Worth joining the AA?

[cbird]

Am I right in thinking that if you join the AA you automatically are a member of AAA. They seem to get really good discounts at Disney resorts

 

[kristieuk]

Ooh I hope that's right. I've never come across any mention of that in my AA membership pack, but then I haven't really sat down and read through everything!

I definitely know it's the case that AAA members get hotel discounts becuase whenever we have booked US hotels online, they ask for the AAA membership number to qualify for a discount.

Hope someone knows the answer to this!

 

[jimmybog]

Being a member of the AA does enable you to get the same discounts as AAA members. In the past you had to call the AA and they would send you a US Travel pack which contained a membership card specifically for AAA discounts. Recently however I think you only now need your AA card but you may want to call the AA to confirm this.

 

[arieliwish]

We called the AA last year and they sent us out a couple of booklets detailing all the discounts available. As we had already booked all our accomodation/tickets etc. we didn't really benefit from them, but they include % off Clarion, Universal, which we could have used.

 

[cbird]

Being a member of the AA does enable you to get the same discounts as AAA members. In the past you had to call the AA and they would send you a US Travel pack which contained a membership card specifically for AAA discounts. Recently however I think you only now need your AA card but you may want to call the AA to confirm this.

Yes I emailed them today and they replied that we would get the same discounts as AAA just show your AA card. This is great as Disney resorts give big discounts to AAA members.

 

[juliebro]

You get 10% discount at Universal in the shops and restaurants.

Julie

 

[Frances999]

You certainly can! We saved 15% off our upcoming trip this August via the AAA rate.

As Jimmybog said, you used to need the plastic AAA card, but now just flash the regular UK AA card upon resort check-in.



Julie - Can you use it for 10% discounts off of Universal shop purchases too? Any minimum spends? I always thought it was restaurants only

 

[carl_w]

How does this work then? I've already pre-booked a package via Mytravel, which includes a Disney hotel. So I've already paid.

Last year I booked direct with the Walt Disney Travel Co. but I paid in advance. Could I have got a 15% refund on checkin?

Do they give discounts on food, etc. with the AA card?

 

[cbird]

Unfortunately I dont think you will be able to get a discount after having booked with Mytravel. Think it only applies if you book direct with Disney or with one of the Disney travel agents like Dreamsunlimited. I used DU this year and they have been great. They will keep checking for any discounts that come available that you are entitled to even after you have made the reservation. I think that the AAA rates are published by Disney quite a way in advance so the best way to get one would be to book early.
From what I read on the US boards you can get AAA discounts of the hotel, dining and ticket packages too.

A huge number of hotels in the US give AAA discounts we have been asked many times if we have a AAA card when calling for rates.

 

[Frances999]

How does this work then? I've already pre-booked a package via Mytravel, which includes a Disney hotel. So I've already paid.

Last year I booked direct with the Walt Disney Travel Co. but I paid in advance. Could I have got a 15% refund on checkin?

Do they give discounts on food, etc. with the AA card?

Disney only release a select number of rooms for the AAA discount, and you must have the AAA code applied when making your reservation, so you couldn't have got a 15% refund upon check-in. In the future, call CRO (Central Reservations Orlando) direct and let them know you are an AAA member. There are no food/merchandise discounts with the AAA card at Disney (just Universal)

 

[MazdaUK]

When I phoned the AA this year they said "we'll send you a pack out". When nit didn't come I tried again and the bloke I spoke to said "all that has been discontinued, you don't get anything special now for being an AA member in the US".

Can someone try it out and let me know - I'll be really cross if we were given duff info!

 

[arieliwish]

Have a look on theaa.com click on Member Benefits and it lists offers available in UK, Europe and US. Travel, accomodation and days out benefits are still listed for US.
It says you just show your AA card to receive the discounts.

 

[juliebro]

According to Mousesavers.com....

AAA/CAA Discounts

Members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) save 10% at select dining and merchandise locations in the two Universal theme parks (savings not available at food or merchandise carts and does not apply to tobacco, candy, film, collectibles and sundry items).

AAA members also save 10% at CityWalk (discount on food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise at all Universal Studios CityWalk Orlando restaurants with the exception of Emeril's Restaurant). Applies to member and immediate family (up to 6 people). Show your membership card to get the discount.

I believe the above applies equally to AA members. Certainly our waitress in Mythos asked us last year if we were AA members and then reduced the bill by 10%.

Julie

 

[Mad4WDW]

Thanks for reminding us about this!

I just checked up and found:

http://www.theaa.com/services/member_benefits/universalstudios.html

So it does seem to still be so. Won't get a chance to test it until next March, but if this thread is still open, I'll post my results...if not, it'll be one helluva bump!

Paul

 

[daywalker]

If you see or know a AAA discount is on offer you CAN just show your AA card and get the same discount. If booking on line, on some occasions you may have to make a phone call as your membership number is not always accepted on line.

 

[angel659]

I booked with Disney direct, including our tickets.

If I join the AA, do you think I will be able to phone them to get any discounts?? or do they now just apply to Universal?

 

[Frances999]

If you booked directly with CRO via Disney in the USA, then call them and ask if they are able to apply an AAA discount to your reservation. However, I do not believe that (if you booked through Disney in the UK) they will be able to do it.