AAA membership - worth it?

[dawgfan]

So I had an issue with my car this weekend where it wouldn't start (problem was corroded battery cables as it turns out) and needed to have it towed to a shop. Cost me $103 for just 1.3 miles of towing.

So naturally I'm thinking about signing up for AAA so as to avoid costly towing charges in the future. Obviously I'm not expecting to need a tow frequently, so I'm wondering from those who have it if the various other benefits (discounts, etc.) make it worthwhile above and beyond the towing and roadside assistance benefits.

[MrBug708]

Yes. You never know when you're 60 miles from a mechanic you can trust...

[gstelmack]

I love the safety net. Plus the discounts and TripTiks every time we go to Disney.

I don't know if it has paid for itself or anything like that, but the peace of mind is worth something all by itself.

[Galaril]

What does a membership run for AAA.

[Noop]

I think its worth more then a porn membership to be honest with you.

[gstelmack]

What does a membership run for AAA.

Pricing info for the Carolinas can be found at http://www.aaacarolinas.com/Membership/membershipcomparison.htm

Just go to aaa.com and enter your zip code.

[clintl]

I think it's definitely worth it. You only need to get towed once for it to pay for itself, and I've saved significantly on the rare occasions when I needed a major car repair. And aside from the discounts at various places, of course, there are the free maps.

[molson]

Hell yes it's worth it.

I'm not sure how exactly the business relationship works between AAA and the local tow companies, but I'm always amazed how quickly they get out to where you are and fix your problem.

[stevew]

I'd say it's more worth it if you have an older car. You never know when it might need to be towed. Also, sometimes you can get benefits at stores like Circuit city, etc.

Although for the towing, etc, you might be able to get all that added to your vehicle insurance policy as well.

[JeffNights]

The first time you need a tow, you have paid yourself for the cost of your yearly mebership. It well worth it, you get discounts to popular vacation spots, AND I KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT! But my lowest car insurance rates are from AAA...so yes, its worth it.

[molson]

Aside from the towing, of course, it's also nice insurance against locking your keys in the car or leaving your lights on in the middle of the night.

[Clark]

I have American Family Insurance. They offer "Emergency Road Service", cost me $4 every 6 months per car, it's just part of my premium. I've had 3 vehicles towed, never cost me anything, just submitted the bill to my agent and next week I have a check. I don't think the service has gone up in cost in 5 years. I have to believe this is much cheaper then AAA? Check your insurance company maybe they offer it?

[dawgfan]

Check your insurance company maybe they offer it?
Good call - I'll have to check that out.

Yeah, the towing part with AAA is nice and all, but if it's ~$54 for membership in my location, I'm wondering how much additional benefit I can expect out of the other discounts (mainly travel/lodging I would assume).

[Karlifornia]

It's always been worth it to me, but I drive an old beater car.

[FBPro]

Without a doubt. You would have likely paid for a year membership maybe more with just that $$ you spent.

[cuervo72]

Yes. Definitely. I did a 180 off the road going down Route 15 - in a heavy snow - a few years ago, and once I called AAA (after some good sams tried to get me back up the small embankment went down with no success), a local towing company was there to get me out very quickly. They've also been great with discounts, maps, triptiks, etc.

[sterlingice]

Aside from the towing, of course, it's also nice insurance against locking your keys in the car or leaving your lights on in the middle of the night.

Done the locking keys in car once. They were there in under 10 minutes and it was free to get them out.

They've also been great with discounts, maps, triptiks, etc.

That's the other benefit. The free guidebooks and maps are great if you're going on vacation. Plus, the hotel discounts are pretty good.

SI

[stevew]

You guys still use maps? I usually mapquest/googlemap out any trips I'm going to make. Maybe I just usually tend to know where I'm going, though. I'll probably buy a GPS for xmas this year.

[ISiddiqui]

You guys still use maps? I usually mapquest/googlemap out any trips I'm going to make. Maybe I just usually tend to know where I'm going, though. I'll probably buy a GPS for xmas this year.

Well, it's hard when you are somewhere new and can't get to a computer if you get lost ;).

[Karlifornia]

You guys still use maps? I usually mapquest/googlemap out any trips I'm going to make. Maybe I just usually tend to know where I'm going, though. I'll probably buy a GPS for xmas this year.

Never hurts to have a map as a backup.

[SunDevil]

Yes

[st.cronin]

I think a AAA membership is my favorite consumer product in any category. Just an absolutely awesome company.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I'm not sure if this is possible anymore, but my brother signed up for AAA when he needed his first tow. So, if you don't have AAA and your car breaks down, call them up and sign up then. Best of both worlds. I can't remember if he actually signed up with the guy who came to get the car or right over the phone. Worth a try anyways.

[sterlingice]

Never hurts to have a map as a backup.

Amen.

SI

[sterlingice]

I'm not sure if this is possible anymore, but my brother signed up for AAA when he needed his first tow. So, if you don't have AAA and your car breaks down, call them up and sign up then. Best of both worlds. I can't remember if he actually signed up with the guy who came to get the car or right over the phone. Worth a try anyways.

Keep in mind, regular AAA membership means free towing within 3 miles. The gold membership is needed for the 50 or 100 mi (I forget) long distance towing. It's about $30 more per year.

SI

[fjvieane]

I love my AAA membership.

I also have my car insurance there as well. It may cost a little more than other companies, but the times I have had to make a claim has been seamless. No hassle for me, well except to get the car fixed, lol.

[DolphinFan1]

I have used AAA for 15 years. But I have the plus membership. It gives you 100 miles of FREE towing to the destination of your choice. It can be used for any car you are in. If you go somewhere with a friend with their car and it breaks down, you can use your AAA card to get it towed.

[cthomer5000]

Yeah, definitely worth it IMHO.

[SackAttack]

Aside from the towing, of course, it's also nice insurance against locking your keys in the car or leaving your lights on in the middle of the night.

And if you're anywhere near as scatterbrained as I can be when it comes to my car, you'll realize why that's so nice to have.

[SFL Cat]

Garmin > TripTik

However, I was always completely satisfied with the service I got while a member of AAA. Can't beat the towing / emergency road service.

[gstelmack]

Garmin > TripTik

Garmin $$$ >>> TripTik $$$

And how often does your Garmin get updated with recent data?

[Mr. Wednesday]

Google / Mapquest is unbeatable for street-level detail, but I like the AAA road atlas better for looking at state-level detail.