?Book thru CAA or disney and req CAA discount

[digskat]

Hey Guys,
Just wondering if I should book our room only res with CAA or call Disney and book the CAA discount. We are planning our trip for this coming Nov. When I checked out the CAA site I could get a room at POFQ for $111 US /night. I have used our local TA the last two trips but thought I'd give CAA a whirl. ? If I book thru CAA do you pay for the entire stay thru them or just one night. I'm sure that if I book thru disney then they only take off the cost of one night to secure the room. Any advice is certainly appreciated. Oh and is the CAA office in London still located on Wellington. Thanks Kathy

 

[digskat]

Anyone?

 

[SandraC]

Long story here...I became a CAA member a couple of months ago to take advantage of the WDW ticket prices, resort discount and it looked like we might drive instead of fly. [we ended up booking flights].

We were going to do WDW in April 2006. I booked FQ thru CRO and when I asked for the CAA discount, CRO said that I would need to call the CAA and book thru them. Since I just booked thru CRO at $155US and CAA was $147US, I decided to just stay with CRO.

We were tossing around ideas of going in March or July so I ended up letting my April ressies lapse.

Once we decided on March 2006, I called CRO again and booked 4 CBR nights followed by 5 FQ nights. I knew we were going during high season and would have to pay $175US a night. CRO asked if I needed tickets. I said that I was going to buy them thru CAA. She then said, "Well, why don't I give you the CAA room discount ~ $147US a night!" YIPPEE! I thought! So we got the CAA discount right thru CRO!

Sandra

 

[OntFamily]

We were going to do WDW in April 2006. I booked FQ thru CRO and when I asked for the CAA discount, CRO said that I would need to call the CAA and book thru them. Since I just booked thru CRO at $155US and CAA was $147US, I decided to just stay with CRO.
:

I've booked through CRO many times and received the CAA/AAA discount. Sounds like you got a rookie operator in that first call.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

I called CRO last week to get CSR for 2 nights in October with the CAA rate. You have to ask for the AAA rate because some of them apparently don't know that CAA is the same as AAA.

 

[digskat]

So regardless if I book thru CAA or thru CRO I pay the balance upon our arrival at WDW.Or if I book thru a CAA office the balance can be paid prior to our departure from home? I kinda liked not having to worry about taking the extra money with us to pay for our stay at WDW, otherwise we may have to open a us account. THanks Kathy

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We paid in advance through CRO in 2004 when we went.... don't think it's any different now.

Regardless of CAA or CRO you can still have it all paid for before leaving home.

 

[maryliz]

Hi Kathy! The CAA office in London is still on Wellington, in a plaza at the corner of Southdale Rd. I've used a CAA discount in the past as well, but yes, you need to refer to it as an "AAA" discount.

Happy Planning ... LOVE POFQ ! It's my favourite Moderate.

Mary-Liz

 

[digskat]

Hi Kathy! The CAA office in London is still on Wellington, in a plaza at the corner of Southdale Rd. I've used a CAA discount in the past as well, but yes, you need to refer to it as an "AAA" discount.

Happy Planning ... LOVE POFQ ! It's my favourite Moderate.

Mary-Liz

Thanks Mary Liz!,
Maybe I'll give CAA a call tommorrow and see if they can send me some info. I am almost certain we will stay at POFQ. What room/building did you stay in Mary Liz? and is it comparible to ASMo for walking distance. Thanks kat....I'm thinking of doing MVMCP this year!

 

[iluvwesties]

I have just booked 1 night at Pop


When I called my CAA TA the cost she quoted me was $99US

When I called CRO and requested the AAA rate the cost was $84

It appears that the CAA TA charges $15 to make the booking

Hope this helps

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

OT - I just noticed my countdown ticker is in single digits

 

[TimNDansMom]

When booking with my CAA card, I always ask if there any "Triple A" discounts for my dates. I agree that some of the CM don't know what CAA is. I've even had a CM ask for the actual number on the card and expiry date!

For a room-only reservation, a deposit of one night is required with-in a couple of weeks...you can pay it when you make the reservation or when you receive your statement from Disney or on the due date, whichever comes first. The due date will be given to you at the time you make your reservation. The balance is due at check-in.

