Is AAA worth it?

[molly2004]

Hi everyone. I have an odd question. I've been cruising these boards for a few months, longing for that trip that is finally going to happen. I keep seeing AAA discounts on the resort board and elsewhere and keep saying "Geez, wish we had AAA!" I hate paying full price for anything. So knowing that I can get the same thing for a cheaper price, especially a pricey hotel room at Disney, really makes me irritable! Who wants to be irritiable on vacation?

Since we're going for such a short period of time, (a weekend) it doesn't seem beneficial to get AAA just for the room only discount. We drive very new cars (none more than 2 years old) and our cars come with roadside assistance from the dealers. In short, I'm not concerned about the "service" AAA provides. I just wonder if it is worthwhile to get for other things as well. If so, what would they be? If not, the money (and discount) is better spent elsewhere.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We like getting the tour books and maps So for us it is worth it. We actually don't really ever use them for a discount---just the auto club as it is. If we happen upon a discount, great! But we don't count on it.

 

[Southern4sure]

I have had AAA for about 4 years now and I love it. Not only do you get discounts on rooms (not only at WDW) but I get discounts at the Reeboks stores (40%) and more. Go to www.aaa.com and click on the top tab that says savings. It is not that expensive and it pays for itself quickly.

 

[lisajl]

We just recently rejoined. I really missed getting the guide books.
It is so helpful. Plus, our 19 year old DD had two accidents within a 7 month period. She needs the towing!!

I don't think they have the best deals for Disney.

Lisa

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We just recently rejoined. our 19 year old DD had two accidents within a 7 month period. She needs the towing!!

You had better check your paperwork from AAA showing their rules. They do not cover towing from an accident, only from a breakdown or non-start situation. Your insurance company will handle the towing from an accident. In addition, your daughter must have her own card as an additional family member, it is the member who gets the service - not the member's car.

 

[tjevans]

I'm for AAA, but of course, YMMV. I always save enough on hotel stays on vacation to pay for my membership. And then, like someone else has said, you can get additional discounts at participating stores. Of course, it's always good to have the roadside assistance.

If you live in or do a lot of driving in a rural area, you may want AAA plus. This will provide you towing for a further distance (and a few other benefits for raodside assistance) more than the basic AAA membership.

 

[HayGan]

I'm saving over $600 on my 4 night Poly stay/package with AAA this December. I questioned how much the savings would be until I priced my package against Disney Direct.

Plus, we are driving down so having all the traditional AAA benefits will be nice

 

[disneysteve]

AAA gives you all kinds of discounts, not just hotels. For example, there are discounts on theme park tickets, sporting events, zoos, museums, various stores, etc. You also get free maps and tour books. That's worth the price right there. I went to the AAA office last week and got tour guides for Northern and Southern California and Las Vegas for our trip next week. I also got state and local maps for the areas we are visiting and a detailed driving map (TripTik) for our travel route. Yes, you can get some of that stuff online, but AAA updates their stuff regularly and advises you of construction detours and such.

AAA around here also has a nice monthly magazine with travel info, local sites of interest, etc. They also do car service things like free car seat inspections, car buying guides, etc.

 

[klj27]

I just booked with AAA this week. We are saving $30 a night on our POR room and $40 a night on our WL room. We are staying 10 nights so that it a lot of savings!! We also drive to WDW and use the triptiks and maps.

We are planning a 3 week vacation to the western part of the country in a few years. I just ordered 6 maps yesterday so we could start keeping track of places that we really want to visit.

Nicki

 

[Debbie Jean]

AAA gives you all kinds of discounts, not just hotels. For example, there are discounts on theme park tickets, sporting events, zoos, museums, various stores, etc. You also get free maps and tour books. That's worth the price right there. I went to the AAA office last week and got tour guides for Northern and Southern California and Las Vegas for our trip next week. I also got state and local maps for the areas we are visiting and a detailed driving map (TripTik) for our travel route. Yes, you can get some of that stuff online, but AAA updates their stuff regularly and advises you of construction detours and such.

AAA around here also has a nice monthly magazine with travel info, local sites of interest, etc. They also do car service things like free car seat inspections, car buying guides, etc.

Very true! I'm a great fan of AAA!
I also have newer cars with dealer provided road service. I have AAA for the discounts. How many people who use Lenscrafters realize that you get a 30% off the total? For me that's over $100! As you point out, there's LOTS of places to get AAA discounts... and the travel service is excellent!

 

[can'twait]

Totally!

If you have an older car and/or kids in the car with you the peace of mind is worth it, and the discounts make it pay for itself. We get discounted theme park tickets and movie tickets, plus maps out the wazoo and I got my free dining plan and an awesome travel agent through them.

 

[umaangel00]

You had better check your paperwork from AAA showing their rules. They do not cover towing from an accident, only from a breakdown or non-start situation. Your insurance company will handle the towing from an accident. In addition, your daughter must have her own card as an additional family member, it is the member who gets the service - not the member's car.

You are not completely accurate. AAA will not tow for an accident in most cases. Her daughter can use her mom's account as long as she either has the card or a valid driver's license. Then AAA will call her mom to make sure she has permission to use the account. I used to work in the Emergency Road Side Assistance departmant at AAA. If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[Chicago526]

I like to have it for both the discounts AND for when I might need a tow truck or a jump start. Even new cars can get flats or dead batteries!

I think it's worth it, but you'd have to do the math and decide for your self.

 

[HopperFan]

You could get your yearly money back in one nights stay ! Jan 2006 it would save me @44 per night at a moderate. I just used the AAA website and discount to book 3 hotels in California last month. Not only did I get rates that Expedia etc could not meet but got perks like by Fisherman Wharf in San Fran - FREE parking for AAA, that was worth @ $20 per day. And the hotels all gave me points - they don't with Expedia. Lots of other discounts too ! My DH has used it alot when he travels for work.

ps We never had it until a year or so ago, and have gotten lots of discounts and a couple tows out of it - for a newer car.

 

[Laurajean1014]

AAA is worth it.