Is AAA worth it?

[mjmartin01]

We received a AAA application in the mail. I've always wondered about joining but trying to decide if the $69.50 is worth it for myself and my dh.


what do you use AAA for besides the roadside assitance? TIA

 

[timmac]

We received a AAA application in the mail. I've always wondered about joining but trying to decide if the $69.50 is worth it for myself and my dh.

In my opinion, yes, it's worth it.

what do you use AAA for besides the roadside assitance? TIA

I only use it for the roadside assistance... even a single instance of needing someone to come out and provide a jump is enough to make it worth it.

YMMV

 

[la79al]

I've used it for towing a few times. Last summer, on our way home from the beach the van wouldn't start. AAA came and tested the battery, jumped it and told us to call back if we needed to stop and it wouldn't start again (including once we got home). In January, I used AAA to get my neighbors baby out of their locked and running car. This is all on top of any travel discounts we get, etc. I get mine for Christmas from my mom every year but would pay for it on my own if I didn't.

 

[mjmartin01]

thanks for your thoughts

 

[DVC-Don]

I have the basic AAA. I only used it for room discounts when on the road. As far as roadside assistance both of our cars have the manufacturers roadside assistance at no charge.

 

[cah5525]

I haven't had to use my roadside assist yet but I do a lot of out-of-state road trips and vacations and just can't take the chance of not having it. Last year, we went to Universal and IOA...you get a 10% AAA discount on everything - shopping and food (except outside kiosks-like the butterbeer wagon)
For me it's extra security...I travel alone with my kids and I just know the year that I don't renew...is the time when I will need it!

 

[vickalamode]

I LOVE AAA!

I've used it numerous times, from blowing a tire on the highway, locking my keys in the car, tows for various reasons, one of the times I had to have my car towed from 2.5 hours from home because the radiator blew and with AAA gold I get 100 mile tow with a couple dollars a mile after that...the tow only ended up costing like $25, I can't imagine what it would have cost without AAA, that would have been one scary bill (Especially on top of the expensive repair!)

 

[thebeesknees]

Absolutely - we have had them come jump our battery a couple times, replaced 2 batteries for us at other times when they tested bad at a very reasonable cost, had a tow after an accident, used the discounts all over the country for rooms, food & entertainment, frequently use their guidebooks and maps when planning car trips, etc. We do a lot of driving through "no-man's land" when we visit my IL's, and it is comforting to know they will tow us up to 100 miles if we break down out there (we have the plus membership).

 

[MommyJack]

In RI we can renew our drivers license and registration at AAA. Not having to go to the DMV alone make the membership worth it.

I have also used the travel agency. A few months ago my battery died, AAA was there within minutes to get me going.

 

[cjnix29]

I have had it since I got my license many, many years ago. The only "assistance" I have used it for is for locking my keys in my car...unfortunately, I am very good at that! But I also love it for the discounts. Outlet malls, travel, eyeglasses, attraction tickets...so many things to numerous to count. Totally worth it in my opinion.

 

[alyssa810]

I'm right there with the PP! Discounts on everything from restaurants to hotels and car rentals to passes to attraction and movies, and free shipping codes, it's all worth it. back before "everything" was on the internet, I used to love going to AAA to get triptiks for any road trips. While I don't know if they even do them anymore, we still pop in to our AAA branches to keep our tour guides updated and for road maps, even with our GPS.

Whenever we make any hotel reservations we check the AAA rate. Whenever we go to a new attraction, like a museum, amusement park, zoo etc., we always ask if there's a AAA discount.

And like others have said, all it takes is needed to get towed once and it's worth it...

 

[briles5]

We have a membership and in the last two months we had our car towed twice, trip tix, and we got their car insurance through commerce and saved 800.00 a year I feel it is totally worth it!

 

[mjmartin01]

thank you all for the responses. I am going to get it and then ask my mom to renew it for Christmas

 

[Lisa71]

I love AAA. We upgraded to their next level plan for more options and one year used all our tows. That year alone made all the others worth it. They have picked a lock for me on my Mom's club, towed my car from Baker to Las Vegas, towed a car from the dessert to my house, helped plan travel, helped me get my DMV registration pronto...great money well spent.

