Getting stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire or a dead battery is every driver’s worst nightmare. That’s why so many swear by roadside assistance providers like the American Automobile Association, also known as AAA.
AAA is one of the most recognized motor club federations, offering a variety of benefits from towing services to travel discounts. But membership comes at a cost, and many drivers are left to decide whether AAA is worth the annual fee.
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What Is AAA?
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America. Founded in 1902, it’s grown to serve over 60 million members across the United States and Canada.
AAA is best known for its roadside assistance offering, with services including towing, fuel delivery, flat tire repair, and more. However, AAA members also enjoy additional benefits, such as discounts on travel, retail, and auto repair– as well as identity theft services. Some AAA clubs also offer their own auto insurance, but it varies on a regional basis.
How Does AAA Work?
Although AAA operates multinationally, not every club provides the same experience. The organization operates through a network of regional auto clubs that serve specific geographic areas. Each club is independently operated, which means that services, benefits, and pricing can vary depending on where you live.
Regional clubs
When you join AAA, you become a member of your local club based on your home address. While the core services remain consistent nationwide, regional clubs may offer additional perks specific to your area, such as local business discounts or region-specific travel benefits.
The regional structure also means that if you need assistance while traveling outside your home region, you’ll still be covered by your membership through a reciprocal agreement among AAA clubs.
Membership tiers
AAA offers three primary membership tiers, each with increasing levels of coverage and benefits:
- Classic Membership: The entry-level option with fundamental roadside assistance
- Plus Membership: Mid-tier option with extended service limits
- Premier Membership: The most comprehensive package with premium benefits
Your membership tier determines critical factors like how many miles you can be towed, the amount of lockout assistance available, and various other benefits.
| Classic | Plus | Premier | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Towing |
Up to a certain number of miles (3-7) or to an independent service provider’s facility |
Up to 100 miles |
One 200-mile tow per year, plus three 100-mile tows |
|
Service Calls |
Up to 4 free calls |
Up to 4 free calls |
Up to 4 free calls |
|
Fuel Delivery
|
Free delivery (you pay for fuel) |
Free fuel and delivery |
Free fuel and delivery |
|
Locksmith Service |
$60 toward parts and labor |
$100 toward parts and labor |
$150 toward parts and labor |
|
Winching Service |
One service vehicle |
Two service vehicles |
Two service vehicles |
|
Rental Car |
Discount when towed in the same territory |
Discount and upgrade in same territory |
One-day complimentary midsize rental |
|
Flat Tire Repair |
Free tire change (using your spare) |
Free tire change |
Free tire change |
|
Battery Service |
Jump-starts and battery testing |
Jump-starts and battery testing |
Jump-starts and battery testing |
Discounts and additional benefits
AAA membership extends far beyond roadside assistance. Members can also access discounts for unrelated services, such as:
- Travel discounts: Savings on hotels (including Best Western, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and MGM Resorts), car rentals, and vacation packages
- Retail discounts: Special offers at retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues
- Auto repair discounts: 10% off repairs (up to $50) at AAA-approved repair shops
- Identity theft monitoring: Free for all members
- Identity theft insurance: $10,000 coverage for Premier members (typically a $65 value)
Some AAA locations also offer services you would find at your DMV, like license renewals, often with much shorter lines. Look at your local AAA location’s website to see if there are additional perks that can add substantial value by saving you time.
Depending on the tier and location, some members also get additional perks including free notary services, discounted passport photos, and deals on international AAA maps.
Who’s Covered by Your AAA Membership?
When you get a AAA membership, it covers you as the policyholder– not your vehicle. If you want your family members to be able to access the same services, you can add them for a reduced fee, as long as they’re in the same household.
AAA’s “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” policy means you can request roadside assistance at any time, regardless of which vehicle you’re in— even if you’re just a passenger in someone else’s car.
How Much Does AAA Cost?
Since AAA operates as a collection of regional auto clubs, membership fees vary by location. However, you can expect your costs to fall within a general range:
- Classic: $38-74 per year for the primary member; $25-48 per year for each additional household member
- Plus: $60-124 per year for the primary member; $34-80 per year for each additional household member
- Premier: $77-164 per year for the primary member; $45-109 per year for each additional household member
Benefits of AAA
From on-demand fuel delivery to hotel discounts, the perks of AAA are pretty straightforward. But according to members, reasons to sign up with AAA go beyond the roadside assistance offerings.
Peace of Mind
For many drivers, the biggest upside of the AAA membership is the peace of mind it offers. Knowing that help is a phone call away can prevent stress and anxiety on the road. Especially for those with young drivers or aging parents, having easy access to on-demand assistance can give you confidence to make long trips.
