AAA Discount Buyer Beware

[kellyg403]

I agree with the PP re: AAA. We used them last December and got a good discount. I am not sure about the commission part but I don't think they are as well versed in Disney planning as I would like them to be. If you are selling a product I expect to be able to ask a question and get a correct answer. I had to find out on my own about ADR's, discounts on Petty Experience etc. Hence, I would say I am not surprised that they didn't know why they change in price. Definitely speak to a supervisor. If AAA would like to offer this service, they need to definitely have the answers to questions and at the very least while you are standing there try to figure out what the problem was.

I would have to agree that either the package was booked under 2006 rates or that there were no more AAA rooms available when converting your package. The extra perks aren't so great, you get free parking staying in a disney resort anyway and as for the food discount I can't remember too many places that honored a AAA discount other than in Sea World. Correct me if I am wrong. We were on DDP and the only place that posted the discount was Sea World.

Kelly

 

[SEC]

I have received the AAA discount going through CRO, every time I inquired about rates/packages through AAA, the rates were higher. The AAA office is just down the street from my office, so I went and talked to them one day about the higher rates and asked "why should I book through you when I can always get a better rate?" They had no answer, therefore, I have never booked through AAA. So glad that we have been DVC members since 2000, it has saved an immense amount of time looking for a deal. I no longer have to look for a deal to see if we can go to WDW, I know we can always go to WDW even with only a couple of months notice! It is a great mental health booster!

 

[bab31]

The extra perks aren't so great, you get free parking staying in a disney resort anyway and as for the food discount I can't remember too many places that honored a AAA discount other than in Sea World. Correct me if I am wrong. We were on DDP and the only place that posted the discount was Sea World.

Kelly[/QUOTE]

I posted the various discounts in the 2006 book here with the various discounts for dining...not alot of places in the world but a few. Better than nothing.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286828

 

[Dislifer]

I just booked directly with Dolphin and I'm getting a 50% discount (using my AAA card) off of the room rate!!! This seems too good to be true!!!! I'm a little nervous!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The extra perks aren't so great, you get free parking staying in a disney resort anyway and as for the food discount I can't remember too many places that honored a AAA discount other than in Sea World. Correct me if I am wrong. We were on DDP and the only place that posted the discount was Sea World.

Kelly

I posted the various discounts in the 2006 book here with the various discounts for dining...not alot of places in the world but a few. Better than nothing.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286828

In fairness, AAA's primary purpose is to provide emergency road service to its members. Everything else is just perks - travel discounts, maps, insurance (auto/home), discounts in your local/home area...

 

[Luv2Roam]

I've had horrible roadside service with AAA South. I hate to to think that is their field of expertise.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Several points...

AAA travel agents do not work on commission. Magic Your Way packages with the AAA discount on the room portion of the package can ONLY be booked through AAA. Some AAA agents are more Disney-knowledgeable than others. I happen to use an agent in South Carolina, about 2300 miles away. A good AAA agent will go over each component with you, including the inclusion or exclusion of travel insurance. Travel insurance is based on the number of adults traveling, no matter how many kids are going as well. If you are unhappy with your local AAA travel agent, call one closer to Florida and ask to speak to an agent familiar with WDW. They will assist you.

 

[bab31]

I just booked directly with Dolphin and I'm getting a 50% discount (using my AAA card) off of the room rate!!! This seems too good to be true!!!! I'm a little nervous!

I think you also get 200 dollars in disney dollars from the dolphin/swan???- check that out....

 

[MEK]

It's all about finding the right AAA agent. But you still have to keep up on things. Know what the CRO price quote is BEFORE you contact AAA. Then you will know whether you are getting a savings. Know what promotions are offered even after you book with AAA. An AAA agent will apply that promotion to your existing packg, if you ask. A really good agent will do it without you asking.

I like my AAA agent. She is easy to contact, price quotes are correct, and promotions are applied. I also use my AAA Visa. I can apply all my rebate dollars to the final payments of my Disney trip. I saved $125 last August and $150 in November. These were rebate savings. This is IN ADDITION to any discount on the room portion of the pckg. The rebates are applied AFTER the final payment goes from AAA to Disney.

I would be silly not to book through AAA. They never force me to get insurance. The automatically charge the final payment to my credit card 45 days out. As far as the additional perks. The AAA parking pass did come in handy over Thanksgiving when the parks were crowded since we did not get there right at opening. There is a discount card that I have only used once at the Disney store in DTD.

 

[SuperTink]

I have a really good Disney TA but she is not AAA. She keeps an eye on codes and books all my ADRs. She saved me $$ this year.

Can I have her book the room using AAA discount and then just order my Magic Your Way tickets separately? Or am I missing something?

 

[beth_cam]

I have a really good Disney TA but she is not AAA. She keeps an eye on codes and books all my ADRs. She saved me $$ this year.

Can I have her book the room using AAA discount and then just order my Magic Your Way tickets separately? Or am I missing something?

Again - AAA discounted MYW packages can ONLY be booked through AAA. these discounts will only be given off un-discounted packages. If there is a code out for a package, you wont get the aaa discount on top of that.

 

[SuperTink]

But the question is, can I have a room ressie on file and then order the park tickets *separately* using the AAA discounts? This is NOT a package.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Yes you can book the room only with the discount and order tickets separately, you cannot however have room only and get a dining plan added, but I got the dining and tickets and room through AAA at the AAA room rate. just had to book it with them and as a package.

 

[Fionasmommy]

But the question is, can I have a room ressie on file and then order the park tickets *separately* using the AAA discounts? This is NOT a package.

Absolutely. Room-only AAA reservations can be made through any travel agent or directly through WDTC. It's the packages that must be reserved through AAA.

 

[SuperTink]

"Absolutely. Room-only AAA reservations can be made through any travel agent or directly through WDTC. It's the packages that must be reserved through AAA."

Thanks so much!

That's what I'll do.

 

[hockeybabe]

One comment that may have gone overlooked in one of the replies, is that you can use any AAA representative in any office. I seem to remember a post a while back that named some agents who were Disney trained and knew the in's and out's. Perhaps start another thread asking for the best AAA agents, and get your ressie switched to that office and rep. Good luck!

 

[SuperTink]

OK now I'm getting a room only quote from my TA that's *higher* than the rack rate on Disney's website.

I thought AAA rate was about 20% off?

 

[Dislifer]

I booked my hotel ressies directly with the Dolphin using my AAA card...50% discount seemed like a great deal to me. I know I can't do the dining plan and Magical Express, but I do think this will still be cheaper.
Now...my plan is to go to my local AAA office and purchase my WDW Disney Park Hopper tickets. Does that sound like a good idea?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Fionasmommy]

OK now I'm getting a room only quote from my TA that's *higher* than the rack rate on Disney's website.

I thought AAA rate was about 20% off?

Sounds like you need a new AAA agent!

AAA discount is 10-15% depending on the season. But do check to see if your TA is including tax, because rack rates on the Disney site are usually before tax.

 

[SuperTink]

No ME on AAA?

Drats!