purchased roadside assistance as it sounded like a good investment at the time. Of course, the time I would need to use it would be at 12-1 am. Called the notification number. Told would have someone contact me within 30 minutes. They did. The first conversation was if I had everything I needed to change the tire. I Did, will be there in 30-45 minutes. An hour later, starting to rain no show. I started the tire change. 30 minutes into the tire change, I get a text, “do you still need help?” Yes. On the way. 20 minutes later, no show, decided to continue myself in the rain. Over an hour later, I manage to finish. An hour later, I get a text, “Do you still need help?” I didn’t even answer. Passengers were 89 yr. Motherinlaw (very sick and just released from the hospital, the reason for the trip), 10-month-old baby, 11 yr granddaughter, wife, and I. Got a call from Good Sam; end of the conversation, things happen. I canceled.
Tire and Wheel policy. On the last trip, I ended up with two rear tires destroyed. One outside of Virginia, still in Tenn, I had road service assistance (wonderful). The other one was going through road construction in GA. I changed them myself, and I have receipts for the tires. Both tire changes were on the side of the interstate’s very narrow shoulder. Never thought to take pictures of the tires. Was not much left of them. Called to make a claim. The first question was, do you have pictures of the damaged tires? The conversation when downhill from there. Filling out the claim form calls for documentation from someone that the tires were damaged and NEEDED to be replaced. Neither of the tire invoices explained the damage to the tire. Obviously, there is a high rate of people maliciously abusing the program.
Both times taking a picture of the tire while cars and trucks flew by at 80+, just a few feet from my back didn’t cross my mind. I was sure an invoice 1000 miles from home would be an indication it was a valid claim
So far, Good Sam has just been an added expense for no reason.
We have been Good Sam Platinum members for quite a few years. March 30 2024 a Saturday, we had a major breakdown in our 2022 dodge ram 3500 towing our 33.6 Fifth Wheel Chapparel from Mesa, Arizona to our home in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. We were in Midland AZ. We were helped out by a good samaritan and towed to a nearby gas station. It was a dangerous situation. Thank God! We called and they said they would get back to us as it was Easter Weekend. Next morning we were told it would not be till Monday. We were told by others to be so careful because we were in a dangerous place. We therefore called and got a tow truck and another driver to tow us out of there on Sunday Morning. Within an hour. Today May 1st we were notified that our claim for towing was denied because we did not wait till Monday. We are upset with their service . It is not worth the paper it is printed on. We will receive a return for our membership as requested. We have done a lot of travel ASSUMING that it gave us some peace of mind. Definitely not worth it.