Do you have AAA and is it worth it?

[heartsy77]

Got an offer in the mail today wondering if it was worth it?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Depends what you mean by 'worth it'.

I live in Massachusetts. I locked my keys in a rental car in Las Vegas at about 2 AM (5 AM here). I called the toll-free number, got my local-to-home office, which in turn transmitted my service call to an AAA station in Las Vegas, and the driver showed up before I got back to my car.

Yes, as far as I'm concerned, AAA is 'worth it'.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Definately. Especially if you have teen drivers. Our DD needed road assistance while away at school. As a mom you feel very hopeless when your kid calls and you can't run to help. They were fast, courteous, and made sure she arrived home safely. We've even had them come and replace car batteries right in our own driveway. They're competively priced and hassle free. The travel books are great, and you can get discounted movie tix and your passport done in their offices. Wouldn't be without AAA.

 

[C-CMom]

I have not (yet?) needed roadside assistance, but I sometimes travel alone on business and it is nice to know the service is available. I have, however, consistently "made" enough in savings for AAA discounts to pay for my membership each year. I would suggest that you go to the discounts page of your AAA website to see what is available to see where you may benefit. If the effective cost is less by such savings, it may alter your calculations.

 

[Cruise]

We've had it for years as neither DH or myself is very automotive repair inclined. It's come in very handy on a number of occasions. I've had them come out for a flat tire for myself and I got a tow after I was in an accident. One of the great things about AAA is that if follows you, not your car. That came in handy when I was with a friend who got a flat tire. Because I was there, AAA came out and changed the tire for us even though it wasn't my car.

I've also gotten free maps before - international ones for when I travel and some local ones when my family has come to visit. There are, of course, a lot discounts available as well. I've used AAA rates at hotels a couple of times and saved 10% over the lowest rate I would have found otherwise.

There's also a very neat tool on their website where you can plan a road trip and it will show you all the points of interest along the way. Obscure things like the Boy Scouting Museum of America and such. It's kind of neat.

I figure it's a relatively small cost for covering some of the "what-ifs" in life.

 

[RangerPooh]

I had it for 13 years, haven't reup'd yet (need to!!!!) and it's wonderful! We have the upgraded "plus" membership so we get 100 miles of free towing, and get 5 free tows/assistance calls a year I believe. As others have said the discounts are well worht it. We've received discounted admission tickets to DL/WDW, aqauriums, zoos, museums, etc, plus discounted lodging rates, free tour books, free maps, and occassionaly other freebees as they come along.

Here's my sales pitch:
We were in the process of moving from California to Washington state and on our way back downt o Ca our truck broke down ~20 miles north of the Oregon boarder. I called AAA who patched me through to AAA Orgeon (as I had Ca) and they were able to locate us and tow us into Oregon. I had the Oregon AAA Tourbook on me and wa sable to make reservations for a hotel using the AAA discount. An added bonus for a bummer of a day.

Over the years We've used them for towing and fixing flats. Well worht the money spent!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We joined AAA when we were first planning to drive down from MD to FL for our trip several years ago. I just felt so much better knowing we could call someone, if needed. We have called them a few times, ranging from a dead battery to flat tires. It makes life so easy. I had to call them a few weeks ago when I was out driving late at night and got stuck in the snow. Dh was home with sleeping kids, and it would have been awful to wake them to come get me.

We always get the AAA discount when we stay in hotels or get theme park tickets, etc., so we usually break even every year.

It is very worth it for our peace of mind!

 

[swilshire]

I've had them for years because we drive cars until they die. Lots of tow bills covered. The young adults in the family also tend to lock their keys in the car from time to time.

Sheila

 

[stefplus3]

We've had it for years. We're "gold" members now

Tows (after 3 years it's unlimted mileage!) , discount movie/theme park tickets, free maps/trip ticks, rental discounts, shopping discounts, etc. Well worth it imo!!!

 

[Goofygirl17]

We joined AAA this summer before our trip/drive to VA beach from CT. We decided to get it because my DH wasn't going with us and if I got a flat there was no way I could change the tire on our truck. I signed up on a Friday. On that Sunday the brake caliper froze on the truck and we had it towed. It paid for itself right then!

