AAA: Is it Worth the Cost? — What You Need to Know

03:24 Sep 7, 2020
https://dyernews.com/is-aaa-worth-it/ Have you heard of AAA but aren't sure what they offer or if a membership is worth it? Let's take a look at what to know about joining the auto club.  When I first got my driver’s license, my dad gifted me with a membership to AAA. Years later, my wife and I still have a subscription that we’ve used at least a few times since joining once again. To me, the peace of mind has been well-worth the annual fee, but is that the case for everyone? Let’s take a look at what you should know about AAA and its benefits.  The first thing to know about AAA is that the price of a membership can actually vary depending on where you live.  One somewhat confusing aspect of AAA is that the organization is actually made up of several smaller clubs servicing certain states and areas. As a result, it’s hard to say exactly how much an annual membership will cost. Plus, some of the benefits can vary slightly from area to area.  Just to give you a ballpark figure, my wife and I pay $81 a year for both of us to hold memberships in Missouri. The good news is that, as we travel, we’ve been able to utilize AAA services regardless of our location. It should also be noted your subscription covers you, not your vehicle. This means you’ll be able to get help regardless of whether you're in your car, a rental, or a friends car.  Next, in addition to the Classic membership, there are also upper-tier options that increase your benefits  While I’ve only ever been a Classic tier member, AAA also offers Plus and Premier membership. The main benefit to these higher service levels is increased towing distances, although other perks include free fuel, rental car discounts, and more. Again, the prices for these tiers will vary by area, but you can expect to pay around 50% more for AAA Plus and about double for AAA Premier compared to the Classic membership cost.   Another aspect that you may also be familiar with are the various discounts you can earn as a member  From hotels to restaurants to even some retailers, there are several places where you can earn a discount as a AAA member. Looking at the AAA site, it seems you can also find discounts on theme park tickets, movie passes, and more. Some of these offers are available in-store while others may be exclusively only. Similarly, for hotels, you’ll likely need to book directly through the establishment to secure AAA rates instead of shopping through third-party sites. To see if you’d be able to make use of these discounts, be sure to check out your local AAA website.  Finally, before deciding to join AAA, it may be worth looking at what other roadside assistance options are already available to you.  While AAA is probably the most well-known provider of roadside assistance, these days there are several other ways of obtaining similar services. Whether through your car insurance, in-car subscription, or even via a rewards credit card or wireless plan, you may already have some sort of roadside help available to you. Therefore, when attempting to determine if AAA is worth it for you, you’ll want to see if any of these mediums are an option. Keep in mind that you’ll want to compare the benefits and restrictions of each as well.  Finally, if you do end up joining AAA, it may also be smart to see if you’re paying extra for such services you no longer need. 

Tags: AAA , AAA Membership , what is AAA , is AAA worth it , how does AAA work , how much is AAA , AAA discounts , aaa roadside assistance , aaa roadside service , AAA alternatives , AAA plus , AAA premier , what are AAA benefits , AAA benefits , joining AAA , how do i join AAA , is AAA a good deal , using AAA , AAA member , how much does AAA cost

See also:

2 comments