Pilot, Flying J Offering Fourth of July Fuel Discount

Above, filling up the RV at the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Independence Day (Fourth of July) is just days away.

Right now, unleaded regular gasoline at the Flying J down the hill from my home is at $3.55/gallon. It has come down since the Iran war agreement was signed.

There's even better news for those who are regular (and irregular) customers of Pilot, Flying J and One9 gasoline stations. 

From RV Travel:

Just in time for one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, Pilot is giving drivers a chance to save at the pump. From July 1 through July 5, customers can receive 25 cents off every gallon of gas or auto diesel at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel centers across the U.S.

The offer comes as AAA projects more than 61 million Americans will travel by car over the Fourth of July holiday, making it one of the busiest Independence Day travel periods on record. For RVers, campers, and other road trippers, the discount could help offset the cost of a long holiday drive.

 For RVers, especially ones with big gas tanks, this is welcome news. 

To read more, go here.

Campground Prices Have Hit An All-Time High

Above, at the Tucson-Lazydays KOA Kampground in April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like everything else these day, campground prices have risen.

According to Nanci Dixon at RV Travel, prices seem to have hit an all-time high. Still, camping in an RV is cheaper than staying at hotels and motels, even at budget ones. Last March, it was hard to find decent hotel and motel prices in the Phoenix area under $200/night.

She begins with:

It feels like campground prices have hit an all-time high. We are traveling from Arizona to Minnesota and staying almost exclusively at private RV park campgrounds. Not by choice, but because I was too wishy-washy on travel plans and didn’t book the now-sold-out state and COE parks early enough.

We have traveled similar routes from Arizona to Minnesota over the last eight years and I have come to expect higher campground prices near National Parks and major cities, but not this! The major chains are running around $70+ a night, not including the add-ons of state tax, county tax, town tax and lodging tax. These are the corporate buyouts, remodels and new builds. A few are even using booking software similar to hotels that upcharge as the park gets fuller. Don’t procrastinate—the price goes up daily.

Mom and Pop spots have caught on too. What was once $25 to $35 a night two or three years ago is now $55 to $60. I was overjoyed when we camped for four days near a National Park for $45 a night. However, when our assigned site was too small to put the slides out we were charged an additional $2 a day to move. We are at their mercy.

During my April trip in Arizona, I made use of my KOA Kampground Rewards Points to camp at lower prices in Willcox and Tucson. That's why it pays to become a KOA member and, also, at Good Sam campgrounds, using membership discounts.

To read more, go here.

Best Senior Discounts For RVers

Above, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Senior citizens (or, as Rush Limbaugh used to say, "seasoned citizens") have many avenues for discounts. Some are specifically tailored to seniors and some for people in general.

RV Life has posted an article listing the best senior discounts for RVers.

The start it with:

Camping On A Budget? These Senior Discounts Can Help

Many retirees decide to pack up their belongings and move into an RV. Those who are at least 50 years old will qualify for a variety of camping perks and discounts. Whether you travel full-time, seasonally or just once or twice a year, you can benefit from senior discounts.

Your eligibility for these discounts will vary based on your age, location, and RV type. But regardless, senior citizens can enjoy plenty of reduced prices wherever they travel. This sweetens the deal because many retirees are looking for fun experiences and travel opportunities that might otherwise be too expensive.

Below, we’ve collected information about the best senior discounts that could save you money while camping. Some of these options still cost a bit of money, but the benefits far outweigh the price. In addition, several of these discounts and clubs will pay for themselves in a short period of time! Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your next vacation.

To read on, go here. 

RV Travel Poll: Are You A Member of The Good Sam Club?

Since I RV as much as I can (and when I can afford to, thanks to Bidenflation), I make good use out of my Good Sam Club membership.

As I live up the hill from a Flying J Travel Center, the five cents per gallon of gasoline Good Sam discount comes in handy. I also use the camping discount benefit. My membership has paid for itself many times over.

RV Travel has posted a Reader Poll of RVers asking if they are a member of Good Sam Club.

They start it with:

The Good Sam Club was founded in 1966 based on the principle of the biblical Good Samaritan, wherein the club’s members help other members in need. For most of its existence it has served as a social club for RVers while also providing discounts on products and services. Its annual rallies drew many thousands in their prime, and were a big deal for many RVers.

Today, since being acquired by businessman Marcus Lemonis, the social aspect of the club is almost gone, with only small local club chapters remaining, some shutting down each year because of their aging memberships. The club’s main value today is its membership card, which provides a 10 percent discount at many RV parks and at Camping World.

For RVers who camp in commercial RV parks more than a month or two a year, the $29 annual membership is likely worth the investment. The same goes for those who shop often at Camping World. But for RVers who camp infrequently and/or don’t shop at Camping World, its value is questionable.

So our question today is whether you are a member of the club. If so, or if not, would you please leave a comment?

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

Saving Money On RV Fuel Costs

Above, refueling The Beast at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog know that I live up the hill from a Pilot/Flying J travel center in Jamestown, New Mexico. I have refueled at Pilot/Flying J travel centers for several years and saved some cash while traveling.

As it happens, as a Good Sam Club member I get a five cent per gallon discount when using my Good Sam membership card at the pump. Five cents may not seem like a lot, but when you are driving a RV with a 55 gallon gasoline tank, the savings add up over time. The discount can also be used when filling up your personal vehicle or, if riding with a friend in their vehicle, you can give them the discount benefit when they stop to refuel.

There are other ways to save money on fuel costs and Do It Yourself RV has several tips besides the one I just mentioned.

