Don't want to Hi-jack your thread

[bankgirl05]

I too, am having 2nd thoughts about booking through AAA.

At first I thought, oh Great!!! I get a "preferred Fireworks viewing" out of the deal, at least I am getting some benefits from AAA.

turns out, I am not eligible, because you have to book a plan with (paid) dining...

So what exactly is my benefit? NADA!!! I already booked all of my dining, as soon as found a good deal on airfare, and built my trip around there.

AAA rep in my office knows next to nothing about Disney, I even had to school her in the fact that the company she suggested for me to rent my ECV from is NOT a Disney preferred vendor, therefore I would have to arrange a "meet time" to rent/return the scooter! se tried to tell me that a (AAAexclusive)benefit is DME, resort mugs and luggage tags. I had to tell her otherwise. I also fear that she will not request a ground floor room, which is important to me because of the scooter.

The only thing stopping me from cancelling and rebooking myself is because I know that she will be making a commission, where I will not. So I feel like someone oughta get paid...

WWYD?

 

[Marionnette]

I too, am having 2nd thoughts about booking through AAA.

At first I thought, oh Great!!! I get a "preferred Fireworks viewing" out of the deal, at least I am getting some benefits from AAA.

turns out, I am not eligible, because you have to book a plan with (paid) dining...

So what exactly is my benefit? NADA!!! I already booked all of my dining, as soon as found a good deal on airfare, and built my trip around there.

AAA rep in my office knows next to nothing about Disney, I even had to school her in the fact that the company she suggested for me to rent my ECV from is NOT a Disney preferred vendor, therefore I would have to arrange a "meet time" to rent/return the scooter! se tried to tell me that a (AAAexclusive)benefit is DME, resort mugs and luggage tags. I had to tell her otherwise. I also fear that she will not request a ground floor room, which is important to me because of the scooter.

The only thing stopping me from cancelling and rebooking myself is because I know that she will be making a commission, where I will not. So I feel like someone oughta get paid...

WWYD?

This doesn't sound right. You could book a AAA vacation package without including a dining plan (paid or free) and you should still get the AAA benefits. I just got an email from my AAA the other day and not only were they offering free dining and all of the AAA benefits that go with a AAA package, they were also offering a $200 AAA GC if you booked by the end of May. Something just doesn't make sense.

If I were frustrated with my TA, I wouldn't hesitate to "fire" them and take my business to someone who will take care of things to my satisfaction. You're spending a lot of money for your Disney vacation. She will make a decent commission. She should be doing what she needs to do in order to earn that commission.

 

[brockash]

I too, am having 2nd thoughts about booking through AAA.

At first I thought, oh Great!!! I get a "preferred Fireworks viewing" out of the deal, at least I am getting some benefits from AAA.

turns out, I am not eligible, because you have to book a plan with (paid) dining...

So what exactly is my benefit? NADA!!! I already booked all of my dining, as soon as found a good deal on airfare, and built my trip around there.

AAA rep in my office knows next to nothing about Disney, I even had to school her in the fact that the company she suggested for me to rent my ECV from is NOT a Disney preferred vendor, therefore I would have to arrange a "meet time" to rent/return the scooter! se tried to tell me that a (AAAexclusive)benefit is DME, resort mugs and luggage tags. I had to tell her otherwise. I also fear that she will not request a ground floor room, which is important to me because of the scooter.

The only thing stopping me from cancelling and rebooking myself is because I know that she will be making a commission, where I will not. So I feel like someone oughta get paid...

WWYD?

I'd cancel and book myself. We used AAA on our first Disney trip and honestly, I just don't see the point. It was more of a headache then anything. I didn't like having to go through a 3rd party (one that doesn't care nearly as much about my trip as I do lol) and I didn't like not having control over my own reservations.

I get using a TA for places that you're not familiar with at all, but for ppl. that visit the disboards...well I just don't think they're going to find any TA with more info., nor do I think there's a need for a TA.

 

[starann]

I planned out everything our last trip and booked thru Disney myself.

This trip I booked thru a Disney cert agent (actually someone I 'met' on the DIS). She sat on the phone for me last week to get FD (Disney Visa). I like helping someone else out (as in it doesn't cost me anything more to use her and she knows her stuff) with the commission.

Let me know if you want her info!

 

[bankgirl05]

I planned out everything our last trip and booked thru Disney myself.

This trip I booked thru a Disney cert agent (actually someone I 'met' on the DIS). She sat on the phone for me last week to get FD (Disney Visa). I like helping someone else out (as in it doesn't cost me anything more to use her and she knows her stuff) with the commission.

Let me know if you want her info!

