PLEASE HELP with AAA question!!!!!

[Cruz Family]

Okay I am so confused. I just got off the phone with a AAA TA, she was calling me back with a quote for a Disney package. The price she gave me was higher then what I got off Disney Travel. The only difference was it was a prefered room, when I asked her how much the price would be with a regular room and she said it would be the same as the disney web site because they get the same prices. What?????? I thought there was a discount! Someone please tell me this is a mistake. Can I call another AAA office? Can anybody explain what is going on???? PLEASE!! Thanks, Melissa

 

[pepe of ohio]

I don't use the AAA TA, I just call CRO, and get a quote for a room only with AAA discount. You should be able to do the same on a package with AAA discount. Never bothered with the AAA , too much hassle going back and forth, better to get it right from the horses mouth, CRO, and then compare price to AAA travel.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

AAA should give you a 10-15% discount on the room portion of your package depending on when you are going. There are a limited number of rooms available at the discounted rate, so maybe that's the problem?

Make sure they are not charging you for a preferred room OR for travel insurance - I think they add the insurance automatically and they will only take it off if you specifically tell them to delete it.

If you are staying at a Value resort and are only there for a week or so then the charge for the insurance could EASILY exceed the amount of your discount making the AAA price seem higher.

Good luck!

 

[Cruz Family]

That is good info but I have a couple of questions

What is CRO is that the same as Disney Travel? If they have a good discount do I make a my reservation directly through them and still get a AAA discount?

Should I get trip insurance? Is it worth the money?

Sorry for so many questions......Melissa

 

[skbasnett]

Yes, you should always take the insurance. Especially if you have kids...you just never know what is going to happen.

 

[redmomof4]

I agree that travel insurance is important, but shop around. Disney is overpriced for travel insurance, I don't know about AAA, a good place to start is www.insuremytrip.com it was recommended to me by a TA.
Shawna

 

[SnackyStacky]

I don't use the AAA TA, I just call CRO, and get a quote for a room only with AAA discount. You should be able to do the same on a package with AAA discount. Never bothered with the AAA , too much hassle going back and forth, better to get it right from the horses mouth, CRO, and then compare price to AAA travel.

This cannot be done with a AAA package. You have to go through a AAA agent to get the disount on a package.

CRO and the Walt Disney Travel Company used to be different divisions, but they have since merged. All agents are now cross trained. CRO used to only be able to book room only reservations. Walt Disney Travel Company only booked packages.

You can get a AAA discount on ROOM ONLY reservations. They will not give you a AAA discounted package.

Whether or not the insurance is a good deal or a good idea depends on you. I usually don't get it. If I need to cancel, the cancellation policies aren't bad at all. I usually would end up paying more for the insurance than with Disney's cancellation policies. And if I have to cancel airfare, I book with airlines that will give cancellation credits - so I just reschedule and use my airfare later.

HTH!

 

[Cruz Family]

This cannot be done with a AAA package. You have to go through a AAA agent to get the disount on a package.

CRO and the Walt Disney Travel Company used to be different divisions, but they have since merged. All agents are now cross trained. CRO used to only be able to book room only reservations. Walt Disney Travel Company only booked packages.

You can get a AAA discount on ROOM ONLY reservations. They will not give you a AAA discounted package.

Whether or not the insurance is a good deal or a good idea depends on you. I usually don't get it. If I need to cancel, the cancellation policies aren't bad at all. I usually would end up paying more for the insurance than with Disney's cancellation policies. And if I have to cancel airfare, I book with airlines that will give cancellation credits - so I just reschedule and use my airfare later.

HTH!

snacky stacky,
Thanks alot that was very helpful info esp. about the insurance. You seem to know a lot,(if you don't mind me asking) how would you go about getting the best deal? AAA, CRO (now that I know what that is) or another TA? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated! Melissa

 

[Pats Dragon]

Look at the AAA website under hotels and plug in the dates of your trips and you can see the rooms and deals available. You will know if a package is worth it!

 

[SnackyStacky]

snacky stacky,
Thanks alot that was very helpful info esp. about the insurance. You seem to know a lot,(if you don't mind me asking) how would you go about getting the best deal? AAA, CRO (now that I know what that is) or another TA? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated! Melissa

If you really want the dining, premium, or platinum packages with a AAA discount, book with AAA. You may very well need to know more than your agent though, and it may be more trouble than its worth. Also - some AAA agencies tack on their OWN cancellation and change fees on top of what Disney charges. Read the fine print. To me, the money saved with AAA isn't worth the headaches some people have had. I'm also not saying that all AAA agents are bad. But it seems the majority of them aren't on top of things.

If you don't want the dining, premium, or platinum packages you can book a AAA discounted room with ANY travel agent, or through Disney directly, then just purchase your tickets seperately.

I'd reccomend a Disney specialist. They can, and will, usually look for the best rate for you. Just let them know you're a AAA member when you book. (Be SURE you give them your AAA member number! They won't be able to get you a quote for a AAA room without it!)

 

[Cruz Family]

Dan, Thanks for all your help. Melissa

 

[SnackyStacky]

You're welcome!

 

[Disney Spaz]

We just booked a AAA dining package two days ago and got a discount with a code the AAA travel agent has. When I called CRO they said to get the AAA packages now you must book through a AAA TA. The only thing CRO could do was a AAA room only discount. When we went to the AAA office the first prices we were quoted from the TA were what I got off the Disney website but he had me narrow the dates down and then called CRO and gave them a three letter code which discounted the price by about $200 and included trip insurance. We went ahead and booked. After we finished the TA told us Disney had really cut back on discounts even for AAA members because they are doing so well financially. All I know is IMHO Disney is slighting the hand of a large population that has stuck by through the lean years. I don't just mean AAA either. Anyone who faithfully trips to WDW whether it be AP holders or AAA or FL residents these are the people Disney should be thanking and rewarding for their loyalty to the company. I will now step off my soap box.