Here are some of our recent questions - and the answers by our AAA experts.

I am a AAA member and am traveling to Los Angeles, CA and Hawaii. Where can I get maps and tourism information?
You can get travel information for both Los Angeles and Hawaii in a variety of ways:
- Your local AAA club can provide TourBook guides, maps, hotel information and additional guidance.
- You can download free eTourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks.
- You can also find maps and travel guides to both destinations at AAAmaps.com.
- For personal assistance, please call or stop in to see a AAA travel agent at the your local club office.

I heard you have a credit card that's good for travel. I'm going to Greece, what are the AAA member perks?
AAA offers the AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card that has member benefits and travel-related rewards. Please go to www.AAA.com/CreditCard for more information. If you are looking for a prepaid card for use while traveling, please visit www.AAA.com/TravelMoney.

How do I renew my international driving license which is from Paris, France?
The only related service AAA offers is the International Driving Permit, a translation of a U.S. driver's license into other languages for travel abroad. You must have a valid U.S. state drivers license. Click here to read a blog post with much more information.

I want to take a friend's 2 kids to Disney - is there a form letter I can get for their mom to sign?
Please click here to see our post on this subject.

I am going to Niagara Falls but can't find any tips or comments on your web site. Where is the best place to stay (Canada side) what to see, etc?
The New York and Ontario TourBook guides have a lot of information. Or there is our online Niagara Falls travel guide on your club web site. In addition, for some first-person stories click here for the Niagara Falls search results on the travel blog. If you are a AAA member you can download free eTourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks.

As for accommodations, there are far more choices on the Canadian side. The American side has smaller lodgings and mostly chains. You will pay far more for a Falls View room (available only on the Canadian side). One way to see this is to look at a map of Niagara Falls in TripTik Travel Planner with Lodging icons showing (click here). You can then mouse over each blue icon to see more information, our inspectors’ notes, check rates and even read the last 10 reviews from Trip Advisor. Another way to find accommodations is to go to AAA.com/travel, put your dates and destination in the Hotel search box and see a list of available choices. NOTE: you must have a passport or passport card to travel to Canada and back.

A 2008 LA Times article said that by 2010 Canadian merchants would not accept the standard U.S. credit cards, only those with "chip and PIN". Is this true?
As you mentioned Canada is migrating to Chip and PIN technology.  However, all VISA and MATSERCARD branded cards will continue to be accepted with magnetic swipe and signature – the U.S. standard. If the card is part of a network, which is indicated by logos on the cards, then they will still be accepted by merchants. ATMs will still accept magnetic stripe cards. If you still have concerns please consult with your bank or credit union before you travel.  Although an online search may tell you that most retailers in Canada will accept U.S. currency, either at par or at slightly reduced value, this is not always our experience. If you want to pay in cash, you may wish to consider taking some Canadian currency for those retailers who do not accept U.S. dollars.

Is my U.S. drivers license all I need to drive a rental car in BC, Canada or do I need an inter-American drivers permit as well?
From the U.S. State Department website: Driving in Canada is similar to driving in many parts of the United States. Distances and speeds, however, are posted in kilometers per hour and some signs, particularly in Quebec, may only be in French. U.S. licenses are valid in Canada. Proof of auto insurance is required. U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada. U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian insurance card, which should be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada.  For specific information concerning Canadian driving permits, mandatory insurance and entry regulations, please contact the Canadian National Tourist Organization. However, we also suggest you check with your rental car company to make sure you are aware of any requirements they may have.

I'm going to DC soon - do you have any tips on getting a tour of the White House at short notice?  I checked with a congressional help but there are no openings on those days.
Sorry, but those tours are only available through your Congressperson’s office and the lead time for the slots available is usually 6 months to a year (summer is very busy). The same is true for the tours of the Capitol, though they are somewhat easier to get. We hope you enjoy the many other sights of DC.

Can you pack in your checked in luggage full size shampoo, conditioner, sun screen etc? If not what size can you take?
Yes, the restrictions on liquids only apply to carry-on luggage. Read all about airline passenger regulations from the TSA here. And make sure the caps are on tight and put them in a plastic bag – nothing worse than the leaked conditioner on clothes!

