AAA – Lake Oswego

I have been a member of AAA for almost 30 years.
There road service is amazing, always there when you need it and always helpful.
I have used their travel agents in the past and have always been very happy.
My last 2 interactions with the office has been far from what it has been in the past. Its as if they don’t want to let you past the front desk.
In one visit I wanted to know about European rail travel. I has questions about Euro-​pass and regular travel by train in Italy. I was trying to decide which would be the best for me. Rather than let me sit down with a travel agent, the receptionist has the ‘supervisor’ come out. She told me they would be happy to book my travel for $ 25 to $ 35 dollars a segment but they had no other information to offer. I never got to talk to an agent who REALLY knew what they were talking about. Many of the travel people have been there for ages and really know the business and I have worked with them in the past. I was quite put off by this.
My next interaction was to get an International driver’s license. When they issue the license they take 2 pictures and since there is only one on the license I called to see where the other picture was. I was told that AAA keeps it along with your application «in a secure place» (with all my identifying information and a picture. When I questioned further the ‘supervisor’ told me they are kept for 3 years (or was it 7 years, she wasn’t sure) even though the license is only valid for one year. She was quite unpleasant and very condescending and seemed to be making the answers up as she went along.
I will be using the Beaverton office from now on even though it is out of my way. I fell the organization is valuable and worth the yearly fee. But the change in management at my local office leaves much to be desired.

We have worked with Patty Iverson at AAA on two occasions, so far. The first was a trip to Alaska aboard Princess cruises. The trip was great and Patty made it all so easy.
We just booked a Viking cruise and again Patty is always ready with an answer and goes above and beyond to give us as much help as we need.
She’s terrific!

I’ve been a AAA member for years. It is sort of like the umbrella you carry in the hopes that it will never rain. So fortunately I’ve never had to use their auto towing service (knock wood).
What I have used on several occasions are their travel services to book family vacations. Normally I wouldn’t bother using a travel agent, and I’ve planned the majority of my trips without their help, but occasionally they have some great perks/​pricing so it makes sense to go through them.
I’m always tempted by the Kids Fly Free promotion to Disneyland in the winter months. However, after a long discussion with the Alaska Air travel desk, certain hotels weren’t available on my dates if I booked through them. I love my kids, but I sure like them a lot more when we aren’t sleeping in the same room. So going through AAA, I was still able to get the KFF promotion and reserve a suite at the property of my choice for a good price. In addition, you get free parking, early bird access to the park, discounts while you are there, etc.
Last summer my family used AAA to book a cruise to Alaska. The best part of that experience is that you typically have to book very early if you want to go during the high season in August. Since it was during the recession, the price of the cruise actually declined during the year and on more than one occasion we called to check on the price and AAA gave us a credit since the price was lower than when we originally booked. Seriously great deal and because we booked early we were able to select specific staterooms next to each other as well as receive AAA discount vouchers to use on the cruise.
The location in Lake Oswego stocks a number of travel related items like luggage, Eagle Creek and Baggallini pouches, TSA approved locks and 3 oz. containers for liquids. They also have a good selection of travel books (Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, Frommers, Fodor’s, Michelin and the Unofficial Guides). Sadly they don’t stock my favorite, the Top 10 series by DK. Almost all items are below retail since you get a AAA discount.
In many cases you may be able to book trips for less directly, but if you are a member, you might consider doing a cost comparison to validate that you are getting a great deal. In some cases, the AAA perks might be the deciding factor. Happy travels!