AAA Reveals New Diamond Program for Travelers
by Daine Taylor
AAA is modifying its acclaimed Diamond Program to be more clear for travelers. Photo: Shutterstock
AAA announced it is rolling out a new version of its acclaimed Diamond Program, which utilizes recommendations from professional travel experts to connect travelers with some of the best and most comfortable hotel and restaurant accommodations.
The updated program will be replacing its rating system with individual designations, which are organized in tiers consisting of Approved, Three Diamond, Four Diamond, and Five Diamond.
“We’ve transformed the AAA Diamond Program to help travelers better understand the overall quality, range of facilities and level of services offered by a property,” said Stacey Barber, executive director, travel information & content, at AAA. “Unlike ratings from unknown users sharing their opinions, the Diamond designations are provided by experienced professionals using consistent guidelines to tell travelers what a property offers.”
Hotels and restaurants that were previously given One Diamond and Two Diamond ratings have been consolidated under the Approved designation, symbolizing that they have met the industry standards; while Three Diamond, Four Diamond and Five Diamond designated facilities will remain in place. The more Diamonds a property has indicates that there will be more elaborate surroundings and attention from service staff, as well as more luxurious accommodations.
AAA removed some of its previously outdated criteria in favor of evaluating factors that more directly relate to guest comfort and experience. For example, AAA inspectors will now consider factors such as sufficient storage space for clothes and personal belongings in guest rooms, amount and quality of amenities, and cleanliness and service.
“Only the best hotels and restaurants are included in AAA’s Diamond Program – professional inspectors eliminate substandard places from consideration as a service to our members,” said Barber. “For more than 80 years, travelers have relied on AAA’s trusted recommendations, and these latest changes only strengthen AAA as a go-to source for relevant information and advice for all trip-planning needs.”
Travelers can learn more about the new AAA Diamond Program at AAA.com/Diamonds.
