Are you seriously comparing CAHA AAA where you have 2 or 3 teams in your Division, play every team 2x for a total of 6 or 8 games, to AA where you are playing 18 games (with another 8 or so SCAHA games)?
There are always a few AA teams that travel more like AAA teams, but that is certainly the exception. As for fees and dues, Landshark and others have covered that. Color me skeptical on AAA being cheaper, although to be fair, it's awfully expensive regardless whether it be tier 1 or 2.