Housing Warning - "Pirates" and "Poachers"

When AAMI staff secures sleeping rooms at hotels for our convention (commonly referred to as room blocks), we research the properties to make certain that our attendees will be adequately accommodated. The room block is established to ensure that rooms meet our standards and are offered at a discounted price.

Room poaching is a practice carried out by third-party companies that act as travel agencies, wholesalers, or destination management companies to solicit registrants for room reservations. Poachers often represent themselves as being affiliated with the AAMI eXchange. The poacher might inform registrants that the hotel room block is "sold out", and that if you do not book with them immediately, you may not get a room. Additional deceptive tactics may include distributing forms or promotional materials that appear to be issued by AAMI.

Furthermore, room poachers often don't deliver on promises to customers. When customers arrive, reservations are non-existent or the hotels are not conveniently located. Sometimes the rooms have been cancelled and hefty cancellation fees have been placed on the customer's credit card.