Benefits of booking via AAA

[christisamantha]

Now that AAA no longer provides the benefit of mugs due to pop being free on the ship what benefits did they replace the mug with? In other words what "goodies" do you get booking through AAA?

Thanks!

 

[Barbmouse63]

I have a quote request into AAA so I am interested in knowing also. I saw something about a $50 onboard credit for booking the 4 night and maybe higher for the 7 night.

 

[JSCTRico4]

My TA is AAA. Our agent had originally told us we would get the mugs for our last DCL cruise. She discovered we didn't need it, and told us the new benefit was a $75. shipboard credit. I'm sure the other goodies we got were discretionary, but, each of us got the AAA daybag. It has lots of pockets, and is the perfect size for a small carryon. It had cell phone pocket, pen pockets, zipper pockets. AND..... we also received a beautiful personalized photo album. It was cruise specific, and had our names, and the date of our cruise. It was really nice. We rebooked onboard, and transferred our reservation to AAA, and I'm pretty sure we will get the same goodies because she asked me if I would prefer another photo album, or a bottle of Bon Voyage champagne. I chose the photo album.

 

[kcashner]

They frequently offer an onboard credit--however, there are lots of other ways to get the onboard credit.

I don't want to bash, but I was very unimpressed with the agent at our AAA office. She certainly knew less than I did and her internet skills (or phone to DCL) skills weren't as good as mine are. I ultimately called the agent I'd used in the past to see whether she could match the AAA deal. She sent me her agency's ad--it was the same as AAA but with more flexible dates.

 

[cntkg1]

We actually got a $175.00 on board credit with our reservations made through AAA. We also received framed Disney ship which I believe are made from pins. (pin trading kind). I saw it on ebay and people are asking $50.00 for it.

Our TA is fabulous. Answers all our questions (and believe me, we have a ton of them) via either the phone or email.

 

[JSCTRico4]

Wow! $175???????? Does you TA love you more than mine loves me????? That is awesome. We got to keep our Disney shipboard credit as well, so the total will be higher. I'm afraid it's already spent though...... Do you know if your agent kicked in part of their commission, or if that is just the credit your office gives?

 

[TiggerKing]

Okay, I have a question for those of you who have booked with AAA. Did you call the number on the AAA web site, or use a local "AAA travel agent". I am checking online, and called the number online, and the quote I am getting is $300 higher than any other TA, and just barely below DCL's price, so I am curious.

 

[JSCTRico4]

I have known our TA for years. I used to work with her like 15 years ago. She just happens to work for AAA in a local office. I think the difference in price may be if they had booked a lot of cabins when the price was low. I really don't understand exactly how it all works, but, to answer your questions, I use an actual agent in a local office in San Diego.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

AAA doesn't do the ship made of pins anymore, that was before the mugs, so that was a couple of years ago... We use a local AAA agent, we get the credit, but nothing else. I have heard of people getting goodies left in their room when they embark from AAA, we have never got that, and my parents are on their 13th DCL cruise, all booked through AAA...

 

[mom+3girls]

I booked through AAA, I booked during some special week and got an extra onboard ship credit, I booked when you were suppose to get the mugs, 2 weeks after I booked I was told that the mugs were out and that I would be receiving a 75.00 on board ship credit, all total I am receiving 150 on board credit, also you get discounts on rentals at castaway cay or so it says in the AAA cruise book, I booked 15 months before my cruise and I did price several other TAs and was unable to get the price that I got even before I take into consideration the credit.
Today makes it 60 days til we set sail.

 

[Jsme]

Let me first say I am a AAA member. But do you have to have membership in order to use their travel agency?

 

[mom+3girls]

Forgot this part, when I went in to pay my final payment, my AAA TA gave me a Minnie Bean Bag Plush of Tourist Mickey AAA exclusive and 2 small Princess tote bags for my 2 little ones

 

[christisamantha]

My AAA agent replied back to me and we will get a ship credit based. The amounts are different depending on what cat. of room you book. We are a cat. 10 and she indicated we would get a $25.00 credit. We will also get a duffel bag and a photo album when she gives us our documents.

Thanks!

 

[Itinkso]

We just picked up our docs for our cruise and will receive $75 shipboard credit (Cat 10) and 10% off in Treasure Ketch. Also received the photo album as we already have the day bag.

 

[HIHO...HIHO]

I received at 50.00 onboard credit in a cat. 5 room. That was all. Not too impressed with AAA as I also booked a 6 night trip to WDW right before the cruise and we stayed at WL - courtyard view. 4 airline tickets, 4 day park hoppers and a rental car...and we did not receive any other bonuses! As a matter of fact, the price she quoted me (for the cruise) was the same as I was getting online. This was 6 months before our departure. I have been a AAA member for over 10 years - I thought I would do better than that! I was in too big a hurry to check around for better pricing, so I stuck with them...but I probably will not next time. Sounds as though others get better deals through other agencies if you shop around!

 

[Jsme]

Next time I am going to check AAA oout.

 

[cntkg1]

Had to go home and check for sure. Yup, we got a $175.00 onboard credit. We booked a category 5, Deck 7 deluxe stateroom with verandah. We have been AAA Gold Club members for 10 years. Maybe that had something to do with it. We are also letting TA book our excursions which I'm sure she gets commission from. That's ok with us. Since this is our first cruise and as long as I don't have to do any of the calling around, it's just fine.

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Hi Everybody! I booked our upcoming cruise through AAA and have not received any of the "perks" mentioned. We booked a cat. 4 with them. To be honest I am a little disappointed in the TA I used with AAA. I had asked for the early dinner, with a 2 year old this seemed easier to us. After checking our reservation online we discovered we were infact down for the late seating. I called and asked her to change this and she said she would. Well a week went by and still no change online. I called DCL myself and we are on a waiting list for early. Wonder what the odds of us getting the early seating are? But as far as mentioning any type of onboard credit or nice little mug or tote she didn't give me any.....makes me a little sad.

 

[AdventureGuru]

...but my attempt to use AAA travel started and ended with 1 phone call. I had done my research and when I called for quotes and stuff...the girl on the other end of the phone was no wheres as enthused about me spending my $3000.00+ with AAA as I thought she should have been. Her quote was off-current TA showed me where she made her mistake and it almost sounded like I was putting her out by even calling.
BF wants to try them next time b/c a friend of his works there. I personally like my TA and dont want to leave her...SO I guess he will be paying for the next trip huh?

 

[keishashadow]

They frequently offer an onboard credit--however, there are lots of other ways to get the onboard credit.

I don't want to bash, but I was very unimpressed with the agent at our AAA office. She certainly knew less than I did and her internet skills (or phone to DCL) skills weren't as good as mine are. I ultimately called the agent I'd used in the past to see whether she could match the AAA deal. She sent me her agency's ad--it was the same as AAA but with more flexible dates.

I too thought the TA @ our local AAA woefully uninformed as to DCL. She had no idea if we could "transfer" our reservation or what type of credit/percs they'd offer until it she actually booked - Wow?