Frustration With AAA

[rinaldimkt]

I need to vent about my trip planning with AAA. I have used this agent with AAA to get a trip to Disneyland in the past and she had set it up to a T. So this time I decided to use her again, but for a trip to DisneyWorld (end of June 07) and we are setting it up with another family for a total of 10 people. First frustration began when we were going to book, she told us to hold on for one week because the Disney rep told her that some special was coming out, so we said OK and waited till the week after she told us and I saw no difference in price or benefits. Second frustration was after we told her to book I wanted our conf #/Magical Gathering # so we could make ADR and that took about a couple of weeks so we are now in the begining of February (150 days out and ADR's can be made 180 days out). We get our conf# and begin making ADR's and they are not ideal, but will work out. Third and hopefully last frustration is that I get our seating chart for the airline, (this was booked as a package thru the agent who booked it through Disney) our kids are book together in one continous row, but the adults are seperated by pairs and they could have been booked continous. So I am waiting for a confirmation that they can change our seating assignments.

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

I would just try a new TA next time with AAA and see if that's any better.

 

[DisFhan]

I am not 100% positive but I think you could call the airline or check online to make a seat change. I know that a TA should do that for you, but if you want something done right its better to do it yourself. I know that is a sad statement but sometimes true...

 

[themudd4]

Can I asked when you booked? Some months AAA themselves will offer a benefit for booking with them. For example, if you were calling to book in Dec. and she suggested for you to wait until Jan. you will recieve a $25 gift card upon check-in to your resort (assuming you booked a package). So you may want to ask her what was the offer you should recieve (if any).

I am sure it is frustrating that she didn't get with you right away with a comfirmation #. I know I recieved mine the very first day (when I paid my $200 deposit). Anyway, FYI...next time you don't have to wait for your comfirmation # to book ADR's. You can use your home phone number. We have done this on several occasions.

I have never flown so can't help ya there.

 

[byoung]

I would not return to your agent again, good luck in the future. Also hope you have a great vaction with these setbacks.

 

[girlieeee]

Im so frustrated with my AAA TA also!
She doesn't call me back when I call and was actually caught in a LIE!!
We added a day and when she sent our contracts to us they still had the wrong date above, but it said the right amount of days below. My mom called her and the TA told her that this was normal and it won't change no matter what. Two days later we got another contract to sign and send (which she forgot a return envelope) and it had the right dates in it!!!
I called her last Thursday and again Tuesday and STILL haven't heard back from her.

 

[themudd4]

Im so frustrated with my AAA TA also!
She doesn't call me back when I call and was actually caught in a LIE!!
We added a day and when she sent our contracts to us they still had the wrong date above, but it said the right amount of days below. My mom called her and the TA told her that this was normal and it won't change no matter what. Two days later we got another contract to sign and send (which she forgot a return envelope) and it had the right dates in it!!!
I called her last Thursday and again Tuesday and STILL haven't heard back from her.

Maybe I am just lucky or it has always been over looked...but what contract? I have never had to sign anything with AAA, especially with my vacation planning, and we have book other things other than Disney with AAA.

 

[girlieeee]

Seriously??? That is weird. Every time we have a change we have to sign a contract again!
There is a place for you to select insurance and a place for you to sign.
It is a summary of your ressies.

 

[themudd4]

Seriously??? That is weird. Every time we have a change we have to sign a contract again!
There is a place for you to select insurance and a place for you to sign.
It is a summary of your ressies.

Maybe your signing for your insurance then...
When I book WDW I go ahead and use Disney travel insurance...so nothing to sign.
Now when I booked a cruise I bought the travel insurance through AAA, and while I don't remember having to sign a contract (just pay up front) I know that when we changed our plans I had to pay $30 to change my insurance info...

When I booked our 2007 trip I e-mailed my AAA TA and told her what I wanted and didn't want. I called her 1 time to give her my credit card # for the deposit...she called me 1 time to give me my confirmation number. All within 60 minutes! Then she mailed me copies of everything, including info on my resort (which I didn't need since we have stayed there before, but still great to have). But no contracts or anything to sign or return! Each time I mailed in a payment I addressed it to her, and within 5 days I had a confirmation of payment in the mail. Now I just am waiting for my call to go pick up my package!!!
For anyone in Southern Indiana....ANGIE in Clarksville's AAA office is the BEST!

 

[Unregistered]

I have not received a confirmation from my AAA TA, but my original seats on the airline are now available. Part of the problem with my original planning was that my group has 10 people in it and she booked the whole package through the Disney people (airfare too) it falls under the Grand Gathering Disney people. From the Disney people they have to contact the group sales of the airline to book the seats. The stupid part on whoever the final person setting up the seats was that they split up the adults into pairs, even though there was plenty of seats around us. But I am still awaiting my TA to contact me with our (hopefully) updated seats.

 

[girlieeee]

I have no idea if it is because of insurance. I have not declined nor accepted insurance at this point. I was told that I don't have to make that decision until 45 days of the trip. She finally called me back so I added my flight info, but she said something about if I wanted the meal plan. I assured her again that I knew I wanted that, but I don't know where she got the idea that we didn't want it! I certainly hope it doesn't get screwed up.

 

[themudd4]

I have no idea if it is because of insurance. I have not declined nor accepted insurance at this point. I was told that I don't have to make that decision until 45 days of the trip. She finally called me back so I added my flight info, but she said something about if I wanted the meal plan. I assured her again that I knew I wanted that, but I don't know where she got the idea that we didn't want it! I certainly hope it doesn't get screwed up.

