I’m curious how my experience on this compares to that of others…
In this post:
A hotel finally asked me to show my AAA card!
One of the easiest ways to save money on a hotel stay is by booking a AAA rate. While it won’t save you a fortune, many of the major hotel chains offer AAA members some percentage discount on the standard rate. In most cases, I also find that this is better than the typical “members only” rate, for those who belong to the loyalty program.
So I always compare rates when I go to book a hotel. When you book a AAA rate, the terms will almost always state that you need to present your membership card at check-in. While that’s technically true, I can’t count the last time I was actually asked to show my card… until a recent Marriott stay.
At check-in, the associate commented how I booked a AAA rate, and asked me to show the card. I was honestly caught off guard, because this was the first time in close to a decade where I was asked to show proof of my AAA membership (at least as far as I can remember).
I looked through my wallet, and the card wasn’t in there (I only keep a select number of cards in my wallet, given the lengths I go to maximize my credit card spending). After looking through my wallet and email for a minute or so and not being able to find it, the associate just said “if you can’t find it, don’t worry about it.”
Lol, that’s sort of a funny (but appreciated) verification process — prove your membership if you have it, but if you don’t, don’t worry about it. To be honest, I’m not even positive that I’m a member right now. I think I am as I always renew when they email me, though I don’t have a valid card on me, and it’s not something that’s really at the top of my mind at any given point.
What’s the worst that can happen in these situations?
Like I said, this was my first time in close to a decade where I was asked to show a card. So at least based on my own experience, odds are pretty good that you won’t be asked to show a AAA card at most hotels, when booking such a rate.
So, what’s the worst that can happen in a situation where you book a AAA rate and can’t show proof of the card? Worst case scenario, I suppose a hotel could attempt to charge you the going rate for the stay, at the time of check-in.
I think it’s unlikely most hotels would try to do that if the rate were materially higher, but it could happen. I suppose hotels could also add some percentage amount to the rate, to reflect what the non-AAA rate would’ve been at the time of booking. This assumes that the AAA rate is a consistent percentage discount off the flexible rate, since otherwise there would be no way to know what the rate was at the time of booking.
Though I imagine that most front desk associates aren’t incentivized enough to actually care, so I imagine the “don’t worry about it” response isn’t that uncommon.
Bottom line
As someone who frequently books AAA rates, I almost never get asked to show proof of membership. However, during a recent Marriott stay, I was asked for the first time in many years. It had been so long that I even forgot that this is something that hotels sometimes ask for.
If you book AAA rates with any frequency, how often are you asked to present proof of membership at check-in?
I guess more hotels will start checking.....While I understand you make a living from blogging, not every topic or detail needs to be or should be blogged about.
I detect a theme there: Marriott.
When travelling (especially international) I leave home all non-essential cards I do not expect to use. Therefore a AAA card (in my situation RAA card) would be left home.
These days physical cards are becoming a rarity, in favor of digital ones, so that may solve any dillemma.
I recently lost my card. I pull my acct online.
Note-- some hotel systems have your AAA card in your profile and their system can check validity.
You can open AAA.com on your electronic device and present a digital membership card just like you can present a digital membership card for priority pass.
You could even put the AAA app on your device and have the membership card at the click of a button
I am travel agent. I have AAA and I keep track of my clients that have AAA. I don't abuse the rate, but sometimes with Marriott, specifically, it is a great savings. I have only had one hotel, Washington DC tell me they ask to see the card and will adjust to current rate if it is not produced. Otherwise, I have never been asked to show it Heck, I book agent rates and I am not even asked for that ID anymore!
On the fairly rare occasions when a hotel front desk employee has asked to see my AAA card, I've thanked the person for asking. I tell them a lot of people book the AAA rate to save money and likely do not qualify for it and I appreciate them verifying the membership.
I have noticed in the Marriott app that I now must put in my AAA number in oder to purchase that rate. Yet, I have never been asked to show my card at check in. Also, I keep my card in my Apple Wallet…it’s the easiest way to always have it on me!
A majority of my travel has been on Government rates. The only chain who consistently asks for Orders/LOA/CAC is Marriott, 90% of the time. I'm never able to check-on online and just head to my room, having to stop by the front desk.
On another note, Marriott used to be a decent program - now it's a refuge of last resort.
LOL - You "don't even know" Ben if you're a member or not.
