AAA padding the bill?

[WorldlyWise]

After seeing threads about how much everyone saved with AAA, I checked with my state agent. The first time I called, the AAA rate came back $300 MORE than the undiscounted Disney rate and even higher over the AAA room only rate with separate tickets. I double checked all the details and made sure that insurance wasn't being included. When I told the agent she was too high, she said there must be some problem with the WDW computer and she would get back. The next price she gave was almost $300 less than the WDW rate. Because I thought the whole deal stunk, I did not book with her. This was early last week.

Well, I just called another AAA agent in another office and her first quote again came back MORE than undiscounted WDW internet rate. Again I complained and again the next quote came back $300 less (the same 2nd quote as the 1st agent's 2nd quote).

Now, I'm not into conspiracy theories, but I think the whole deal stinks. I did end up saving money with AAA but just advise you to do your homework before calling them.

 

[Anewman]

One needs to do the math themsleves b4 calling AAA and figure out EXACTLY how much the total should be. Try getting the Quote from AAA.com b4 you call.

It is not a scam or some kind of padding, there is just so many things that can be included or excluded. Room types, ticket add ons can sometimes not be the same as quoted by DISNEY.

I remember I knew exactly what our AUG trip total should have been and when I went in person to book the trip first It was way below what the total should have been. After double checking it turns out he had left off the dinning plan. Then total was a few hundred above the correct price, he was booking Fort wilderness instead of Wilderness Lodge.

Anyways we ended up saving like $400 so it was worth the 30 mins it took to get double check everything.

 

[imatoad]

Exactly Anewman, I use AAA for my Disney travel, but before I contact my TA, who happens to be fantastic, I always go to Disney's site, put in my info. and get an estimate of what my AAA quote should be. I usually end up being a few bucks more than AAA, which is a nice surprise. If anyone does this, be sure to take the % off of the room only, then go ahead and add tix, dining plan etc. If anyone needs the contact info. of a great AAA TA, PM me.

 

[nicolemarie]

I tried that and all I can get are "vacation packages" that do not allow me any choices. Is this all there is or should I be able to plug in specific hotels, days, tickets, etc.?

 

[pepe of ohio]

We never call AAA for Disney trips, or use their travel services. I call directly to CRO, tell them what I want when I want it and get their price. I then ask them to process the same deal using AAA discount and compare the prices. I book rooms only and give only my name, no others, we have AP's so tickets we don't need and we have never used a package and last trip, AAA discount was better, honored at check in, listed on my reservation but you have to produce your card at check in. No big deal. I never do on-line reservations, most computer systems are not up dated daily and can give you bad info and I rather deal with a human when spending alot of cash on a Disney vacations. Our CM's at CRO have been very accomadating, helpful and knowledgable doing busness with us over the phone.

 

[lyeag]

When you book a package through AAA, do you still get a discount on the room? I have never booked anything through them before. Right now I have a room only for 6 nights at CR, 12th floor, 12/18-12/24 for 2643.00 including tax. We are military, so I can get the base tickets for 6 days for around 860, then for 200 more upgrade to hoppers when we get there. I have budgeted around 1200 for food. We would like to do a few table service meals, but not every day. Total of about 4900.

Anyway, I called AAA to get a quote today and it came back the exact same price as the website, right down to the penny-5229.00 Where is the discount for having AAA?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You should be getting an AAA discount on the room portion of the package. Not all AAA agents seem to be aware of this when booking. Last year I called my local So Cal AAA office and they gave me a quote that matched Disney's. On a tip from another board member, I called an AAA agent in North Carolina, and she got me the package with the AAA room discount.

I liked her so well, I called her Saturday morning and had her book our next trip in May.

PM me if you would like her information. She does not add a $25 service charge to packages like some AAA offices do, either.

Good luck!

 

[Fionasmommy]

When you book a package through AAA, do you still get a discount on the room? I have never booked anything through them before. Right now I have a room only for 6 nights at CR, 12th floor, 12/18-12/24 for 2643.00 including tax. We are military, so I can get the base tickets for 6 days for around 680, then for 200 more upgrade to hoppers when we get there. I have budgeted around 1200 for food. We would like to do a few table service meals, but not every day. Total of about 4900.

Anyway, I called AAA to get a quote today and it came back the exact same price as the website, right down to the penny-5229.00 Where is the discount for having AAA?

With the AAA rate you get a room discount. If you get a package, pricing on the tickets is the same as in a MYW package, but the rooms are a percentage off - 10% off deluxe, 15% moderates or values. But, the number of AAA rates available at each resort is limited.

I just checked the rate on the AAA Colorado site (FYI - you don't need to be a member to check there - www.aaacolorado.com) and it's pulling up the rack rate for Contemporary ($249) on your dates, so there must not be any more AAA rooms available. I'm sure with the popularity of the monorail resorts the AAA rates go quickly.

