Booking AAA? They asked for my number

[TAKitty]

I called Disney today to book part of my July trip. I wanted two nights at the AKL, AAA rate. She found a rate etc. and then she asked for my AAA number! I have never actually had them ask for the number before. I wonder if they are tightening down on the discounts.

 

[cobbler]

Yes I think so. I have always been asked for my number.

 

[scheddj]

I was asked for my number and told the CM that I hadn't actually joined yet. She told me it was OK and gave me the rate but said that I would have to show my card at check-in or I would be charged rack rate.

 

[LakeAriel]

Of course! If you don't have a membership you can't get the discount.

 

[TAKitty]

Of course! If you don't have a membership you can't get the discount.

I know you need a card! I am a member. My mom works at AAA as a TA. I booked three different stays in the past year and this is the first time they have asked for my number. They always give the talk about having the card at check in etc. It seems it is common place now to give your number when you book the room.

 

[LakeAriel]

I know you need a card! I am a member. My mom works at AAA as a TA. I booked three different stays in the past year and this is the first time they have asked for my number. They always give the talk about having the card at check in etc. It seems it is common place now to give your number when you book the room.

Easy right? Then a poster says "naw, I didn't need a card." Here's what I think. If a member of AAA calls and asks for a room should he/me be told there are no AAA discounted rooms available because some CM's allowed non- members to book? Absolutely not!

 

[Brian Noble]

Several other hoteliers have gotten a bit stricter about this. One of the major chains (Hilton?) now makes you enter your membership number when you are searching for rates online, rather than just asking for the "AAA rate". This changed in the past year or so.

On the other extreme, I can't remember the last time a Marriott property asked for my card.

 

[CarolA]

Several other hoteliers have gotten a bit stricter about this. One of the major chains (Hilton?) now makes you enter your membership number when you are searching for rates online, rather than just asking for the "AAA rate". This changed in the past year or so.

On the other extreme, I can't remember the last time a Marriott property asked for my card.

I noticed this on Hilton and for some reason they don't like the number I have......

 

[DaisyD]

I wasn't asked for mine the other day when booking with my AAA card. I never am asked for it then but always at check in.

 

[scheddj]

Easy right? Then a poster says "naw, I didn't need a card." Here's what I think. If a member of AAA calls and asks for a room should he/me be told there are no AAA discounted rooms available because some CM's allowed non- members to book? Absolutely not!

Whoa, easy there. I was just telling you what I was told when I booked. If it makes you feel any less cheated I am now an official AAA member and in plenty of time to show my card for check-in.

 

[lark]

Easy right? Then a poster says "naw, I didn't need a card." Here's what I think. If a member of AAA calls and asks for a room should he/me be told there are no AAA discounted rooms available because some CM's allowed non- members to book? Absolutely not!

Why? It depends on what Disney's policy is and what the contract with AAA says. If the policy is that you need to be a member at the time of booking, then fine. But I don't think that's ever been the policy. I think you need to be a member at the time of check in.

As far as I can remember, Disney has been fine with people who say, at the time of reserving the room, I'm not a member now but will be when I check in.

I'm sure AAA loves this -- a new customer is actually more valuable to them than an existing one. So if a new member joins to get the discount, they are plenty happy. Ultimately, this comes out of AAA's pocket (well figuratively at least in terms of the concessions they give in the contract with WDW). I haven't actually seen the contract, but my guess is that in their contract with disney, they are just fine with this.

 

[LakeAriel]

Having an AAA membership pays for itself in more ways then one. It's an Automobile card not hotel card! Room discounts are just an added perk. For 65.00 a year my husband and I have full security if something happens on the road. Room discounts are for members. If you go onto the AAA site you need additional information now. They are getting more strict. Someone once posted how many times she/he saw scenes with people who booked saying they were getting a card and showed up saying they "forgot" it. When the CM took away the discount a scene ensued. That's just wrong. In addition that AAA room was taken out of inventory unnecessarily.

 

[lark]

Having an AAA membership pays for itself in more ways then one. It's an Automobile card not hotel card! Room discounts are just an added perk. For 65.00 a year my husband and I have full security if something happens on the road. Room discounts are for members. If you go onto the AAA site you need additional information now. They are getting more strict. Someone once posted how many times she/he saw scenes with people who booked saying they were getting a card and showed up saying they "forgot" it. When the CM took away the discount a scene ensued. That's just wrong. In addition that AAA room was taken out of inventory unnecessarily.

That's surely true. If you show up without your card, all bets are off!

If someone makes a reservation with the intention of getting the AAA before check in, I don't have a problem with that, so long as they actually do it or are prepared to pay rack. It's hard for me to criticize the people who book AAA and take up inventory though. Heck, I do that all the time. I'm currently holding an AAA reservation even though I hope to be able to switch to AP, or even though I know my dates aren't totally locked in, so I'm kind of guilty of taking an AAA reservation that I *might* not use out of inventory and potentially depriving someone else of getting it.

 

[TAKitty]

That's surely true. If you show up without your card, all bets are off!

I think Disney is at fault. I have never been asked for my AAA card before. I too am hoping for an AP rate.

 

[LakeAriel]

That's surely true. If you show up without your card, all bets are off!

If someone makes a reservation with the intention of getting the AAA before check in, I don't have a problem with that, so long as they actually do it or are prepared to pay rack. It's hard for me to criticize the people who book AAA and take up inventory though. Heck, I do that all the time. I'm currently holding an AAA reservation even though I hope to be able to switch to AP, or even though I know my dates aren't totally locked in, so I'm kind of guilty of taking an AAA reservation that I *might* not use out of inventory and potentially depriving someone else of getting it.

I could be wrong but I am sure an AP rate would come out in time to free up your AAA room for someone else.
My beef is against those that hold the AAA reservation knowing they have no intention of getting a card unless AP rates don't come out. Do you have a AAA card? I don't think Disney should allow this. IMHO