How much do you pay for AAA,worth it?

[emersonsmom]

I called to inquire about AAA discounts on the Disney resorts. With the AAA it took me down to 94.52 as compared to the 111.00 without. Yet, when I looked at the AAA membership it was 75.00. We are only staying 3 nights so I have to decide if its worth it or not. Does that 75.00 rate sound right? I thought it would be less for some reason.

 

[Lewisc]

The MAIN reason IMHO for AAA is emergency road service. Also a good source of maps and travel guides. I'm not sure it's worth it just for discounts.

 

[Straitlover]

Whic AA membership were you looking at? Prices may vary in states, but in NC, I believe the basic AAA is something like $45? I have the AAA Plus and pay $69/yr.

If you are only getting it for a discount, get the basic membership. I pay the extra for plus so I can get the 100 mi free towing. I'm single, and if I were to break down away from home, I would not have anyone to come get me, so I need to get as close back home as I can!

 

[swilshire]

We pay approximately $110 a year for my husband and myself for AAA Plus. That includes a small discount through our credit union.

Like Lisa, we went with the Plus for the 100 mile towing. I drive old cars and usually stay within 100 miles of my favorite mechanic. I've been towed 45 miles before, which would have been expensive without AAA. I wind up using some road service at least once a year. Why get dirty changing your own flat tire when they are getting paid to do it? Once they changed flats twice in one week for me. The road construction is hazardous here.

I also use the free travellers checks and get maps and guidebooks from them often.

I grit my teeth every year when I pay the bill, but I'm sure we pretty well get our money's worth.

Sheila

 

[jlw29]

I agree that it may not be worth getting AAA just for the disney discounts, but (even if you don't have a car) there are other discounts. For example, today I went up to find out disney tix prices and while I was there, I bought dicounted tickets for the movie we are going to tonight ($6.50 instead of $8.75 times 4 tickets). Also, most hotels have a AAA discount that can be substantial. THey also have a prescription discount that I will be looking into since our health insurance no longer covers that. Plus all kinds of random store discount that I didn't know about before I got a brochure today (ie, Payless, Barnes and Noble, etc)

As far as car services -- so far on this year's membership I have called them twice for a dead battery, 5 times for locking my keys in my car (DH only knows about 1 of those! I'm notorious for that.), once to be towed after my car was hit. Once for Trip-tiks (customized maps). So, I more than got my AAA plus membership fee's worth.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by jlw29
I agree that it may not be worth getting AAA just for the disney discounts, but (even if you don't have a car) there are other discounts. For example, today I went up to find out disney tix prices and /B]

Agreed but if you don't have a car Entertainment Book gives you a better discount package.

BTW if you're shopping for perscription drugs try COSTCO. Although not promoted, in most states you don't have to be a member to buy in the pharmacy or optical department.

 

[CEDmom]

We pay $85 for both DH and I. The previous poster is correct that you can use the Costco Pharmacy w/o a membership. AAA does have many discounts besides Disney. We saved about $30 at the San Diego Zoo in December and I just saved $145 at LensCrafters. Before you join it might be worthwhile to check out their website.

 

[disneysteve]

I agree with everyone else. AAA is well worth it for maps, tour books, triptiks (personalized driving directions for road trips). They also offer hotel discounts - I've used those many times, just this past weekend in Maryland in fact. Saved $6/nite for one room and $8/nite for the other. Total saved for the 3-day weekend was $42. They also offer discounts at many attractions around the country - zoos, museums, etc.

Of course, the main reason to get AAA is for the emergency road service but there are plenty of other worthwhile perks too.

Steve

 

[summerrluvv]

I pay about $45 a year for my AAA membership. It's piece of mind in case I lock myself out of my car, or breakdown, flat tire, etc.

They also give a discount of 20 (or 25%) at Petite Sophisticate and Casual Corner, and you get 10% at Payless Shoes (those are just a few of the many discounts you can get with the card).

