Leaving club

People making several bookings is allowed, jcal. What the system won't permit is more than one booking for the same date.

Why not take advantage of a system that allows you to book and then cancel (subject to the 72hr rule) without penalty? It's the club's USP and you're missing out by not booking earlier.

jcal

It looks as though there could be some changes on the way to the booking system if you have a copy of the latest magazine see page 19 and the little box headed up as "Next Steps" I quote, "We are also working on the three most common subjects brought up by members when discussing the booking system: Block Bookings, Cancellations and Deposits" It would seem you are not alone in being concerned. It is a subject that has been discussed in this forum many times but without any definitive conclusions, perhaps those conclusions will soon be with us so it might be to your advantage to hold fire on any decision?

David

The bookings for next year are until April 30th, I wonder if there really are any changes on the way? If not I presume booking for May 2022 will be released at the end of this month so there's still a chance to make bookings.

On a similar level I was talking to one of the volunteers at Chirk Castle who was taking our name from the pre booking roll. I asked her how many cancellations she had and it touched a sore point. 

She told me that she could go down her sheet for the week on a Monday and see many members names who book each single day as there is no penalty or charge for doing so and then just choose which one of the days they wanted to visit. Even when arriving early in the week they were enough inconsiderate ones who didn't cancel their bookings for later in the week.

So it's not just the CAMC that sees block bookings that cause concern for some members.

Fortunately I don't use club sites very much and have sufficient time on my hands to be flexible if I do need to stay at one. Not every one is as fortunate but it hasn't changed a great deal since we've been members. 20+ years ago we had to ring each site and ask the overworked wardens if there was a pitch for the weekend. Sometimes we were disappointed and went elsewhere. Computers merely make it easier to book far in advance and for multiple locations without the hassle.

Can I suggest to jcal that he/she tries C.L.s. There are many now that have hard standings and plenty that have either full serviced pitches or Enhanced ones. 

The membership is worth it just for the CLs alone for us.

I hope so or there will be more like the OP. On my last site when I arrived at reception the warden said I could change my booking as there was now a better choice from the awning pitches which had become available! My neighbours on this site were also fed up with the system. Today I tried booking another Club site, the commercial one I usually go to was full. I had forgotten it was late bank hoiliday weekend. I wanted four nights but could only get the first three so I said I would accept those and hope for a cancellation. The warden's comment "Wise decission" Says it all.

The flexibility is nice to have but its very frustrating and on balance I would sooner see deposits.

peedee

I was about to say the same, CL's are our first choice and you are £'s in already.  Add in Mayday if you need it, along with any foreign holiday offering cheaper crossing and Red Pennant and it really is value for money.

Colin

The network of club sites is the "least" important aspect of membership for me, as well.

Another vote for CLs from me too.  Since the pandemic we've only used CLs, adult only ones at that, because we felt we would be safer, rightly or wrongly, but we've felt totally safe on them.

There are many CLs in lovely areas, with the added bonus of being half the price of a main site in many cases!

If the OP hasn't tried a CL, then before leaving the club, I think it would be a good idea to try one.

On Breakfast TV this morning the hospitality industry was featured as having a problem with cancellations and no shows so why should the Club be any different. The discussion revolved around the introduction of deposits for table reservations.

peedee