In flying from Presque Isle, Bangor or Augusta, Maine, what would be the cheapest airport to fly into in the Grand Canyon area.
Probably Las Vegas (268 miles from the South Rim) or Phoenix (238 miles from the South Rim). Flagstaff is the closest airport (81 miles) but requires another flight from Phoenix. Search airfares at AAA.com/travel.

I have the iphone app which is terrific - but I am having difficulty navigating the info. Do you have user info how-to's?
For user information on the Discounts app click here: for the TripTik Mobile app click here.

Is the International Driving Permit recognized in mainland China?
No, it is not. Click here to see an article about driving in China.

I am planning a driving trip from Livingston, Tx to Ypsilanti, MI with 2 small dogs and would like some ideas for a scenic route. I am a AAA member . Do you provide such a service?
Please click here to see the suggested route in AAA's TripTik Travel Planner. TripTik Travel Planner does show the shortest route, which is usually interstates, but there will be some scenery. Note that you can zoom into your route by moving the red arrow down, and you will see icons for lodging and attractions (Or more as listed under the Show menu). Mouse over them for a popup window to tell you what they are, details, reviews and the ability to check rates. There’s a Help button in the upper right as well and you can save or print this route. If you plan to take your time, why not ask your local club to send you AAA TourBook guides and maps of the states you are going through and see if there are sights you’d like to see along the way? As far as traveling with pets, find pet-friendly lodging with the AAA PetBook or you can look for the ‘Pets accepted’ line under Amenities on the details tab of the lodging popup windows in TripTik Travel Planner. You can use our Fuel Cost Calculator to anticipate gas cost and bring your AAA card for roadside assistance if needed and look for the Show Your Card and Save sign for AAA discounts.

Are there any AAA discounts for any attractions in southwest-southeast WI? (E.g. House on the Rock, Galena, IL, Cave of the Mounds).
AAA discount information for attractions can be found in our TourBook guide listings by city/state in the front part of the books. A red SAVE icon indicates a discount is available. TourBook guides are free to members from their local club, or by mail order on AAA.com.  Online, search for attraction information by clicking here and entering the location. On AAA.com a green $ sign indicates a discount is available. Another trip planning resource is TripTik Travel Planner, where you can not only get maps and directions, you can zoom in and see icons for attractions with more information in popup windows. There are attractions that have a national or local discount agreement with AAA that may be promoted on site with a ‘Show Your AAA Card & Save’ sign. And, it never hurts to ask, even if you don’t see any indication of a member discount.

We are going to Las Vegas but am not sure if we are going by car or air. If we drive we want to stop by the Grand Canyon and maybe Santa Fe, NM. Any suggestions? We stay at Hiltons or Hamptons.
We would suggest the following resources for general suggestions:
- Our Las Vegas Travel Guide online and Grand Canyon Travel Guide online (or if you are a AAA member you can download free eTourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks).
- The blog has a lot of information on Las Vegas, the national parks and even the art scene in Santa Fe for inspiration
- Look for deals at AAA.com/travel if you are considering packages
- If you decide to drive, use TripTik Travel Planner to route your trip and zoom in to see icons for attractions, lodging, restaurants and more right on the map. (You can even book lodgings and view TripAdvisor reviews from the map.)
- If you would like to be sent TourBook guides or maps, or would like assistance with booking, please contact your local AAA club.

I am looking at a TourBook. It shows both red and black diamonds to rate lodging, can you explain the difference?
They are the same as far as the rating level. The red Diamonds indicate Official Appointment properties that participate in a AAA licensing program that allows them to display the AAA logo and offer free special amenities to AAA members (included in the listing information).

We are headed to the Grand Canyon for 1 day and Sedona for 1 day. What experiences do your recommend to take in the environment and have fun with 4 adults and 2 teens (17 & 13)?
Please see our Grand Canyon online travel guide for some ideas, though with just one day (which side?) you will probably just sightsee, take pictures and perhaps hike one of the trails (mule rides are great, but require advance reservations). For one day in Sedona, we recommend the Pink Jeep excursion. Please see this blog post and have a great trip. If you are a AAA member you can download a free eTourBook guide AAA.com/ebooks.