AAA booking question

[ryan840]

Hi. For those of you who booked packages through AAA, did they charge you? I have been working on our package for about a week with an agent, and she has quoted me prices, taken my info everything like that. Then, at the very last second she sends an email saying "Oh, one more thing- when you pay your deposit we will also require a $25 service charge for handling the reservation"! WHY was I not told this before? Shouldn't it have been included in the quote, or at least mentioned at that time? I spent so much time deciding wether or not to book a package because it was actually cheaper to book seperately (until you factor in the bonuses like meal vouchers and the extra food on the dining plan) and now it's going to be even more which basically cancels it all out... Is this normal? I figured since I pay for a membership I wouldn't have to pay for this too... Mostly it was the way is was snuck in at the last minute that makes me mad... OK, unplanned vent over, sorry!

 

[agotta]

At our AAA, there are two different types of people who can book travel.

1) Travel Counselor- also does memberships, credit card apps, trip tiks, car rentals and regular hotel stays (Can do Disney and limited other packages). Does not or can't charge for services. Does not work on commission (although AAA will pay a small amount for hotel, car rentals and Disney packages)
2) Travel Agent- WON'T do trip tiks, or memberships. Will do European packages, cruises, car rentals and hotel stays. Usually charge a fee for their services.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I booked my honeymoon to Disneyland online through AAA. I didn't pay a fee beyond the insurance and deposit required by Disney.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I tried to go though them once, and they completely messed up a very simple vacation reservation to WDW. It seemed that I knew more about booking then they did. Yes they did charge me, which I did get back when I cancelled and booked myself.

 

[isyne4u]

I just booked my trip through AAA and wasn't charged a booking fee. I booked my entire trip including airfare through them. Maybe she doesn't have your AAA number and thinks that you are not a AAA member. I'd call her back.

I know I saved almost $300 booking the whole thing with AAA than i would have through CRO and only booking my airfare through AAA. It was a good deal for us.

tara

 

[Toby'sFriend]

no - I booked a package in December with room, passes, and the dining plan and did not pay a fee. I would not be inclined to pay it either considering AAA gets a commission from Disney.

I still have my agent's name around somewhere if you need it, send me a PM. I'm not sure if you are required to book through your local region, but I used the Chicago Office.

 

[mrsmom]

I just booked a disney package through AAA Saturday and i was never charged a service charge fee. I would be calling them back and questioning that. Good Luck!!
Kim

 

[ryan840]

OK, the server is too busy message is getting obnoxios, I've been getting it constantly for two days now...

Anyway, thanks everyone for the replies. I'll be finding another agent I guess. Another thing that I find odd is that my savings by booking through AAA was only $33, which is less than about 1%. Does that seem right? Right now if I book online through Disney it will only cost me $8 more than booking through AAA and paying their fee... Man, it's a good thing I don't work outside my home or I'd never find the time to do this stuff!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

does AAA know you're a member?

 

[ryan840]

Yes, they know I'm a member. I had literally given all of my information, received totals, etc... when she sprang it on me. I also just called my local office and they said they too charge $25 for members . I am now tyring to book online through AAA's website because they claim there will be no fees for doing so. Here's hoping...

 

[ryan840]

I filled out a request form on AAA's website and received the response today- it was from the same lady! Apparently you can't book Disney packages online with AAA so they send it to a local office and guess who the lucky lady to receive it was? She must think I'm nuts... I can't seem to get around the fee, how did you all find your agents that didn't charge?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I would be FURIOUS!
We booked out trip last October through AAA and made all kinds of changes to it. We now have a trip booked for August, which was originally booked for May, and they never charged a service fee. You can see I am a pain in the, um, neck, when it comes to booking, so if they didn't charge me they shouldn't charge anybody!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

just did what you did -- I want to the AAA website, filled out a form, and they sent it on to a local office that called me to get the specifics. I guess different offices have different policies.

I personally wouldn't pay it just on principal however unless they could save you alot of money. You already pay a membership fee to join AAA and then they are receiving a commission from Disney. I hate being nickel and dimed.

 

[agotta]

At our AAA, there are two different types of people who can book travel.

1) Travel Counselor- also does memberships, credit card apps, trip tiks, car rentals and regular hotel stays (Can do Disney and limited other packages). Does not or can't charge for services. Does not work on commission (although AAA will pay a small amount for hotel, car rentals and Disney packages)
2) Travel Agent- WON'T do trip tiks, or memberships. Will do European packages, cruises, car rentals and hotel stays. Usually charge a fee for their services.

I am just quoting myself in case you missed it....I would check into this. I have worked at AAA so I know a little bit...

 

[ryan840]

I am just quoting myself in case you missed it....I would check into this. I have worked at AAA so I know a little bit...

How do I find a travel counselor? I have a hard enough time find the number to my local office, let alone a specefic type of agent. It seems like all I get from any of them is the runaround about how "we all charge fees, have since 9/11". I even sent a link of the website to the agent who was helping me and there was still nothing she could do. It's so frustrating... The savings are barely there to begin with, and to pay for what should be included in my membership fee (not to mention that I pretty much did all the work and just said "can you make this reservation for me please") seems ridiculous...

 

[PaulaSue]

I just got back and no where in my quotes is listed a fee for the TA, If there is it is hidden .

 

[mmexpress]

I just booked wit AAA for December.
I didn't pay a service fee.

 

[ryan840]

Where is everyone finding these agents? I can't for the life of me find one who doesn't charge and I've been looking for two days!

 

[mmexpress]

I booked at my local branch..
North Penn

 

[ryan840]

I booked at my local branch..
North Penn

Hehe, I'm already waiting on a response from a referral in Chigago, wonder what they'd think if I tried PA?