 

[tmli]

They don't charge $15 to make the reservation but it does sound like the CAA TA didn't quote you the CAA rate.

 

[digskat]

Well I did it I called a lovely lady named Jillian from the Sarnia office, I was gonna go to London, but I like going back to my old college stomping grounds!She's running thru the prices for me. Thanks fo all your help guys! TTFN KAT

 

[iluvwesties]

They don't charge $15 to make the reservation but it does sound like the CAA TA didn't quote you the CAA rate.

Hi tmli (aka Tracey)

I did wonder about the $15 difference, but the CAA TA was adamant that the price she quoted me was the discounted price

That is why I later thought that there must be a fee involved by using the TA. I even managed to pull the $84 price for Pop off the CAA website, but when I told the CAA TA of this she said she couldn't get it to come up on her computer

In the end, I just called WDW directly and told them I was a AAA member and they gave me the booking at the $84 rate

I guess that it pays to do some checking before booking, just to make sure that the best rate available is used

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[surfer_ed]

I have to agree with iluvwesties, everytime I have tried to book thru CAA the rate is $15 higher than booking directly with WDW.

I have questioned this twice now and the TA assures me it is the discount rate, but obviously there is a charge for their service. I do not object to their charging, they provide a service for those who need help with their reservations but CAA should let you know that it is not the best rate...particularly if you ask.

I save the $15 and book myself. Last time that added up to $60 on our reservation at POP. You have to ask for the AAA discount as mentioned.

 

[tmli]

Carol and ED,

What happens is a TA at CAA can either pull up the ressie thru a special website or call AAA vacations (a TA resource as well). When they say they are "pulling" it up on the computer you are relying on their ability and word that they are doing it correctly. The other issue would be availability which does not appear to be the case in this instance...it would come up reg. price if CAA rate was not available.

Unfortunately, although the agents are CAA, and WDW is a big part of CAA/AAA travel business...many agents come to the agency or are starting new without being Disney Specialists. There are so many products that many agents never become "specialists" unless they have a personal interest as well.

I can assure you that CAA does not add on a service fee for the room only reservation, if the agency was they are obligated to show it and quote it seperately. The 15 dollars is the difference in getting the discount or not. Unfortunately you were dealing with a misinformed agent. Believe it or not there are some who don't know that CAA gets a room only discount and then there are some who don't want to bother. There are also many who are more than happy to provide the service and do a really good job at it. Keep in mind these things are true for an Travel Agency not just CAA.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

What about just Booking online.... through CAA ( I use AAA) website. It appears that a night at pop during the "regular" season is 84 bucks (US)

 

[surfer_ed]

Sorry tmli or anyone else, if I was implying that CAA was anything but a great organization. I am a member and use many of their services.

I also think that TAs are very necessary. I prefer to plan my own and save the $$ but many people lack the skill, time or inclination to plan a vacation right and it can be a nightmare without professional assistance.

My only point for CAA is that they provide services to members and are created as an association so I would prefer that they give us all the options and information.

It is sad that many folks view Disney as a once in a lifetime trip because of the cost. I have seen friends drop $10,000 for trip, when they could have easily made 2 or 3 trips, to Disney or elsewhere, with that type of spend. Disney does not make it easy to save $$ and it takes a great deal of time to become educated.

Again, sorry if I offended anyone.

 

[tmli]

Absolutely no offence taken and i apologize if you thought I was offended. (we are so Canadian--all this apologizing!!!). Truth of the matter is I always booked my own before starting to work at CAA. I still book my flights thru SWA. You are right about being a members association and providing all the options...unfortunately as with any TA they may not know all the options or that the info given to you is incorrect. I never seize to amaze the girls in my office with the little tidbits of info I can provide them!!

On the bright side CAA is working hard to ensure all staff are well trained on the disney product and putting alot of great resources and tools in place to make sure the client is getting the best deal possible.

2xcited...you are correct you can also book through the website for the discounted rate.

 

[digskat]

So do you pay a deposit initially? and then pay the balance prior to departing?