Aaa?

[newscick27]

How much did AAA save you on your vacation, if you booked with them of course... in other words is is worth joining, for the purpose of booking this trip? If so do they only offer specific packages or can they pretty much accomodate most suggestions?

Thanks

Laura

 

[BankBunny]

You can book the same packages with AAA that you would book with Disney. It is my understanding that when you book a package with them it is just the room portion that is discounted and not the tickets, but you can save $100's of dollars by booking with AAA. I've booked my last 2 trips with AAA. I'm in the midst of booking 10 nights for may 2007. Based on the current rates I would save almost $300.00 at a moderate resort. I won't know the actual amount until the 2007 rates come out later this year. Either way it's totally worth the cost of the membership.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We saved about $200 on our package for October using AAA. It seemed well worth the $60 to join, especially since we can also use that discount on our other hotels for summer trips this year. You basically get a discount on the room portion of the package. I do believe they also offer a discount on certain ticket packages, and all of that is available thru the website.

You also get a AAA diamond parking pass, which gets you excellent parking spaces at the parks.

 

[becobscot]

In addition, AAA has discounts at hotels certainly nationwide and probably worldwide. They also offer many discounts if you plan to visit Universal. They also offer discount tickets to many attractions everywhere. And if your car ever breaks down or you lock your keys in I think you would certainly recoup your $85 membership fee. If you go to their website, you'll see they offer many services you would not even think of like car loans, insurance etc. Oh yeah and you get a free soda in Tomorrowland!

 

[wecroozin]

I'm sure this has been discussed before but while we are talking AAA does Disney honor the AAA discounts for members even if they booked through Disney? I do all our booking online and make changes via phone with their agents that the online service doesn't allow. Does anyone have any experience of getting the room discounts directly through Disney if you ask nicely?

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I know that Disney will honor the AAA discount on room only reservations. You do have to call the, as opposed to doing it online. If you wish to book a package, you have to go directly thru AAA.

 

[WorldlyWise]

grumbling

 

[wecroozin]

I'll try and see where I get but I am doubtful of any good results especially with a package. I will post any results I get after calling them.

Maybe I'll get a person who is having a Disney day that will be willing to oblige my request. Doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[martinp13]

I priced AAA since I'm already a member, and here's how it came out:

mid-June, Airfare, 7 nights @ Value, Parkhopper tix, Car.

AAA saved me about $75 over just booking on the Disney site. My convention group got me a SWEET deal on the room, which brought it $200 under the Disney site. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Fionasmommy]

We saved almost $300 on 8 nights in POR, well worth the $63 cost of membership (in Colorado).

Try accessing the travel section of the AAA Colorado website - last I checked you didn't need to login to check rates or availability, only to complete a booking.

When I booked the rates were 10% off value, 20% off mods. I didn't check deluxes. If it pulls up a rack rate, that means there aren't any more AAA rates available for that resort (they are limited).

 

[torinsmom]

I am saving $110 on my room at Pop in March. This is for 5 nights. I also saved $16 on my Amtrak tickets. Of course, AAA car services are good too, if you need them. They will tow you, change a tire, boost your battery, open your var if you lock your keys inside and deliver fuel if you run out. Lots of hotels have AAA discounts, as well as some businesses. I figure most people would recover the cost of AAA pretty quickly.

Also, if you buy your package through AAA, you get the AAA parking pass, which gets you really close and a special Character Storytelling Experience in MK.

Marsha

 

[sammielynn]

To get the AAA Diamond parking pass do you have to book a package or just buy tickets?? My DS16 has AAA through his Dad and since he will be with me for the trip I thought we might be able to use the parking pass. We are staying off site. With the pass is parking free??? While I'm at it can you purchase one day tickets at the AAA office? I called the AAA office and the auto phone system was just to long to figure out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bobb G]

I have found that if I purchase things separately using the AAA discount, I saved more money than having AAA Travel Services put a package together.

