When you’re on the road as often and as long as my wife and I are, you start to realize just how many RV memberships are out there. (Hint: There’s a lot.) Some sound too good to be true, but others are really too good to pass up. The fact is that whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-timer clocking miles across the country, certain RV memberships can make a real difference in your travel experience. They can not only save you serious money; they can also unlock campgrounds you wouldn’t otherwise find.
But here’s the thing: Not all RV memberships are created equal. Some are great for fuel savings. Others for discounted camping. And a few more? Well, let’s just say they’ve collected some dust.
So, how do you know which memberships are worth it?
Let’s break down which RV memberships actually make a difference — especially the ones we’ve personally used or seen fellow RVers rave about.
1. Good Sam Club – Getting All the Discounts
Who It’s For: Great for RVers who frequently stay at private campgrounds, travel long distances using major fuel stations, or shop at Camping World regularly.
What It Offers:
- Fuel discounts (up to 5¢ off at Pilot Flying J)
- 10 percent off at over 2,000 campgrounds
- Discounts at Camping World and other retail partners
- Roadside assistance (if bundled with their extended coverage)
Our Take: Good Sam was one of the first memberships we signed up for. It’s especially handy when you’re bouncing between private campgrounds and need a quick overnight with hookups — or you want a discount at Camping World while picking up a new water filter or sewer hose.
We found the gas discount to be hit or miss depending on the area. (Sometimes the discount price was already matched or beat by competitors.) But the campground discounts and retail perks were easy to use.
Pro Tip: If you’re mostly interested in the fuel savings, apps like GasBuddy or Upside can help you find cheaper gas nearby without needing a membership. Similarly, AAA offers some of the same roadside assistance perks, so if you’re already a member, double-check to avoid paying twice for similar benefits.
2. Passport America – Paying for Itself
Who It’s For: Ideal for budget-conscious RVers or road trippers who don’t mind calling ahead and reading campground policies to score deals on overnight stops. Really, since this an inexpensive membership that usually pays for itself on the first or second use, it is a nice one to have for almost anyone.
What It Offers:
- 50 percent off nightly rates at thousands of participating campgrounds
- One of the lowest membership fees in the game
Our Take: We’ve used Passport America in the past, especially on cross-country travel days where we just needed an overnight stop with hookups in the middle of nowhere. You do have to read the fine print — many campgrounds limit the number of nights you can stay at the discounted rate, and some have blackout dates or restrictions. Still, if you time it right, even one or two stays can recoup your annual fee.
Pro Tip: If you only need the occasional overnight stay, check out apps like iOverlander, FreeRoam, or Campendium for free or low-cost stays—particularly in rural areas or public land. But if you want something with hookups and more reliability, Passport America offers incredible bang for your buck.
3. Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome – Enjoying Unique Stays
Who It’s For: Perfect for self-contained RVers who love off-the-beaten-path experiences and enjoy supporting small businesses or connecting with fellow travelers.
What It Offers:
- Overnight stays at wineries, breweries, farms, museums, and private homes
- Over 5,000 unique places to stay overnight
- Annual fee for access to thousands of host locations
- No campground fees (though purchases at host locations are encouraged)
Our Take: This one’s been a staple in our travel toolkit. As full-time travelers who love boondocking, we appreciate the unique experiences and quieter overnights these memberships offer. We’ve stayed on vineyards, breweries, museums, farms, and more with Harvest Hosts and stay with generous hosts who’ve shared everything from travel tips to a helping hand with Boondockers Welcome.
Yes, you typically need to be self-contained, and with Harvest Hosts you’re encouraged to make a purchase from the business (which we’re happy to do), but the trade-off is often a peaceful, scenic stay that’s far more memorable than a parking lot or crowded RV park.
Pro Tip: If you’re only interested in the Boondockers Welcome side, it’s available as a standalone membership at a lower price point. Alternatively, some wineries and farms allow overnight parking through other programs for free—though they may be harder to find without a central platform.
4. Escapees RV Club – Making RV Logistics Easy
Who It’s For: Best for full-timers or long-haul travelers who want support with logistics like mail forwarding, domicile planning, or who enjoy learning from and connecting with a deeper RVing community. (Especially if you are a family with children looking to make friends with other kids in the same lifestyle.)
