AAA ~ What do you think?

[DwarfMaster]

I just had my first experience as a Single Mother w/ a flat tire. I had no one to call & I wouldn't know how to change the tire if I had to. It was horrible!


So first thing this morning ~ I'm researching AAA.

What does everyone think ~ Is it worth it?
Do you have the regular or the Plus?
What Auto services do they provide...Just your basic tire change & jump-start?

TIA for your input.

 

[Serena]

I have AAA and I love it. I have the Plus which is a little extra, but I needed it last winter.
You get lots of discounts, and the 30% discount at Lenscrafters more than paid for my annual membership.
The maps and travel books and TA's come in handy too.

I swear with my old car, the guys at AAA around here knew me by name.

 

[monarchsfan16]

AAA is absolutely worth it. I think I have the plus membership. I really don't know the details, since it was a gift from my dad the year I got my license and he still renews it for me every year. But I know that the peace of mind that I have access to help if I need it is worth it to both my parents and me. My mom got a flat tire while we were out a couple years ago, and my stepdad was in meetings so he couldn't help us out. Luckily it was as we were turning into a parking lot so we just went into the restaraunt (BK or something like that) and waited for AAA (maybe 20 minutes). He changed the tire, and we were good to go. When I was in an accident, my dad had the car towed to the "wrong" place (not sure what wrong is if it's totaled anyway), and we were able to have it towed for free by AAA to the correct place.
The free travelers checks have been a great thing too, and we're always picking up books, maps, etc. Plus there are loads of discounts all over the place. Even after my dad cuts me off, I will be sure to find money somehow to have AAA. It's just so worth it.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I love AAA and have been very happy with their service. I use them about 2 times a year, mostly for being locked out of the car. What I like is that it follows the driver, not the car, so if I'm driving someone else's car I'm covered too.

 

[Sandy V.]

I also have AAA and love it. I also have the Plus service. It has come in very handy, especially when I hit a major pothole last year and flattened BOTH tires on the passenger side at the same time!!

I also like the books and maps that are part of the service as well.

Both my DH and I are included on the service, and I plan to add our 18 year old DD if she goes to a college next year where she will take one of our cars. It will be worth the extra expense to have her covered in case she has a problem away from home.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I have AAA and I love it. I have the Plus which is a little extra, but I needed it last winter.
You get lots of discounts, and the 30% discount at Lenscrafters more than paid for my annual membership.
The maps and travel books and TA's come in handy too.

I swear with my old car, the guys at AAA around here knew me by name.

It gives us piece of mind when we are driving. Same here-we have lalso used discounts available for travel and shopping.

 

[isyne4u]

I toatlly agree with everyone here. One of the discounts you get is the Travel Agent. I just booked my next WDW trip and saved over $250 with AAA as opposed to going through CRO.

I used AAA back in October when I had a flat tire. They made sure that I was in a safe place and then they sent someone out to put my donut on. I was at home so it wasn't an emergency, but I think if I had been in an unsafe location they would have been out there even faster.

Go for it! If someone asks me if I can change a flat, I always answer..."Of course I know how to change a flat. I whip out my AAA card and call!!"

tara

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes AAA is worth it.

 

[LMC]

They change flats, jump start, I think give you a little gas if you run out. We have used it several times in route to WDW. Well worth it, especially if you have no one to call for help!!

 

[DwarfMaster]

What's the wait time for help.

Someone posted about 20 minutes ~ is this a pretty average #? Do they have guys all over the place....should I check to see if they have a garage near me?

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

I am sure the wait times are different thorughout the country, some areas are probably a little higher than others. Are you in Florida?

 

[DwarfMaster]

I am sure the wait times are different thorughout the country, some areas are probably a little higher than others. Are you in Florida?

No ~ Pennyslvania

 

[isyne4u]

I want to say the last time I had to call them they told me that they were backed up and I told them that since I was at home they could take their time. But I think it was around 30 or 45 minutes. I don't know what it would have been if I had been out on a street or at work location.

 

[LadyyRedd]

AAA is SO worth it, just for the peace of mind alone, even if you never ever have to use it. I have used it a few times since I've had it.

I have the Plus membership. The basic, I believe, only allows you 3 miles for a tow, any further and you have to pay. The Plus came in handy 2 years ago when my car COMPLETELY died in the middle of nowhere on my way to work. They towed me all the way back to the regular place I go to, which was 25 miles back, at no charge.

I've waited anywhere from 10 minutes to 3.5 hours for them to come. I think it just matters where you are, what time of day it is, what day it is and the kind of weather.

Kimya

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have it and recently haven't had to use it. But when your car stops and you need help, it pays for itself really quickly. We have had some cars that wouldn't be that reliable and it was nice to be able to get back home. We also have the Plus membership and have used the extra miles for towing on several occasions.

 

[Skatermom23]

Well the peace of mind that I have someone to call IF I get a flat tire is worth the cost of basic membership. I will be honest though, I haven't used them for anything else other than peace of mind. I don't generally find their discounts to be the lowest out there, although I did just use a coupon code for AAA to rent a car in Hawaii. Later on, I found the same discount with a credit card offer. So....who knows.

 

[Sandy V.]

What's the wait time for help.

Someone posted about 20 minutes ~ is this a pretty average #? Do they have guys all over the place....should I check to see if they have a garage near me?

I'm sure it depends on where you live. In Colorado (Front Range area in between Denver and Colorado Springs) it's taken them anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to arrive. Usually closer to the 20 minutes.

AAA contracts with tow companies, etc. all over the U.S., but if you call them and ask, maybe they can give you some more specific information about your particular area and the companies they use there.

 

[tkd lisa]

I've had it pretty much my entire adult life. I've used it for towing, and being locked out, and I use the triptik/map services a LOT. I always ask about AAA discounts even when I'm booking my own travel, and that saves lots of money.

But as far as wait times, that's very location dependent. When we lived in Southern MD, there was only one authorized AAA towing agent for the county. Our truck was acting up something awful one Friday afternoon, and my then husband asked me to call AAA to tow it to the dealership. I was on hold was 25 minutes waiting for the 800 number to connect me, then when they finally hooked me up to the local towing agent, they said it would be at least an hour before they could get to me. I ended up following my ex to the dealership myself rather than wait.

We also locked our keys in the car in a rural area in Indiana (we were fishing in a state park), and they couldn't send anyone there. They did re-imburse us for the locksmith, but we had to pay it up front.

So, yes it's worth it, but don't count on them being able to help you immediately if you're in a rural area.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

the wait times will vary - if you need their assistance during a blizzard or on a sub zero day you will wait longer. I've never waited more than 1 hour.

 

[CheshireVal]

I've had them for about 4 years (a gift-that-keeps-on-giving present from my mom ) and the peace of mind that comes with that little plastic card is totally worth it.

I've had to use them once for a flat tire... they came out and changed it within 30 minutes. My brother has used them for flats and dead batteries about 5 times (he has rotten luck with cars!) and he's always been pleased as well.

They've also saved me tons of money on hotels.... even at Disney when there's no other code available.

Their trip ticks are good too (better than mapquest).