AAA discount -worth buying a membership?

[sTINKS]

I am wondering if it is worth buying a membership to AAA for the WDW discount. We are planning an 8 day trip in a deluxe resort - would the AAA discount save me money? Wondering your opinions, because if anyone knows, a DISer will know!

 

[DSNY4ever]

There are a lot of discounts out there that you could probably get with out purchasing AAA just for that reason (unless you also need roadside assistance). Have you tried using Dreams Unlimited Travel or another agent from home? We have used Dreams and they will search for discounts for you and they will also let you know how much you can save with AAA (they can apply the AAA discount too). To book through them is free and it might be worth it to have them hunt for discounts for you and let you know the best option. They will also book all of your ADRs which is wonderful

 

[mikehn]

Why dont you just ask the reservation agent to see if the rate is any better with AAA? Sometimes they will give you a better rate for AAA, but not always.

 

[growinupdisney]

No! We have AAA the ticket prices were not really any cheaper I ended up ordering thru Undercover tourist and got a much better deal! The package plan was no different either and has blackout dates too!

 

[jfegan]

I hear great things about Dreams Unlimited Travel. If you are interested in comparing packages, you do NOT need to be a member of AAA to use their travel agents, so you could compare packages. I don't know when your trip is, or how long you are staying, but if AAA membership is being considered for AAA rates, you may also want to consider annual pass cost and the discounts available to annual pass holders as well as other benefits they receive.

The possibilities are so endless that sometimes my head hurts.

 

[3boymthr]

I have AAA and love, love, love it. There are tons of OTHER discounts and perks besides just road service that totally make the service pay for itself. Last night I went sneaker shopping for middle DS. I saved 25% on his sneakers. I saved $5 on pizza. I'll be saving about $100 on my visit to my MIL (hotel discount) and another $150 on my trip to IN (hotel discounts again). I'll also be saving about $25 on maps for my trip to IN (yes we have GPS - but it's useless in some areas - particularly tunnels). My savings on road service over the years have been huge.

However; Just for WDW - Nope - not really really worth it - not given the other discounts that are out there. Average savings is 15% on the values and 20% on the deluxe. It varies depending upon the season. That works out to about $90/wk for a value and $330+/wk for a deluxe. Compare that to the package savings of $300 GC or $750 GC. Not so great. But if you aren't doing a package or you don't get a PIN then it's okay.

So yes, it's worth it, but not for WDW only unless you want the discounts on top of the room discount or unless you're not eligible for any other discount.

 

[monorailsilver]

I have been a member for quite a few years & have used my AAA membership for a much cheaper rate then I would be paying with out a code.

But I also use it to get free maps (just got NYC ones 2 weeks ago).

Three weeks ago we used it to tow my dh's car from our driveway to the dealer for a brake line replacement. The line snapped as he was pulling into our driveway & it was one of those snow storm days. So that was well worth it.

I have used it at Payless & a few other places to get 10% off as well.

 

[andrews_dad]

I find my AAA membership an epic waste of $$. I will not be renewing. I used to drive crap cars and needed the towing and roadside stuff. I also used to use their travel agents. Now I find MUCh better discounts on my own for flights, car rentals, rooms, etc. than vs. any agent. Vrbo and homeaway.com are my new best friends. I drive a newer car that won't leave me stranded. Who needs maps anymore for their "free" maps? With one Altas as a back-up and a good navigation system, you are golden. The luggage they sell is way overpriced, even with their supposed member discounts. The discounts they offer for food and activities are mostly the same/worse than what you get via Entertainment Book. A real waste, IMO.

 

[3boymthr]

I find my AAA membership an epic waste of $$. I will not be renewing. I used to drive crap cars and needed the towing and roadside stuff. I also used to use their travel agents. Now I find MUCh better discounts on my own for flights, car rentals, rooms, etc. than vs. any agent. Vrbo and homeaway.com are my new best friends. I drive a newer car that won't leave me stranded. Who needs maps anymore for their "free" maps? With one Altas as a back-up and a good navigation system, you are golden. The luggage they sell is way overpriced, even with their supposed member discounts. The discounts they offer for food and activities are mostly the same/worse than what you get via Entertainment Book. A real waste, IMO.

AAA doesn't offer discounts on condos, etc. so I agree you can definitely do better searching on your own for those.

But even with doing all the room booking on my own I still do better with the AAA discount. I never use the AAA travel agents. Now I generally have a more limited pool of hotels that I can book at because of my family size so I'm sure this has an impact. Most hotels offer a standard "rack rate" and then an option for an AAA rate - that rate is always better. You might be able to negotiate that down on your own.

 

[andrews_dad]

AAA doesn't offer discounts on condos, etc. so I agree you can definitely do better searching on your own for those.

But even with doing all the room booking on my own I still do better with the AAA discount. I never use the AAA travel agents. Now I generally have a more limited pool of hotels that I can book at because of my family size so I'm sure this has an impact. Most hotels offer a standard "rack rate" and then an option for an AAA rate - that rate is always better. You might be able to negotiate that down on your own.

With three kids your age, you really should look into renting houses and condos, IMO. www.homeaway.com You can find 2000 sq feet places with a pool, grill, game room, washer/dryer, and full kicthen for less than $100 a night, easily. Packing is so much easier with washer/dryer handy. Take your coupon holder and shop for groceries when you arrive. Drive yourself to avoid waiting for the Dis busses. Once you do it you will never be satisfied with two cramped hotel rooms for MORE money ever again.

 

[Leigha]

If AAA saves you $10 a night on values, wouldn't it pay for itself then?? It can be used with free dining should it come out can't it??

 

[NancyIL]

If AAA saves you $10 a night on values, wouldn't it pay for itself then?? It can be used with free dining should it come out can't it??

You pay the rack rate for hotel rooms with "free" dining.

 

[amshowers]

AAA is so worth it for a Universal vacation, Disney not as much. You can call Disney and book a AAA discount before you have purchased AAA membership, just need it at checkin. I have booked AAA room only discounts through Disney and think that would be your best bet for a discount. As previous posters have stated the tickets and packages actually booked through AAA are not any cheaper.