I ordered my AAA membership tuesday and got an email with my membership # within minutes. I then booked my AAA package through AAA and when I talked to my rep, she said that I didn't need it when booking (through AAA), but that I would need it at check-in.
Considering some of the changes that have recently been made to the AP rate program, I have a feeling that now they are going to be a little more diligent about checking items such as this.