AAA Discount Buyer Beware

[MarySB]

Be careful re AAA "Discount Rates". I reserved a room last March for the 20% off rooms from Dec.4-9. I went in yesterday to convert it to a package at the "AAA Discount Rate" and it came out to $200 MORE than on the Disney website. Same date, same tickets, same dining plan. I called them today and got a major runaround. The TA I worked with said she "didn't know why" it was more and that I was the THIRD client who had had that difficulty. If that was the case. you would think THEY would find out WHY. But all they care about is getting their commission. When I really pressed them for the reason, they said I was getting some "perks" like free parking (can't use it because we are using Disney Transportation) and discounts on meals (can't use it because we are on the dining plan---which THEY sold me!) I now have a complaint lodged with the BBB. Don't make the same mistake I did in believing that a AAA Discount Rate means you are actually getting a discount. You're not!

 

[B&WMickey]

I had a similar run in with AAA. I found out that my AAA agent had no intention of applying a AAA discount to my reservation. Thankfully I found out about this in time and was able to rebook through CRO and have my AAA discount applied. Definitely stay on top of things regardless of whom you book through never assume anything is being done automatically for you.

 

[scouthawkk]

Can you use a AAA discount when booking a package through CRO? I thought you could only do that through AAA. I ask because I am trying to budget for next August. TIA!

 

[bab31]

As I understand it, you can. just a matter of availability.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Something is up and I'm not sure what. I booked last March for March of 07. I booked at the rack rate (hadn't found the Dis yet). Once the AAA rates were available, I called back to have my discount applied. It raised my rates. Noone could explain why.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I had the same problem last winter when I booked my trip for June. I even called several AAA for a quote and it got higher everytime. I gave up on AAA unless I am booking a room only rate. They could not give me an answer as to what the problem was or why the rate with Disney was less. Too much trouble so I gave up.

 

[Panotchr]

I just booked a package for 6 nights through AAA and got a great discount versus the Disney website. Our agent was super helpful and I think got us a good rate.

 

[bab31]

really odd. I know when I made our ressies, The Agent said she needed to call disney to get the quote. So ultimately the price came from Disney. I did verify the rate before AAA discount.

 

[LisaB]

AAA agents don't receive any commission they are on straight moneies at least in RI

 

[Jambo!424]

I don't know why that would happen, but my family has always saved a lot of money through AAA. I'm booking a trip this weekend through AAA and it will be over $400 cheaper than the disney website rate.

 

[ilovejack02]

Im booked for Jan , called WDW and got reservations , called AAA and got reservations and booked the whole package and was about 400.00 cheaper no matter how i did the math(even called wdw and went over #'s) and with the diamond card it was an even better deal. SOOO im not sure what the problem is , but it is not like that for everyone. Hope you can work it out!

 

[fAnnF]

I had a problem with AAA last Dec/Jan so I swore never to book threw them again.

 

[Terry's Angels]

I've had recent troubles with AAA so I can say that I understand what you may be going through. I would strongly encourage (as other people did me both on the board and PM) to contact a supervisor and if you're not getting anywhere with that person, switch your reservation to a different office. My experience is that often different offices, have different managers and different skill levels - my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that you can switch offices in the same region without any changes happening to your reservation. It might be useful to make a post asking people here about specific agents that have been good to work with. I hope things work out well for your trip.

 

[beth_cam]

3 things come to mind as I read through all this. 1- to clarify something asked during the post, AAA room only ressies can be made at cro or at AAA but AAA packages can oly be made at AAA. 2nd Since you cannot simply convert a room only to a package, it has to be rebooked I wonder if there isnt a built in fee that they arent figuring out for you. Like automatically adding in insurance on packages, change fees etc. As well since they are having to rebook your package there may not be a room available at the AAA rate but they are possibly not going to tell you that. Even if they drop your room only there is no guarentee they will get that same room slot back. They'll just say this is how much it costs now. That really stinks. I have seen several times people say they ended up not getting a discount with AAA. We saved a little bit maybe about 100 after paying for our membership but since I knew more than the AAA agent and didnt really need her help I figured it was worth the trouble. Also isnt there a code for december? maybe that is getting it to be lower? what are your travel specifics maybe we can figure out the difference?

 

[BroadwayGirl]

Something is up and I'm not sure what. I booked last March for March of 07. I booked at the rack rate (hadn't found the Dis yet). Once the AAA rates were available, I called back to have my discount applied. It raised my rates. Noone could explain why.

This one is actually easily explained.

When you booked your reservation, rates for 2007 were not yet published so the room was reserved under the 2006 REGULAR season rack rates. You should have been advised at that time that the rate would be adjusted when the 2007 calendar and rates came out. Since March falls during PEAK season, the room rate was higher than the REGULAR season rates. Therefore, even with a AAA discount, your rate would have been higher.

 

[Panotchr]

We booked through AAA for next August and we saved about $300

 

[Luv2Roam]

but AAA packages can oly be made at AAA.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong -- but WDTC can book AAA packages. (Room Only is CRO. Internet bookings and packages are WDTC.)

 

[MarksMom2006]

Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong -- but WDTC can book AAA packages. (Room Only is CRO. Internet bookings and packages are WDTC.)

No WDTC can't book AAA packages. Room only with an AAA discount can be booked through WDTC, but the AAA packages can only be booked with AAA.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Ah -- That is where I was remembering incorrect.
Before moving here I use to book room only and sometimes used the AAA discount, but booked through CRO or DU.

 

[Fionasmommy]

Also make sure the agent isn't automatically applying travel insurance. This seems to be a common problem, and if your agent added insurance AND the resort was out of AAA rates you could easily end up over the rate quoted by CRO.

That said, I've booked two trips through AAA and saved a nice chunk both times.