AAA gripe

[Princess Mindy]

Hey all.
I just wanted to let off a little frustration about AAA. I sent my online form outlining what I wanted. I get an email pretty promptly from Enid saying that she is going to be on vacation for the enitre following week and will pay attention to me when she returns. Fine. I email during her vacation exactly what I am looking for so she can have the information in front of her when she returns. Wednesday afternoon I finally get a response but it doesn't tell me anything. She basically answered one question (that they don't do gov rates) and nothing more. I email back to ask for rates and is is back on vacation for the rest of the week! I am getting really annoyed by now. I have finally gotten some rates out of this woman but not all and I have had it up to here with trying to pry information out of her. I think I am going to switch travel agents. I have requested a quote with Magical Vacations, the one Steve recommended, because I really want to stay at Poly. Tell me, has anyone experienced such abismal service from AAA? Also, is there really any reason I should endure this bad service to get AAA benefits? Are they really better than other TAs? I am going in September and there will be 2 adults with MYW dining. I am also looking into the concierge.

Thanks all for letting me gripe to you. I feel much better now!

 

[macrosswife]

Ugh!
How frustrating!!
I know that our AAA office has multiple TA's...is it possible that you could go to the office and talk to someone else?
Our first trip we booked with a AAA agent, simply for the discount. It became readily apparent, however, that I knew more than the agent did.
Our second trip we booked with Your Magical Journeys and were thrilled with their service. A part of me hated not being able to talk face-to-face with someone, but our agent was always great about promptly answering emails and answering even my stupidest questions. I stopped minding about the no face-to-face issue when they were able to lower my rate once a code came out.
IMHO, if you want someone that can give you the best deal at Disney, YMJ is the way to go! If you want to be able to talk to someone face-to-face, go with AAA. (Keep in mind, too, that YMJ *can* book a room-only AAA rate, just not a AAA package.)

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!!
~Kimber

 

[MagicKingdom05]

You can also book room only AAA rates through disney reservations by phone. I just did this on Saturday.

 

[WDWBetsy]

The main reason I booked with AAA was to get both the dining and the AAA room discount (in addition to my MYW tickets since it's a package). Otherwise, my control-freak tendencies would mean I'd book on my own.

If you're not getting good results, I'd call the AAA agency directly; I would not rely on the online booking form. Some agents are quick to respond to emails. Others are better over the phone.

Also, you can use a AAA agent from any state, not just your local AAA. The one I'm booked through is in SC and is wonderful. Very knowledgeable and friendly - and she gets back to me quickly.

Best of luck in your planning.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You've received great responses and advice.

We have used the AAA discount(When others were not available ) by using Dreams Unlimited...host/sponsor of the DIS Boards.

 

[Princess Mindy]

The main reason I booked with AAA was to get both the dining and the AAA room discount (in addition to my MYW tickets since it's a package). Otherwise, my control-freak tendencies would mean I'd book on my own.

If you're not getting good results, I'd call the AAA agency directly; I would not rely on the online booking form. Some agents are quick to respond to emails. Others are better over the phone.

Also, you can use a AAA agent from any state, not just your local AAA. The one I'm booked through is in SC and is wonderful. Very knowledgeable and friendly - and she gets back to me quickly.

Best of luck in your planning.

Thanks so much to all for the advice. How do you go about hooking up with TAs in a different state? Maybe it is just the Chicago office..

I asked for a quote, as I said, with magical vacations and the price they quoted was $300 over the AAA price because of the package. I am really bummed because the person I got was so nice and freindly. What a welcome change. But since I want the dining plan I think I would have to go with AAA

 

[WDWBetsy]

Thanks so much to all for the advice. How do you go about hooking up with TAs in a different state? Maybe it is just the Chicago office..

I asked for a quote, as I said, with magical vacations and the price they quoted was $300 over the AAA price because of the package. I am really bummed because the person I got was so nice and freindly. What a welcome change. But since I want the dining plan I think I would have to go with AAA

I sent you a PM.

 

[turnlisa]

I got the name of a AAA agent from someone on the boards. Here in Michigan the response has been really bad. I put in a request and would get a call a month later. I went through the AAA agent in the Mid-Atlantic region and had great results. She was quick to get me a quote, get things mailed out to me and answer my questions. If you are still looking for someone let me know.

 

[isyne4u]

I have used AAA for my last two trips. I go into the office and see Connie and within minutes I have the trip booked for exactly what I want!! I have never tried to do it online, but I love the TA I use in the office.

 

[ParkPrincess]

I have always booked my trips/cruises with AAA. My family and I have never had a problem with them. I haven't used their online service. We always go to the office and meet with the same TA every time.

Good luck! I hope everything works out the way you'd like it to.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I hope you're not getting the AAA travel agent at the Thompson Center in Chicago. I think there are 3 of them and they know absolutely NOTHING about Disney.