This may sound really stupid to some of you veterans....

[Disney Family 5]

but explain AAA to me. I am really in the dark. What exactly is it, and is it worth getting into?Help!!!

 

[lindakmonty]

no question is stupid AAA is an auto club. If you run out of gas, lock your keys in your car... you call them. If your car breaks down, you call them. They will tow your car...Depends if you get AAA plus they will tow it much further free, if you have to stay in a hotel due to your car breaking down, they'll pay for that... plus they will get you "trip tik's" which is directions to anywhere showing construction... you can use them to book travel for you, buy tickets for tons of things like theme parks... all kinds of stuff. I would check out their website. We've been AAA members for years and years but I don't always use them for our trips. I shop and find whatever is cheapest. Sometimes they are...sometimes they aren't. Hope that helps a little

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

AAA is the American Automobile Association. There are branches in all 50 states with local offices everywhere. The AAA is an auto club whose purpose is to assist their members in any travel-related areas. The can supply road maps, directions with current detours and traffic delays, roadside assistance such as towing and gas refills, starting your car due to a dead battery, changing a flat tire, etc.

One of the perks of being a AAA member is the hotel discounts, including Disney resorts. AAA is one of the few clubs that has negotiated reduced rates with WDW and DL hotels. Discounts range from 10%-20% off of the rack rate, depending on resort type and the season. It can more than pay for your membership under the right circusmstances.

Since each AAA branch has it's own membership rates, you would need to check your local office for prices. My renewal for a Basic Membership in the Philly area was around $60 for 2006.

 

[Sammie]

You can go to the national website for more information about benefits and the cost.

www.AAA.com

 

[MeggerasMa]

Great info from the above posters. I see you have 3 little mouseketeers. Just an FYI. When they become teens, AAA has a student driving school(at least in our area). Since our local high schools have done away with their own programs, we had each one of our kids take the book course and then the actual driving lessons from AAA. It worked out very well and now they all qualify for discounts on their auto insurance policies! It also reduces alot of stress just because of the normal parent teaching child dynamics that comes with the adolescent territory!

 

[Disney Family 5]

Thanks all!! I will have to check into the drivers ed thing. I homeschool so, this will work out better for us. In a few more years anyway!!!

 

[IDoDis]

Showing your AAA card will also get you discounts on things like paint products (Dunn Edwards), mall eateries like Aunt Annie's Pretzels, OfficeMax, Super Cuts, Universal Studios, Sea World, Six Flags, Barnes & Noble, and the list goes on & on. The discounts vary by location of where you live.

It's a great deal even without the Disney resort discount. When we were out of town last year, I locked the keys in the trunk of our rental car by mistake. My DD's ice skates were in the trunk and she was getting ready to compete in 30 minutes (which is why we went on the trip to begin with). A contracted locksmith with AAA was out there in 15 min. and unlocked the doors. Also, this year we lost our only van key. A locksmith came out to make us two new keys that had special sensors in them and AAA paid $100 of the bill, so we only paid $10.00. The dealer was going to charge us $150.00. Travel books are also free, as are maps and trip ticks (driving directions on long highway trips).

I did hear the AAA agent tell a customer that beginning June 1st, the travel books and maps will only be free to AAA Plus members (which we are).

 

[auntie]

Closed the door and locked it with the keys in the car...AAA came in 15 minutes and it was opened. Had them jump start my car when battery went dead..left a light on..was camping by myself with the kids.
They offer dicounts at most of the big hotel chains also. Sleep Inns...my kids went to Philadelphia last week..used it to get a dicount on a room at a hotel there. Really nice too. They also offer discounts at car rental..so be sure to ask if you book one, if they have a AAA rate. You'd be surprised how many places offer a discount..even a slight one to AAA members, and it's a good thing to have for emergencies.