AAA discount questions

[onesadduck]

Hey there, guys I have a few questions about the AAA discount.

1) Has anyone ever gotten a discount in So Cal? If so how much? I'm not sure I could get a discount to WDW considering we live less than an hour away form Disneyland.

2) Can a AAA discount be applied later? Or do I need to have that when I book the room?

3) I don't have AAA but my dad does. I'm the only one going on the trip, and I will be paying for it. Can I use his AAA discount, or would that break the rules? I would go right out and get my own membership but I don't have car or even a driver's liscense yet! Also, if I do use his discount, does he have to make the reservations? I'd rather he didn't know how much this is costing me- he already thinks I spend way too much (he's right- I do spend too much).

4) Can I get a AAA membership if I don't have a car (I'm gonna get my license soon, hopefully)?

5) Would I be crazy to just book w/out the AAA discount, if I can't get one?


ETA: 6) Can I apply any discount after I make the last payment? I'd rather pay in full in one lump sum- but not if that'll cost more.

Thanks so much in advance, I know I've been asking a lot of questions lately.
-Alisa

 

[Crystal_27]

Hey there, guys I have a few questions about the AAA discount.

1) Has anyone ever gotten a discount in So Cal? If so how much? I'm not sure I could get a discount to WDW considering we live less than an hour away form Disneyland.

2) Can a AAA discount be applied later? Or do I need to have that when I book the room?

3) I don't have AAA but my dad does. I'm the only one going on the trip, and I will be paying for it. Can I use his AAA discount, or would that break the rules? I would go right out and get my own membership but I don't have car or even a driver's liscense yet! Also, if I do use his discount, does he have to make the reservations? I'd rather he didn't know how much this is costing me- he already thinks I spend way too much (he's right- I do spend too much).

4) Can I get a AAA membership if I don't have a car (I'm gonna get my license soon, hopefully)?

5) Would I be crazy to just book w/out the AAA discount, if I can't get one?


ETA: 6) Can I apply any discount after I make the last payment? I'd rather pay in full in one lump sum- but not if that'll cost more.

Thanks so much in advance, I know I've been asking a lot of questions lately.
-Alisa

#1 - don't know
#2 - I think that it's a crap shoot whether or not you have to show your AAA card upon check-in. I know if you book through the AAA site, you have to log in.
#3 - Unless you are on your dad's membership plan, I think that using his card to book your trip might be a little underhanded.
#4 - Yes - AAA covers you as a driver and a passenger
#5 - No
#6 - I don't think so - I think that you'd have to transfer your existing ressie.

 

[onesadduck]

Thank you so much Crystal 27. I really appreciate it. I'm gonna look into getting AAA membership as a passenger. I definitely don't want to break any rules (I was mostly asking if anyone had any idea what the rules are on this type of thing). Once again, thank you.
-Alisa

 

[seamour]

1. I don't think it matters where you live

2. yes, provided it's available, it's only offered on a certian percentage of rooms and depends on how full the resort is.

3. the AAA member has to be on the reservation and there at check in

4. Not sure

5. There are alot of good package codes that come out that are available to the public

6. yes you can

HTH
Mic

 

[Matt'sMom]

I think you may be misunderstanding how the AAA rates work. It isn't really a 'discount' that you can automatically have applied to your reservation. Merely having AAA does not guarantee you will receive a discounted room rate (that all depends on availability). And you can not apply the AAA discount to a rack rate room reservation--but you can switch your reservations from the rack rate room to an AAA rate room if one is still available in the room pool.

WDW sets aside a limited number of rooms available for reservation by AAA members at an AAA discounted rate. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask if any rooms are available at your chosen resort, for your specified dates of stay, at the AAA rate. If there is a room available at AAA rate, then you must have your AAA membership card and provide your # before Disney will even book your reservation (this may be new for 2008 ressies--but I know my TA said that she could not book our room using the AAA rate without having that #!).

The person booking and paying for the room will need to show their AAA card at check-in. Yes, in the past some people have said that they were never asked to actually show their card as proof of membership. But it seems that WDW is cracking down on this somewhat, so why take a chance on being caught red handed? If booking an AAA room, be sure to take your AAA card with you to WDW.

Many times of year there are codes released for general public use... and frequently those rates are as good or better than the AAA rates. But, again, availability is limited. You can watch for those general codes here on the Dis Resorts Boards (Codes & Rates sub-forum).

 

[onesadduck]

I think you may be misunderstanding how the AAA rates work. It isn't really a 'discount' that you can automatically have applied to your reservation. Merely having AAA does not guarantee you will receive a discounted room rate (that all depends on availability). And you can not apply the AAA discount to a rack rate room reservation--but you can switch your reservations from the rack rate room to an AAA rate room if one is still available in the room pool.

WDW sets aside a limited number of rooms available for reservation by AAA members at an AAA discounted rate. When you call to make a reservation, you can ask if any rooms are available at your chosen resort, for your specified dates of stay, at the AAA rate. If there is a room available at AAA rate, then you must have your AAA membership card and provide your # before Disney will even book your reservation (this may be new for 2008 ressies--but I know my TA said that she could not book our room using the AAA rate without having that #!).

You're right. I totally misunderstood how it worked. Thanks for setting me straight.

The person booking and paying for the room will need to show their AAA card at check-in. Yes, in the past some people have said that they were never asked to actually show their card as proof of membership. But it seems that WDW is cracking down on this somewhat, so why take a chance on being caught red handed? If booking an AAA room, be sure to take your AAA card with you to WDW.

Many times of year there are codes released for general public use... and frequently those rates are as good or better than the AAA rates. But, again, availability is limited. You can watch for those general codes here on the Dis Resorts Boards (Codes & Rates sub-forum).

I wasn't asking if I could break the rules- merely if what I wanted to do was against the rules. I have no desire to misuse my dad's AAA membership. At the very most, I may have him call and get a quote (can he do that without actualy booking?). If he can get a deal, and it's worth it, I'd get my own AAA membership- or pay him to be added to his. But I think I'll skip the AAA thing. Not getting the AAA rate won't put the vacation out of my price range. It seems like way too much hassle, especially considering that I'd rather my dad didn't know how much I was paying.

Thank you all so much for helping me. You saved me a horribly embarassing call to AAA. I have a social disorder, as well as no land line or cell phone reception in my apt. so useless calls are a big deal- I have to leave the house and sit in the cold for the duration of the call while people pass by and can hear my conversations.

Once again, I'm glad I found the DIS
-Alisa