What would you do?? AAA TA didn't know about Free Dining!

[Magical JenK]

I have booked through AAA the following:
POFQ for 2 Adults, September 6-15, Riverview
Dining, 10 day park hopper + water parks n' more fun tickets

I emailed my AAA TA right away this morning telling her to call tomorrow to change my dining to the free dining. I figure it would save me close to $372 even after paying for rack rates. She emailed back saying that Disney hasn't even told them anything about it & when she called they said to call back tomorrow as nothing has officially been announced.

So my question...should I have her call tomorrow & make the changes to my reservation or should I try calling the CRO myself? If I choose to call myself, will Disney be able to transfer my funds to a new rese? Will AAA fine me for canceling with them? There are two reasons I'm even considering calling myself...1) The CRO opens at 6am my time & AAA doesn't open until 8am. 2) With the limited number of rooms, I want to make sure we still get ours for our dates!!

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I hate that I stress out over something this great!! But woo hoo for free dining again this year!

 

[MarksMom2006]

The unfortunate thing is that since you booked through an AAA TA, you cant make any changes to your reservation on your own. It is considered "owned" by another person - in this case the AAA TA. If you have her email, you should email her the link to
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-resorts.htm#packages

THis will at least let her know that there is a discount. Good luck!

 

[LakeAriel]

You cannot get the AAA plus the free dining. Make a new reservation at 6AM tomorrow then cancel your AAA one. It's before 45 days so I am sure you are entitled to a full refund.

 

[Magical JenK]

Thanks Marksmom! I did indeed send her that very link!! :0)

 

[janets]

be sure your agency doesn't charge a cancellation fee. While you are more than 45 days out for Disney cancellation, some agencies charge a fee for cancelling regardless. If yours does, then you might want to wait and allow your AAA agent to apply the code tomorrow morning to your reservation and remove the dining fee.

Just worth checking before you find yourself paying fees. I have had ressies w/ AAA where there was no cancellation fee, then I booked our trip next week w/ another AAA agent and when my papers came, there was a $25/pp cancellation fee that her agency charged. It was not disclosed at the time of reservation but since I had no intention of cancelling, I was okay with it (although I should have said something). Now, if I ever need to use AAA again, I will go with another agency.

 

[LisaJean2]

I also called my agent this morning to let her know about adding the free dining on Tuesday. Well, seems that she is going to be "out of the office" for I don't know how long. Soo...they put me through to a different agent. After I explained everything to her, she told me that it just "isn't as easy as just adding the free dining and she'll see what her agents can do and call me back." That doesn't sound too promising, does it?

I decided that if I can't get a straight answer from her by tomorrow I'm going to cancel and call Disney myself. As long as we get to keep the resort I want I guess there really isn't a major difference in anything.

Please post how the situation turned out for you with your AAA rep, I am curious to know!

Lisa

 

[Lichaloca]

I too just spoke with my AAA TA and she told me that she spoke with Disney and Disney told her the Free Dining was only available to people who have Disney Visa and no one else. I tried to explain to her that the general public can get the special tomorrow, but she was set that Disney told her I could only get it if I have the Disney Visa and that since I dont I could not get it at all. I too e-mailed her the link about the special but she didn't want to listen. So I am just going to call Disney myself tomorrow and book it and then cancel with AAA.

 

[mommykds]

I also called my agent this morning to let her know about adding the free dining on Tuesday. Well, seems that she is going to be "out of the office" for I don't know how long. Soo...they put me through to a different agent. After I explained everything to her, she told me that it just "isn't as easy as just adding the free dining and she'll see what her agents can do and call me back." That doesn't sound too promising, does it?

I decided that if I can't get a straight answer from her by tomorrow I'm going to cancel and call Disney myself. As long as we get to keep the resort I want I guess there really isn't a major difference in anything.

Please post how the situation turned out for you with your AAA rep, I am curious to know!

Lisa

Wow, I am sorry they are not so helpful. I also booked in January with AAA. The TA was ok but I did have problems getting my calls/emails returned but I was saving about $400 so I was happy. Not that this new deal came out we are saving closer to $1000. My TA wasn't "available" this weekend so I booked myself (I have a Disney Visa) on 4/1. Needless to say I am cancelling the AAA package...don't think I'll ever use AAA again (Unless is during a peak season when theres no chance of any discount).

I'd book on my own & cancel AAA...Hoep it works out well for you & the OP!

 

[mommykds]

I also called my agent this morning to let her know about adding the free dining on Tuesday. Well, seems that she is going to be "out of the office" for I don't know how long. Soo...they put me through to a different agent. After I explained everything to her, she told me that it just "isn't as easy as just adding the free dining and she'll see what her agents can do and call me back." That doesn't sound too promising, does it?

I decided that if I can't get a straight answer from her by tomorrow I'm going to cancel and call Disney myself. As long as we get to keep the resort I want I guess there really isn't a major difference in anything.

