SkiAdcock

I've been asked to show it at int'l properties to prove I was entitled to use the AAA rate I had booked. That's fair. I had gotten so used to not being asked for it whenever I booked AAA rate that I didn't have it on me one time when I was in London & of course that was the time I was asked for it. I explained I didn't have it because I never get asked for it & they made a 1-time exception. Since that time I take it with me if I've booked a AAA rate, whether domestic or international.

The Prague Marriott is the first time I was asked to let them make a copy of the card. They said it was so their accounting department could confirm that I was entitled to that rate. When I argued with them saying seeing the card, my name & passport w/ name/photo was enough, they tried the HQ mandates it line, which of course was total b.s.

Cheers.

pinniped

Indeed...I have no problem with them asking to see the card... It's a modest discount/marketing program (typically 10% of the room rate); that level of verification should be sufficient.

bdschobel

I was asked to show my AAA card within the past month at a Marriott (forgot which one). I was really surprised because that basically never happens, but I do have a card, so it wasn't a problem. I wonder if Marriott is starting some sort of ID crackdown?

Bruce

iflyjetz

My (WA)Guess is that someone in HQ wants to confirm that everyone booked under a AAA rate is entitled to it. I'll continue to (WA)Guess that there's a history of abuse of the AAA rate that someone in HQ found at one point in time.

(WA)Guess = WAG = Wild Armed(or some other body part ) Guess

SkiAdcock

Oh I buy that for showing the card, but I don't buy it for 'copying' the card. I confirmed w/ Marriott Concierge & MRCS on my return that there is no HQ policy for copying AAA cards.

Cheers.

sdsearch

Well, the few reports in recent posts orignally in the Codes thread (but now moved to this thread) have talked about Farifields in Hartford CT and Tustin CA. So only inside the US in those two cases.

But being asked for it over and over smells of poor IT. Why can't they make a note of it in the central Marriott reservation system that "AAA ID checked by hotel WWWW on xx/yy/zzzz" and use that for a while?

Some other hotel programs (Hilton HHonors for one) actually make you type in your AAA number (and then do a validity check on it) when making a AAA rate reservation online. Would you rather have that (which can require a lot of re-typing if they don't remember that as part of your profile!) than having to show it here and there?

sdsearch

[DELETED -- since being moved to this thread, this post had become a circular link]

iflyjetz

The reason may be that FDCs were using AAA rates for friends to get lower rates without having a AAA card. There are a number of different reasons why some cube dweller in HQ wants to confirm that a guest is actually qualified for the discount.

SkiAdcock

Since it's not a HQ policy to copy the card, I'm guessing it's a few int'l properties making up their own rules re: HQ requiring it of them. Not like we've heard stuff that isn't true from FDCs before .

However, I do agree that showing a card to prove you're entitled to the rate is fine. Given how little AAA card costs annually, one can usually amortize it on savings pretty easily.

Cheers.

RogerD408

Yes, I too have been asked very infrequently to show my AAA card when checking in using a AAA rate. I've never been asked to allow them to copy it.

As for the HQ thingy, keep in mind if it's not a MI owned property, HQ is not MI. And their parent company (HQ) may actually have such a rule (not that FDCs are above lying to get you to comply).

As for Hilton's IT, before I finally memorized my AAA number, I use to use the club code 430 instead (some international designation if I recall) that allowed me to get AAA rates.

hotstepper

A Fairfield Inn (in Central Connecticut) has different rates for AAA & CAA (Canadian Auto Association).

The AAA is $5-$6 more expensive than the CAA rates.

1) Can AAA members book the cheaper CAA rates? Any issues at checkin?
2) Why would they be different? I've never seen a difference between the 2 rates before.

-----

Rate Rules
AAA rate, AAA membership card required
Additional Information
American Auto Association rate
- Available to AAA members only.
- Limit of two rooms per AAA member per night.
- AAA membership card required at check-in.

Rate Rules
Canadian Auto Association, Canadian Auto Association membership card required, see Rate Rules
Additional Information
Valid Canadian Auto Assoication membership card required at
checkin

CJKatl

I couldn't use the CAA rate. I'd slip up and pronounce the word "Sorry" correctly, or mention that a kid is in Twelfth Grade, or ask if there's a Dunkin Donuts nearby, instead of a Tim Horton's.

gardener

Just say, "I belong to the CAAA" (CAA, eh?)

SkiAdcock

Given the slight difference in price you might want to book the CAA rate & (if) they ask to see the card hand over the AAA cards. If they say it's the wrong card just say 'ooops, I must have clicked the wrong button. What's the AAA rate?

Alternatively, given the rate difference is small & to avoid any games, just acknowledge that dif orgs (even if related) can have dif rates & pay the extra $5.

Cheers.

writerguyfl

While affiliated, AAA and CAA are two separate non-profit organizations. Back when I worked in hotels in Minnesota, we offered members of either organization the same rate. But, when I went to work for Disney World, I discovered that they had separate rates that were enforced. As I understood it, the rate difference was tied to the variance in exchange rates.

(Note: I left Disney in 2004. I don't know their current procedures regarding AAA and CAA rates.)