No AAA Card but was able to book a room with a discount

[kelleigh1]

I believe that you can book with AAA just as any other travel agent, but that in order to get the discount, you must be a AAA member.

And honestly, if you're booking for a AAA Discount and not a member, that certainly isn't fair to those of us who are members. We pay for the right to get the discounts and anyone getting the discount without paying the membership is stealing.

 

[pilferk]

I'm hoping this will work:

http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjec...607/wo/BmntlVB2f41bDVytcnMSJg/6.WOMetaRefresh

Only ONE of those rates is a AAA rate (and it's marked). There's also one Florida Resident Rate. The others are "regular" rates that anyone, I think, can book....simply because AAA runs a full service on-line travel agency that non-members are welcome to use.

I've shot an email off to AAA CS to confirm this, but....when we book our rooms (as described in the previous post) I use the AAA site and always have to SELECT the AAA rate, even though "non-aaa" rates are offered.

 

[brenda1966]

Yes Pilferk, this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. But with the Disney rooms I don't see different rate options or anything marked with the AAA icon like that link you provided.

That's just what I'm trying to find out. When booking a non-Disney room it's clearly marked which rates are AARP or AAA member or just "Rack" rate, but with the disney ones it is not.

"AAA runs a full service online travel agency that non-members are welcome to use".
thanks for pointing this out -- I'm not stealing when I use AAA to book a room. They are open for everyone to use to book a trip.

 

[pilferk]

Yes Pilferk, this is the kind of thing I'm talking about. But with the Disney rooms I don't see different rate options or anything marked with the AAA icon like that link you provided.

That's just what I'm trying to find out. When booking a non-Disney room it's clearly marked which rates are AARP or AAA member or just "Rack" rate, but with the disney ones it is not.

I know you "got it". But I wanted to make sure those crying "foul" get it, too.

My assumption (and, like you, I'd contact them to make sure) is that if it doesn't say "AAA rate", then it's not a AAA rate, and anyone can book it.

Does AAA even offer "room only/per night" discounts on Disney rooms? I thought it was only on packages? Having never booked a Disney room or package through AAA, I'm obviously not sure. But something is nagging at the back of my brain that that's the case.....anyone?

 

[hearts8701]

Never Showed My Aaa Card Or Annua Pass When Checking In

 

[kelleigh1]

You can book a AAA Room Only reservation with a AAA discount. And this can be done through AAA or through Disney directly.

AAA Packages (with the member discount) can only be booked through a AAA TA and the discount still only taken off the room portion of the package.

 

[deek05]

So, Derek, it sounds like you've been able to book through AAA and get a good rate that was not tied to a membership. This is what I'm trying to find out about. ANyone else???

Brenda,

Yes, we've never had to show the card. Our local AAA acts like a travel agency. I've asked AAA many times if we need to be members to get the discount and they say no. But, if you book through Disney and ask for the AAA discount, you will need to be a member. Good luck!

Derek

 

[Fionasmommy]

My confirmation from Disney says "AAA MEMBERSHIP CARD REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN FOR DISCOUNT" right on it. That, IMO, confirms that you need to be a member to get the discount.

Additionally, our state AAA website (AAA Colorado) says: "AAA provides its members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services"

The discounts are intended to be a perk of membership, just as "show-your-card" savings are. I don't doubt that some agencies will book you anyway- especially if they have a monthly sales quota to meet or simply because it raises the bottom line for their agency. And as a previous poster mentioned, AAA is able to book all kinds of non-discounted travel, which some agencies may also do for non-members.

FWIW, I was asked to show my AAA card at POFQ last June, and the CM stopped and waited for me to pull it out before continuing to check us in. I also was asked for the whole card number the last time I reserved a room only at AAA rate through Disney directly.

 

[ang]

When I went down in 2004, the cm did ask for my AAA card. So, you do need it. It does say on my reservations, AAA/CAA membership card must be presented at check-in.

 

[kwdietrich1]

If you book a PACKAGE with AAA travel agency, you do NOT need to show your card at check in (and never have been asked to either when staying on a package). This is directly from my AAA TA. The membership number is located on the documents that my AAA sends me (confirmation and actually vouchers).

Now, if the Agency books you with a discount and you are NOT a member, I have no idea. My AAA agency won't book a package with a AAA discount without you being a member. They will book a discounted packaged if their is a special public code.

 

[brenda1966]

I still have not heard back from AAA (at this point and wondering if I ever will). But I can tell you that my confirmation from AAA for the room does not state anywhere on it that AAA card is required. So, to me, their documentation both online and through email is very, very unclear.

