Question about AAA

[carleypoo2]

I don't have AAA. Is it possible for someone else (my aunt) to book a room only reservation for me eventhough she is not going? or is it worth just buying AAA for myself to get the discount?

 

[safetymom]

AAA is worth having for the discounts. NO your aunt couldn't book the room for you. You are supposed to show the AAA at check in. If you don't have the card you could be charged rack rate.

 

[beth_cam]

at the very least, aaa will usually pay for itself (based on 2007 deals) through the discount. During value season at a value hotel, the 2007 rates for a value hotel would give you about $18/night savings with tax. one person memberships are usually around $60. So a stay of 4 nights would more than pay for a membership. Now looking at a delux hotel like polynesian the cheapest room is 329, with a savings of 55/night.

From what I can tell, there will be a similar type savings for 2008. 10-20% off the room price. This varies by season and resort category.

 

[lfeikert]

A little OT and I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but I have a question regarding AAA.

Today I booked a Family Suite at ASMu through CRO. I had a call in to my agent at AAA, but she wasn't getting back to me in a very timely manner and I wanted to be sure I had the room I wanted. Anyway, later in the afternoon, my agent gets back to me and her quote is $100 more than what I booked for through WDW. What's up with that? I thought that using AAA was supposed to get me a discounted rate.

I should add that this is a package with 8 day hoppers and deluxe dining. When I asked my agent, she swore that AAA gives even better discounts on a package than on room only.

 

[beth_cam]

A little OT and I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but I have a question regarding AAA.

Today I booked a Family Suite at ASMu through CRO. I had a call in to my agent at AAA, but she wasn't getting back to me in a very timely manner and I wanted to be sure I had the room I wanted. Anyway, later in the afternoon, my agent gets back to me and her quote is $100 more than what I booked for through WDW. What's up with that? I thought that using AAA was supposed to get me a discounted rate.

I should add that this is a package with 8 day hoppers and deluxe dining. When I asked my agent, she swore that AAA gives even better discounts on a package than on room only.

aaa discount is the exact same amount for room only or package - 10-20% depending on season and resort category off the room portion of your reservation. There is no discount for tickets/dining. Okay this is based on 2007, but from the research I've done, the discounts seem to be the same for the upcomming year.

Usually when we see a statement like this (aaa or whoever is costing more than my original disney quote) we find that under close inspection the packages are not exactly the same - something has been left out, trip insurance was added with one or the other, no hopper, etc.

I'm not sure that the discount applies to suites.

 

[Shasta]

aaa discount is the exact same amount for room only or package - 10-20% depending on season and resort category off the room portion of your reservation. There is no discount for tickets/dining. Okay this is based on 2007, but from the research I've done, the discounts seem to be the same for the upcomming year.

Usually when we see a statement like this (aaa or whoever is costing more than my original disney quote) we find that under close inspection the packages are not exactly the same - something has been left out, trip insurance was added with one or the other, no hopper, etc.

I'm not sure that the discount applies to suites.

I agree. The majority of people, by far, will tell you that they saved. You have to understand the system and I admit that it can be pesky at times to figure out.

You will save with AAA. You will save more than the cost of AAA.

You can save as much or in some cases more with other discount codes but that is IF they become avalible and IF you are studious and catch them. To me, while I will look out for a better code that may trump my current AAA code, I don't have to worry about paying full price.

I will save $18 a night ($90 total) at our regular hotel in Gatlinburg next summer. I have the peace of mind to know that my wife can call AAA if she breaks down and I'm out of town. Is it worth it? YES!

 

[lfeikert]

I'm not arguing that AAA discounts are good. I've used them before for other trips (not WDW). I'm just wondering what I'm doing wrong here that I'm not getting a discount for this trip.

So what you guys are thinking is that there are no AAA discounts available for my room type for my dates so I'm just getting the same rate as WDW offers?

 

[Artemus]

I too endorse AAA membership...for the assistance, towing, maps, etc. Been a member since the 70's. But I have NEVER been able to get a AAA discount on a room reservation at WDW. I usually get a FL Resident or AP discount (if it is available, and it usually is) but never a AAA discount. I believe this is because there are so few rooms offered with this discount, you have to be very flexible on the dates, resort, and room type. I guess we just have too many specifics. While we usually have to book with less than 3 months out (due to work schedule uncertainties) I have tried 6 months out a few times with no luck. Our trip this Nov. was booked 7 months out and there was nothing in a AAA discount available at WL for the type of room I wanted...Courtyard view. So don't join AAA just for the hope of getting a AAA discount at a WDW resort, unless you are VERY flexible in your vacation plan. Join for the other services.

Artemus

 

[beth_cam]

I'm not arguing that AAA discounts are good. I've used them before for other trips (not WDW). I'm just wondering what I'm doing wrong here that I'm not getting a discount for this trip.

So what you guys are thinking is that there are no AAA discounts available for my room type for my dates so I'm just getting the same rate as WDW offers?

Well in another post someone says they did get it, and I just looked on the aaa site and it looks like it does count. Sorry there, many discounts aren't available with suites and I thought aaa wasn't.

Some (not all) aaa offices charge booking and mailing fees.

as i said in the earlier post you may not have actually compared the exact same packages. People are always posting that the one quote is more than the other and it doesn't make sense. And almost everytime we figure out that something has been left out. The poster doesn't believe it but calls back and finds out any one of many things are different. The most common things left out/added are trip insurance, ticket upgrades, dining, view.

 

[wen8jr]

You can call and see if an AAA room is available and you can still book without having the membership number with you. You just have to have your membership card upon check in. At least that was my experience...

Another thing alot of people don't know is that you can book room only through CRO yourself and you have 5 days prior to check in to cancel. If you book a package though it changes everything and you have to cancel 45 days out or pay a fee unless you are upgrading. You have to specify clearly that you want room only make them tell you the terms to be sure.

Most people do packages for the dining plan.

 

[Aliceacc]

For some reason, AAA doesn't give discounts for the Family Suites. I can't tell you where I read it, but I'm pretty sure of it.

 

[4forMe]

You can call and see if an AAA room is available and you can still book without having the membership number with you. You just have to have your membership card upon check in. At least that was my experience...

That has always been my experience as well; however, when I called today to book my garden view rooms at the Poly, they requested my AAA number. I was glad I had my AAA card out to provide the membership number. This is the first time I have ever been asked for the AAA number when booking a room.