AAA - who can give me the nitty gritty?

[Grendalynn]

So I am a new AAA member - thanks to the DisBoards for that money well spent. But before book and looking o even more options, who can give me the low down on just how the whole AAA discounts work? I heave read and posted on many other threads and looked for this info to avis double threads But I haven't found the info I am looking for...


Do I have to book through AAA Vacations or will Disney give the AAA discount as well if I book through Disney itself?? Will the price reflect only if I book rooms only or in a package as well? I am new to how AAA works and all the (conditional) benefits that it offers. Help please!!??

Thanks

 

[Diz Kids]

If you are booking a room only reservation you can book directly through Disney. Just ask for the AAA rate and they may or may not ask you for your membership number. If you are booking a package you must go through AAA. I am not sure what the package discount is vs. room only. I booked room only CSR for January 2008 yesterday and the AAA discount was 20%.

 

[Shasta]

Yes, if you want a package (tickets, DDP etc.) you have to go through AAA to get the discount so first decide if you want a package or not and that will allow you to decide whom to book with.

If you book a package through AAA and you hear of a discount code, you can still use it. It would need to be a greater saving than your AAA discount of course because you can't use 2 discounts on any booking (Disney or AAA). My point is that AAA can add codes just like Disney.

You also get some perks with AAA like AAA Diamond Parking (Convenient Preferred Parking spaces at all four Theme Parks). Also I have heard that you may get free valet parking. Maybe someone else can confirm other benifits.

For my trip, I booked this morning, I did the math and saved a bit more than 20% off my rooms with AAA (22.5%). I don't know if it was 20% off room and an additional small discount off tickets or what. They can't give you an itemized price but the final was more than I expected.

 

[TheCartertoons]

I also have a question....do you have to pay for the trip when you book through AAA all up front or can you make some payments like you can when you book through Disney?

 

[Grendalynn]

I also have a question....do you have to pay for the trip when you book through AAA all up front or can you make some payments like you can when you book through Disney?

I was wondering the exact same thing!!! Its nice to be able to make payments. For our family its for more feasable!

 

[1gr8mouse]

I was wondering the exact same thing!!! Its nice to be able to make payments. For our family its for more feasable!

We leave Thurs. for our first AAA booked disney vacation. We booked in May and had to put $400 deposit on our $2494 total. I paid $500 more in early June. The remain. balance had to be paid June 26. I went in on the 25th and paid. Our branch did allow to pay in installments. I dont really know why they wouldnt. I would assume they would want some sort of min. amount....(not $25 every week). Good Luck!!

 

[tiki23]

I also have a question....do you have to pay for the trip when you book through AAA all up front or can you make some payments like you can when you book through Disney?

I've booked with 2 different AAA agencies. Both allowed payments and I was able to arrange the payments however I wanted. I put the deposits down and then saved the $ in an Ing account so I could get the interest. Every little bit helps sometimes! I paid the trip in full about a week before the 45 day deadline.

One thing to remember is that if you are paying with a debit card over the phone, your bank may well have a limit to the amount that can be deducted per day. The TA had to make debits to my account on 2 consecutive days.

 

[Grendalynn]

Thanks for all the great info!! I have read and reread all of the info!!

I am curious to know - when booking through AAA, are you able to finance it as you are with Disney or is it something that has to be paid for upfront when booked? Also, if ressies were made through Disney, will the AAA discount be the same as booking thru AAA themself? I just signed up for AAA and havent experienced their travel agentents and what works how and what the tricks are. Hope this isnt too hard to follow - Thanks for all the help in advance!1

 

[baj0505]

I booked AAA rate room only by calling Disney and was required to pay 1 nights lodging up front and they balance is to be paid upon arrival. It was the same rate that my AAA agent gave me and matched the AAA website quoted price. I can cancel the reservation with a full refund as long as I cancel 6 days before the arrival date. The did say I could pay it in full but I was only required to pay the first night. I found this to be the most flexible way for me in the event I do get a code or find a better rate with an AP.