AAA/CAA website seems to one of the few 3rd party sites that offer Bonvoy points. Is there any downside to booking through AAA/CAA instead of Marriott directly?
Would booking through AAA/CAA also work for Bonvoy promotions?
I've already made a cancellable booking via Marriott but I see the same room type/dates on the CAA site for a much lower rate.

If the points post then it will count for any promotion.

How big a difference are you seeing? Which city? I just checked the CAA rates on Marriott website for a BKK reservation compared to booking directly on CAA website and they seem almost identical.

It's for the Delta in Lake Buena Vista. 4 nights that I have booked for 2 queens at the AAA from the Marriott site is $717USD. The same room/dates are coming up with $674CAD on the CAA site directly.

While I personally never do BRG (Best Rate Guarantees), this seems like a good opportunity to do one. Assuming the BRG request is accepted, you will wind up with an even lower rate booking directly with Marriott. Thinking about it a bit more, since CAA, like AAA requires a membership (e.g. not publically available), it may not qualify for a BRG. Any BRG experts care to weigh in on this one?

--Jon

That was my first thought, as well, but the membership situation for AAA/CAA is against the terms of BRG so I didn't try. I was successful with the one time I used BRG for a Sheraton in California though!

Thanks for sharing, did not know earning points would still apply.

Is there any reason why you are not using the booking code/special rate code AAA on the Marriott app? That should give CAA pricing and you just give the number directly on the app.

They have a much lower rate than the posted AAA/CAA rates direct on Marriott. It's odd, and had a code as part of the room name "hdbo 2 queen", far cheaper than the usual 'AAA hot deal', but still a AAA/CAA rate since the booking is direct on the AAA/CAA platform. Usually I do book direct with Marriott with the AAA rate. The difference this time is $300 over 4 nights.

Doesn't booking on CAA just links you directly to the Marriott website and automatically enters the promo code?
https://portal.caarewards.ca/sco/par...rts/?pid=81095

I'm not familiar with AAA so not sure how it works.

It sends me to https://www.caascotravel.com and their own booking engine

This sort of thing comes up occasionally in high market areas. You�re looking at the MCO area. I suspect the CAA travel decision has prepaid / guaranteed rooms they are trying to dump.

This isn�t the CAA rate. It is the CAA vacations recovery rate. This happens from time to time with Expedia entities also.

I agree this is a good BRG candidate but also wonder about violation of the terms particularly because Marriott (US) likely won�t be able to check CAA (Canada).

This will likely be treated by Marriott like a third party booking but it sounds like you will get points. If you don�t have other status then I would say book it. If you do the savings are enough I would book it anyway.

You might consider a refundable reservation for both and liaise directly with the hotel if BRG doesn�t work.

Can't BRG - what you said was correct. However, if that rate is publicly available without having to log in or as a CAA member, then it's possible to file a BRG.