2022 ACSI Books
Comments
-
In our experience, it varies, but most sites will give you a free choice.
The only place where we were directed to a particular area for ACSI was on 2 sites in Austria. There was nothing undesirable about the pitches, but on one site we chose to pay 1 euro extra to upgrade to a slightly larger pitch as we have a long van. The bonus was that this also turned out to be a fully serviced pitch.
Where a site has different sizes of pitches, or both serviced and non serviced pitches at different prices, you may well be directed to the smaller/basic pitches, but usually also offered an upgrade for an extra euro or two.
0 -
Things move on in all areas of life, comparing sites in the 60s with those today is like comparing the facilities in a 60s caravan with what is on offer now, or even comparing a 3 bedroom 60s house with one bathroom with the provision in houses being built today.
0 -
Brue
I have used quite a few ACSI sites across several European countries. It often depends on the type of site whether you are directed to a particular pitching area. Many of the more basic sites in the scheme allow you to use any available pitch. Sometimes there are restriction on using lakeside/beach side pitches, unless you are willing to pay a surcharge. One of our favourite sites in Austria is Camping Natterer See near Innsbruck. When you use ACSI there you can only use the basic pitch but can again upgrade to higher grade pitch. I think the ACSI scheme is excellent if you are touring a lot. Like with all discount schemes it is possible that you don't always investigate what else is available as an alternative but not in the scheme. Given that they cost less than £20 to buy the books its hardly a kings ransom if you don't use them?
David
1 -
When using a CL, it pays to read the description and the reviews carefully.
We use quite a few and expect only safe fresh water, waste disposal, and rubbish disposal. Everything else we have in our van. If there is a toilet provided, it is inspected and may be used if found acceptable, a shower we are not bothered about and would not use.
For us the main purpose of using a CL is to pay more reasonable site fees, plus have fewer people around. Facilities are expensive to provide, the "trend" of expecting a CL to be a "mini club site" is leading to much higher CL site fees, which is bad news for those of us who do not need facilities.
2 -
I would not call it "cosseting", you are going back 50-60 years, standards then were different. It would be a poor show if nothing had changed in all those years!
People these days rightly expect a certain standard in all walks of life.
1 -
It would’ve been helpful with that info in your original post JV🤷🏻♂️
0 -
I was also confused at first. I think I went for this one:-
https://webshop.acsi.eu/en/campingcard-acsi/campingcard-acsi-abonnement-2022.html
Colin
1 -
Ditto, have stayed on a few hundred or so ACSI sites now and have never obviously been allocated a ‘lesser” pitch off-peak season. In fact I can’t recall ever being allocated a pitch anywhere, it’s always been feel free to find a pitch you like.
0 -
Ideal.
0 -
Hi All, A question-on the ACSI website some sites are indicated by a green icon, and some by a blue one. What do these differing colours indicate?
0 -
The blue ones are sites giving off peak discounts to card holders. The green ones give no discount and only accept the card as ID.
0 -
You have been lucky SB, my experience is similar to WTG and DK above. A couple of sites stick out vividly in my mind as including their worst pitches in the ACSI scheme, one was on Lake Garda and the other near Cannes. Needless to say I paid a surcharge for better pitches.. I found out later that there was a free Sosta near the Lake Garda site which was much better all round. I have banked that in my memory.
peedee
0 -
Yes, if it’s going to happen anywhere it’ll be the tourist hot spots where they don’t have to try very hard.
0 -
ACSI 2nd class pitches happened to us at Loches "la Citadelle" twice.Hedged pitches were not for ACSI clients.
Not an issue for us being in the open area pitches but it is not just confined to the "hot -spot" areas.
When out in the "boondocks" in early /late season we have often had a choice of large,hedged pitches with own tap,electrics and drainage-at ACSI rate.
0 -
We got a third class ACSI pitch at La Nautique at Narbonne - could have hiked back to reception and negotiated but it was too far and too hot to walk back ! Stayed a night and left .
The main problem we found in southern France was that ACSI sites were just so full - Camping le Ventoux at Mazan and Camping Rives de l’Aygues at Tulette were absolutely packed. The Dutch won’t go anywhere in that part of the world unless it’s in their ACSI list. But once the discounts end they go home .
0 -
With thousands of sites on the ACSI network it’s inevitable that campers will have a range of experiences. However, unless I’m extraordinarily lucky I’m far from convinced that allocation of ‘lesser’ pitches is common practice.
0 -
I don't know about 2nd class pitches, but you'll always be able to wander around a site and find the fully serviced, extra size, river view etc specials. In high or low season these are at a premium price and fair enough. ACSI give you a standard pitch and these will obviously not be as good as those specials. I don't think you are getting short changed, your just not getting all of the frill etc for nothing.
We have only stayed at about 10/12 pitches and each time we have arrived at site have been given a map of the pitches available. Once we have been offered an upgrade at cost to a pitch with it's own bathroom/kitchen block, another time to a more spacious pitch with services and view.
At our favoured site in the Loire we book a specific riverside pitch. For this option we pay a booking fee and full price for the first night. The rest of our stay is at the reduced ACSI rates.
I think these scenarios are perfectly reasonable.
Colin
1 -
Hi Euror, Just after I posted the ACSI website stopped displaying-or rather the Camping Card site which is what I was, inaccurately referring to, did. Thus mean I was unable to confirm my quest.
Looking again now there are, on the Camping Card site, green circles with tent icons that give discounts-and blue circles with tent icons that give discounts!
I have a vague memory of being told the difference, or maybe seeing it in my previous ACSI guide, but can’t see anything on the site now.
I have also had issues with the website not recognising my chosen dates and showing sites that don’t accept ACSI at my proposed dates.
Re pitch choice, don’t recall ever being given a poorer standard of pitch and at Bella Italia, on Garda, was always able to choose from those available, and on three occasions been on the front row, but all their pitches were of the same standard and I would not expect to get a superior pitch/facilities if others are paying more.
0 -
So, having had problems identifying sites that would take ACSI during my proposed dates thought it may be an iPad issue.
So last night had a look using the laptop and its the same there. You can choose all manner of things and the website will only show those sites but no matter how I try it will not show just the sites accepting the card during my intended dates.
I can of course look at each site to see the acceptance dates but hoping that someone will spot, what I presume is, my mistake!
0