Please post how the situation turned out for you with your AAA rep, I am curious to know!

Lisa

Wow, I am sorry they are not so helpful. I also booked in January with AAA. The TA was ok but I did have problems getting my calls/emails returned but I was saving about $400 so I was happy. Now that this new deal came out we are saving closer to $1000. My TA wasn't "available" this weekend so I booked myself (I have a Disney Visa) on 4/1. Needless to say I am cancelling the AAA package...don't think I'll ever use AAA again (Unless is during a peak season when theres no chance of any discount).

I'd book on my own & cancel AAA...Hope it works out well for you & the OP!

 

[cobbler]

I too would cancel. Any of you that have problems I would cancel right away.

I wouldn't want them getting the commission (from you, Disney, or anyone else) when you have more knowledge than they do.

And I would clearly state that is exactly WHY you are canceling. I have heard a lot of bad reports on AAA agents and that is a shame.

 

[Gillian]

I'm sorry that your AAA agents are not able to help you out with this package.

I want to say that part of the reason there is a cancellation fee at some agencies is because of well, people cancelling! Travel agents do not get paid until you go on your trip. So if you use their services but then don't go, or rebook yourself and cancel, they get nothing for their time. I think a small cancellation fee is appropriate in many cases.

 

[Gillian]

After I explained everything to her, she told me that it just "isn't as easy as just adding the free dining and she'll see what her agents can do and call me back." That doesn't sound too promising, does it?

Although this wasn't handled well, what the agent may have meant is that you can't simply add the free dining to an existing reservation. You may have to book a whole new one and cancel the old one. And if there is no availability for your dates at your resort & room category, you might need to choose something else.

 

[tmt martins]

I would recommend your TA's to the DIS .I know the ones on here are at the top of their game

 

[MarksMom2006]

I'm sorry that your AAA agents are not able to help you out with this package.

I want to say that part of the reason there is a cancellation fee at some agencies is because of well, people cancelling! Travel agents do not get paid until you go on your trip. So if you use their services but then don't go, or rebook yourself and cancel, they get nothing for their time. I think a small cancellation fee is appropriate in many cases.

I completely agree with you. Some reservations that the TAs do are simple. People know exactly what they want and they are not going to cancel for anything. So the fee wouldnt matter to them. THEN there are the clients who want the TAs to go back on a constant basis to change things in their itinerary. That adds up to hours spent on their packages. A fee is a requirement in cases like this, otherwise the agents or their agencies are left having spent a good deal of time on the package and getting absolutely nothing from it because the client has decided to cancel.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

THEN there are the clients who want the TAs to go back on a constant basis to change things in their itinerary.

like me, haha. My ta has earned every penny she's getting. I would just email her the link that Kristin gave you to her!

 

[pinseeker11]

I went in to my AAA office Saturday morning and they didnt know anything about it! But they called and got everything straightened out for me!

 

[MarksMom2006]

like me, haha. My ta has earned every penny she's getting. I would just email her the link that Kristin gave you to her!

I had *nobody* in mind when I wrote that! I didnt mean you! HAHA...tomorrow...I just want tomorrow here!!

 

[Magical JenK]

I'm sorry that your AAA agents are not able to help you out with this package.

I want to say that part of the reason there is a cancellation fee at some agencies is because of well, people cancelling! Travel agents do not get paid until you go on your trip. So if you use their services but then don't go, or rebook yourself and cancel, they get nothing for their time. I think a small cancellation fee is appropriate in many cases.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help!

I should state that while my AAA TA didn't know about it this morning & I did send her the info, I can't say that she isn't able to help me yet! I have always been very happy w/her help & don't want to cancel because I do want her to get the commission. I just seem to have an OCD when it comes to planning my Disney trips & don't want to miss out!! :0) Tuesday morning can't come fast enough!!

Just wanted to see what you all had to say! I love these boards for that! It really helps! I guess I will keep my fingers crossed that she will come through for me tomorrow morning! Sending myself some Pixe Dust I guess!!

Thanks again!
Jen

 

[Gillian]

Jen, if you like your agent there is one other option. You can make your own reservation first thing tomorrow morning and then transfer it over to your agent. I know I have done this with another company when I just couldn't wait!!

BTW, my AAA agent is great! She already knew about the free dining.

 

[Magical JenK]

Jen, if you like your agent there is one other option. You can make your own reservation first thing tomorrow morning and then transfer it over to your agent. I know I have done this with another company when I just couldn't wait!!

BTW, my AAA agent is great! She already knew about the free dining.

Dang Gillian! Just when I thought I could leave the stress behind!! Now I have to think about that option!! Thanks for that info! I wonder if I should call her & tell her that's what I will do?? I would hate for me to do it & then she does too...granted I would be starting to attempt to do it 2 hours earlier than her....??? Hmmmm....one more thing to think about!

But seriously, Thanks! Great info!
Jen