Anyone have experience with AAA discounts (when booking through a travel agent)?

[Weather_Lady]

I'm hoping somebody can help me out! When I booked our WDW vacation package through a WDW-specialist travel agent, she said there was "no discount whatsoever" for my AAA membership. Mousesavers, however, says that you can get "room only" discounts for AAA membership (regardless of whether you book through AAA, through Disney or through a travel agent), and even lists the discount code for it.

I don't want to disgruntle my travel agent, but if the Mousesavers info. is true, I feel like her answer wasn't completely honest. She could have said, "Well, there IS a discount, but only if we change the package reservation you're considering to 'room only' and get Park tickets separately."

I wonder if there is any advantage to trying to switch things around now -- has anyone gotten the AAA "room only" discount in the past, and would it be worth the trouble? We're going in mid-October. Our dates are blacked-out from the dining promotion and if the historical patterns persist, there won't be any room discount promotions for that week either, so this may be the only way we can save anything.

 

[disfan99]

We go directly through AAA. I don't think you get the discount if you go through another travel company. IMO, of course.

 

[beachclubbum]

I have booked thru AAA my last 6 visits & for my upcoming visit in December they are saving me over a $1000, you can always go online & they will get in touch with a quote or call a AAA travel agent

 

[wiigirl]

We go directly through AAA. I don't think you get the discount if you go through another travel company. IMO, of course.

We got through AAA also, pretty sure you only get this directly through them, although I have never tried.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I have been using the "Room Discount" Since 2005 and I enjoy it..It also depends on when your dates are. It ranges from 10%-20% off a room. I just recently contacted The Walt Disney Travel Co on my Reservation I made in March of this year and I had to wait for the 2013 prices to be announced. When they were announced I then talked to a Disney Travel agent and let them know I am a AAA Member..I only owed $563 left and after he made the changed...I owed $448...So I saved about $148..It's a bit of a reduction but not much..I still think it was worth it tho since I'm there for 2 weeks and Most of my payments went through my tax return..

 

[wolf359]

Not all discounts are available for all resorts and all dates and some discounts are limited in quantity. It is very possible that there are no AAA discounts available for the particular combination of dates and resorts you've chosen. I'd call Disney directly and get a quote for the exact same vacation you're wanting to book through AAA as a baseline cost. Disney can also provide you with room only AAA rates if they are available if you feel the need to check behind your AAA agent.

There are also several other travel agents that specialize in Disney vacations and getting discounts you should contact as well. Kingdom Konsultants have several agents that are active around here that I'm sure would be willing to help you out.

In my experience AAA can be hit or miss so it pays to have multiple quotes and perhaps a little flexibility in order to find the best deal but there may simply not be any discounts of any type left at this point.

 

[Master Yoda]

wolf359 is correct. While a AAA discount is almost always available, it is my understanding that they can sell out just like every other promotion. I have yet to see it happen myself but I have heard of it. The easiest thing to do is just call Disney directly to confirm.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I've gotten a AAA discount in the past. Sometimes it is not available I guess only a certain amount of rooms available or something is the line I got from my TA.

 

[dreamfinder]

I'm hoping somebody can help me out! When I booked our WDW vacation package through a WDW-specialist travel agent, she said there was "no discount whatsoever" for my AAA membership. Mousesavers, however, says that you can get "room only" discounts for AAA membership (regardless of whether you book through AAA, through Disney or through a travel agent), and even lists the discount code for it.

I don't want to disgruntle my travel agent, but if the Mousesavers info. is true, I feel like her answer wasn't completely honest. She could have said, "Well, there IS a discount, but only if we change the package reservation you're considering to 'room only' and get Park tickets separately."

I wonder if there is any advantage to trying to switch things around now -- has anyone gotten the AAA "room only" discount in the past, and would it be worth the trouble? We're going in mid-October. Our dates are blacked-out from the dining promotion and if the historical patterns persist, there won't be any room discount promotions for that week either, so this may be the only way we can save anything.

As mentioned, there is the slight possibility that there are no more discounts available for your resort/room type/travel dates. Figure to save around 10%. You would need to evaluate if you would really benefit from the dining plan (as that is really the only reason you would need to book a package. You could also save a little more by buying your park tickets through a 3rd party broker such as Undercover Tourist. I'd wager that the savings from the AAA discount and possible UCT discount would be greater than any savings from booking the DDP.

 

[Kita79]

There is AAA discount in the rooms which is 15% off. But if book during free dining u dont get the discount.

 

[KCheatle]

We went through AAA once. I wasn't disappointed by any means, I just didn't think it was worth it in the end. I knew how to do everything they did and actually knew it better. Plus, I got my own discounts which far exceeded AAA's discounts (room, free dining, etc.). My suggestion would be that if you are unfamiliar with Disney and restaurant systems (timing, locations, etc), the I would recommend using them because they can help figure that out. But, if you kow your way around, there's no reason to use them because Disney typically offers a better discount then AAA will give you anyway and you will avoid paying the AAA fee.