As a motorhome traveller, finding the right campsite at the right price can be a daunting task. And all those camping grounds can really drive up your travel costs. However, with the ACSI card, you can save money on campsite fees during off-seasons and find spots with more ease.
In this blog post, we will discuss exactly what the ACSI card is, why it is a must-have for all motorhome travellers and how to get your hands on one.
What is the ACSI Card?
The CampingCard ACSI is a card you buy once a year that offers you discounts on camping in the low season. You can use this card with your motorhome, your caravan or a tent. Each camping site sets its discounted price to 13,15,17,19,21, or 23 euros a night. The ACSI has set rules for what this price has to include (Please be aware of this as we’ve noticed camping grounds do try to cheat with this).
There are camping grounds all over Europe that offer discounted rates for ACSI card holders, making this an indispensable tool for travellers looking to explore Europe with their motorhomes while enjoying excellent camping facilities.
Please note that there is also an ACSI Club ID, which does not entitle you to discounts. It is a replacement identification document which is accepted at even more campsites but offers nothing else than that ID.
The Benefits of the ACSI Card
Cost savings
One of the most significant benefits of the ACSI card is the savings that it provides. The discounted prices can go up to 50% off the regular price. This means you can save a considerable amount of money by using the card, especially if you plan to travel for a long period of time. The camping grounds themselves decide when the card can be used. They might offer discounted rates during spring except Ascension weekend, for instance. Check the descriptions to see whether or not you can get the discount.
Network of Camp Grounds
There are a lot of campsites to choose from all over Europe, making it a very versatile card. It doesn’t matter where you go; there are spots where you can camp. You can visit Spain, France, Switzerland or Slovenia and find great spots. With a noticeable difference in the Scandinavian countries: there, the ACSI campings are few and far between because most aren’t open in the offseason and are so expensive they don’t want to offer such a big discount.
Detailed information
ACSI offers special books and an app where you can see all these options and get detailed information about each of the participating campsites. Sometimes, you will have to pay extra for the books or the app, depending on the subscription you choose with the card. There is also a website where you can find all ACSI-participating camping grounds.
ACSI also checks the camping grounds regularly to see if they meet the standards of the network. This means more chances or a well-maintained camping ground.
READ MORE: Don’t want to stand on a campsite? Check out the wild camping options throughout Europe.
The Downsides of the CampingCard ACSI
Of course, not everything is rainbow and sunshine with the ACSI card.
Membership fees
You can buy the card separately each year, or you can get a membership. With a membership, you are the first to receive your card each year at a lower price, but you are stuck on this membership, while with separate purchases, you can decide if the card will be worth it in the coming year.
Not following rules
As mentioned, we’ve noticed not all camping grounds try to adhere to the rules. At this moment (2023), the ACSI price includes a pitch, the stay of two people, a car + caravan + awning (or a car with folding trailer, or a motorhome or a car and a tent), electricity connection with usage up to 4kWh per day, warm showers, one dog (if allowed on the camping) and VAT. However, campsites sometimes try to mess with that and make you pay more. When we just had the ACSI card and weren’t really aware of the rules yet, we had a camping that let us pay for showers while this should be included. Others let us pay for the dog, while one should be included, and a third one wanted us to pay for the electricity connection (we were definitely under 4kWh per day). All of that to say that now we know the rules (and check them each year) so that they can’t play us. And we want you to make sure you are aware of it too.
How to Get an ACSI Card
Getting a CampingCard ACSI is an easy and straightforward process.
- Visit the ACSI website
Go to the website https://www.acsi.eu/ - Look for the CampingCard ACSI
Look for the ACSI card (do not get the Club Card ID as mentioned above) and check out the several options you can get, which include one or several books and/or access to the app. - Purchase your preferred option
- Receive your ACSI card in the mail
This might take a while, depending on when you buy the card. You will be able to buy the 2024 card soon and will get that in the mail probably somewhere in December. - Browse the books or the app and start planning your next motorhome adventure.
READ MORE: How to plan your next motorhome adventure
Conclusion
In summary, the ACSI card is a must-have for all motorhome travellers. With its discounts, versatility, and additional benefits, the card can help you save money, find great campsites, and travel with confidence. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enhance your travels and get the most out of your motorhome experience!
