AAA versus Disney booking

[scarlett24]

Planning trip for week of April 18th. Want to make a reservation at Caribbean Beach. Weighing pro's and con's of booking via AAA agent versus directly with Disney. Any thoughts? Have not yet found any code for that time. Thanks in advance.

 

[baileybelle]

No codes yet for April. Last year during that time the offer was upgrades on tickets. Try these 2 threads for more info on AAA

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1287067

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286828

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I used a AAA agent to book our trip in December, but she wasn't very knowledgeable. She was very nice and went out of her way to find out something if I didn't already know the answer, but next time I will book my trip myself and tell Disney that I have AAA and get the same rate. The only great thing that came out of using the AAA agent was that we got the AAA Diamond card and it could be used at World of Disney at DTD for 10% off your purchase, so I bought alot of my souveniers there, and my DH got 10% off of the Petty Driving Experience at the Disney World Speedway. Book it yourself and save yourself the hassle of dealing with an agent that doesnt't specialize is Disney travel, I really taught my agent something.

PrincessSuzanne

 

[BillSears]

The only reason I'd book with AAA instead of getting a AAA rate directly through Disney is if I wanted to book a package. Disney will not give you a AAA discount on packages, they'll only do it for room only reservations. So if you want to add tickets or tickets and dining it has to go through AAA.

 

[nicoleakr]

No codes yet for April. Last year during that time the offer was upgrades on tickets. Try these 2 threads for more info on AAA

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1287067

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286828

I was wondering if you book and then the codes come out and you make adjustments?

 

[Maliki2]

I just got quoted for AAA....funny thing I got the same person who booked us for our honeymoon in 2001! She remembered us and is/was very helpful.

Bascially my 6 night quote for POP in Sept. 1456.40 (thats 4 day base ticket with dining).

AAA quote 1345.28. So we have to purchase AAA which is about $40...and we will save around $70. So basically we are getting a night free at POP.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've never found an AAA agent who knows enough about WDW to trust them with my trips. I always book with Dreams Unlimited (link somewhere here on the forum). They apply my AAA discounts, as well as keep looking for better codes and deals - they will even book ADR's for you if you want.

 

[imatoad]

If anyone needs the name of the AAA agent I use, and she is very knowledgeable, let me know and I'll PM her contact info. to you, other Dis'ers have used her with great success. We've booked 4 times with her and have had great trips as well as saving up to $200.

 

[Tink3Belle]

I booked a package through AAA and saved a few hundred. Can other travel agencies book packages using AAA or room only?

 

[ffugitive]

Also, when booking with AAA, you get the DIamond Parking Pass, which gets you parking next to the handicapped parking in MK lot, Epcot and MGM. It also get you 10-15% discounts at different stores and non-Disney restaurants in WDW.

 

[bdklein]

I booked a package through AAA and saved a few hundred. Can other travel agencies book packages using AAA or room only?

Can only book package, and get AAA room discount, through AAA.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Can only book package, and get AAA room discount, through AAA.

Just to clarify, I've booked my next trip through DU and am getting the AAA discount even though I'm not booking with AAA. I just have to present my card at check-in.

 

[bdklein]

Just to clarify, I've booked my next trip through DU and am getting the AAA discount even though I'm not booking with AAA. I just have to present my card at check-in.

I believe that is correct; am not 100% positive.

 

[Fionasmommy]

I booked a package through AAA and saved a few hundred. Can other travel agencies book packages using AAA or room only?

Packages must be booked through AAA. Room-only reservations may be made through another travel agency or directly with Disney.

Just to clarify, I've booked my next trip through DU and am getting the AAA discount even though I'm not booking with AAA. I just have to present my card at check-in.

Right, as long as it's a room-only reservation. A package reservation must go through AAA in order to apply the room discount.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Ok, I am embarrassed to even ask this question, but here goes- if you book through AAA, do they make your ADR's for you, or can you do that yourself?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Ok, I am embarrassed to even ask this question, but here goes- if you book through AAA, do they make your ADR's for you, or can you do that yourself?

I have heard that some agents will, but the TA's at the agency I went with once wouldn't touch 'em. You will probably need to make them yourself.

 

[Fionasmommy]

Ok, I am embarrassed to even ask this question, but here goes- if you book through AAA, do they make your ADR's for you, or can you do that yourself?

Absolutely! An AAA travel agent will do anything for you that a "regular" agent would do, which includes making ADR's. The main difference between AAA and other agencies is not the level of service, it's that AAA has been able to negotiate special offers for it's members that are not available to other agencies: room discounts, discount cards, parking passes, etc. So unless you are going when there's a great public code out, chances are you have everything to gain from using an AAA agent.

Now, is it possible that you could find an agent that won't want make ADR's for you? Sure, because it's a non-commissionable component. But you may encounter that from any agent - be it AAA or otherwise. Personally, though, I've never heard of any agent not doing that. It's covered in the Disney College of Knowledge training and is pretty much an expected service on the travel agent's part.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Absolutely! An AAA travel agent will do anything for you that a "regular" agent would do, which includes making ADR's. The main difference between AAA and other agencies is not the level of service, it's that AAA has been able to negotiate special offers for it's members that are not available to other agencies: room discounts, discount cards, parking passes, etc. So unless you are going when there's a great public code out, chances are you have everything to gain from using an AAA agent.

Now, is it possible that you could find an agent that won't want make ADR's for you? Sure, because it's a non-commissionable component. But you may encounter that from any agent - be it AAA or otherwise. Personally, though, I've never heard of any agent not doing that. It's covered in the Disney College of Knowledge training and is pretty much an expected service on the travel agent's part.

It's not only possible, it's guaranteed at our branch, that you will be making your own ADRs. And tours. And specialty cruises, etc. Our branch of AAA simply will not handle them, even though they have a big sign saying that they have Disney specialists to help you plan and book that special vacation.

 

[Fionasmommy]

It's not only possible, it's guaranteed at our branch, that you will be making your own ADRs. And tours. And specialty cruises, etc. Our branch of AAA simply will not handle them, even though they have a big sign saying that they have Disney specialists to help you plan and book that special vacation.

Time to shop around for a different agent, then, if that's really important to you! I use AAA Mid-Atlantic and they're wonderful. My agent offered to make ADR's for me, but I really enjoy the planning aspect of it and prefer to make restaurant and activity reservations myself.

It seems like most of the problems people complain about with AAA stem from not having a good enough agent, and that can happen anywhere. Can and does - I requested a quote from one of the popular non-AAA travel agencies and it took them two weeks to even respond! How that for service?! Maybe it was a one-off, but I wasn't willing to find out in a crunch that it wasn't.

One of the best things about the DIS is that you have access to literally thousands of people who have experience planning Disney vacations and most people here are more than happy to recommend good agents (AAA or not). Use that resource! It worked for me, and we've been absolutely thrilled with the service we've received through AAA.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Personally, I like to control my own ADRs, too. But the OP was asking if AAA routinely does it, and I was offering my experience. I agree that if you have no luck with one agent, you should shop around, and take recommendations from those who have wonderful AAA agents. I've heard of several, but can't remember where. Maybe a good idea for a search, or separate post.