A recent viral video has brought attention to AAA's print travel magazine, suggesting it may hold the key to accessing vacation deals reminiscent of 1990s pricing. The social media influencer, known as Keith on TikTok, shared his findings of significantly affordable travel packages advertised in the monthly AAA Travel magazine, sparking conversation about current travel costs.
Keith highlighted a seven-day, six-night trip to Italy, which included visits to Rome, Venice, Verona, and Florence, with activities such as glassblowing and Vatican Museum tours, priced at $2,050 per person. He questioned if these prices were comparable to those from decades past, noting that a similar all-inclusive one-week Italian vacation for two Americans in the 1990s was around $2,700.
The influencer also showcased a 16-day, 15-night Panama Canal cruise with Princess Cruise, starting in Los Angeles and ending in Fort Lauderdale. This package, which includes stops at various ports and passage through the Panama Canal, was offered at $2,739 for a balcony stateroom. A comparison to 1992 prices for a similar cruise showed a range of $1,895 to $3,895 per person.
Commenters on the video offered various reasons for the apparent affordability, including the international aspect of the trips and the possibility that travel deals are not always as expensive as commonly perceived. Some users who identified as travel agents corroborated that such prices can be found through their systems. One former AAA travel agent mentioned that the organization often provided excellent vacation packages.
AAA Travel functions as the travel agency and planning division of AAA, assisting members in researching, planning, and booking vacations. While AAA is widely recognized for its roadside assistance services, its travel arm appears to offer resources for members seeking budget-friendly travel options.