It sounds to me like you know you're not and book the AAA rate anyway.
Like the rest of us...
While not AAA, which I'd guess gets less scrutiny, but related to corp discounts. I had access to several different codes (legitimately) which I used on a personal trip for myself, and gave the code to some friends which provided a solid discount figuring it wouldn't be an issue as in over 10 years and 1000+ nights between *wood/Marriott I've never once had anyone ask about it. Now my friend wasn't the brightest, he rocked...
While not AAA, which I'd guess gets less scrutiny, but related to corp discounts. I had access to several different codes (legitimately) which I used on a personal trip for myself, and gave the code to some friends which provided a solid discount figuring it wouldn't be an issue as in over 10 years and 1000+ nights between *wood/Marriott I've never once had anyone ask about it. Now my friend wasn't the brightest, he rocked up to the front desk in shorts, flip flops, a Hawaiian shirt and a backward hat (the rate code was for one of the big 3 consulting firms) - needless to say they had questions and he said he'd send them proof later so they checked him in. But to answer the question as to whats the worst that can happen - when he didn't/couldn't provide the proof they re-rated his room to RACK which wen't from ~250 Euros a night to ~800 euros and as this was a 5 night stay that hurt.
I arrived a few hours later to checkin for my room with no issues, probably helped that I'm lifetime Titanium and was more appropriately dressed, but generally speaking I'd say that if you're using a special rate present yourself as someone who would be using that rate. Front desk people don't get a bonus for catching people (I think?) but if you're obvious and stick out there's a good chance they're going to press you on it.
Uhh if the rate is eligible for use on personal stays, what’s the problem with how your friend was dressed. And what if an MBB consultant were in the midst of field research immersion or such? Judging people on how they dress is so stupid and so European. Anyway in this day and age just have Gemini generate a fake employment verification letter. If I really had to pay 800 instead of 250 EUR, I’d shit on the floor of my room prior to checking out.
Ha, your friend should have said he was there for business meetings with YOU! And that you had booked his room using the corporate rate.
Yes! This just happened recently and I pulled the card out and it was expired (I auto renew and forgot to switch the card out). Thankfully I was able to sign into my AAA account and verify and then add to my Apple wallet. This was a Marriott property and they were about to charge me the full day rate if I couldn’t verify my AAA card at check in.
I would say I’m asked about 50% of the time. For my card or to email them a screen shot from my app. I don’t use the discount often as my hotel status usually gives me a better rate.
Same with corporate rates lol
Never been asked, and I’ve used the AAA rate hundreds of times. But I do have the digital card on my phone, so I could show it if asked. Just download the digital card to your Apple wallet and avoid potential problems
I’ve only been asked once at the Marriott Santa Marta in Colombia. I’ve stayed so far more than 1000 nights in Marriotts or Hiltons and probably 60% of it with a AAA or CAA fare.
Never been asked but the number is in my Bonvoy profile
Hey Ben, You can add the AAA membership card to the Apple wallet if you are an iPhone user.
When I select and book the AAA rate on the Marriott website, it requires me to add my AAA membership number before they will confirm the reservation. I believe they actually validate that the membership number is accurate and current with AAA.
I was just asked for mine yesterday at the Amsterdam Marriott, which I found especially peculiar since my room was booked on points! But I had the card with me. I’ll need to double check the bill when I check out to make sure they didn’t accidentally charge me for the room.
Why would someone book a AAA rate if they were not a member? Laughable how some people are happy to lie to and defraud a business, but then complain when the business doesn't go out of their way to accommodate them.
I hope every hotel validates that people are eligible for the rate they book. I've been asked several times, and it's not hard to show the physical card or the app to validate....
Why would someone book a AAA rate if they were not a member? Laughable how some people are happy to lie to and defraud a business, but then complain when the business doesn't go out of their way to accommodate them.
I hope every hotel validates that people are eligible for the rate they book. I've been asked several times, and it's not hard to show the physical card or the app to validate.
Nobody checks if you book an airline ticket with a government fare either...
The culture of "it's okay to be unethical as long as nobody else knows" is a pretty big driver of a lot of the issues the world faces today. Jeffrey Epstein and his friends clearly operated that way.
