Members get lowest online hotel rates by visiting AAA.com

Members of AAA who visit AAA.com to book a hotel room are more likely to find a better rate there than on other Web sites, according to a recent survey.

In a review of several online travel booking sites, AAA.com offered the best publicly available rate on partner hotels 69 percent of the time. The survey of online lodging rates was conducted by PhoCusWright in December 2007 and compared AAA.com to other Web sites on 93 AAA partner hotels. Following AAA in the study were AARP, which offered the best rate 14 percent of the time; Travelocity, 13 percent; Orbitz, 10 percent; and Expedia, 9 percent. The percentages include same-rate results.

The online audit reviewed rates for leisure travel to top destinations for same dates of stay in a standard double room at 300 AAA two, three and four Diamond properties across the United States. It excluded corporate, military, government and industry discount rates.

Members enjoy numerous additional travel benefits on AAA.com, including:

• Discounted airline tickets, cruises, car rentals and more;

• Searchable TourBook® guides featuring AAA Diamond rated hotels and restaurants;

• AAA.com TripTik® mapping and trip planning tool;

• The opportunity to read and write consumer reviews of hotels and more.

Enter contest for a chance at the “Ultimate Road Trip”

Members of AAA can enter for a chance to win the “Ultimate Road Trip” in a new national sweepstakes offered by AAA and Best Western International.

Between April 7 and June 13, visit AAA.com/motorsports and enter for a chance to win the “Ultimate Road Trip” for two that begins Aug. 17 at Michigan International Speed-way. The road trip concludes Aug. 25 in Charlotte, N.C.

There will be several exciting pit stops along the route to Charlotte for the grand prize winner, including admission to AAA partner attractions and theme parks. The grand prize winner also will receive complimentary stays at Best Western hotels along the route, a rental car to use for the week, fuel for the trip and more.

For additional information or to enter, simply click on AAA.com/motorsports.

VIN Etch can deter theft

As a theft deterrent, AAA will offer window etching of your vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number) this spring.

The cost is $30 for AAA members and $40 for non-members, including six etchings per car. AAA offers discounts on insurance for VIN Etching.

Call 1-800-AAA-ROAD ext. 6821 to make appointments at least 24 hours in advance of the below dates. Please have your VIN number handy when making reservations.

View VIN Etch dates and locations