Get you a new AAA TA. She is scaring me and it isn't even my vacation. She should have already had record of everything you all covered in your previous conversations.
With Travel Insurance...Disney Policy is the insurance they offer can be added before final payment is made...which would be a minimum of 45 days out if you already have a package booked. Here is a link to the info.
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw/media/reservations/insurancecertificate.pdf
Something you may want to consider though is that if you are adding another travel insurance for example Access America which is AAA's offered insurance it must be paid it full within 10 days of booking your vacation.

 

[mysticcruiser]

Im so frustrated with my AAA TA also!
She doesn't call me back when I call and was actually caught in a LIE!!
We added a day and when she sent our contracts to us they still had the wrong date above, but it said the right amount of days below. My mom called her and the TA told her that this was normal and it won't change no matter what. Two days later we got another contract to sign and send (which she forgot a return envelope) and it had the right dates in it!!!
I called her last Thursday and again Tuesday and STILL haven't heard back from her.

I ended up firing my AAA TA and booking directly thru Disney. She also, would not return my calls quickly. Because of this, I almost didn't get the resort I wanted. I called Disney on a Sunday, and wanted to get a quote on upgrading my resort from POP to POR. They had a good rate, so I put a hold on it, knowing I would have difficulty with my AAA agent. I called her on Monday morning to ask her to see if she could get me the upgrade, and she got me the same quote, so I told her to change my ressie. Almost a week later, I had not heard back from her, so I had to call AGAIN, and this time she told me the resort was full. Her lack of promptness cost me a ressie. I fired her and kept my booking with Disney. Never again will I use AAA. I have had nothing but problems with the last 2 bookings with them.

 

[themudd4]

I ended up firing my AAA TA and booking directly thru Disney. She also, would not return my calls quickly. Because of this, I almost didn't get the resort I wanted. I called Disney on a Sunday, and wanted to get a quote on upgrading my resort from POP to POR. They had a good rate, so I put a hold on it, knowing I would have difficulty with my AAA agent. I called her on Monday morning to ask her to see if she could get me the upgrade, and she got me the same quote, so I told her to change my ressie. Almost a week later, I had not heard back from her, so I had to call AGAIN, and this time she told me the resort was full. Her lack of promptness cost me a ressie. I fired her and kept my booking with Disney. Never again will I use AAA. I have had nothing but problems with the last 2 bookings with them.

Sorry you had problems...but not all AAA TA's are the same. I had one that done me about the same way as you mentioned. I called her office supervisior directly, told him why I was dissatisfied and assured him he was going to give me someone who not only knew what they were doing, but that would do it in a timely manner! He turned everything over to Angie and I could not have been happier. She is great and I continue to use her each and every trip we take.

 

[RickNJShore]

Wow.

My AAA TA is awesome; she is aware of the special promotions and calls me with any news that might be beneficial. Three times she has called me with good news, once to let me know she got me a free upgrade, the second time that she signed me up for free dining promo, and lastly that she got me a better onboard cruise credit promotion (extra 100 bucks). She has canceled ressies with AAA and booked me directly with Disney in order to qualify for promotions. Heck on our honeymoon cruise she sent us a bottle of wine and chocolates.

As far as contracts go I’m not even sure I send her anything, just give he my credit card number and she sends a confirmation email. She has even told me not to get travel insurance as Disney is really good at letting you rebook if you cancel less than a certain amount of days or for bad weather, and that is exactly what happened to us one year we rescheduled 2 twice because of a work conflict and a hurricane.

Truly sorry to hear you are having such a rough time with yours.

Curious is this the AAA 800 number or is it a local AAA travel store?

 

[jenseib]

I replied yesterday, but it's not here. Oh Well.
I got the insurance throuhg AAA. I was told on here that it is a better coverage and the price was the same as Disney's. I never had to sign anything either. No contracts ,nothing for insurance, NOTHING!
I would switch agents. You can use anyone, anywhere, and some are much better than others! I was just sent the confirmation of everything ,and then I got my documents last week for my trip coming up on March 4th. I did my own airline.
You may find better deals online for airfares. I did.
I would just tell her to froget it and go with someone else. If you would like the number to my lady, just PM me and I'll give you her name.

 

[girlieeee]

I called the local AAA. I guess I should try the 800 travel agent and she if she can finish with my ressies.

Mine wasn't even able to get me the upgrade and hasn't told me about ANY extra promos!!!

 

[themudd4]

I called the local AAA. I guess I should try the 800 travel agent and she if she can finish with my ressies.

Mine wasn't even able to get me the upgrade and hasn't told me about ANY extra promos!!!

Before you call the 800 #, try going through someone else within your local office. Often times with 800# CS is even less willing to help out.

They may not be offering any promos or free upgrades when & where you are staying. When is your trip/where are you staying? Maybe someone on the DIS can tell you if there is anything available.

I am editing since I went back and looked at your siggie: You are staying at POP (I will be there next month!!!), so I don't think their are any room upgrades you can get there aside from being in the perferred section. And I believe May starts off Disney's Peak season, so once again that may be a reason nothing has been offered.

 

[jenseib]

Actually peak season is right now. May is a good time as crowds are usualy low. It is in June when it gets busy again.

All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
Pop Century

Value Season: January 1 - February 14, August 5 - October 3, November 25 - December 19
Regular Season: April 15 - May 23, October 4 - November 24
Summer Season: May 24 - August 4
Peak Season: February 15 - April 14
Holiday Season: December 20 - December 31

 

[themudd4]

Actually peak season is right now. May is a good time as crowds are usualy low. It is in June when it gets busy again.

All-Star Movies
All-Star Music
All-Star Sports
Pop Century

Value Season: January 1 - February 14, August 5 - October 3, November 25 - December 19
Regular Season: April 15 - May 23, October 4 - November 24
Summer Season: May 24 - August 4
Peak Season: February 15 - April 14
Holiday Season: December 20 - December 31

Yep your right...I just pulled out my passporter. It was Summer/regular season I was thinking about staring in May.