AAA Stinks

[casana]

First post - great board, wish I'd discovered you guys BEFORE I did my reservations (I found DIS while doing a WL search on google)

Just wanted to share that AAA stinks!! I discovered the ZHE code thru this board, and my DH called Disney to see if we could apply it to our reservation. Turns out only AAA can make changes, they were very nice and even told Dh the AAA code that could be used, saying it was still available for the dates we wanted in WL.
I called our AAA office and since our agent wasn't in, the other agent said they'd give him the code and have him call it in (since he's the one getting the commission for the sale). She pretty much implied that since she wasn't getting a commission she couldn't do anything on our trip.

That was yesterday afternoon. This morning our AAA agent called to say the code was not available. ARGH! Then he tries to fix it by saying we got a good deal with the AAA rate.

This is the first and LAST time we use AAA, next time we'll do it all ourselves b/c we'll have control of our reservation. Lesson learned!

Hopefully DH will cool down by the time we get to WL (mid-April)!!

 

[carmiedog]

I don't think it's AAA's fault that the code wasn't available to you. There are only a limited number of rooms available at the code rate available at each resort, and your travel dates figure into that as well. I couldn't get the code for my stay at my resort and I called the evening that it was first announced. I actually couldn't get EITHER of the spring codes for my resort and there was no AAA availability at the resort I had my set on, so I'm paying rack rate. I think you're lucky to have gotten the AAA rate, and since you would have had to choose either the AAA or the code(can't do both), depending on where you are staying there may not have been that much of a price difference. Enjoy the vacation and don't dwell on the codes and rates.

BTW, although we joined AAA specifically because we were hoping to use the discount for Disney, I'm still glad we did because they saved my heiny last week when my car battery died while I was picking up ds from preschool.

eta: I see you'll be at Wilderness Lodge...my understanding that at the deluxes the code saves a little more than the AAA discount. Sorry you were too late to get the code there, but I'm just saying you should be very happy you're not paying rack rate. Any chance you would be willing to switch to another resort if the code was available there?

 

[sorul82?]

OP,

YOu just summed up my same experience with AAA. And I, too, won't use them again. Five other people in the office and nobody could help me? Our person was off. I said can't you walk into her office and get my folder??? Why bother, they weren't getting commission. I ended up having AAA fax a letter to Disney giving me control of the ressie, so I could make changes at my convenience, not theirs.

 

[sorul82?]

Carmiedog,

Yes, they are great for roadside assistance, but not for booking Disney trips.

 

[LakeAriel]

Disney can book a trip for you and apply the AAA discount. I do it all the time...I also got 20% off Portofino Bay resort at universal with AAA. I think they are great and I don't need it for roadside assistance, my new car has road side assistance included. Give Disney a call and see if they can apply a AAA discount to your trip.

 

[WDWfor5]

Disney can book a trip for you and apply the AAA discount. I do it all the time...I also got 20% off Portofino Bay resort at universal with AAA. I think they are great and I don't need it for roadside assistance, my new car has road side assistance included. Give Disney a call and see if they can apply a AAA discount to your trip.

Just wanted to point out that Disney can apply the AAA discount on room only reservations. On a package (Magic Your Way) you can only get the AAA discount by booking directly with AAA.

 

[sorul82?]

LakeAriel,

Hey, nice to see you supporting our hometown guy!

 

[*Robin*]

Just out of curiosity, why can't you call Disney, see if it's still available, if it is, book it with them, and cancel your AAA trip?

 

[LakeAriel]

Just wanted to point out that Disney can apply the AAA discount on room only reservations. On a package (Magic Your Way) you can only get the AAA discount by booking directly with AAA.

Then the plot thickens. I couldn't get the AAA discount PLUS the free dining anyway..So I switched my AAA room last year to a disney package with free dining. If you want just the room with a AAA discount you can buy your own tickets..Also sign up at mousesavers.com for their newsletter for discounted tickets.

 

[sorul82?]

Then the plot thickens. I couldn't get the AAA discount PLUS the free dining anyway..So I switched my AAA room last year to a disney package with free dining. If you want just the room with a AAA discount you can buy your own tickets..Also sign up at mousesavers.com for their newsletter for discounted tickets.

Last year I booked free dining through AAA. I saved an additional $100, but gave that up when I "fired" AAA. Giving up the $100 was cheaper than the value of my frustration.

