Lodging Evaluation FAQ

Q: What must I do to get my property listed?
A: Become AAA Approved. First, review the (33) AAA Approval Requirements outlined in the Lodging Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines (pdf) - Revised November 2007 - to see if you are eligible to be evaluated. Then, complete the Application for Evaluation form and return to us with the sample photos requested. Await written notice regarding the status of your application and, if accepted for further consideration, billing for your required application fee. Once the nonrefundable fee is processed, you can expect an unannounced evaluation within one year.

Q: Does every property that sends in an Application for Evaluation get scheduled for a visit by AAA?
A: No. Not all qualified applicants are evaluated and, further, not all evaluated properties are Approved and listed. AAA reserves the right to apply priority consideration to those properties demonstrating traits that provide the highest degree of member value. The decision to Approve and list a property and the Diamond Rating assigned rests exclusively with AAA. Properties determined to be of limited member value are sent written notice of their release from further consideration.

Q: Does AAA evaluate and rate Bed & Breakfast and Country Inn establishments?
A: Yes. Properties in this lodging segment may request an evaluation to be Approved and Diamond Rated using the same guidelines, as applicable, as all other lodging categories.

Please note: AAA Approved B&B/Country Inn establishments must offer a minimum of four guest rental units to ensure the greatest likelihood of availability for our membership.

Q: Is there any charge for my property to be evaluated by AAA or listed in the print and AAA.com TourBook?
A: Applicants accepted for further consideration pay a nonrefundable application fee prior to being scheduled for an evaluation. The fee has no bearing on the outcome of the evaluation; AAA does not guarantee that all applicants will be AAA Approved and listed.

Q: Will I know in advance when my property will be evaluated by a AAA inspector?
A: No. AAA evaluations are unannounced so that our impression of your property will be similar to what AAA/CAA members are likely to experience.

Q: Do properties that uphold strict chain standards need to be evaluated by AAA in order to be Approved?
A: Yes. While many chains uphold strict quality assurance programs, the AAA evaluation and Diamond Rating Process reflects the specific expectations of AAA/CAA's more than 51 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 Lodging Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines.

Q: What happens during a AAA evaluation?
A: The AAA inspector will view all aspects of the property's operation and then meet briefly with the manager/designated representative to discuss the evaluation and gather information. If a property is being considered for a Four or Five Diamond Rating, the inspector will first conduct an anonymous overnight stay in order to evaluate the guest service experience. In addition, all Five Diamond Rating recommendations are forwarded to AAA's Five Diamond Committee for further review. Once the committee's assessment is concluded, the establishment is advised in writing of the outcome.

Q: What can my property do in advance of the evaluation to ensure we receive our desired Diamond Rating?
A: AAA assigns Diamond Ratings based on overall quality, range of facilities, and level of services offered. While the Diamond Rating Guidelines section of the Lodging Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines outlines what we typically find at each Diamond Rating level, these are broad guidelines and are not requirements; therefore, meeting all or most of the guidelines cannot guarantee the achievement of a particular Diamond Rating. The experience, training, and professional judgement of the AAA inspector are important in weighing other factors that contribute to the final rating assessment.

Q: Once my property is AAA Approved, do we need to apply for reevaluation every year?
A: No. Approved properties are automatically scheduled for future evaluations based on the classification and Diamond Rating assigned to the property.

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