Is there any downside to booking with an AAA rate?
Aug 14, 2023, 6:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 262
Is there any downside to booking with an AAA rate?
We got the Brilliant card largely to enjoy the benefits of Platinum status. Is there any downside to using an AAA rate? I don’t see anything obvious but maybe I am missing things as I get older.
Old enough to get the senior discount next year anyway!
Thanks.
Old enough to get the senior discount next year anyway!
Thanks.
Aug 14, 2023, 6:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Plat, ICH Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 4,381
Any publicly available rate (including AAA/senior rates etc) booked on the Marriott website should give you Platinum benefits. And AFAIK corporate rates will do the same (have always received the benefits when staying on those).
BTW: the senior discount (62+) is usually better. A few years to go for that
BTW: the senior discount (62+) is usually better. A few years to go for that
Aug 14, 2023, 7:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt, United, Flying Blue
Posts: 94
I can also confirm that. I typically use either the AAA rate or the senior rate, and it has no impact on my points or elite benefits. And yes, the senior rate is usually better, but not always, so it pays to check both,
Aug 14, 2023, 7:13 pm
#4
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David
Aug 14, 2023, 7:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AC 35K, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, GHA Titanium, HH Gold, Centara Platinum
Posts: 495
Please don't cheat the hotel of your hard earned money. Please book the flexible standard rate 😉
Aug 15, 2023, 7:01 am
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
We have both AAA and AARP, both have membership fees, both offer benefits beyond just lower room rates. AAA of course roadside assistance and AARP a lower membership fee and I'm sure I've gleaned some other benefits, but darn as a senior I can't remember what they are right now! Oh yeah, magazines every month. Sometimes with interesting articles. And a tote bag or somesuch when you renew.
I never consider using those rates "cheating" the hotels out of money. They are rates that the hotel chooses to offer.
I never consider using those rates "cheating" the hotels out of money. They are rates that the hotel chooses to offer.
Aug 15, 2023, 8:30 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SAT
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton and Wyndham Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Delta Plat, United Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 724
We have both AAA and AARP, both have membership fees, both offer benefits beyond just lower room rates. AAA of course roadside assistance and AARP a lower membership fee and I'm sure I've gleaned some other benefits, but darn as a senior I can't remember what they are right now! Oh yeah, magazines every month. Sometimes with interesting articles. And a tote bag or somesuch when you renew.
I never consider using those rates "cheating" the hotels out of money. They are rates that the hotel chooses to offer.
I never consider using those rates "cheating" the hotels out of money. They are rates that the hotel chooses to offer.
Aug 15, 2023, 8:43 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Same with Hyatt. And based on having AAA card demanded at numerous Marriotts recently, I suspect most Marriott properties would confirm age-eligibility for a senior rate.
Aug 15, 2023, 8:50 am
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
That is not my experience at all. I save thousands annually with AAA rate. Easy example, looking at StR SF for Aug. 25-27, AAA rate is $150/night lower than member rate flexible.
Same with Hyatt. And based on having AAA card demanded at numerous Marriotts recently, I suspect most Marriott properties would confirm age-eligibility for a senior rate.
Same with Hyatt. And based on having AAA card demanded at numerous Marriotts recently, I suspect most Marriott properties would confirm age-eligibility for a senior rate.
Aug 15, 2023, 9:16 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
To the OP I have never had any issue of any type using a AAA rate. Once in a while the hotel asks to see the AAA card but I find that to be very rare.
Aug 15, 2023, 9:32 am
#15
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