CAA Members

[Rroo]

I am not a CAA member but was wondering if it may be worth it to join just to take advantage of the Orlando travel discounts. For those of you who are members, what kind of deals did you take advantage of? Is it worth it?

Thanks!!

 

[coastgirl]

We booked through CAA in May and I don't think we got any deals we couldn't have gotten on our own. We chose NOT to get a package though, and did an AP and "a la carte". OTOH, they came pretty quick when my van needed a boost here at home! I am a CAA member for the car help, not the travel; best luck I've had with CAA travel is just asking for the AAA rate at various hotels in our travels.

 

[tmli]

You will get CAA/AAA discounts at wdw resorts. An AP discount would be better but if you don't have one the CAA disc helps. They do sell wdw tickets but not often at the best deal as there tickets include hopping and waterparks and they only sell 3, 5 and 7 days in our area. Seaworld/Busch Garden discounts are usually very good. There are often discounted universal tkts as well as at the park you can show your card and save on food/merchandise. There are also free maps and tourbooks available if you are driving. If you do decide to book a package CAA has discounted prices as well as extra value items only available to members.

On top of all of this there are discounted tickets to local attractions as well as coupons for Galaxy/famous players theaters. There are also a number of items for sale in the stores with special member prices.

On top of all of this is the road service which in our area is 4 service calls per year. If you don't need the road service you can purchase an a la carte membership which is less money and includes everything mentioned EXCEPT road service.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

I had CAA last year and just a warning- they DID NOT offer me a discount room rate at Disney like they are supposed to. The travel agent gave me the SAME price as Disney. At the time I did not know that you could get a certain % off room rates with CAA, so I just booked through Disney. So just make sure you mention the discount. Thanks to the DIs Boards I now know better although this trip it would not have benefited us because we are getting FREE dining It does make me a little ticked though, that they tried to charge me more than they should have! WHat is the point if they do not give you the benefits you are intitled to and paid for! I won't be renewing until we know that it will be benefical, and that won't be anytime soon meaning no Disney trips for a little while

Lee

 

[SandraC]

I am a new-ish CAA member. I started my membership in March for our Spring Break Disney trip. I calculated that CAA has saved me over $800. I got a great deal on Disney tickets, Disney resorts and tons of maps and guide books that we used for other trips. S

 

[NikP]

You will get CAA/AAA discounts at wdw resorts. An AP discount would be better but if you don't have one the CAA disc helps. They do sell wdw tickets but not often at the best deal as there tickets include hopping and waterparks and they only sell 3, 5 and 7 days in our area. Seaworld/Busch Garden discounts are usually very good. There are often discounted universal tkts as well as at the park you can show your card and save on food/merchandise. There are also free maps and tourbooks available if you are driving. If you do decide to book a package CAA has discounted prices as well as extra value items only available to members.

On top of all of this there are discounted tickets to local attractions as well as coupons for Galaxy/famous players theaters. There are also a number of items for sale in the stores with special member prices.

On top of all of this is the road service which in our area is 4 service calls per year. If you don't need the road service you can purchase an a la carte membership which is less money and includes everything mentioned EXCEPT road service.

You mentioned CAA only sells 7day tickets, can I still book a package with 10 day tickets, and dining for 10 nights? Are CAA prices better on packages?

Niki

 

[tmli]

The tickets I mentioned are tickets sold over the counter. Any other size ticket can still be ordered when booking a package, and some offices will still order a ticket only for you through disney (this option is no cheaper than wdw direct).

The packages are cheaper because the room portion is always discounted. WDW can't sell you a package that has the room discounted. As well there are always value added items when booking a CAA/AAA package. Current offer is the fairytale storytelling experience. I witnessed this a few weeks ago and its awesome....this is only available when booking a package including dining through CAA/AAA.

 

[briarberry]

I've been a CAA member for years because I do dumb things like lock my key in the car etc. I always use my CAA card for discounts on hotels so I figure in a year that alone pays for my membership. I also like the convenience of going in and getting free maps when I travel. We have a Galaxy Cinema in our town and you can buy discounted movie tickets at CAA. The last time I got some the kids got a coupon for free popcorn and drinks at the show! I have never used their travel services because I usually book my own trips. I just like the convenience of knowing if my car breaks down someone will come help!

 

[Donald - my hero]

We have had CAA ever since I had a job that took me on the road for days at a time going over 200 KM in a day Hubby was nervous that my tiny little car might break down so off we went to our local ofice.
Advantages we have found:
Discounts at hotels throughout Canada & US and restaurants
Cheaper Movie tickets
VERY inexpensive trip insurance
Discounted trip products (daughter went to Italy and needed a passport holder)
Trip-Tiks that now I am to produce on my own and print VIA my home 'puter

OH one last thing, if you get your gas at Sunoco a portion is applied to your fee. We only fill up there now and this year we got CAA for FREE!

 

[madonna31]

Back in May, DH and I drove down to WDW. We got a flat tire right before the Florida welcome center. DH had the wrong tools to change the flat. We called CAA, AAA came, fixed at no charge and we were back on the road heading to the Disney Wonder within the hour.

If THAT alone wasn't worth every single penny spent on CAA for the year, I don't know what is.

 

[wee-haggis]

Back in May, DH and I drove down to WDW. We got a flat tire right before the Florida welcome center. DH had the wrong tools to change the flat. We called CAA, AAA came, fixed at no charge and we were back on the road heading to the Disney Wonder within the hour.

If THAT alone wasn't worth every single penny spent on CAA for the year, I don't know what is.

This is a terrific example of how useful and helpful CAA can be.Worth the annual fee just for this alone.
As far as travel agency services are concerned......In my experience....they should stick to Roadside Assistance etc.... ...Enough said ...JMHO

 

[son3disfan]

Hear you on the FREE membership!! Since they introduced the SUNOCO advantage,
we've had a free membership each year.
I love CAA. Not just for discounted hotels and attractions ticket, but for all the maps and discounted in store products too. ( bought my 8 year old an MP3 player for $39.99 )
He thinks it's the greatest thing ,and I don't have to worry since it wasn't that expensive!