 

[ChisJo]

I love and hate our membership. We don't ever go to the restaurants in our area that offer the AAA discounts. We find that even with their discounts for travel, I can always find a better discount somewhere else. Their insurance is way more than others (sometimes $50 more/month). They charge us a fee for using their registries office (this may be state/provincial specific). They used to do free passport photos, but now thats only in the premium membership.

BUT

We have an older car that my husband uses for work. We've called AAA for towing and for gas (they will deliver us gas for when we run out). They've been called for getting our keys out of our locked car. For us, the sense of security that we feel with AAA while we have that car is worth the money alone to keep our membership. My car has roadside assistance for 5 years since its a newer car, so I don't need it for mine, so, we discontinued my portion of the AAA bill and only kept it in his name.

We also use it while travelling. We have found that the best place to use our AAA card is in Orlando. It has yielded us the best value there. From dining, to Universal discounts, to outlet mall shopping, well worth the value. And since we travel every 1-2 years to Orlando, its worth it for us.

And we can buy discounted movie tickets there. If we don't make it to a Costco to pick up discounted passes, we'll pick them up at AAA. And, some of the museums/entertainment places that we go to once or twice a year in our area offers discounts with AAA, so we'll use it then.

Every year our membership fees are due I waiver on wether or not I want to renew, but we always end up renewing because of the older car. Plain and simple, its nice to have that sense of security for us.

 

[msgoofy]

Most people associate AAA with roadside assistance.

AAA is so much more! Our branch offers movies and attraction tickets at a discount which include tickets to Disney. We also have maps and tourbooks which are provided free to members. We can assist you with making hotel/motel reservations and car rentals. We also do routings for you which take you from point A to point B and includes construction areas. Our travel store offers different types of travel items and luggage at a discount to our members. Members get discounts at AAA recommended hotels/motels and restaurants.

The AAA Disney packages are great. You get added benefits such as a Diamond Card that offers additional discounts at certain restaurants and the Disney store at DTD. You also get preferred fireworks seating at WDW and the Disney's Story Telling experience.

Roadside assistance can help with a tow, change a tire, bring you gas if you run out, help if you lock your keys in your car, jump start the battery just to name a few.

Although AAA covers the entire 50 states, each state has their own club and their own benefits. It's best to check with the club in your territory.

Hope this info helps!

 

[findmewdw]

For my family, yes, it is worth it! I use it for all hotel stays and always receive a little better deal. We've used it for locksmiths at least three times in the last few years. Hubby is good at locking keys inside. Just a few weeks ago, I was an hour away from home and my battery went dead. Fifteen minutes later, they came to my rescue! My DD17, has junior membership at no charge, too, which helps ease some worries. For my peace of mind only, it is worth it!

 

[Fire14]

My Dh used his for a tow when he was 1.5 hrs from home, Love the tour books/maps. It saved us 800 on auto ins. I personally can't say I have saved money on attraction tickets but i'm in rarity in that we don't have kids, rarely go to movies, Vacation pkgs fo disneyworld do me no good since I have AP and could pretty much care less about perks but am giving vip fireworks viewing a try. Did save us money on DL pkg. Did use for hotel discount once few yrs back while visting family.

For me the peace of mind is there in knowin they will come change my flat tire or get me my keys if I lock them in my car.

 

[Swan4Me]

I use it mostly for Hotel discounts (like the Swan!!!!), as we drive new cars

 

[MolonLabe]

I'd be tempted to get it but I have insurance thru USAA and it's an extra $1 a month for their towing and roadside and upgraded car rental.

The only problem I have with AAA (and similar) is that you are placed in the back of the queue ahead of "paying customers". Meaning if two calls come in at teh same time, AAA is always second... or third or fourth.

I had a neighbor who ran a tow truck company (about a 20 truck fleet) he said he only had the AAA contract because so many people feel more "comfortable" looking thru a phone book and seeing the AAA logo. Yeah, I'm dating this with the phone book reference, probably 8 years ago.

He said they had 120 minutes to respond per the AAA contract and if there were other calls he'd push that 120 minutes to the full 120 minutes. He also said he always said "20-30 minutes" even if he knew it'd be a full two hours. Again, for the contract's sake.

The nice thing I like about my roadside is I can call USAA and never pay a penny OR I can call direct, get the bill and get reimbursed. I haven't used it in 6+ years but should I ever need it again, I'll just call direct so I don't get bumped to the back of the line and worry about getting reimbursed later.

I may consider AAA for the discounts, occasionally they can have the better discounts.