For our July 2005 trip to WDW, I saved over $100 over what the travel agent could get me. Odd....

 

[mvav269]

I saved around $300 using AAA. I booked Contemporary, park hopper tickets, dining plan and airfare. We are going in August. It is well worth the membership fee.

 

[PlutosFriend]

We saved about $200 on our package for October using AAA. It seemed well worth the $60 to join, especially since we can also use that discount on our other hotels for summer trips this year. You basically get a discount on the room portion of the package. I do believe they also offer a discount on certain ticket packages, and all of that is available thru the website.

You also get a AAA diamond parking pass, which gets you excellent parking spaces at the parks.

Is there any trick to getting good prices on AAA packages? I am having no luck. I just priced a 6 night moderate stay w/dining on the WDW website and the same package with AAA is only saving me $36. Can that be right?!

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

I don't know the exact amount we saved, but it was roughly $300 on each room, we reserved 2. We saved enough on our room rate to upgrade our tickets to Hopper Plus passes to visit the water parks and Quest for a little less than a regular ressie without Plus options. If that makes sense?

The perks included the Diamond Parking Pass, and discount card. Good for all kinds of discounts, plus a free trading pin ! Also, the Storytelling Experience in the AAA lounge at MK. And a free entree at Planet Hollywood. All in all, not a bad deal. I am very pleased with my savings.

Kudos to this board, without it, I'd be paying rack rates!

 

[PlutosFriend]

I have found that if I purchase things separately using the AAA discount, I saved more money than having AAA Travel Services put a package together.

For our July 2005 trip to WDW, I saved over $100 over what the travel agent could get me. Odd....

That is what I am finding too. My hardest decision is figuring out if we are going to do the dining plan or not. Too bad we can't add that on without doing a package

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I saved over $300 on 7 nights package with dining. I am a HUGE fan!!!

Some Answers:
AAA pacakges include some benefits like a parking pass and storytelling pass, these are only available on the package, not to all AAA members. (a few have gotten parking pass from their local office, you could try...)

Parking pass is not free parking, just a preferred parking area, close to handicapped section.

AAA travel is the only way to get a AAA discount on the room and still get the dining plan on ypour reservation. You have to buy tickets (at least one day, for all in the room, to get the dining)

You can not book with Disney and then have it changed to a AAA package. Any package needing a AAA discount needs to originate with AAA. (one person said they had a different experience but that is not the norm)

You can book a room only AAA rate with disney.

Some are getting estimates from AAA travel that do not show a big savings, others who are costing a few dollars more...possible reasons....
#1- Disney only allows a set # of rooms for any discount. AP, AAA room only, AAA package, cast member...(you get the idea)
ex: I could book a room only AAA rate but could not get the AAA on a package, the rate was "sold-out"
#2- Some travel agents charge a small fee for booking your trip, this is nothing new, they just don't tell you unless you ask. So if no discount is available and they charge a fee, you could get a quote higher than Disney is offering.
#3- Maybe no discount was available but your quote came out a little less than Disney's site because your AAA had a small discount on something else. (tix, ect....)

I hope that helps someone, it sure would have helped me when I started booking this trip...

 

[Mark and Hillary]

To get the AAA Diamond parking pass do you have to book a package or just buy tickets?? My DS16 has AAA through his Dad and since he will be with me for the trip I thought we might be able to use the parking pass. We are staying off site. With the pass is parking free??? While I'm at it can you purchase one day tickets at the AAA office? I called the AAA office and the auto phone system was just to long to figure out. Any help would be appreciated.

I just bought only tickets online and I got a printable voucher for the parking pass. I think you just have to buy at least 4-day tickets.

 

[johnnyh14]

saved $125.00 with aaa for june 2006 over booking with dixie magic travel or direct with disney. the aaa agent said if a promotion comes up she will discount my trip even further. if i find a promotion and let her know she will rewrite the package for the lower price too.

i also like knowing my family is able to call for auto breakdown service if im not there. all of this for $65.