Frequently Asked Questions

TourBook® Guide Attractions FAQ

Click on any question to learn more.

What is a TourBook®Guide?

The TourBook® Guide Attractions listings serve as a guide to selected places rather than as a commercial, geographic or promotional encyclopedia. Communities or areas included offer something for you to do or see that sets them apart from others in the area or nation. We call these "points of interest."

Is the information current?

All information was reviewed for accuracy before its most recent online publication. However, changes often occur between updates. We regret any inconvenience resulting from such instances, but they are beyond our control. Please use the phone numbers in the listings if you wish to confirm prices. Prices pertaining to attractions in the United States are quoted in U.S. dollars; Canadian province and territory attraction prices are quoted in Canadian dollars.

How do I read the listings?

Any attraction with a separate heading has been approved by a AAA/CAA inspector or designated AAA/CAA representative. An attraction's quality is reflected in the length and scope of its general description. Starred attractions are of exceptional interest and quality.

Attractions are listed under the name of the nearest community. In most cases the distances given are computed from the center of town, unless otherwise specified, using the following highway designations: I (interstate highway), US (federal highway), Hwy. (Canadian highway), SR (state route), CR (county road), FM (farm to market road), FR (forest road), MM (mile marker).

Descriptive information about the attraction follows the location description. Next are the days, hours and seasons the attraction is open. These may be preceded by a suggested minimum visiting time. Following are admission prices quoted without sales tax; children under the lowest age specified are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Days, months and age groups written with a hyphen are inclusive.

Am I entitled to any special discounts as a AAA member?

Your AAA/CAA membership card is the key to reduced prices at many attractions because they value your patronage and respect the AAA/CAA name. The Show Your Card & Save® icon indicates the attraction offers a reduced admission for at least one of their rate categories for AAA/CAA members. In other words, the attraction may or may not offer an across-the-board discount to all age groups. Participating attractions individually determine the terms of the discount they offer. The discount may not apply if any other price reduction is offered or if tickets are purchased through an outlet other than the attraction's ticket office.

Whether or not a listing shows a discount, present your valid AAA or CAA membership card when purchasing tickets; some attractions not formally enrolled in the program may still give members a discount.

TourBook® Guide Lodgings FAQ

What are the criteria for TourBook® listings?

AAA inspectors carefully evaluate every lodging establishment listed in this database (except for Bed & Breakfast inns). AAA monitors member satisfaction through your comments and surveys. AAA rating criteria reflect your needs and expectations and the design and service standards determined by the lodging industry. Additionally, we maintain an open dialogue with individual establishment operators, the American Hotel and Motel Association and most major lodging chains.

Regardless of the diamond rating, properties listed by AAA are required to provide clean and well-maintained facilities throughout, a hospitable staff and a well-kept appearance.

Each guest room is also required to have comfortable beds and good quality bedding, locks on all doors and windows; comfortable furnishings and pleasant decor; smoke detectors; adequate towels and supplies; at least one chair; and adequate illumination at each task area.

How are the listings rated?

Before we allow a property to be listed by AAA, it must satisfy a set of minimum standards that reflect the basic lodging needs AAA members have identified. If a property meets those requirements, it is assigned a diamond rating reflecting the overall quality of the establishment. The ratings range from one to five diamonds and reflect the physical and service standards typically found at each diamond level.

Ratings are assigned to the property classification. The classification represents the physical design and level of services provided by the property. For example, a motel offers limited services and recreational facilities. A resort hotel offers extensive guest services and recreational facilities. By assigning ratings according to classification, AAA compares properties to like properties.

Although one diamond is AAA's minimum rating, a one-diamond property is still better than one-third of the lodgings in operation, since the majority of unlisted properties do not meet AAA's minimum standards.

Lodgings with a one-diamond rating provide good but modest accommodations. Establishments are functional, emphasizing clean and comfortable rooms. They must meet the basic needs of privacy and cleanliness. Rates are generally economical.

The two-diamond rated lodging maintains the attributes offered at the one-diamond level, while showing marked enhancements in decor and furnishings. They may be recently constructed or older properties, both targeting the needs of a budget-oriented traveler.

Establishments rated three diamond offer a degree of sophistication. Additional amenities, services and facilities may be offered. There is a noticeable upgrade in physical attributes, services and comfort.

Excellent properties displaying a high level of service and hospitality are given a four-diamond rating. These properties offer a wide variety of amenities and upscale facilities — inside the room, on the grounds and in the public areas.

Lodgings awarded five diamonds are renowned. They exhibit an exceptionally high degree of service; striking, luxurious facilities; and many extra amenities. Guest services are executed and presented in a flawless manner. The guest is pampered by a very professional, attentive staff. The facilities and operation help set the standards in hospitality and service.

A few properties are listed without a rating. They were either under construction or undergoing such a substantial renovation at publication time that it was impossible to assign an accurate rating. In addition, an "FYI" rating indicates a property that has not been inspected or does not meet the minimum listing requirements. The property is listed as a member service only.

How are the rates listed?

Annually, lodging operators are asked to update rates, discounts and rate options for AAA members. Properties are not required to offer a discount to be listed. However, if they choose to offer a minimum 10 percent discount, the "SAVE" icon appears in the listing. If the property chooses not to offer a discount, then one of the following rate options must be selected:

Guaranteed Rates - The establishment guarantees AAA members will not be charged more than the maximum rates listed in the AAA TourBook® guide or this database. To receive these rates you must identify yourself as a AAA member and request the AAA guaranteed rate when making reservations. Show your AAA membership card at registration and verify the rate.

Rates Subject to Change - The listed rates are the establishment's estimated charges for the periods noted. The actual rates charged may be higher than those listed but are guaranteed not to exceed a 15 percent increase.

Exceptions - Lodgings may temporarily increase their room rates or modify their policies during a special event or for those traveling as part of a group or convention. Examples of such events range from Mardi Gras and the Kentucky Derby to college football games, holidays and state fairs. At these times the rate options do not apply.

Senior Discount - Some establishments offer the senior discount with either the Guaranteed Rates option or the Rates Subject to Change option. Where the words "Senior Discount" are included in a listing, a minimum discount of 10 percent off the prevailing or guaranteed rate is available to AAA members who are 60 years of age or older. You must identify yourself as a AAA member and request the Senior Discount when making reservations. Show your AAA membership card at registration and verify the rate and discount. Members may take this discount or the Show Your Card & Save® discount but not both. The senior discount may not be used in conjunction with other discounts and might not apply during special events.

Rates - Rates are for typical rooms, not special units. Rates do not include taxes. Multiple rate lines are used to indicate a seasonal rate difference.

Why do some lodgings display the AAA logo?

Lodgings approved by AAA are eligible for our Official Appointment Program, which permits the display and advertising of the AAA emblem. Official Appointment properties have shown a special interest in serving AAA members. This helps our members find accommodations on which they can depend.

Copyright © 2005, AAA and AAA Blue Grass/Kentucky. All rights reserved.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this page, please contact the Webmaster.

Secured by VeriSign.

This page was last updated May 27, 2005 by NS.

This site was designed using PNG images and W3C standards for XHTML and CSS, which are better viewed in Firefox. Get Firefox!