They begin with:

As full-time RVers, fuel is one of our biggest expenses. Big rigs aren’t exactly efficient and driving them around the country is far from cheap. Of course, this makes traveling full-time a bit more difficult for those of us who are on a tight budget. 

In fact, we’ve learned how to cut our fuel costs nearly in half during our time on the road. For us, this means more money in the bank for exploring, and that’s never a bad thing. 

Wondering how you can keep your monthly fuel costs down while still enjoying the traveling life? Here are our top tips on the matter.

To read more, go here. 

2019 Renewals Done: Good Sam and KOA

Above, The Beast at the Cedar City KOA in Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we're in a new year and a couple of memberships will be expiring in March, I figured that I would renew both today.

I renewed my Good Sam Club and KOA Kampgrounds Value Kard memberships.

I make good use of the Good Sam Club card by using it for a five cent per gallon of gasoline discount at the the Flying J. I also use it for campgrounds and RV parks that are Good Sam campgrounds for camping fee discounts. I use it at the Route 66 Casino RV Resort near Albuquerque when I go there. It's only $29/year.

Above, The Beast at the Route 66 Casino RV Resport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The KOA Value Kard also provides tradiscounts in camping fees at KOA Kampgrounds. When used, the Value Kard racks up bonus points that can be used for discounted (or even free) camping. This comes in hand if one is short on cash while on a trip.  Last year, I renewed it at the Seligman (Arizona) Route 66 KOA while traveling to New Mexico during my move. It's only $30/year.

Both memberships can be joined or renewed online.

For the KOA Value Kard, go here.

For the Good Sam Club, go here.

Soaring Gas Prices On Memorial Day Weekend

Above, the gas pumps at the Flying J in Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading off to the Gallup Flea Market yesterday, I stopped at the Flying J to check my mail and fill up the Mustang's gas tank.

The price for unleaded regular gasoline at the Flying J is $2.89/gallon. With my five cent per gallon discount through my Good Sam Club membership, I paid $2.84/gallon. At least I am no longer in Los Angeles, where gas prices are around $3.76/gallon (according to GasBuddy).

Additionally, I thank my lucky stars that I got a tune-up for the Mustang before moving from California (and no traffic issues in New Mexico), because I am getting 29 miles per gallon.

Other states' gasoline prices aren't so cheap.

According to CNN Money:

Gas prices have soared, and some areas of the country are feeling it more than others. 

The sharpest price hikes have hit the Midwest. Over the past month, the average price per gallon of gas in Michigan has shot up 32 cents, more than any other state. Its statewide average recently hit $3.15, according to data from GasBuddy, a platform that tracks real-time prices at stations across the country. 

North Dakota's gas is $2.96 on average, about 29 cents higher than a month ago. And Wisconsin's gas hit $2.94 per gallon, a 28 cent increase. Wyoming, Minnesota and Ohio round out the top six. 

The national average price per gallon of regular is creeping toward the $3 mark, making it the most expensive for a Memorial Day weekend since 2014, according to the American Automobiles Association. 

Soaring gas prices can be attributed to factors like oil production cuts orchestrated by OPEC and Russia, Venezuela reducing output, and the United State's decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal.

All that may seem pretty far removed for vacationers that are hoping to kick off the unofficial start of summer relaxing at the beach. But if that beach is in California, chances are the most expensive pump prices in the country are nearby. 

The West Coast typically has the most expensive gas. Geography, high demand and clean air regulations contribute to the price per gallon. Folks in some areas, such as San Francisco, are seeing prices near $4 per gallon.

Prices at the pump haven't been this high for Memorial Day weekend since 2014, when crude was sitting in triple-digit territory.

To read more, go here.

Discounts Seniors Didn’t Know They Could Get

Above, Lower Yellowstone Fall. The lifetime senior park pass is number 16 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many of us baby boomers have entered or nearing "geezerhood" (becoming a senior citizen). With that, and relying upon retirement savings and Social Security, money is limited. 

We know about senior discounts at restaurants, but there's more money-saving benefits seniors can get access to.

Life'd has posted a list of 19 discounts that many seniors didn't know they can get.

They begin with:

There are many special discounts that are available to seniors. Retirees are offered discounts at most retailers, restaurants, parks, on public transport and at hotels. But you won’t get these discounts unless YOU ASK for them. 

Simply ask the question, “Do you offer a senior discount?” and see how much you can save. You’ll be able to save money every time you find yourself reaching for your wallet or purse. Here is a list of 19 discounts seniors get only if they know to ask about them in 2018. Not only can you read about them here, you can click the links provided if you want to take advantage of these special discounts.

To read more, go here. 

Making Use of Camping Discounts

Above, the office and store at the KOA Kampground in Beaver, Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Metropolis, Illinois, I stayed at several campground. Some of them were KOA Kampgrounds.

The nice thing about KOAs, many of them are great. But most of them are relatively consistent in quality.

I have been a member since I bought The Beast in 2015 and have stayed at many of them over the past two years. As a member, I get a 10% discount in camping fees. What's more, I also get accumulated points per stay that can be used for even further savings.

For example, when I stayed at the Needles (CA) KOA, I used some of my bonus points and had $10 knocked off of my night's stay. I currently have 8,940 points available to use.

Above, the sign of Blackstone North RV Park shows
it's a Good Sam Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Good Sam logo on display at the Graceland RV Park office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In other campgrounds/RV parks, most of them were Good Sam campgrounds in which my Good Sam Club membership got me a 10% discount in camping fees. I even received a 10% discount at one campground using my AAA (through the Automobile Club of Southern California).

There are other membership discount programs available to RVers such as the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association).

With prices rising while seniors are on fixed incomes, these discounts are a great help. Non-seniors can get the KOA Value Kard and join the Good Sam Club.