I'm having all sorts of fun with AAA. I tried to book my Magical Express and can't seem to convince them I get it with just a room and not a package! Then the gave me a number to call, which Disney said is not what I should be doing, that AAA should know better. So far, it's a comedy of errors.

 

[Fionasmommy]

If you book a PACKAGE with AAA travel agency, you do NOT need to show your card at check in (and never have been asked to either when staying on a package).

I booked a 8 night package w/ hoppers last summer, and I had to show my card at check-in. As I said previously, this was at POFQ, and the CM pulled up our info from the confirmation I gave her, and then asked for my AAA card and did not check us in until I handed it over and she compared the name on the card to the name on the reservation.

 

[deek05]

Fiona,

Did you book thru Disney Travel or thru AAA?

DT

 

[momto2inKC]

If you book a PACKAGE with AAA travel agency, you do NOT need to show your card at check in (and never have been asked to either when staying on a package). This is directly from my AAA TA. The membership number is located on the documents that my AAA sends me (confirmation and actually vouchers).

Now, if the Agency books you with a discount and you are NOT a member, I have no idea. My AAA agency won't book a package with a AAA discount without you being a member. They will book a discounted packaged if their is a special public code.

Both of our previous trips were booked through AAA, both were packages and we DID have to show our AAA card at check in. First time was at Pop, 2nd time at POFQ.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Going by what the OP wrote it sounds like the AAA office is also acting like a membership-free regular travel agent. Sounds like she was offered two prices -- one as a regular guest, and a lesser amount as a AAA member. That was my take.
It could be who she is buying from also is buying as a wholesaler, as any regular TA would.
So maybe she won't need a AAA card at check-in. However, for many this will be unsettling to not know for certain until check-in. And IF a AAA card was required, and one not available, then yes full rate would be chraged.
The res was made through AAA. So they own the res. Calling Disney will not help the OP.

 

[kelleigh1]

Fiona,

Did you book thru Disney Travel or thru AAA?

DT

Since she mentions that she booked a package, she would have had to have booked that through AAA. Disney does not book AAA discounted packages.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, I started from the AAA Colorado main page (because that appears to be the OP's region) http://www.aaa.com/aaa/006/index.html?zip=80012&wosid=MCbr0OjcLBveXknUoQmnTM
and selected the Hotel tab.
I used Walt Disney World as my destination, and random trip dates. Then I chose "advanced" search.
On the Advanced Search page http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline.woa/316/wo/h0hQleXU7xAFAYHYTVwruw/0.13.3
I selected Lake Buena Vista as my destination, and Disney World Resorts in the Hotel Preference menu, and clicked "search".
On the resulting page http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjec...316/wo/h0hQleXU7xAFAYHYTVwruw/3.WOMetaRefresh I chose All Star Movies (because it was at the top of the page) and clicked the "book hotel" button.
The relatively small but still very legible print toward the bottom of the screen http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjec...316/wo/h0hQleXU7xAFAYHYTVwruw/6.WOMetaRefresh just below the box that includes the nightly AAA rate states, in its entirety:
"Rates shown are based on 1 adult in a room unless otherwise noted and may not include taxes, service charges, fees, extra person charges, or any other incidentals. Lodgings may temporarily increase room rates or modify policies during a special event or holiday. Discounts normally offered at some lodgings may not apply during special events or holiday periods. Special rates and discounts may not apply to all room rates.


The room descriptions above are industry standards for the room code displayed. For some lodgings, the description may not follow industry standards. Click on the link beneath each rate to display the detailed room description from the lodging.
Special Note: To receive AAA/CAA member rates as identified above, a AAA/CAA membership card must be presented at check-in. Only two rooms per member may be booked at the AAA rate. "

So, it seems to me that their documentation on-line is actually EXTREMELY clear.

 

[Southernson]

Had to show mine

 

[Fionasmommy]

Fiona,

Did you book thru Disney Travel or thru AAA?

DT

I booked the package through AAA, which is when I had to show the card at check-in. More recently, I booked a room-only AAA rate though Disney directly, and the CM asked for my full AAA membership number.

 

[deek05]

I booked the package through AAA, which is when I had to show the card at check-in. More recently, I booked a room-only AAA rate though Disney directly, and the CM asked for my full AAA membership number.

Thanks for the reply. It must depend on who the cast member is. We've booked our last 5-7 vacations thru AAA and have never been asked to show the card. It shouldn't matter since the package is already paid for. I'll have to look at my documents when I get them.

DT