What It Offers:
- Discounted campgrounds in the Escapees network
- Extensive education and community support
- Mail forwarding, domicile assistance, and legal resources for full-timers
- Escapees/Xscapers community events
Our Take: We used Escapees primarily for their mail service in the beginning, which is helpful without a home base. Their educational webinars and online resources are also great if you’re new to RVing or looking for guidance on everything from domicile setup to boondocking skills.
Pro Tip: If you’re mostly interested in the mail service, you could compare with other RV-specific mail providers or look into USPS General Delivery. Since we’ve been RVing for so long, know the ins and outs, and we have so many wonderful friends in the RV community already, this is membership only appealed to us for the mail forwarding. So we went with a company that specializes in that called iPostal1. That said, few RV memberships offer the level of service and long-standing reliability that Escapees has built over decades.
5. Thousand Trails – Kissing Nightly Fees Goodbye
Who It’s For: Great for full-time or seasonal travelers who want access to multiple campgrounds in a specific region or nationwide, especially if they alternate between boondocking and paid stays.
What It Offers:
- Prepaid camping in specific regions
- No nightly fees (after initial membership and annual dues)
- Optional upgrades for more nationwide access
Our Take: Right now, we have the annual regional pass for Thousand Trails because it made the most financial sense for our current route. Even though we mostly boondock these days, having access to a network of campgrounds makes it easy to stop, reset, and recharge (literally and figuratively) between dry camping stretches. We’ve used it to dump tanks, catch up on laundry, and have a homebase in different areas.
Some campgrounds are better than others (read reviews), but when you calculate the savings over time, it can be a smart move—especially if you’re in an area with several participating parks.
Pro Tip: If you’re on the fence, try a zone pass first — it’s more affordable and lets you test the system. And for those who rarely use paid campgrounds, pairing free sites from apps like Campendium with the occasional state park might offer more flexibility without the upfront cost.
6. Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) – Equipping Motorhome Owners
Who It’s For: Ideal for motorhome owners (especially Class As, Class Bs, or Class Cs) who want access to premium travel services, tire programs, and advanced RV support.
What It Offers:
- Tire discounts, mail service, tech resources
- Travel assistance
- Community rallies and events
- FMCAssist emergency travel program
Our Take: While we haven’t personally used FMCA ourselves yet, we’ve heard positive things from other RVers — especially those who travel in Class A and C motorhomes. The tire discounts alone can save hundreds, and the mobile tech resources are great for digital nomads and remote workers.
Pro Tip: If you’re mainly eyeing FMCA for internet resources, you may be able to find comparable info in online forums or Facebook groups—though without the same level of tech support. Similarly, roadside assistance is available à la carte from providers like Coach-Net or AAA, depending on your rig and travel style.
Honorable Mentions
- KOA Value Kard Rewards. Great if you frequently stay at KOA campgrounds.
- AAA or CAA. Offers limited but useful RV support and hotel discounts during hybrid trips.
- RVillage (Community App). Not a traditional membership, but a great way to connect with other RVers and learn about meetups and campgrounds through social sharing.
Do You Really Need Any RV Memberships?
The answer to this question really depends on you. If you’re RVing just a few weekends a year, some of the higher-priced RV memberships may not be worth it. But if you’re on the road even a few weeks at a time, a good membership can save you more than it costs — and open the door to experiences that typical campgrounds just can’t match.
Over the years, we’ve learned to take a “less is more” approach. We started out signing up for every club and discount we could find. Now we stick to the few that really work with how we travel. That’s the key — matching the membership to your style.
We always recommend starting with one or two and seeing how often you actually use them. It’s easier than trying to track ten different logins and cards, only to realize you’ve forgotten half of them when you pull into the campground.
So, from winery overnights to roadside tire savings, the right RV membership can do more than just cut costs. It can actually enhance your journey. They’re not one-size-fits-all. But when you find the ones that fit, they become indispensable tools in your travel kit. Overall, they help you get where you’re going cheaper, smoother, and with a few unexpected adventures along the way.
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