 

[NCRedding]

We pay $98 a year for Dh and I for AAA Plus. When I had my lemon Ford, I really got the use out of it with the towing, etc. We now have more reliable cars, but Our town doesn't have a reliable mechanic for our type of cars, so we have to go 30 miles for service. Nice to know that if something breaks, we can be towed and it won't cost an arm and leg. I feel I always break even with AAA hotel discounts, plus their tour books. The last time we went to Universal, we saved a TON, because almost all Universal restaurants and shops offer a 10-20% discount with AAA.

 

[Candace]

They have other discounts which are good. I got it for the roadside assistance for my family of four, but I also use it for hotel discounts, 20% pharmacy discount for my older son who does not have a prescription plan, and I recently got $146 OFF my new glasses from Lenscrafters. It easily pays for itself every year.

 

[Smithklb8]

When I called my local AAA office today the lady said that my membership fee (which is $37/Yr here- or $47 for family) would cover roadside assistance only 4 times a year. Is that correct? Also, she said that we can't join the AAA Plus until we have been members for a year. Was this the case for everyone else? Thanks!

 

[swilshire]

I don't recall whether we had to wait to join Plus, but there is a clause in our agreement that allows AAA to bill us for "excessive use" of the road service. They don't define excessive use. I have used it at least three times within a year, possibly four. I doubt I've gone over that.

Sheila

 

[crazelion]

I loved AAA road service. I got AAA becuase my car is 11 years old and could die at any minute. AAA tow service saves me a ton of money. I use there serivce for hotel discounts, food place discounts, and save money at lencrafters for my new glasses.

I also have road side service of my cell phone just case AAA can't come and get me.

 

[mudnuri]

I just got it, on Wednesday which I'm glad I did. I decided to call CRS and see what the AAA rate was for ASMovies for our upcoming trip. I got the room for 94.00 including tax per night...which I dont think is that bad for April!

My trip tix came in- love it! Much smaller than a big rand mcnally road atlas!

I also picked up some travel books while there, all free. To assist me in booking hotels on the way down and back etc...

My membership was 53.00 and I mainly got it for the roadside assistance on our trip. We will have to pay towing if we choose to go to a Chevy dealer- which we plan on doing...but its still cheaper than a regular tow....

I booked my hotels on the way down, and back- and saved 8.00 each- total of 36.00 Also booked 6 nights at Hampton Inn LBV and saved 6.00 each night- total of 36.00 Just the hotels saved me more than I paid, and I havent even looked at what else I can save on!!

I say get it

Brandy

 

[Cmbar]

"I just got it, on Wednesday which I'm glad I did. I decided to call CRS and see what the AAA rate was for ASMovies for our upcoming trip. I got the room for 94.00 including tax per night...which I dont think is that bad for April!"




Brandy, did you try the CTN code for the All stars. I got it just last week for 79$ (pop century) in late march. Not sure what your dates are though because I think the rate expires mid April.

As far as AAA. I love it just for the peace of mind. Also if you are planning a trip to Universal you will save a great deal on food and merchandise.

I say go for it!

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by Candace
They have other discounts which are good. I got it for the roadside assistance for my family of four, but I also use it for hotel discounts, 20% pharmacy discount for my older son who does not have a prescription plan, and I recently got $146 OFF my new glasses from Lenscrafters. It easily pays for itself every year.

Which Pharmacy gives the 20% off? Is it Walmart? I'm getting new health insurance w/o RX plan and this would be helpful if I need RX's filled with my AAA card.

 

[Candace]

Yes, I think Walmart does, although that's not the one I am using. There is a link on the AAA website which will allow you to enter your zipcode, I think, and find the pharmacies in your area. When I took the info to my pharmacist, he had to call the number on the back of the "pharmacy" card which I got in my AAA statement. He set it up with them from that number. He told me that the customer service dept. he dealt with was the nicest ever.

 

[hyzdufan]

I paid $47 for my membership and it gave me $100 off my hotel in disney, roughly 10-15%. I think it paid for itself.

Anyone had any experience with tickets? I'm still looking for a good deal.

 

[NotTooGoofy]

Another good reason to have AAA - I was on a business trip in Gulfport MS and I locked my keys in the rental car late at night. It was difficult to find anyone willing to jimmy the locks open. But I called AAA and within 45 minutes the car was unlocked. Saved me a lot of hassle.