But, if you can get them, the savings are substantial - particularly at a moderate or deluxe hotel. We saved almost $300 on 8 nights at POFQ.

 

[lyeag]

OK, update- when she gave me the quote I asked a few questions and she said she would call me back. She just called and gave me a new quote of 4762.39 including the insurance. That is 142 less than my budget! Thanks for all your help everyone! I can't wait for all that yummy food!

 

[estnh]

For the past two years we have booked packages through AAA, and both times the original quotes we were given were not discounted and incorrect.

When we questioned them, we received corrected pricing. I don't know if they do this on purpose, but do your homework before trying to book with AAA.

 

[Kayleebug]

I called my AAA agent today and got a quote of the exact same price as through the Disney website. She said that the only perks you get are some discount cards and VIP parking at the parks when you book through AAA.

 

[Fionasmommy]

I called my AAA agent today and got a quote of the exact same price as through the Disney website. She said that the only perks you get are some discount cards and VIP parking at the parks when you book through AAA.

Find yourself a new AAA agent. If she doesn't know what the standard AAA discount is for Disney, I certainly wouldn't trust her with a booking.

The first quote I got from my agent included the AAA discounted rate and the regular Disney rate for comparison.

If you want to try getting a quote from another agent, PM me and I'll give you the contact info of my AAA agent. I found her on here (she's a veteran DIS'er) and I can't say enough about the great service we've received!

 

[Anna114]

I booked with Disney on Oct 8th for a trip Apr 30th through May 8th at the WL. The MYW package ran $4,044. I joined AAA last week just to try to get a discount. To rebook the trip the total was $3,755. I thought that was a good return on my $45 investment.

Have a magical day,
Anna

I called my AAA agent today and got a quote of the exact same price as through the Disney website. She said that the only perks you get are some discount cards and VIP parking at the parks when you book through AAA.

 

[PlutosFriend]

After seeing threads about how much everyone saved with AAA, I checked with my state agent. The first time I called, the AAA rate came back $300 MORE than the undiscounted Disney rate and even higher over the AAA room only rate with separate tickets. I double checked all the details and made sure that insurance wasn't being included. When I told the agent she was too high, she said there must be some problem with the WDW computer and she would get back. The next price she gave was almost $300 less than the WDW rate. Because I thought the whole deal stunk, I did not book with her. This was early last week.

Well, I just called another AAA agent in another office and her first quote again came back MORE than undiscounted WDW internet rate. Again I complained and again the next quote came back $300 less (the same 2nd quote as the 1st agent's 2nd quote).

Now, I'm not into conspiracy theories, but I think the whole deal stinks. I did end up saving money with AAA but just advise you to do your homework before calling them.

I had a similar problem. The AAA quoted price for my package was the same as the WDW site price! Once the new codes came out, it ended up being less money so I just booked thru WDW.

 

[Ilovestitch]

The AAA price an agent is quoting will not be more than booking it through Disney.

You and the agent just aren't comparing apples to apples- disney automatically adds in the insurance, and automatically adds the hopper option- something like that probably happened. The website can be tricky.

Or if the price you are getting is exactly the same as disney.com then the aaa rate must be sold out.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

FYI - the only reason I can see for using a AAA agent is to get the MYW with Dining package with the AAA discount - otherwise, you can call Disney directly yourself or use any of the Disney-specialist agents mentioned here on the DIS.

 

[WorldlyWise]

The AAA price an agent is quoting will not be more than booking it through Disney.

You and the agent just aren't comparing apples to apples- disney automatically adds in the insurance, and automatically adds the hopper option- something like that probably happened. The website can be tricky.

Or if the price you are getting is exactly the same as disney.com then the aaa rate must be sold out.

Your confidence in your own opinion is pretty amazing. When you say something did not happen when only one of us was there, I find that a little offensive. Did you not read the part where I say I checked the details, or did you doubt my ability to use a website, or did you just feel so compelled to spout off that you had to call me a liar to do it?

 

[Anewman]

Your confidence in your own opinion is pretty amazing. When you say something did not happen when only one of us was there, I find that a little offensive. Did you not read the part where I say I checked the details, or did you doubt my ability to use a website, or did you just feel so compelled to spout off that you had to call me a liar to do it?

He did say "probably happened".

 

[WorldlyWise]

He did say "probably happened".

Ummm.... where?!?

 

[Ilovestitch]

Jeesh, I never called you a liar- I said "something like that probably happened". All I'm saying is that there was probably a miscommunication somewhere.

Your travel agent has two choices- book rack rate or with a code discount. Its not my opinion, its a fact.