Comments on: Is AAA Worth It?

By: Tim Dailey

Tim Dailey — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:37:38 +0000

I have come to think AAA is humbug….
Had double premium membership for 5 years –
went to use it FOR THE FIRST TIME when my wife’s mini van died right down the block from home, They REFUSED to assist until the credit card
payment she had made two days earlier renewing our annual membership had cleared! She made the payment online on a Sat and they said “sorry but you can sit and rot until two business days have gone by from the time of payment” so our mini van sat in front of a neighbor’s house for TWO DAYS. now that’s SERVICE. My wife STILL wanted to continue the renew, but at the end of the membership year they can stuff it.

By: Rico

Rico — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:20:13 +0000

I just registered for CAA (Canadian version) and it cost me 80$. BUT, I was told I’m only covered for a mere 4 miles!(then I have to pay the towing) If I want 100 miles it would cost me 144$, and 44$ for each Associate. Its DEFINITELY not worth this much money. Like Joseph said, its better to save for emergency. And unlike him(because I live in expensive Canada) it will only take me a bit more than 6 years to save 1000$. I’m canceling it. Totally overpriced.

By: c wilson

c wilson — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:49:16 +0000

I HAVE HAD AAA SINCE 1984, I LIKED THEM UNTIL THEY MOVED THE NEAREST OFFICE FROM ALABAMA TO S CAROLINA.THEY SENT A WRECKER TO HELP ME FROM 2 HRS AWAY THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CLOSE TO MY ACCIDENT. I JUST USED SOMEONE ELSE! YOU SHOULD ALSO.

By: Chas

Chas — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:37:44 +0000

I’ve been with AAA for about 12 years. I’ve only had to use them a few times for car emergencies, but I use my membership for discounts all the time. If you have to buy a ticket for something, chances are there’s a AAA discount. Also, I got a good rate on a savings account and a car loan via AAA. Plus I have a AAA store near my house, and I drop in and get maps and guidebooks whenever I’m traveling. If nothing else, it provides a little extra piece of mind.

By: Karaya

Karaya — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:18:09 +0000

AAA is for you if:
- You are physically unable or don’t know how to put on a spare (or where it is stored in your car)
- Keeping track of your car keys exeeds you mental abilities.
- You don’t know how to read your instruments cluster (or what “the instrument cluster” is)
- You never heard of GPS
- You don’t have a data plan on your cell phone to look up the nearest towing service
- Your car is an old beater, stalling on you more than 2 times a year

If you answered “No” to all of the question above – forget about AAA.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 17:21:08 +0000

I joined AAA because my parents had been members, when I began driving in 1968. We used the triptik program; maps that take a little getting used to. We camped so the motel discounts were not used. My car was insured by AAA of Michigan and Ohio. In 1982, I moved to Missouri. We were in Lake of the Ozarks region when we had car trouble. Our son was 3 months old. We called the number for AAA on our card. No one could come to rescue us. There were no AAA rescuers available in that part of Missouri. This is a major tourism area; not Orlando or Myrtle Beach but pretty big anyway. I let the service expire.

By: chris

chris — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:53:44 +0000

I have AAA service and have not ever used any of the services. I got it because they sell AAA insurance in my area and I have my home and autos insured with them. they are cheaper than farmers and state farm in our area and if i have AAA roadside service, there is additional discount. by bundling, my overall insurance savings more than exceeds the cost of membership…and i have the service if i ever need it to boot. my buddy got towed home one night when he had too much to drink. thats getting creative.

By: Tat-2

Tat-2 — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:59:00 +0000

Have been a AAA member since high school and am in my 50′s now.. Have never had any problems whatsoever. I have had AAA in Colorado and California and see no difference. I have used their tow services multiple times not only with my vehicle but also friends and family…. AND the discounts I receive on car rentals and hotels more than pays for my membership… As does the discounts I get to auto races like the ones at Autoclub Sppedway in Fontana California..Or any other NASCAR or NHRA race I wish to attend…. AND if we ever wish to take a cruise my discounts would just about cover a thrid person to go along almost free…

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:34:43 +0000

How about Good Sam’s road service.I have a motorhome new to this life style.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:42:13 +0000

AAA is the reason that we can safely drive our vehicles from one end to the country to the other and are modeled internationaly by most other countries. Besides this, AAA is also responsible for many other things that have made our vehicles safe and made our country a better place to live. For the Scam artist out there that dont pay their AAA dues and then cry and complain because they cant get any services keep this in mind an average tow in the Mountain region is 700 to 800 dollars (Denver Colorado 7 mile tow = $430.00)personal experience. AAA discounts on shopping and hotels are amazing and will virtualy pay for the membership dues,if you are taking advantage of them. AAA also has professionals on hand in almost any line of business that you need. My opinion AAA is well worth it – I have recently read that AAA has 50 million plus members apparently it is good to belong!

By: Kumar

Kumar — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:51:35 +0000

I have been a AAA member for 12+ years. I hardly used their services, but it is comforting to have back-up when going on long trips. I used their Auto Repair service in Columbia, SC service center. I advise against anybody using this particular service because of following experience for regular Oil change, of course I went there because of $4 discount coupon, I know I am cheap:
1) After oil change, there was oil leak in multiple occasions. I used to tighten the screw myself after observing the leak.

2) They didn’t replace the screws when changing the blown lamp. When asked to replace the lost screw on the next service, they say go to near by Auto store and fix your self.

3) The last time they made dent to the car, I assume while lifting the car for oil change, refuse to discuss.

4) We, sitting in the waiting lounge noticed, they didn’t replace the dirty filter for somebody’s car.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:36:46 +0000

I have been a AAA member for 20+ years. My husband and I both drive approx 60 miles to work each day. We drive our vehicles for years and they usually have high mileage. It is a great comfort to know if we have any problems, AAA is there. We have broken down several time over the years and the repairman/tow truck that was sent out has ALWAYS arrived in a timely manner and have always been first rate. I have also used AAA for changing flats. Again first rate. I have a tendency to lock my keys in the car and have used the locksmith service several times. The cost savings of the locksmith usually just about covers the cost of my AAA membership. I highly recommend getting a membership, especially if you are a high mileage driver.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:32:47 +0000

It’s a very nice service – well worth the cost – and very professionally administered. But, so are many similar roadside assistance “clubs”, others such as Allstate Roadside Assistance, etc, etc. – The discounts, etc are avaialble through all of them. – - Still I’ve been very happy with AAA for many years and see no reason to change. If I ever did, it would be for price reasons. For now, there’s not much difference in the cost between Allstate (for example) and AAA.

Virtually all of the complaints I’ve read here seem to involve unrealistic expectations.

However the author of the article is clearly biased – since the same level and quality of roadside and other services are available through most all of the roadside assistance clubs – not just AAA

By: echidnina

echidnina — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:35:05 +0000

Nice tip! I’ll keep that in mind if I decide not to renew my membership.

By: echidnina

echidnina — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:33:10 +0000

The thing about the discounts is that they are only worth it if you remember to use them! I and my family have had AAA for as long as I can remember, but rarely if ever do we use the discounts. It’d be a great idea if we remembered to!