  This work presents X-Shooter/VLT spectra of the prototypical, isolated Herbig
Ae stars HD 31648 (MWC 480) and HD 163296 over five epochs separated by
timescales ranging from days to months. Each spectrum spans over a wide
wavelength range covering from 310 to 2475 nm. We have monitored the continuum
excess in the Balmer region of the spectra and the luminosity of twelve
ultraviolet, optical and near infrared spectral lines that are commonly used as
accretion tracers for T Tauri stars. The observed strengths of the Balmer
excesses have been reproduced from a magnetospheric accretion shock model,
providing a mean mass accretion rate of 1.11 x 10^-7 and 4.50 x 10^-7 Msun
yr^-1 for HD 31648 and HD 163296, respectively. Accretion rate variations are
observed, being more pronounced for HD 31648 (up to 0.5 dex). However, from the
comparison with previous results it is found that the accretion rate of HD
163296 has increased by more than 1 dex, on a timescale of ~ 15 years. Averaged
accretion luminosities derived from the Balmer excess are consistent with the
ones inferred from the empirical calibrations with the emission line
luminosities, indicating that those can be extrapolated to HAe stars. In spite
of that, the accretion rate variations do not generally coincide with those
estimated from the line luminosities, suggesting that the empirical
calibrations are not useful to accurately quantify accretion rate variability.
