Furious with AAA

[minijeanie]

Had recently booked a MYW pkg with AAA. I have now decided to split my stay and do 2 nites at Dolphin. I called this morning to ask what/if any was the cancelltion fee. My vacation starts March 28th.

My TA promised she would get back to me today. She did not!

I just got off the phone with CM who told me that there would be no cancellation fee if it was done by today. (had to be within 45 days out)
Now AAA office is closed and not open until Monday.

I don't feel I should have to pay this fee....

Disney can't help me because they did not book pkg.

I am leaning towards the fact the TA did not call me back on purpose.

Even if I speak to mgr of office, it is my word against hers....

Do you think they keep a record of phone logs to prove I did call this morning?

Any other suggestions?

I am getting Dolphin for $199 a nite so I wanted to spend lst 2 nites there.

 

[Disney Ron]

jeanie, in my opinion you shouldn't have to pay a cancellation fee. You notified the AAA TA in time so they should eat the cost.

Good luck!

 

[minijeanie]

that is my plan...to call AAA first thing monday morning.
not sure if I should call my TA first or go to supervisor

 

[GrumpyOne]

No offense intended but if it needed to be done that day, you probably should have gone down to AAA and sat on the TA until it was done. Good luck.

 

[AimKo]

I recently had an issue with AAA...tried WDW direct b/c they weren't taking care of things and was also told I needed to go to AAA.

If it were me, I would call the manager and speak to her/him about it. If they tell you there is nothing they can do, call another AAA and ask to speak with there manager. (Per Disney you can have your reservation transferred from one AAA agency to another, you simply ask the new agency to take it over). This is what I attempted and I got results when one manager talked to the other!

Aimee

 

[msmayor]

Remember, though, that AAA may have cancellation fees that differ from WDW. Just because WDW says 45 days doesn't mean AAA must follow the same rules.

 

[Jessmela]

Totally random idea and not sure it would work. But could you call a AAA office that's still open today (one on the West Coast?) and have them make the change for you?

 

[Von Drake]

I am curious about this...

I have considered joining AAA for the peace of mind, but part of the rationale is to have access to WDW discounts.

That said:

Does AAA offer discount codes, or do you have to book through a AAA Travel Agent? In other words, can I call WDW direct with a AAA code and get the same thing done WITHOUT an agent?

 

[mdhkitten]

I am curious about this...

I have considered joining AAA for the peace of mind, but part of the rationale is to have access to WDW discounts.

That said:

Does AAA offer discount codes, or do you have to book through a AAA Travel Agent? In other words, can I call WDW direct with a AAA code and get the same thing done WITHOUT an agent?

I know from personal experience that you can call and book a room only with a AAA discount directly through Disney. I'm almost positive that you have to book any packages directly through AAA, though.

 

[MomFam5]

I know from personal experience that you can call and book a room only with a AAA discount directly through Disney. I'm almost positive that you have to book any packages directly through AAA, though.

I ditto that. All you do is call CRO and tell them you're AAA and they will quote you that rate. I didn't book yet, but have called twice to check rates with no problems. There's also something about losing your AAA discount w/ package, but that could be only if you add dining, I can't remember, maybe someone else can help with that if needed.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

You can only book a AAA discount on room only through WDW. If you want the AAA room discount included with a package (tickets and/or dining) you have to book with a AAA agent.

OP, I hope things work out for you!

 

[mama2ella]

Hope you are able to get it all worked out!!

 

[beachgrl001]

I hope it works out for you. Your vacation starts on my b-day!
I had a bad experience w/aaa on Friday. I walked in to get a quote and she just looked at me and kept on gossiping to the other agent(it wasn't travel related) it was totally empty and she blatently ignored me. It was 5:30 and the sign on the door said they close at 6:00. I was happy to walk out. My vacation is too important to me to have to depend on someone like that.