 

[Tam1067]

I'm sorry for your problems, but I have to say I love having AAA. I booked through them and saved close to $400 off our trip at the Polynesian in July (hoppers & dining included). That's a huge savings for us which more than pays for itself. Some resorts are really hard to get discounts at (the Polynesian being one of them), but through AAA I've saved money each time I've booked with them.

I just don't want anyone to be scared off from using AAA because of some less than helpful agents.

 

[casana]

Thanks for all the responses!

Just out of curiosity, why can't you call Disney, see if it's still available, if it is, book it with them, and cancel your AAA trip?

Wish I could! Its already payed in full to AAA, and apparently its not available anymore anyway.

The main reason we used AAA is that they were able to give us the AAA discount on the room if it was tied with a package (dining & tx), when we called Disney directly they told us it was not available.

DH will be talking with the regional travel supervisor to complain. He says he'll demand they honor what Disney couldn't give us (and he's pretty good at this *****'n stuff) but I will not hold my breath. We would have got 15% extra off everything plus upgraded our tx to park hoppers.

 

[LakeAriel]

Last year I booked free dining through AAA. I saved an additional $100, but gave that up when I "fired" AAA. Giving up the $100 was cheaper than the value of my frustration.

What was your frustration? according to many here, you can't stack discounts. if you were able to why be frustrated? lol

 

[Terry's Angels]

Hi all,

OP I had a similar situation occur with me late last week with the new code situation. They only worked with me when I told them that I would just cancel the AAA and go with WDTC. From your dates, it seems that you didn't have that option.

I agree that AAA is great for car stuff, but I'm not feeling like I would ever use my local agents again for travel. DH may make some head way with the regional AAA folks, by explaining that no one was willing to help you guys. IMHO that's just not how you do business. I don't think that it a AAA agent's responsibility to find all of the discounts, but someone should have been able to at least help if you found one. I hope that in some way the situation is addressed.

No matter what have a GREAT trip

 

[CanadianGuy]

Personally - I need to have control of my vacation plans.

Booking thru AAA would not be an option for me. I couldn't give up that much control.

I'm sure for a LOT of people it would and could work out just great. I'm sorry it did not for you. I've read before of people who ended up losing out on a better discount because they couldn't reach their AAA agent in time.

Unfortunate..

Knox

 

[ToyStory]

The last trip I booked with AAA and Disney came out with a code and my AAA applied it to my reservation and save me $$. I already paid for my trip in full too.

However, if I didn't feel confident with my AAA if would not hesitate and book the trip myself with CRO and then cancel my trip with AAA if they were not able to secure the same discount and the savings was significant to offset any cancelations fees if any.

Sometimes the AAA discount is all that you can get for your trip and if you want the dining plan you need to use them.

 

[calgarygary]

Thanks for all the responses!



Wish I could! Its already payed in full to AAA, and apparently its not available anymore anyway.

The main reason we used AAA is that they were able to give us the AAA discount on the room if it was tied with a package (dining & tx), when we called Disney directly they told us it was not available.

DH will be talking with the regional travel supervisor to complain. He says he'll demand they honor what Disney couldn't give us (and he's pretty good at this *****'n stuff) but I will not hold my breath. We would have got 15% extra off everything plus upgraded our tx to park hoppers.

Whenever a staff member whether it be AAA, Disney or any other customer service company is not performing, talking to management immediately will often get the problem solved. Do not allow the regional travel supervisor to squirm their way out of AAA's responsibility in this.

 

[mmiller711]

I booked a Disney vacation one time through AAA. Never again! The agent knew far less than I did. Could not (read would not) make any dining ressies for us. And the price she quoted was not what I ended up paying! This was all during the Fairytale pkg. thing and it was too late to cancel and make my own. Nothing in writing etc...Yes, I learned the hard way. On top of all that my DD was supposed to get $50 travel gift card because she had booked a Hawaii trip two months before and referred us. Guess what....It got lost in the mail and they don't issue a replacement!

All that being said. I use them for road service and I do get vacation books and trip tiks and etc from them. I also will take the AAA discount at Disney on a vacation I book!

 

[bettydau]

I guess we were really lucky to get a good AAA agent. All went smoothly-I felt like I had a partner in planning. And the prices were good. So I guess it's all who you get to work with. We'll use AAA again for our trip next Jan. 305 days!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

AAA or TA...
I much prefer having control of MY vacation plans. No offense, some are great at what they do I got a better deal dealing with Disney direct in the past...will never forget it cause it was substantial! TA's cant do what Disney can in way of refunds, etc