AAA discounts

Old Sep 14th, 2006, 04:41 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,921
Received 19 Likes on 4 Posts
AAA discounts

Just wondering if being a member of the AA (Automobile Association) in New Zealand qualifies for the AAA discount that many hotels and airfares offer in the United States. My husband just said why don't you ring the AA but it's more fun doing it like this!!! Thanks
nelsonian is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 04:58 PM
  #2  
J62
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am a card carrying member of the AAA and often find that hotel websites will offer a discount for AAA members. Never, in all my years of travel have I ever been asked for either my AAA number at reservation time or for my card at checkin.

These days many hotels also offer 'web specials' which are same $ or lower than the AAA discount.
J62 is online now  
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 04:59 PM
  #3  
Neopolitan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Hopefully just like in the US, you can find much better discounts at most hotels than the meager AAA (or AA)discount.
 
Old Sep 14th, 2006, 05:05 PM
  #4  
Neopolitan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
J62, would you believe that not only have I been asked, but one time we booked at a AAA discount rate and when we arrived they asked for the card? I didn't have it with me. They refused to honor the rate. Then I mentioned senior rate, and they gave us the room for less than originally booked.

And once on the phone when I was "whining" about the high room costs and the discounts not being much, the person asked if I had a Costco card and gave me double off what the AAA discount was.
 
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 04:27 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nelsonian,
I am in the process of trying to book some accommodation in San Fran. I asked one hotel, The Orchard if they would honour our N.R.M.A. card from Australia, they said they would. Wouldn't actually clarify that the charge would be exactly the same as the AAA rate. They kept telling me the best option was the pre paid option, however when you look on the web page the AAA rate was cheaper again. So not quite sure what they actually had in mind. Will keep researching. Good luck.
schnauzer is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 05:39 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We use our AAA card frequently for hotel discounts and 90% of the time they do ask to see it. We use it often at the Mirage in Las Vegas and they always ask. It's not that hard to keep the card in your wallet "just in case".
Lori is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 04:39 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,921
Received 19 Likes on 4 Posts
Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought I had read somewehre that AA cards from other countries were accepted for hotel discounts but can't remember where I read it. I have been looking at some many travel sites lately. It could be I read that AAA cards were accepted in New Zealand.
nelsonian is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 06:11 PM
  #8  
trippinkpj
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Yes, I have been asked at the check in for AAA cards most of the time in the last few years. And sometimes they want the card # up front as well as Neo mentioned.
 
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 07:02 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On occasions we have also been ask for the AAA member number when checking in. Then on some occasions when we ask for the AAA discount we were told that everyone receives the AAA discount rate. It seems to be a mixed bag when it comes to discounts of any kind. We have had more luck with the "show your card and save" program. One restaurant we stopped in this summer gave a 15% discount.
RedRock is offline  
Old Sep 15th, 2006, 10:16 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Did you check at www.aatravel.co.nz?

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 02:31 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here is what I would do - make reservation using AA/AAA rate (in US AA also stands for Alcoholics Anonymous - so probably would not ask for AA rate - also stands for American Airlines).

Upon check-in there is a very low chance they will ask for the card. If they do, show them your New Zealand card and act as if "of course you accept this". I think that will get the the discount (which is usually such a small amount it will pay for a morning cup of coffee)

I have not seen an AAA airfare discount, but it often gives you a discount on admission to museums, historic sites, and the like. What we do is when at window to buy admission to someplace, give them the card and ask if there is a discount for membership. Often the window clerk has no idea but gives us a discount anyway. I get the feeling if you show them just about any kind of membership card to anything you get a discount.
gail is offline  
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 05:30 AM
  #12  
OO
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,963
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Looking at the rates at my husband's hotel, the Hyatt.com rate (internet rate which requires full prepayment and no cancellation) is $305. AAA rate for the same room is $270, not pre-paid and you can cancel up to 48 hrs in advance.

I just asked him about New Zealand AA and he said no, it wouldn't be accepted...not the same organization as AAA with whom they have struck their deal. The difference in price and terms (cancellation policy) is significant and front desk is "supposed to check cards" at check-in, but who knows what percentage of the time that happens! It should be 100%. My guess is, that it is not.
OO is offline  
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 05:44 AM
  #13  
Neopolitan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
As a matter of fact it was at a Hyatt (Sarasota) where I clearly remember not having the AAA card with me and being denied the promised AAA rate I got when booked. At least that clerk followed the rules to the letter.
But for great Hyatt deals, it's hard to beat their senior specials, sometimes as much as half off. Ah the minor joys of aging.
 
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 06:14 AM
  #14  
OO
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,963
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That is a good rate, Neo! Same room is $215. Can cancel up to 48 hrs in advance. Must show ID at desk. Age 62 and up. Yippeeee, there is a silver lining to this cloud after all!
OO is offline  
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 06:19 AM
  #15  
Neopolitan
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Well I'm still 2 years from THAT silver lining (but relying on the age of my partner for such discounts). The real silver lining I'm looking forward to is Medicare and the chance to ditch my current health insurance of $6500 a year plus the first $2500 deductible! Come on Medicare!
 
Old Sep 16th, 2006, 06:25 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, geez, Neo. Just yesterday a friend was trying to talk be into going independent rather than salaried. Health insurance has always been the reason I've played it "safe". Now, I'm even more thrilled to be salaried with great health insurance. I think I'll keep with status quo!

In a month I'll qualify for AARP. I don't know if I'm happy or freaked.
starrsville is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
OnlyMeOirish
Africa & the Middle East
4
Mar 19th, 2007 07:53 AM
Mugeturkey
Asia
5
Apr 4th, 2006 08:50 AM
CAPH52
United States
6
Jul 30th, 2005 09:23 PM
cawhite
United States
15
Jul 22nd, 2004 11:18 AM
mscarls
United States
4
May 20th, 2003 07:22 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -