Applying FAQ

Lodgings
Restaurants
Attractions
Campgrounds

Lodgings FAQ

What must I do to get my property listed in AAA’s travel information products?

We recommend that you review the current requirements as outlined on page 10 of the Hotel Requirements & Diamond Guidelines to see if you are eligible to be inspected.

If eligible, complete the Hotel Inspection Application and return it to AAA at the mailing address (or email address) noted on the top of the form.

If applicable (see exception below), submit your completed Hotel Application Processing Fee Form.*

* To ensure the safe and proper processing of your Lodging Application Processing Fee Form, submit the form directly to AAA Accounting via their secured fax number: 407-444-7274 or by mail to AAA Accounting - Mailstop 2, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063.

Upon notification from Accounting that the processing fee has been received, we will proceed with your application review and advise you of the outcome by email. If accepted for further consideration, you can expect an unannounced inspection within one year.

Are there any exceptions to the lodging application processing fee?

AAA will waive the first-time application processing fee if your property is affiliated with one of the AAA Preferred Hotel Partner chains noted below:

My property is located in Mexico or the Caribbean – how do I send in the application processing fee?

You may send the application processing fee using a credit card, check or a wire transfer. For further information regarding wire transfers, please contact our Customer Service at: AAAInspectionApplication@national.AAA.com.

My property used to be AAA Diamond designated and was disaffiliated. How do I become AAA Diamond designated again?

If your property failed their inspection for ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), housekeeping and/or condition issues, you must wait until 3 months have elapsed from the date of the last inspection before submitting a new application for inspection. This waiting period is to allow time for your property to address all issues and to establish a consistent facilities management program. After this period, you must provide detailed information regarding the corrective action taken to address the issues and provide supporting documentation such as copies of invoices, work orders, photographs, etc.

If your property failed their inspection for other reasons, no waiting period is required, but you must first provide detailed information regarding the corrective action taken since the last AAA inspection, including supporting documentation such as copies of invoices, work orders, photographs, etc.

This information can be emailed to AAAInspectionApplication@national.AAA.com or mailed directly to:

AAA Inspection & Diamond Ratings
1000 AAA Drive, Mailstop 51
Heathrow, FL 32746

Once I am in compliance with AAA’s Hotel Requirements, how do I reapply?

Once your property is in compliance, complete the Hotel Inspection Application and return it to AAA along with the requested documentation and the Hotel Application Processing Fee Form.

I don’t have a copy of the last inspection report summary. How do I obtain a copy?

Please contact our Customer Service at: AAAInspections@national.AAA.com to request a copy of the last inspection report summary.

Does every property that sends in an application get scheduled for a visit by AAA?

No. Not all qualified applicants are evaluated and, further, not all evaluated properties are AAA Diamond designated. AAA reserves the right to apply priority consideration to those properties demonstrating traits that provide the highest degree of member value. The decision to list a property and the Diamond designation assigned rests exclusively with AAA. Properties determined to be of limited member value are sent written notice of their release from further consideration.

Do properties that uphold strict chain standards need to be evaluated by AAA in order to be AAA Diamond designated?

Yes. While many chains uphold strict quality assurance programs, the AAA inspections and Diamond designation process reflects the specific expectations of AAA/CAA's more than 60 million members as well as current industry standards. An evaluation must be conducted by a AAA inspector to determine whether the property meets the standards outlined in our Hotel Requirements & Diamond Guidelines.

Will I know in advance when my property will be evaluated by a AAA inspector?

No. AAA evaluations are unannounced so that our impression of your property will be similar to what AAA/CAA members are likely to experience.

Once my property is AAA Diamond designated, do we need to apply for inspection every year?

No. An inspector will automatically revisit your property every year.

Restaurants FAQ

What must I do to get my property listed in AAA’s travel information products?

We recommend that you review the current requirements as outlined on page 10 of the Restaurant Requirements & Diamond Guidelines to see if you are eligible to be inspected.

If eligible, complete the Restaurant Inspection Application and return it to AAA at the mailing address (or email address) noted on the top of the form.

If applicable (see exception below), submit your completed Restaurant Application Processing Fee Form.*

* To ensure the safe and proper processing of your Lodging Application Processing Fee Form, submit the form directly to AAA Accounting via their secured fax number: 407-444-7274 or by mail to AAA Accounting - Mailstop 2, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063.

Upon notification from Accounting that the processing fee has been received, we will proceed with your application review and advise you of the outcome by email. If accepted for further consideration, you can expect an unannounced inspection within one year.

My property is located in Mexico or the Caribbean – how do I send in the application processing fee?

You may send the application processing fee using a credit card, check or a wire transfer. For further information regarding wire transfers, please contact our Customer Service at: AAAInspectionApplication@national.AAA.com.

Does every restaurant that sends in an application get scheduled for a visit by AAA?

No. Not all qualified applicants are evaluated and, further, not all evaluated restaurants are AAA Diamond designated. AAA reserves the right to apply priority consideration to those restaurants demonstrating traits that provide the highest degree of member value. The decision to Approve and list a restaurant and the Diamond Rating assigned rests exclusively with AAA. Restaurants determined to be of limited member value are sent a written notice of their release from further consideration.

Will I know in advance when my restaurant will be evaluated by a AAA inspector?

No. AAA evaluations are unannounced so that our impression of your restaurant will be similar to what AAA/CAA members are likely to experience.

Once my restaurant is AAA Diamond designated, do we need to apply for inspection every year?

No. An inspector will revisit periodically to confirm or update your status and rating.

Attractions

What must I do to get my attraction listed in AAA’s travel information products?

The first step is to ensure your establishment meets the following Attraction Requirements:

  1. Establishment is a bona fide attraction, as opposed to a purely commercial venture or retail outlet.
  2. Attraction is safe and has not been cited by local, state or federal authorities for safety concerns/violations.
  3. Establishment is appropriately located for business or leisure travel.
  4. Establishment is financially solvent.
  5. Establishment is open a minimum of 12 hours per week on a regular schedule.
  6. Establishment has no discriminatory policies and is open to the public at large.
  7. Attraction does not require particular expertise, special training or certification in order to experience it.
  8. Facilities are clean and well maintained.

If eligible, complete an Application for Attraction Inspection and return it to AAA to the address noted on the top of the form.

Also, submit your completed Attraction Application Processing Fee Form.*

* To ensure the safe and proper processing of your Attraction Application Processing Fee Form, submit the form directly to AAA Accounting via their secured fax number: 407-444-7274 or by mail to AAA Accounting - Mailstop 2, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063.

Upon notification from Accounting that the processing fee has been received, we will proceed with your application review and advise you of the outcome by email. If accepted for further consideration, you can expect an unannounced inspection within one year.

My establishment is located in Mexico or the Caribbean – how do I send in the application processing fee?   You may send the application processing fee using a credit card, check or a wire transfer. For further information regarding wire transfers, please contact our Customer Service at: AAAInspectionApplication@national.AAA.com.

Campgrounds

What must I do to get my campground listed in AAA’s travel information products?

The first step is to ensure your establishment meets the following Approval Requirements:

Management Style of Operation

  1. The establishment must have operative, transient sites.
  2. The establishment must be in compliance with all local, state, and federal codes.
  3. Establishment must assist AAA in resolution of all member complaints.
  4. Establishment must accommodate unannounced AAA property evaluations within 20 minutes of notice.
  5. Property management, or their representative, must be readily accessible, or provide written notice of contact availability.
  6. All property staff must conduct business in a professional and ethical manner providing attentive, conscientious service to guests.

    General Facilities
  7. Entrance and service roads must be well defined and passable.
  8. All facilities directly associated with a property must be clean and well maintained throughout.
  9. Toilets, sinks, showers and trash containers: must be of adequate number in relation to the number of sites available.
  10. Toilets and showers must provide privacy by using a door, curtain or screening.

    Site Specifications
  11. All non-tent sites must be easily identifiable, clearly defined, well drained, and reasonably level.
  12. If all sites are not equipped with water hook-ups, potable water must be available.


If eligible, complete the Campground Inspection Application and return it to AAA to the mailing address (or email address) noted on the top of the form.

Also, submit your completed Campground Application Processing Fee Form.*

*To ensure the safe and proper processing of your Campground Application Processing Fee Form, submit the form directly to AAA Accounting via their secured fax number: 407-444-7274 or by mail to AAA Accounting - Mailstop 2, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063.

Upon notification from Accounting that the processing fee has been received, we will proceed with your application review and advise you of the outcome by email. If accepted for further consideration, you can expect an unannounced inspection within one year.

Does every campground that sends in an application get scheduled for a visit by AAA?

No. Not all qualified applicants are evaluated and, further, not all evaluated campgrounds are listed. AAA reserves the right to apply priority consideration to those campgrounds demonstrating traits that provide the highest degree of member value. The decision to Approve and list a campground rests exclusively with AAA. Campgrounds determined to be of limited member value are sent a written notice of their release from further consideration.

Will I know in advance when my campground will be evaluated by a AAA inspector?

No. AAA evaluations are unannounced so that our impression of your campground will be similar to what AAA/CAA members are likely to experience.

Once my campground is AAA I listed, do we need to apply for inspection every year?

No. An inspector will revisit periodically to confirm or update your status and rating.


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