I don't need to book through any agent, I've been doing it myself for years, I just thought that since I had a AAA membership, I would get some of the perks out of it, while giving someone from my home town a chance to earn a comission. I am just annoyed that I am getting none of the "Perks" and she doesn't really know anything.

Thanks for your offer though! You're very thoughtful.

 

[TheShea's]

I don't need to book through any agent, I've been doing it myself for years, I just thought that since I had a AAA membership, I would get some of the perks out of it, while giving someone from my home town a chance to earn a comission. I am just annoyed that I am getting none of the "Perks" and she doesn't really know anything.

Thanks for your offer though! You're very thoughtful.

If you're not getting any of the perks and she's not giving you accurate information how is she "earning" her commission.

 

[bankgirl05]

This doesn't sound right. You could book a AAA vacation package without including a dining plan (paid or free) and you should still get the AAA benefits. I just got an email from my AAA the other day and not only were they offering free dining and all of the AAA benefits that go with a AAA package, they were also offering a $200 AAA GC if you booked by the end of May. Something just doesn't make sense.

If I were frustrated with my TA, I wouldn't hesitate to "fire" them and take my business to someone who will take care of things to my satisfaction. You're spending a lot of money for your Disney vacation. She will make a decent commission. She should be doing what she needs to do in order to earn that commission.

The fine print in this month's AAAworld magazine ad state that a package plus dining must be purchased for Story Time or Preferred Fireworks Viewing and the offer for a $200 gift card is offered for Disney bookings valued at $3000 or more and paid in full at time of booking with a AAAmember Rewards Visa. Maybe it varies region to region, but I didn't qualify for either promotion once Free Dining came along.

Like I said, I have always booked myself, I was just looking for the extra AAA perks. I already have my dining ADR's in place, and will be buying MNSSHP tickets next week. I don't really need to have the trip "maintained" (unless we decide to upgrade later if we come up with a bit more cash, in which case, it would probably be easier if I just did it myself.)BUT, Now if I cancel AAA's booking (only put a $200 deposit down) and rebook myself I am going to feel like I stole something from someone, even though I am not sure they deserve it.

 

[mikehn]

In theory, the benefit of AAA is that you dont have to do anything yourself. They'll take care of it. But Disboarders cant help themselves, they have to involve themselves in every aspect of the trip. So as it turns out, there is no benefit.

 

[Diegosmom]

It doesnt help you now but Jan is Disney month for AAA if you book in Jan you get a $25 Disney giftcard.

My AAA was also offer a promo if you paid in full you were put in a drawings for a Disney suitcase filled with a bunch of stuff (2 sets of ears, 2 pens, 2 key chains, autograph book, photo book etc)...well it was 3:00 and they closed at 4 and she told me no one had paid in full yet and they were offering 2 so my chances were good...so I paid in full (on my Disney visa so 6 months no interest) and we ended up winning the prize (I would say at least $100 value)...then a week later I went in and added dining and she booked our fireworks and storytime...

Other perk is the parking pass...not a totally perk for us because we are flying and not renting a car but some people like it.

Oh and AAA is also giving a free one year membership to touringplans.com.

 

[Fire14]

I booked my trip during Disney month, got the 25.00 Disney gift card. MY only hang up was I had to "switch" resorts to get gift card. My TA is actually at Disney right now staying at all star movies.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I bought tickets at my local AAA agency but could tell the agent I got knew less than me so I didn't book with them. Plus, I like to change ADR's sometimes and I wouldn't like relying on someone else to get it done.

In your case, don't worry about her commission. Do it yourself which will save you the aggravation.

 

[jmartinez1895]

If you have your package booked with AAA and it includes dinning ( free or otherwise) call 407-939-7946. This is the number to call to reserve your story time and fireworks sopt. They will be able to look and see if you are eligible.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I bought tickets at my local AAA agency but could tell the agent I got knew less than me so I didn't book with them. Plus, I like to change ADR's sometimes and I wouldn't like relying on someone else to get it done.

In your case, don't worry about her commission. Do it yourself which will save you the aggravation.

While AAA offers some great perks for Disney travel, their Ravel Agents have to know about a HUGE variety of travel destinations. Nobody can be an expert in everything.

Small World Vacations, Dreams Unlimited, and other similar companies are Disney travel specialasts. They can even apply your AAA discount to a room-only reservation. On the other hand, they're not qualified to help you plan a trip anywhere else in the world. AAA trawl agents are.

 

[kaytieeldr]

In theory, the benefit of AAA is that you dont have to do anything yourself. They'll take care of it. But Disboarders cant help themselves, they have to involve themselves in every aspect of the trip. So as it turns out, there is no benefit.

In actuality, the benefit of AAA is vehicle roadside assistance. Everything else - travel services, discounts, even bail under certain circumstances - is all just perks.