AAA discount?!

[wallawallakids]

Has anyone had an issue with conflicting information regarding AAA discounts when talking to WDW travel company?
One of my rooms was accidentally canceled at the Swan which has sent me into a flurry of trying to find a new place to fit all 6 of us for our trip this May. Every time I call WDW to find a room and ask about AAA rates I am told different things. They vary from "there is no AAA discount right now." to "there is 10% on certain rooms" to it being "less than 10% off." I am very confused because it is hard to tell if what I am getting is the real answer. Should I just call AAA personally and ask what there room only rate is? I already have tickets and airfare. I had already completely paid for the room at the Swan so this whole switch at the last minute is causing not only a lot of heartache, but a lot more money than was planed too. Thanks.

 

[patty57]

I'm probably not understanding this accurately, but if your room at the Swan was already paid for, how did it get cancelled? By the hotel? Can you just re-book there?
The times we've gotten AAA discounts at WDW resorts, we asked about specific resorts to see if there was an AAA discount available.
I never booked WDW through AAA directly, although many others have.

 

[gwynne]

If you're going in May, have you checked the Spring Offer rates at WDW?
That might save you more, depending on hotel availability.

I only use AAA at WDW when there is absolutely no other discount. I choose several resorts, phone Disneyworld Reservations and ask for the AAA room only rate at (blank) resort.

 

[wallawallakids]

If you're going in May, have you checked the Spring Offer rates at WDW?
That might save you more, depending on hotel availability.

I only use AAA at WDW when there is absolutely no other discount. I choose several resorts, phone Disneyworld Reservations and ask for the AAA room only rate at (blank) resort.

Thank you. I will try that.

 

[pigletto]

Are you only looking at the Swan or asking about several places? I am almost certain that the AAA rate is not the same at every resort. So if you are asking about multiple resorts that may be why some show a certain discount and others not at all.

 

[Eventer98]

I book using an AAA rate until an AP discount comes out, if it does (we usually only book one night and use DVC for the others) I received a 10% discount off a pirate room at CBR in Jan and just received about 8% off the new Little Mermaid rooms for Oct. I guess it depends on room??

 

[PrincessShanShan]

My sister is a TA with Small World Vacations. About two weeks ago I had her book a long weekend trip for me and dh over labor day. Since there are no Disney room only discounts out now, she suggested we use my AAA membership to get a discount. I could have gotten POFQ at a 10% discount, but ended up booking WL (standard view) at a 15% discount.

I know AAA usually puts out their discounts way in advance and usually they are on a sliding scale, but if there is one available during your trip, CRO or your TA should be able to book it for you.

 

[Sfmarine]

I never have any luck with AAA..I had them map out my vacation last year and it was the same price as the Disney website. For a moment I thought that was the site she got the info from anyway lol..I'm sure AAA does offer discounts but it's not often and Disney doesn't honor them like all the other hotels do. I know universal is very AAA friendly.

I took advantage of the spring offer and made no mention of my AAA membership..I figure you can't double dip.

 

[minnie mum]

I never have any luck with AAA..I had them map out my vacation last year and it was the same price as the Disney website. For a moment I thought that was the site she got the info from anyway lol..I'm sure AAA does offer discounts but it's not often and Disney doesn't honor them like all the other hotels do. I know universal is very AAA friendly.

I took advantage of the spring offer and made no mention of my AAA membership..I figure you can't double dip.

1. No, you can't double dip
2. Disney discounts almost always trump AAA discounts.
3. Your AAA TA probably did get her info from the WDW site.
4. AAA discounts for WDW resorts are limited to a certain number of rooms per resort. Once they're gone, they're gone. No different than other discounts.

 

[sharadoc]

The one good thing about a AAA discount is that it's good for the whole year, so if you call in January, you can get a discount for November, etc. without waiting for "release dates" like with the GP discounts. I don't know if there are blackout dates, either.

We have 20% (I think) at Fort Wilderness cabin for August. We booked it back in January. I will rebook if a better discount comes out, but at least I have SOMETHING!

I just called and asked for Fort Wilderness, these dates and is there a AAA discount available? They have to put that info in first, so the correct rooms and rates come up.

 

[wallawallakids]

The one good thing about a AAA discount is that it's good for the whole year, so if you call in January, you can get a discount for November, etc. without waiting for "release dates" like with the GP discounts. I don't know if there are blackout dates, either.

We have 20% (I think) at Fort Wilderness cabin for August. We booked it back in January. I will rebook if a better discount comes out, but at least I have SOMETHING!

I just called and asked for Fort Wilderness, these dates and is there a AAA discount available? They have to put that info in first, so the correct rooms and rates come up.

Ok. Thank you. I will try that.

 

[tarin24u]

Go to AAA... we did for the first time this year and saved quite a bit on AKV for August. $445 below the ressie I had made the night before. I always booked thru Disney and have always been happy but with AAA we will also get the parking pass - I hear good things about the location of the those spots. I think the type of discount depends on when you go... sometimes AAA is the same as what Disney is offering. Good luck!

 

[NancyIL]

The Swan is my preferred resort, so I would pursue getting that reservation back - especially since you prepaid! Escalate things up the management chain, if necessary.

As others have said, to get the AAA discount, just ask if it's available when calling Disney, rather than going through AAA. The one time I called AAA about a Disneyland resort package, they were going to charge me a $25 (I think) booking fee for the privilege! Needless to say, I didn't book it with AAA!

 

[tinkbyday]

Just today, I booked a room only reservation for Thanksgiving week at BWI with AAA - the discount is about 15%. If discounts do become availabe (which may not be likely due to holiday week), I'll switch to those, but wanted to lock in some type of discount.

The CM initially told me I couldn't use AAA directly with them when booking a package, but when I told him I wasn't booking a package, just a room, he told me I could use it. If you are booking a package, you have to go to AAA directly and book.

 

[mamamary]

Just today, I booked a room only reservation for Thanksgiving week at BWI with AAA - the discount is about 15%. If discounts do become availabe (which may not be likely due to holiday week), I'll switch to those, but wanted to lock in some type of discount.

The CM initially told me I couldn't use AAA directly with them when booking a package, but when I told him I wasn't booking a package, just a room, he told me I could use it. If you are booking a package, you have to go to AAA directly and book.

I found out about this yest. I've been waiting (hoping) for some kind of discount for our end of June trip but so far nothing. Finally called Disney late yest. and told them to add the AAA discount. Since I was booking a package they said that I had to go directly to AAA. Oh well. Will call them today. I believe they told me for our resort (POFQ) the AAA discount should be 10%.