FD w/AAA

[DreaGirl]

Can you book free dining through AAA? We don't have a Disney Visa scared1, but if they go to the public on the 30th can we change our reservation through our AAA agent or do I have to do it on my own through Disney?

Thanks!

 

[apennel]

This is my question too.

Is there any advantage to booking room and tickets today or tomorrow through AAA, then having them add FD on Monday?

Thanks!

 

[DreaGirl]

We book through AAA so we can get the Diamond Parking pass since we rent a car and drive to the parks (DH hates the buses with our monster stroller).

 

[mbanks21]

AAA can book free dining as well. No AAA discount other then the perks like the parking pass and whatnot.

 

[DreaGirl]

Thank you!

 

[kevgraub]

AAA can book free dining as well. No AAA discount other then the perks like the parking pass and whatnot.

Yep, we did ours through AAA today. We had booked previously using the AAA discount, and then had our agent call today and add the free dining. We knew we would lose the AAA discount (about $200) but the free dining was worth $700 so we didn't really mind.

 

[DreaGirl]

Yep, we did ours through AAA today. We had booked previously using the AAA discount, and then had our agent call today and add the free dining. We knew we would lose the AAA discount (about $200) but the free dining was worth $700 so we didn't really mind.

I assume you have a Disney Visa? Did your TA know about the FD or did you have to give a code?

 

[RysMomma]

We booked our trip with AAA back in October and our TA told us that she would be on the lookout for free dining and change us over if it happens. Well, when I found out about it being offered to Disney Visa members, I called and left her a message. DH called her yesterday when it was released. She didn't know about it but he faxed her what he found online along with the promotional code and she changed it for us within an hour. At first I was nervous about not being able to get Pop since she didn't get in until 9:30 EST and DH didn't get in touch with her until about 12. But, she had no problems and got back to us by 12:45 to say it was all done. I definitely was thankful to have booked through an agent yesterday since I didn't have to deal with sitting on the phone or when people were saying they were having problems with the code and the CMs were telling them to call back!

 

[FirstTimeDisneyDad]

Does a CAA/AAA agent have the same process as us - that is, they have to make the new reservation and them cancel the existing one, depending on the availablity of the promotional rooms? I assume that time is of the essence on Monday to try and get the dates and resort of choice (especially when we are trying for an family suite at ASMusic, which we already have reserved for 8 nights in September)

I am trying to figure out if I should be trying to call through on Monday morning at 7 AM, which is probably a good 3 hours before my agent will start. Then, I could always cancel my reservation if my CAA agent gets it done, or cancel with her if she cannot.

Any insights or thoughts from those who have some experience here?

Thanks,

 

[Palendat]

AAA can book free dining as well. No AAA discount other then the perks like the parking pass and whatnot.

My CAA agent told me that the AAA discount WOULD apply to free dining. Is he just mistaken, or has anyone SEEN the discount applied to their free dining ressie yet. I would rather do it all myself at 7 am than use an agent (I am a control freek) but to save $200, I would let CAA have the reservation. I would be VERY ticked off if I let the TA book, then find out that I didn't get the discount, since none of the other perks is of value to me.

 

[peanutgirl]

My Caa Ta said it does apply. I got it 2 years ago and it did apply. That is the only reason I am letting a TA handel this for me. I guess we find out Monday.

 

[mbanks21]

You can NOT get AAA/CAA discount with free dining. Never happened, never will happen

 

[kirbygump]

If you cancel your AAA booking and rebook with Disney directly do your lose your original deposit with AAA? Assuming more than 45 days before travel.

 

[disneynuts777]

You can NOT get AAA/CAA discount with free dining. Never happened, never will happen

I am not sure. The online message that was sent from my CAA office made it seem that you were going to able to get a double discount. (room discount plus free dining!!)I'll know on Monday!!

 

[mommy3]

We booked through AAA last summer for this coming August - then when FD came out for disney visa holders, I went into the AAA office to see if I could have it changed. Our local AAA office really isn't very good in terms of travel customer service - my original TA had left and I never received anything to tell me that. So, the new TA called, and when the CM told her to call back in 2 hours due to a computer glitch, I got nervous. After calling her back again 3 hours later, she finally got in touch with Disney and then returned my call to say I had it booked (but I did have to give up my AAA resort discount - no double dipping on the discounts, which I remember from a few years ago). She said she would send me the confirmation, but I don't have it yet (very worried). I don't think I will book through AAA again - the main reason is that I can't call Disney and have them look at anything regarding my reservation (they say it is owned by AAA and all they can see if that I have a reservation and can't confirm anything). Also - Disney isn't sure but doesn't believe I will be able to do the new online check in which (being the control freak that I am) - is just not the way I'd prefer to do things. Since Disney CM's can't even see my reservation, I'm not holding out much hope to do the online check in.

So, I hope that I DO have FD, but won't know until I go back and pay her a visit again on Monday morning to request a copy of my confirmation.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I am not sure. The online message that was sent from my CAA office made it seem that you were going to able to get a double discount. (room discount plus free dining!!)I'll know on Monday!!

My AAA TA has in fact assured me of the same thing. They buy rooms as an agency in bulk, so they discount the rooms and free dining code can apply. The room has already been purchased by AAA, we are just getting it from them.

 

[kevgraub]

My AAA TA has in fact assured me of the same thing. They buy rooms as an agency in bulk, so they discount the rooms and free dining code can apply. The room has already been purchased by AAA, we are just getting it from them.

Maybe different AAA agency have different rules. My AAA agent had already booked our deal a couple months ago with the AAA discount, and when she called to add the free dining the other day, Disney would not allow us to keep the AAA discount and get the free dining.

In general, I don't think AAA buys up a bunch of rooms. Disney just offers a discount (on a sliding scale based both on the time of year and the level of resort) to AAA members. It might have been different with your particular agency, but my agency tried to add the free dining to a room that already had the AAA discount and Disney would not allow us to have both (so obviously we went with the free dining).

 

[mbanks21]

My AAA TA has in fact assured me of the same thing. They buy rooms as an agency in bulk, so they discount the rooms and free dining code can apply. The room has already been purchased by AAA, we are just getting it from them.

I would LOVE to hear back from you when they switch it over. If they buy the rooms in bulk then they cant get the MYW package, theyre buying room only.

 

[justtobeme2]

I can't do it with my AAA. I don't think AAA buys up rooms at Disney. I just think AAA is a Disney sponsor. You know they give them lots of advertising (all those AAA Disney travel books, luggage tags, etc) so Disney lets them do a discount IF Disney has the rooms. If Disney runs out of rooms then AAA can't get rooms. Ever wonder why your AAA has to call Disney to make your reservation or change your reservation? It's because they didn't buy a block of rooms. They are just the go between.

 

[mbanks21]

Im just waiting for the post "My AAA agent lied to me and said I can get a discount with free dining"