AAA Problem

[SandrA9810]

Way back driving the van, that had more things wrong with it than you could count. (and yes it's still driving). We usually needed to reserve the precious 3 calls for when it really mattered. Although now that the cars spend a lot of time driving on and off Disney property, they provide free towing. And because the cars are always fixed at Car Care, they've given us free tows from the apartment. So AAA isn't needed as much.

Although I've had to use 2 calls in one weekend for locking the keys in the car, while at Disney staying at Fort Wilderness. Popping locks is the one thing that only a locksmith is allowed to do in Florida, so Disney security and Car Care guys can't do that. Gary's is great (they answer all the disney calls), but they're like 40-50$ a pop, must be paid in cash.

Besides getting some dirt on my hands, I don't get dirty changing a tire. I also always keep a bottle of water for various reasons in the car, so times like that I can rinse my hands off.

 

[Tina]

I've had AAA for about 2 years now, but used it for the first time about a month ago. I was leaving for work and discovered my battery had died (after calling my brother-in-law the mechanic to describe the clicking noise to him, LOL). I called the number on the back of my card, they told me they would get someone out ASAP. Within 2 minutes of hanging up, they called back to confirm someone was coming. 2 minutes after that, the tow truck driver called to say he'd be there soon. He was actually in my driveway within 15 minutes of my initial call. That's what I call service! And I wasn't even stranded. My car was still in my garage. He jumped my battery and I was able to drive over to my BIL's dealership for a replacement.

 

[Mommee]

never had an issue with AAA. But may I ask why you would need them for a flat tire?? I've been changing tires since I was about 10 with my sister. My mom bought used tires that had a tendancy to blow out. My family also had a history of driving cars into the ground, so i learned how to do things on my own without being stranded. Always keep tranny, starter, and brake fluid, oil and coolant, and good tool set in the car at all times.

That said, i got a flat while on I-4, and they provide free roadside help by state farm. The guy showed up just in time to screw the lug nuts back on. My time isn't worth it to wait for them.


I hope you have better luck with them next time. It's never been an issue for me.

Well, I tried calling you, but you didn't answer

 

[WDW*Dreamer]

I have never had that problem. Did she maybe call the wrong number. I know there are seperate numbers for member services and roadside assistance.

I'm the OP for this thread. I asked my DW to look at the call log on her phone and confirm the number she called. It turns out she was calling the number for member services, not roadside assistance. . Our apologies to AAA.

 

[mumom95]

I'm the OP for this thread. I asked my DW to look at the call log on her phone and confirm the number she called. It turns out she was calling the number for member services, not roadside assistance. . Our apologies to AAA.

We all make mistakes, no biggie.

I've had AAA for a few years now and have needed it a couple of times. It's nice to have the peace of mind it brings.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We had AAA for years and for years it was a great benefit, affordable and worth the security. Then I noticed that the fees continued to escalate. With closer scrutiny of our automobile insurance policy, USAA, I found I had the same coverage available for a fraction of the AAA cost, so I dropped it.

Are you sure that the USAA coverage is the same as AAA? I know that I have towing coverage but that's only if I'm involved in an accident and the car is undriveable. It doesn't cover things such as breakdowns or flat tires.

I have Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance and pay $9/year for 2 vehicles and have better coverage than AAA, actually they will come for any vehicle I am in, even if I don't own it, as long as I am with that vehicle.

The only thing I used my AAA for was some Disney stuff and I used it for a 10% discount on Target.com once, so I dropped it, it wasn't worth it.


Suzanne

 

[Cooky]

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[Handbag Lady]

I've had pretty good service over the years I've had them.

But, I'll NEVER forget the one time my car broke down in the Disneyland parking structure and they refused to send a truck until the next day. I was stranded there overnight and I wrote them a very terse letter and got NO response.

 

[Bethenny]

I'm the OP for this thread. I asked my DW to look at the call log on her phone and confirm the number she called. It turns out she was calling the number for member services, not roadside assistance. . Our apologies to AAA.

Well that's good to hear. Not that your wife didn't get the help she needed but that AAA didn't drop the ball. I'm surprised though that they didn't have a recorded message to the effect of "If you are stranded roadside please call this number or press 2".

I've had AAA ever since I could drive so about 20 years. I've used them probably 5-6 times for various things, changing a tire included and I've never had to wait much more than an hour. Although it usually is right around the 1 hour mark when they get there. Except for one time that my car wouldn't start at my house. Then, of course, they were there in 20 minutes. :lol

 

[pixiewings71]

never had an issue with AAA. But may I ask why you would need them for a flat tire?? I've been changing tires since I was about 10 with my sister. My mom bought used tires that had a tendancy to blow out. My family also had a history of driving cars into the ground, so i learned how to do things on my own without being stranded. Always keep tranny, starter, and brake fluid, oil and coolant, and good tool set in the car at all times.

