AAA "Travel Show" US/IOA Ticket Savings? How much? UPDATE Post #4 and #6

[PinballFamily]

Just got our AAA magazine/newsletter today - there's a AAA local-ish travel show/"Marketplace" they are sponsoring in two months (featuring all sorts of travel deals, etc.) and are advertising special prices on both Universal hotel & ticket packages and on tickets only. The blurb says "Exclusive show-only pricing on tickets to Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure - buy at the show and save!"

Anybody attended one of these shows and know how much of deal this might be? Also, typically what type(s) of tickets are offered as part of this special - one or two parks, etc.

The "AAA Marketplace" show is $5 per member to go and it is about 40 miles away (and then another 40 back home). Hate to schlep all that way for a not-so-fab "special" that I could beat without all the drama, KWIM?

We're planning a summer trip and will need multi-day tix for a family of five (adults). Might this be a better deal than UT or...?

Thanks to anyone who has done this or knows more about it!!!

 

[PinballFamily]

Rats...sadly, it looks like I'm stumping people with my question.

Whenever this snow stops (someday, maybe!), I will visit my local AAA office and see if I can pump any info out of them...

 

[CavFam]

I had a similar question about whether the February AAA discount was worthwhile (you can see my post about 10-15 posts below yours). Of course, I couldn't get the answer until February! The travel show discount for Universal packages, at least in Ohio, is the same as what you can get online with the UNIAAA50 code that is only good in February. And I found that I had a better deal on our Harry Potter package that I had reserved with a deposit about a month ago without the code. I figured that I could cancel the reservation and make a new one if the AAA discount was worthwhile, but it was not - in our case, it was $23.90 MORE than what I had reserved for the same features.

Especially with the price of gas and the entry fee for the show, I think you might be better off reserving from home. But do the math yourself - your situation may be different.

 

[PinballFamily]

Yep - saw your interesting thread/post, CavFam - good for you!!!

Stopped in at my local AAA office today (5 miles away) - they said THEY would have the specials the same time as the show dates, so I could get the US tickets there for whatever deal the show is offering. Also, they are revamping the way they'll be doing US tix "in the next few weeks" - so maybe the regular deal will also be good. Otherwise, UT seems to have AAA totally beat on price...

Will post back when I learn more...

 

[bumbershoot]

And I found that I had a better deal on our Harry Potter package that I had reserved with a deposit about a month ago without the code.

If you're interested in bottom line pricing, you might find that you can do better than the HP package. Whenever I've priced out packages on the Universal site, and priced out ticket purchases (though Universal or one of the discount ticket places like Undercover Tourist), along with getting the hotel room through the Loews website (I've seen seasonal rates and stay more pay less type rates...am waiting on the AP rates for my dates as well), I do FAR better going a la carte vs the package. Just something to think about!

 

[PinballFamily]

$129.99 3 day Park to Park ticket

The AAA show pricing (and honored at our local AAA office DURING THE SHOW DATES/HOURS ONLY) beat the UT prices by $60 (total) for our family. And the "regular" US prices by a lot!!!

Hope this helps someone - we're tickled!