I've only been asked a couple times in the last several years, and both were also at Marriott properties (one Renaissance, and one more limited-service property - I think it was a SpringHill Suites). I stay at Hyatts far more often, but don't remember ever being asked for proof of membership at any non-Marriott. (Then again, as someone else mentioned, Hyatt member rates are usually comparable to the AAA rate, usually with no extra benefits,...
I've only been asked a couple times in the last several years, and both were also at Marriott properties (one Renaissance, and one more limited-service property - I think it was a SpringHill Suites). I stay at Hyatts far more often, but don't remember ever being asked for proof of membership at any non-Marriott. (Then again, as someone else mentioned, Hyatt member rates are usually comparable to the AAA rate, usually with no extra benefits, so I normally just book the Hyatt member rate when I'm not using points; still, I'm sure I *have* booked the AAA rate at Hyatts before and have never been asked for proof.)
I've never been asked for my AAA card (but I do have one).
I *have* been asked to show my government ID when using a government rate, but only occasionally and, for this purpose, my DVA ID and my CAC were sufficient.
My AAA number is auto populated in my Marriott account. I can’t book the rate without the number, but I was also asked to provide the card at a recent check-in at a Marriott property. I always have my physical AAA card on me (it is also tied to my auto insurance, as I am in a state where I can get AAA insurance), and I have a digital card in my iPhone’s wallet. I...
My AAA number is auto populated in my Marriott account. I can’t book the rate without the number, but I was also asked to provide the card at a recent check-in at a Marriott property. I always have my physical AAA card on me (it is also tied to my auto insurance, as I am in a state where I can get AAA insurance), and I have a digital card in my iPhone’s wallet. I have about 30 stays/year at Marriott properties and have only been asked the one time for proof, so I was also caught offguard by the request.
Once in about 25 stays and it was at a low-cost Best Western where I wa getting about 10% off. I can’t remember booking an AAA rate any time in the last decade since with Hyatt the member rates are typically comparable and have the same cancelation policy.
I also wonder about corporate rate discounts enforcement, which can be more half price of the standard rates in some specific hotels. I have never been asked for proof at any chains, and there are plenty of websites listing them. Has anyone ever been asked to show a proof?
I work for one of the accounting firms and was asked to show proof of employment at my last stay. I showed them my work badge.
It depends where and how much the discount is too. A standard 5-10% off rack rate in North America, very few people will care. But rates like the PH Tokyo for $300USD will get verified each time, sometimes requiring business cards, badges, or email.
say you don’t have a badge because you’re fully remote. Ask front desk for their email and say you’ll send them something from you work email
Email FROM addresses are trivial to spoof. Enjoy your (admittedly fraudulently obtained) corporate rate!
When I book an AA rate at Marriott hotels lately, I have needed to enter my 16 digit AAA number. I guess Marriott is cracking down on this
Hilton does as well
This has been the case for me for a while. Marriott has stored my AAA number and auto-populates (no pun intended) it with each booking. I assume Marriott validates my AAA membership electronically.
I had this happen last week. I was staying at a Canadian hotel chain (Alt Hotels) in Manitoba and booked the CAA rate. They asked for my CAA card and I showed my AAA card (on the AAA app) and they didn't accept it. I guess there's no reciprocity between CAA and AAA. They ended up adjusting the rate up to the regular rate.
Literally the dropdown menu for discounted rates says “aaa/caa rate” implying they’re one and the same. In any case, what a warm welcome, eh. Canadians have some of the biggest sticks up their rear ends.
Hilton does as well
I've never once been asked. Often the AAA rate is cheaper than my company's negotiated rate and Concur selects the AAA rate for me. I don't even carry a card.
@Ben, you do realize that AAA, AARP, etc., have had digital cards for ages, right? I’m guessing you don’t carry your PP card(s) either.
This is just a guess, but I think they’re more likely to check IDs/business cards for corporate rates, where the discounts can be significant (and to track usage?). These days, the AAA/senior rates aren’t too different from the member only rates, but that’s just IME.
Was just questioned this summer about why I would take my AAA card with me on a long Europe trip. Lo and behold, at the Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle I was asked during check-in for the card. I think it’s happened at least once previously, but not in a long time.
Maybe they decided to ask you to show your AAA card when you mispronounced "Marriott"?
You can avoid this problem by keeping electronic versions of all of your affinity cards on your phone in an electronic wallet, screenshots, etc. Don't count on using the membership card in an organization's (e.g. Marriott) app since you might need it when your phone does not have connectivity.