That said, i got a flat while on I-4, and they provide free roadside help by state farm. The guy showed up just in time to screw the lug nuts back on. My time isn't worth it to wait for them.


I hope you have better luck with them next time. It's never been an issue for me.

Well because I drive a minivan and when I get a flat tire it's very hard to change it, you basically need an air wrench to get the spare down, you have to climb under the van to get the spare out, not something I want to do. Yes I too can and will change the flat if I have to but I have AAA so I don't have to. I can do everything you said you can do, but I'd rather not.

I'm the OP for this thread. I asked my DW to look at the call log on her phone and confirm the number she called. It turns out she was calling the number for member services, not roadside assistance. . Our apologies to AAA.

I'm glad it was a mis-dial. Hopefully next time she'll get the right department, altho they should have redirected her call.

As for the person who said AAA is scamming when they back date your coverage, not true. Our AAA membership is set up with auto-billing, the cc we use was stolen so we have a new card, they weren't able to charge it so they sent me a letter and when I called they said my coverage was still good, if it wasn't we'd have had to start all over and we'd have had to pay extra for a "new" membership, they do it that way to cover you not to scam you.

 

[suzannecstarr]

Thankfully for the past few years I've used VW roadside rather than AAA (thankfully bc its free!) but I have gotten a busy signal when calling 911 before. Now that is scary. Of course our local police are not known for their efficiency.

 

[java]

I have never had a problem with roadside assistance with AAA_ I am thinking maybe you were calling the main number vs. the emergency roadside number?

 

[DVC-Don]

I use them all the time for hotel discounts but the only time I called for roadside assistance they said it would be 3 hours or so before they could come. Now this was in the summer on a workday for a flat tire several years ago. I changed it myself. I read later that a lot of the tow companies around here had stopped responding to AAA calls due to low and late payments. Not sure if that has been improved. Since that I've used OnStar and Hyundai roadside assistance and got prompt response.

 

[Magic Mom]

never had an issue with AAA. But may I ask why you would need them for a flat tire?? . It's never been an issue for me.

Sometimes when people have a job, they need to look nice for that job. If they had to change a tire on the way to work or an appointment, their clothes might get dirty. Just because they won't change a tire, doesn't mean they can't.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance and pay $9/year for 2 vehicles and have better coverage than AAA, actually they will come for any vehicle I am in, even if I don't own it, as long as I am with that vehicle.

Well, granted AAA charges more than $9, but they provide much more than just road service. They do, by the way, provide that service for any vehicle the member is driving or in which the member is riding (see my "locked out on the west coast" experience on page one - that was a rental).

 

[Spoodleink]

Well, granted AAA charges more than $9, but they provide much more than just road service. They do, by the way, provide that service for any vehicle the member is driving or in which the member is riding (see my "locked out on the west coast" experience on page one - that was a rental).

Exactly AAA follows the cardholder not the car. They jumped a friends car when her battery died and I had AAA and she didn't . She was my ride and we needed assistance. In fact I don't think I've ever been asked if the car is mine just for my member ID.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have never had that happen and I've called AAA many times, we've had them for years...oh probably 20+ now and I've never ever had any issues with them.

Same here...I've been a member since I started driving....um....MANY years ago. I've called them MANY times, as has my DH. My dad also has used AAA very often. He was towed from NY state to PA once....

 

[C.Ann]

Two things come to mind.. What was the weather like? Often when there is any kind of weather situation going on (or has just ended) they can be backed up on service calls for quite some time..


Second question - was she in a well populated area that has many service stations who are signed on with AAA?

I've used them off and on over the past 25 years or so and only had a problem once - and ironically, it was for a flat tire.. However, I was in an area that only had spotty coverage (not that many service stations were signed on with AAA) and I waited for well over an hour before they could locate someone to come and change the tire..

 

[AKL_Megs]

I've had nothing but issues with AAA lately. I wonder what the heck is going on over there. Two weeks ago I got a bill from them for $15, and nobody could tell me what it was for.

 

[Lintasare]

Are you sure that the USAA coverage is the same as AAA? I know that I have towing coverage but that's only if I'm involved in an accident and the car is undriveable. It doesn't cover things such as breakdowns or flat tires.

I have USAA Roadside Assistance and they will come for pretty much anything. Couple of times I have needed a jump, couple of times for a flat tire, including a blow out in the rain. And they have towed me when my car has died. First time for a bad starter and the second for radiator problems that killed my engine. Each time I have gotten help within a half hour and the local people they contract with have always been helpful and courteous.