 

[Ms_Maggs]

I hope it works out for you. Your vacation starts on my b-day!
I had a bad experience w/aaa on Friday. I walked in to get a quote and she just looked at me and kept on gossiping to the other agent(it wasn't travel related) it was totally empty and she blatently ignored me. It was 5:30 and the sign on the door said they close at 6:00. I was happy to walk out. My vacation is too important to me to have to depend on someone like that.

Lately, I've found that I have to explain everything to the AAA agents. Last year, the guy put my 4 year old and my mom in the same room when it should have been my 11 year old and my mom. He SWORE to me it wouldn't matter. And you can't change the names on the rooms once you're at Disney. It totally screwed up the DDP! It wasn't as bad since child and adult credits weren't split, but would have been a disaster if they were.

Another one quoted me a car rental that was just the base price and SWORE it was the total for 11 days. I had to call him back and say "are you SURE? Can you ask someone else?" and when he did he admitted he messed up.

My aunt's AAA agent charged her a $25 processing fee for her booking! WTH? Isn't that why we pay a membership fee?

The quality has gone way down from what I've encountered.

 

[WDWBetsy]

My aunt's AAA agent charged her a $25 processing fee for her booking! WTH? Isn't that why we pay a membership fee?

The quality has gone way down from what I've encountered.

Well, I personally consider the membership fees we pay to be for emergency roadside assistance (and we've used it numerous times). The savings are just an added bonus - we use the travel discounts throughout the year. It's not just for savings on Disney World packages booked with an agency - although that's usually where I see the biggest savings.

Not all AAA travel agencies charge booking fees. I use a wonderful AAA agent in South Carolina, and their agency does not.

Sadly, quality here at my local AAA travel agencies was lacking when I tried booking a package in early 2005. Kept getting the runaround - then I found out I could book with any state/regional AAA agency and never looked back.

If you get a bad agent - call around. It's worth the effort for $100-300+ savings depending on which resort/season.

 

[lillygator]

Hopefully everything will work out. I have found WDW very forgiving when it comes to changing and cancelling...especially when it has been within the same week as the actual cancellation date. Keep us posted!

And yes, we have been able to book room only AAA rates with WDW directly.

 

[jnorth1007]

I am soooo curious as to how this turned out. OP?????

 

[minijeanie]

I am soooo curious as to how this turned out. OP?????

Well I called first thing Monday and TA remembered me but said she was sorry that she was too busy to call wdw for me. I told her that unfortunately my 45 window had passed and today I would have to pay a cancellation fee. Now I would think the TA's at AAA would know the cancellation policies. She said she would call me back.

She called me 5 minutes later to say yes there was a $50 fee and If I would like to talk to her manager about reversing the charge. I told her to go ahead and make the changes and call me back.

She never did. I had to call her again. She made the changes and said that the office would mail me a $50 check. Disney would not reverse the charge.

I was surprised considering the 45th day was a Saturday and most of the offices here in NJ close at 3:00 PM. I was happy about getting the refund.

Now I have to wait for the paperwork again for which I will keep on them about.

But in the end it worked out.

Although to be quite honest I don't think the less than $100 I saved going with AAA was worth it.

This is my first time I booked a package because I wanted the dining.
I am going to go back to my old ways and just book room only AAA and do the rest myself.

I think the park tickets I could get cheaper than at AAA as well.

thanks for asking guys and encouraging me!!!

 

[mdhkitten]

This is why I will not use AAA for a trip/hotel. I always book a room directly through Disney with my AAA discount because I enjoy being in control of the stuff. I had a bad experience once myself, and that's why I do it without AAA's help.

 

[nanadeb]

If you want to have someone who is super nice and really good at her job (even if I am a little prejudiced!) call Tamara Greene at the Savannah, GA AAA office. She will fix you right up and she will get it right the first time. She is also a certified Disney specialist (I think that's what they call it.) The number there is (912) 352-8222.
Just tell her that her mother sent you!!

Deborah G.