Cost Savings
AAA membership offers many valuable benefits, but how much you save is up to you. Between hotel discounts, retail savings, and reduced rates on car rentals, many members recoup their annual fee several times over.
Some report saving hundreds of dollars annually on travel accommodations alone. For jet-setting but budget-conscious members who actively use these discounts, the membership essentially pays for itself.
Convenience
More than the cost savings opportunity, one of the biggest benefits of AAA is the time savings and convenience. Many branches offer license renewals, vehicle registrations, and REAL ID issuance– saving you a trip to the DMV.
When you need help on the road, AAA eliminates the stress of searching for reliable providers in unfamiliar areas. Instead, you can reach pre-vetted assistance with a quick phone call. AAA also claims their technicians arrive an average of 20 minutes before other towing services, getting you moving faster.
Downsides of AAA
Like any service, AAA also comes with some limitations. As a result, many drivers have their reasons for opting out of a membership.
Regional Variations
Because AAA motor clubs operate independently, the membership’s offerings can vary depending on your location. That means service quality, benefits, and even pricing may differ based on where you live. These variations make it difficult to provide universal assessments of AAA’s value proposition and require potential members to research their specific local club’s offerings.
Annual Fee
As with any subscription model, AAA members pay the annual fee regardless of how frequently they use the services. For drivers with newer, reliable vehicles who rarely experience breakdowns, this can feel like paying for insurance that never pays out. Unlike pay-per-use roadside assistance services, AAA requires this upfront investment with no refunds for unused services, potentially leading to poor ROI for low-usage members.
Service Limitations
Each membership tier comes with specific restrictions that can lead to unexpected costs when exceeding these limits. Basic members may face out-of-pocket expenses for tows beyond the included mileage or locksmith services exceeding the coverage cap. While the limits are typically considered generous, it’s up to the individual member to track their usage limits or risk surprising additional charges.
How to Decide If a AAA Membership Is Worth It for You
Ultimately, whether a AAA membership is worth it depends on your personal needs, lifestyle, and budget. If you’re still undecided on whether it’s the right fit for you, there are a few steps you can take.
Do your research
As previously mentioned, not all AAA locations are created equal. Before evaluating your own needs and budget, you’ll want to look into what’s available near you. The member experience can vary by location, so it’s important to understand what yours would include.
To start, go to the Triple A website and enter your zip code to find your local club. From there, you’ll be able to get more accurate information on what AAA membership would look like for you, from the annual fees to the benefits. This information will help you make more accurate comparisons down the line.
Review your existing insurance coverage
Another important consideration is whether your current auto insurance already includes roadside assistance. Many policies offer this as an add-on for less than the cost of a AAA membership.
Still, it’s important to compare both options before deciding. Insurance-based roadside assistance typically doesn’t include all the additional discounts and benefits that come with AAA.
Evaluate your vehicle and driving habits
Some individuals will get more out of AAA than others. While drivers of all types enjoy the service for peace of mind, it tends to provide the most value for those with older vehicles or high mileage. For instance, if you often travel long distances outside of your local area, a AAA membership often pays for itself.
Consider your budget
Once you know the exact cost of a AAA membership in your area, it’s time to compare it against the expected value. Look at the value of the discounts at your club and add up how much you’ll save based on your buying habits.
Since you typically don’t plan to need emergency services like roadside assistance, it may be difficult to predict how often you’ll need it. But you can still get a sense of potential savings by considering the out-of-pocket costs if you did need it. Odds are, the price of even one tow outweighs the annual membership cost of AAA.
Alternatives to AAA for Drivers to Consider
If AAA doesn’t seem worth it to you, that doesn’t mean you have to go without roadside assistance. Many insurance companies, including Allstate, GEICO, and Travelers, offer their own roadside assistance add-ons.
There are also some alternative providers that may better fit your needs:
- Better World Club
- Good Sam
- Allstate Motor Club
- Cellular provider roadside assistance (offered by Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
Another option to consider is going without AAA until you need it. Then, if you do end up in a bind, you can sign up on the spot. You’ll need to pay an additional same-day service fee, but it’s still typically cheaper than an out-of-pocket service.
Stay Safe Without Breaking the Bank
According to millions of happy drivers, the cost of AAA is well worth the peace of mind that it affords its members. But if it’s not the right fit for you and your budget, there are plenty of other options to look into. What matters most is that you’re staying safe without spending beyond your means.
If you’re looking for more ways to save on your car expenses, consider signing up for Auto Quote Tracker. We’ll track your car insurance policy for free and alert you if there are any upcoming rate changes– so you can get ready to shop around.
