I am not sure about the AAA discount at the gate, but I would advise you to have the AP in hand just incase you needed it. I know some people have said that they didn't. I cannot state for Loews Resorts but I can tell you at Disney, sometimes they asked me for it & sometimes they didn't. I am a Fl Resident & book with the FL Res rate or the Entertainment rate... I was asked for my FL ID at the RPH. I stayed at the HRH on an Enter rate & wasn't asked for the card...stayed on the FL res rate & was asked for my ID.....now that could be just for an ID purpose, I am not sure. Like I said, I don't think I would take the chance of not having it. If you have to buy it anyway, you may as well get it now....