I don’t personally recommend too many products or services. But there are two organizations that I am a member of where the benefits severely outweigh the cost. The first one is the FoundersCard. And the second one that I’m going to write about today is AAA (Triple A).
I have been an AAA member since I got divorced some twenty odd years ago. My mother, who also was once a single mother with children at home, recommended it in case my car broke down on the side of the road. It was peace of mind if I got a flat tire, ran out of gas or locked myself out of the car. Once my kids became drivers, I added them to my policy as well.
One of the best benefits of AAA that many don’t know about is that it covers the person, not the car. Therefore, if my children or I are riding with someone else, and they need roadside assistance, they are covered for free. Several of my kids’ friends have been locked out of their cars over the years, and AAA came to the rescue!
What is AAA?
AAA is a membership-based organization that provides assistance to drivers and travelers in the United States and Canada. In addition to roadside assistance, AAA members can enjoy discounts on travel, entertainment, and more. Learn more here.
Is AAA insurance?
AAA is a membership organization, not an insurance company. AAA members can purchase AAA-branded auto and home insurance, but they’re not required to do so. Membership in AAA also entitles members to discounts, travel services, and other benefits.
If you’ve ever been on a road trip, you know how important it is to be prepared for anything. From getting your car serviced before you hit the open road to being aware of weather conditions and packing snacks and drinks for the drive, there are a lot of things to think about before embarking on a long journey. That’s where AAA comes in.
The Benefits of Joining AAA
Many people view AAA as nothing more than a roadside assistance service. While that is one of the benefits of being a member, it is far from the only one. In fact, there are many reasons why you should consider joining AAA, even if you don’t think you’ll need roadside assistance. Let’s take a look at some of the other advantages of being part of the Triple A family.
Roadside Assistance
One of the most well-known benefits of AAA is roadside assistance. For instance, if your car breaks down while driving from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, or worse yet, you find yourself in an accident, AAA will be there to help. All you have to do is call the toll-free number and they will dispatch a tow truck or service vehicle to your location. In some cases, they may even be able to provide financial assistance if you need a rental car or hotel room.
How to Request AAA Roadside Assistance
- Via the AAA website
- Via the AAA mobile app
- Via phone by calling 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357)
- Via text by texting “HELP” to 800-222-1134
Services Provided
AAA Roadside Assistance can help you get on the road with services that include changing flat tires on the side of the road, jumping automobile batteries in your driveway, and using a tow truck when you need it. AAA Roadside Assistance is the most comprehensive roadside assistance company in the country. Do you require towing services? Do you need assistance changing a flat tire? Is there a dead battery in your car? Simply call or submit an online request – it’s that simple! As a member, you are covered regardless of whether you are driving or riding as a passenger.
- Towing
- Car Battery Boost or Replacement (you will need to pay extra for the new battery if needed)
- Extrication & Winching
- Fuel Delivery Service if you run out of gas
- Minor Mechanical First Aid
- Flat Tire Service
- Car Locksmith Service
- Bicycle Service
Road Service Reimbursement
If you obtained non-AAA roadside assistance, you can request reimbursement by submitting their reimbursement application with your original itemized paid receipt.
Discounts on Hotels and Rentals Cars
When you’re planning a trip, whether for business or pleasure, AAA can help you save money on your accommodations and transportation costs as they have relationships with thousands of hotels across the country, which means members always get exclusive rates. And, if you need to rent a car, you can do so as well at a significantly discounted rate.
You may have noticed when making hotel reservations, that there is drop-down field for “Special Rates” as seen above when booking a hotel with Marriott. Be sure to tick “AAA” to get a lower rate than the average Joe.
Discounts on Entertainment and Attractions
AAA members also get discounts on tickets to movies, concerts, and sporting events. And, if you’re planning to visit an amusement park or pop culture museum, chances are there’s a discount for that as well. Just show your membership card at the ticket booth or box office, and you’ll instantly save money.
Also, if you receive SNAP benefits, you can get free museum tickets by showing your EBT card.
Discounts at Stores
AAA offers discounts at both brick and mortar stores and online. Click “Discounts & Rewards” on the AAA website to see all deals available. You can also buy gift cards at your local AAA branch location and each 5% cashback rewards in AAA dollars.
Peace of Mind on the Road
In addition to providing roadside assistance when you need it, AAA also offers a variety of tools and resources to help you plan your trips and make sure you’re prepared for everything—including bad weather and traffic delays. You can even use the mobile app to find the closest gas station or restaurant, no matter where you are.
24/7 Customer Service
Another great benefit of AAA is that you’ll have access to 24/7 customer service. Whether you need help with directions or want to find out about the best restaurants in town, the customer service representatives will be more than happy to assist you. You can even order free maps and guides online or over the phone so that you’re always prepared for your next trip.
Free Identity Theft Protection
As an AAA member, you’re entitled to the benefit of ProtectMyID. This program provides daily credit report monitoring with email alerts notifying you of key activities. If your wallet is lost or stolen, their Dedicated Fraud Resolution Agents will help cancel and replace your cards. Plus, their representatives are always available to provide fraud resolution assistance if needed.
AAA Alternatives
While AAA is the largest and most well-known roadside assistance company, there are other options available that may better suit your needs. There are a few alternatives to Triple A that offer similar services. Some of these include:
- Allstate Motor Club
- Good Sam Roadside Assistance
- Better World Club
- AutoVantage Roadside Assistance
- NAC Roadside Assistance
AAA FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions about Triple A.
AAA members can enjoy discounts on things like hotels, restaurants, and even some attractions. Besides roadside assistance, AAA can also help you save money on your next trip by offering discounts on travel expenses
AAA does not offer health insurance. They do offer auto insurance though.
They do not make it easy! You can only remove a member during your renewal period by clicking on Renew/Pay My Bill from My Account. On the Membership Renewal screen, you will click on Remove next to the associate you wish to remove. You will be asked to Confirm this removal by clicking on Yes or No.
If you want to remove a member outside of your renewal period, you need to call 800-222-6327 (Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. or Saturday. 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST). Press 2 for Membership Service. Then press 4 for Membership Benefits. Then listen to them talk about how you should be using the website or app for all your needs even though the website app tells you need to call. Once you talk to a live person and verify who you are, you can remove a member. But keep in mind that they will not actually be removed until your renewal period. When I called to remove my married daughter, they said she’d still be a member for six months. I asked if I could remove her now and get a pro-rated discount. They said no. The only way they would issue a pro-rated discount is if she signed up for her AAA and then I would need to know the new AAA membership number.
If your membership is set up for Automatic Renewal, you will NOT be able to make any changes and/or cancellation to your membership online during the renewal period. You will need to call AAA Member Services at 800-222-6424.
Log into your account and click “View Billing Information”. From there you can click “Cancel Automatic Billing”.
You can cancel your membership by calling either 1-800-222-4357 or 1-866-968-7222 and selecting “Membership questions” when prompted. Be sure to have all your account information readily available.
AAA does not check your credit score when signing up for a membership. They will, however, do a hard pull if you apply for the AAA credit card.
The phone number for AAA roadside assistance is 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357).
If a passenger in the vehicle is a AAA member, then yes you can take advantages of the benefits of AAA.
Yes.
Unfortunately, Costco does not offer an AAA Discount because the two companies are not partnered with each other. Although both companies require a membership, they include many different benefits and services.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons why AAA is more than just a roadside assistance service. If you’re not already a member, I hope this has convinced you to join the AAA family. And if you are a member, I hope this has reminded you of all the benefits that come with being a Triple A member.
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