The simple answer is �No."  Very few things in life are always one way or the other; there are usually ambiguities and shades of gray.  This is certainly true with AAA�s rating policies, procedures, and practices.

Several factors can have an impact on the inspector�s rating decision.    Among these are the inspector�s level of knowledge and experience.  The 25,000 lodgings rated annually range from very small inns to world class  resorts with thousands of rooms and extensive recreation facilities.  AAA inspectors do not acquire the requisite level of knowledge and expertise to deal with this diversity overnight.  They must work at it over a period of time.  

Like all of us, inspectors  have personal preferences.  While the inspectors I have known over the years make a sincere effort to keep  personal bias out of the rating decision,  it could occasionally be a factor.  My experience , however, shows that most inspectors strive to remain objective in their interpretation and application of the AAA Rating Guidelines.

The rating decision at a 1,000-room resort complex with 6 food outlets and 3 golf courses is often based on a half day visit.  Is this a perfect system?  Is this fair to the property?  Perfect?  Certainly not; no system devised and executed by humans will ever achieve perfection.  Fair?  That is debatable, and might be a topic for a future article.

More pertinent questions about AAA ratings might be: 

1. Are the ratings generally accurate and correct?  In my opinion, Yes, when considered in the context of the numbers and types of properties, and  rapidly changing industry standards and guest expectations.

1. Do the ratings have credibility with the traveling public? The more than 40 million AAA members and millions of non-members  think so.

• Former head of AAA Lodging/Dining Ratings Program. 
• An independent consultant serving the hospitality industry. 
• A Special Training Consultant to the Educational Institute, American Hotel/Motel Association