Travel Inspiration and Discounts Galore at the AAA Travel Expo

Are you ready to plan your next epic road trip or take that vacation to Europe you’ve been dreaming about for years? Would you like to discover discounts and deals that can help you stretch your travel budget farther? Then get to the AAA Travel Expo!

I attended my first AAA Travel Expo in Indianapolis last year, and it was like Disneyland for travel junkies!

A great way to jumpstart your new year’s resolution to travel more is by attending the AAA Travel Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 25. The event is free, and you do not have to be a AAA member to attend.

Not sure what to expect at a travel expo?

Here is what you will find at the AAA Travel Expo and some of Traveling Tanya tips to help you make the most of the experience!

Vacation Vendors

The best thing about a travel expo is that you have so many different travel companies under one roof. In a very short amount of time, you can learn about and compare a variety of vacation options.

Traveling Tanya’s Tip: Think about specific trips or types of vacations you hope to take in the next year. With that in mind, focus on visiting relevant booths and talking to those representatives.

With so many vendors it is easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t have some kind of focus!

Last year, I was interested in learning about cruise lines as I have never taken a cruise. I learned so much about the different cruise options, possible amenities, and interesting excursions.

Now a cruise is at the top of my Travel Bucket List!

Since weekend getaways are something my husband and I enjoy, I also checked out the booths focused on Southern Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. It’s always a good idea to learn about fun destinations within a few hour’s drive.

Ensure you are ready when the urge for a spontaneous road trip arises!

Here are just a sampling of the more than 50 vendor booths you can expect to see at this year’s AAA Travel Expo:

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Delta Vacations
• Hertz Corporation
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Pleasant Holidays
• Rocky Mountaineer
• Experience Columbus
• Graceland Attractions
• Jamaica Tourist Board
• Ohio’s Appalachian Country
• Various AAA services
• And Many, Many More!!!

Travel Presentations

After strolling through the aisles of travel vendors, your feet may need to rest! This is a great time to check out a presentation and get even more details about a particular travel vendor’s services.

Traveling Tanya’s Tip: Before attending the travel expo, look online for a list of presentations offered. Then plan your visit around the presentation schedule, and ensure you get to the sessions that most appeal to you.

Last year we spoke briefly to the representative at the Royal Caribbean booth and were impressed. So we made sure to attend that presentation to get a complete overview.

After attending the Royal Caribbean presentation, we had even more knowledge about the kind of cruise we were interested in and all the options available with this vendor.

Take a peek at last year’s line up of presentations and check back soon when the 2020 slate of presentations will be announced. AAA has announced that Anne McAlpin will be there to share her expert packing tips…and you can bet Traveling Tanya will be in the front row for that one!

Discounts Galore

If you are a budget traveler or just want to stretch your travel dollars as far as possible, you will be impressed with the many discounts offered at the AAA Travel Expo.

At last year’s event, I never felt pressured to buy anything, but I did hear the passion in the voices of many of the travel vendors as they described their destinations. I took lots of mental notes and picked up a hefty stack of travel brochures as I wasn’t quite ready to book my next adventure. But I’m always in the market to learn about exciting destinations.

Traveling Tanya’s Tip: Decide beforehand if you want to book a trip at the expo or not. If you have a trip in mind that you know you want to take, then purchasing it at a travel expo will likely save you money and get you some freebies or upgrades.

Even if you don’t book your vacation at the event, some of the discounts may be valid for a few days or several weeks after the expo. Just ask!

You should never feel pressured into buying a vacation RIGHT NOW! Reputable vendors who provide quality travel experiences don’t have to strong-arm you. Trust your gut, and be thoughtful. Make vacation decisions that make sense for your family and your budget. And keep in mind that AAA offers amazing travel discounts all year long.

Whether you leave the AAA Travel Expo with a booked trip or not, chances are some travel seeds will be planted. They just might sprout into your dream vacation, when the time is right. And your local AAA travel agent will be ready and willing to assist!

Cash and Carry

Do you need some new luggage or travel gadgets for your next road trip or around the world tour?

The AAA Travel Expo boasts a marketplace with a variety of travel accessories you can purchase on the spot. AAA members get an extra discount, so if you aren’t already a member, now is the perfect time to sign up.

Traveling Tanya’s Tip: Think about any upcoming trips you have planned and what you might need.

Maybe a roadside repair kit would come in handy for your next cross country adventure?

Or perhaps you could use a memory foam neck pillow for an overseas flight?

You are sure to find several unique travel items for yourself or any travel enthusiasts on your shopping list.

Last year I decided to purchase packing cubes and a tech accessory organizer. I’d heard other travel bloggers rave about packing cubes, so I was excited to try them out. And with all the iphones, earbuds, ipads, and other gadgets that travel with us, we could use a little organizational help!

In just one year’s time, those packing cubes and tech organizer traveled with me across several state lines and to Europe twice. That was definitely money well spent!

AAA Services

If you aren’t already a AAA member, you can bet there will be plenty of representatives at the travel expo ready to tell you about the benefits of membership.

Everyone’s travel needs are unique, and with an array of services, AAA offers something for every kind of traveler. From roadside assistance to vacation planning to hotel and rental car discounts to maps and travel guides.

Traveling Tanya’s Tip: A membership to AAA is a great investment and the perfect present.

As a teenager, AAA’s roadside assistance got me out of several binds. My oldest daughter is about to turn 16, so she is next to get a AAA membership! It’s the perfect gift for a new driver and can provide peace of mind to parents. And the hotel discounts and other travel perks more than pay for the membership!

No matter what your stage in life or your upcoming travel plans, AAA offers benefits tailored to your unique journey. Talk to a AAA representative and find out more at the AAA Travel Expo!

I’ve got a special deal for Indiana residents!

As part of my partnership with AAA Hoosier Motor Club, I’m offering a special deal. Purchase a new AAA Membership (Indiana only) and use code TETT20 to waive the $15 enrollment fee! Click here to take advantage of this deal, for a limited time only.

AAA Travel Expo 2020

Now that you are excited about everything in store for this year’s travel expo, here are the details you need to know:

Date and time: Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 10am-4pm (Extended hours this year!)

Location: JW Marriott, 10 S. West Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (New location for 2020!)

Cost: FREE and open to the public (AAA membership is not required)

Pre-register: If you are one of the first 500 people to pre-register for the travel expo here by January 20 you will get a free gift! And you will be in the loop as the event approaches and more details about the expo are released.

More Freebies: The first 250 attendees will also receive a gift!

Want to learn more? Call 1-800-874-7317 or visit AAA.com/expo.

Don’t live in the Indianapolis area? Find out about AAA services and a travel expo near you by visiting your local AAA office.

Now that you know all the terrific travel inspiration, resources, and discounts you can uncover…

Will you be joining Traveling Tanya at the AAA Travel Expo this year?

I hope to see you there! In the meantime, stay tuned to Traveling Tanya’s social media channels for even more details about the AAA Travel Expo as the event approaches.

Enjoy this flashback to last year’s AAA Travel Expo with Traveling Tanya!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

 

A huge thank you to AAA Hoosier Motor Club for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!

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