When I called AAA they asked if I needed a tow from my driveway - like I signed up because I needed a tow! Um, no I'm in a commuter lot off the highway!

 

[ptmmg]

I think so. Have used it for flat tires , dead batteries, locked keys in car and a towing for a car thats radiator went! all no charge even the towing.. that all in 1 year grant it its 3 cars with 4 users 2 teenagers. The thing you have to remember is that the membership is associated with the person not the car! so if you are in a vehicle that breaks down if you have AAA as long as you have your card on you its covered!

 

[mum4jenn]

We have saved lots of money of rooms and other packages before. Also I needed a tow a couple of years ago and it was free. We went with them for car insurance this summer and saved over $100 a month!!!

We will ALWAYS get it from now on!!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I wouldn't be without it. One year I was driving my kids to Florida. The tire came off a truck in front of us and rolled under our car - this was just outside of Detroit. I heard a horrible noise as it hit the undercarriage of my car and we drove off at the next exit. There was definitely some damage. I thought our trip was ruined. I called the AAA number (we're actually from Canada, but if you have CAA you can use AAA) and a young man with a tow-truck showed up within minutes. He crawled under the car and said "I think I can fix this." He drove off to a store to get what he needed, got back under the car and after a short time it was ready to drive. No charge! (Well, I did tip him generously.)

I've had many other occasions to call (I know NOTHING about cars so often need a little help) and the people they send have always been helpful, courteous and knowledgeable.

As well, I am quite sure I save more than my annual premium just on hotel savings alone.

Teresa

 

[christa112]

We just purchased it over the summer. I am hoping I will never need it but we figured we better get it just in case.

 

[junglejoy]

It's worth it if you need it - LOL! And trust me, as soon as you don't have it, you'll need it.

We've used AAA to plan trips, get maps, tour books, etc. I love AAA. And often when we're on a trip we find the local AAA to get discount tickets, etc for local events and activities.

I've used for tows, charge my dead battery, change a flat, unlock the car when I've left my keys in the car (and one time my baby was in there too!).

I love AAA. It may not always be worth the $$$, but it is always worth the peace of mind.

 

[allison443]

It is totally worth it in my opinion-we've had AAA for years and used it a handful of times. Unless you are prepared to change your own tires, always have someone nearby who can jump start your engine, etc. it is worth it.

If you don't think the peace of mind alone is "worth it", you can get enough in discounts (movie tickets, payless shoes, amusement parks, etc.) to cover the cost.

 

[VAN]

It has gotten a little more expensive over the years, but YES we have found it worth it.

We've used the road service and the towing. Constantly using the free-fee travelers checks, discounts on hotel rooms and entrance fees, etc. Many businesses and restaurants will also provide a discount with a "show your card" (both local and across the country). We also get free maps and tour books which have been invaluable!

Recently I saved on Amtrak tickets.

For us, YES, YES, YES it is worth it.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

Yes and yes! We decided to drop AAA a couple years ago and switch to a less costly service called Road America. What a mistake!!! We asked for trip routing in North Carolina when we were visiting in the Maggie Valley/Asheville/E. TN area and it never arrived. I knew I had ordered it with plenty of time to spare before we flew to Asheville, but when I called their customer service they acted like it was our fault that their mailing never reached us. That trip routing was the one and only service we wanted or needed from them during that entire year's membership, so we asked that our membership fees be refunded which they reluctantly agreed to after several weeks of phone calls. We have never had any bad experiences with AAA and have used their road service, trip planning services, discounts at various places, and back in the "good ol' days", free traveler's checks. I'd say go for it!

 

[mafibisha]

YES for all the above reasons!!

 

[pk1959]

We have had it for the last couple of years, but have never used it. It never seems to help us get cheaper car rental prices, and it never seems to be cheaper getting hotel rooms than what I can get for an 'internet' price. We also don't have a 'local' office, so can't get travelers checks without ordering them and waiting a week. So far all I have figured is it's the 'piece of mind' thing with the roadside assistance.