When you sign up for a AAA membership, the number of services and benefits you get can make it hard to remember the specifics of what's available, especially when you need to use a service. That's why you can refer to this guide as a new member or if you're considering joining.
AAA Membership Levels
If you want to join AAA, you have three levels of membership to choose from — Classic, Plus and Premier. Although all three offer the same basic services, the Plus and Premier plans have additional benefits. Review the different levels of service before deciding which is right for you:
- Classic: This affordable plan provides all of the basics you enjoy with a AAA membership. It is the least expensive plan available and comes with good coverage and most AAA services.
- Plus: This popular plan is a midrange opportunity if you want affordable coverage with more services and opportunities. It's ideal if you often drive more than 5 miles per day. You automatically get the same benefits offered by the Classic plan, with plenty of additional features included. Roadside Assistance for this plan activates after you have been a member for seven days.
- Premier: This plan offers the most coverage and extended services. It is the most comprehensive plan available, with many services to select from. Roadside Assistance for this plan activates after 10 days.
Core Services
Core services are generally covered at all levels, but you get more out of these services with a Plus or Premier plan. If you want to know the specifics of what a AAA plus membership includes, the Plus services described below are a step above the Classic plan.
All AAA membership levels cover:
1. Towing
The distance scales with level, but you get the basic Roadside Assistance services with any plan you sign up for, including towing. Your options are:
- Classic: Your towing service covers up to 5 miles or the distance it takes to reach the responding garage. This service is recommended for drivers who will mainly stay in town.
- Plus: You can have your vehicle towed up to 100 miles. If you travel a lot, this option ensures you are covered during breakdowns on highways or in rural locations.
- Premier: You have extended towing for up to 100 miles like the Plus plan. In addition, you can make an emergency call for towing up to 200 miles, which your household can use once annually. This service is the best if you do a lot of traveling or camp in remote regions.
2. Emergency Gas
You have access to emergency fuel with any plan, but the plan type determines if you have to pay for the fuel. Your options for fuel coverage are:
- Classic: You pay for the emergency fuel, but delivery service is included.
- Plus and Premier: You get emergency fuel delivered with the cost of the fuel covered by the service.
3. Flat Tire Service
All plans come with service for flat tire repair and replacement. The technician will first drive to your vehicle. If you have a spare tire, they can put it on for you. You then drive the vehicle to the nearest tire repair or replacement service.
4. Vehicle Entry
You will also have locksmith coverage with each membership plan, but coverage scales depending on the type of plan you sign up for. Your options are:
- Classic: Your costs for a locksmith are covered up to $50*.
- Plus and Premier: Your costs for a locksmith are covered up to $100*. If you live in an area where a locksmith will probably cost on the higher end, this is the preferable service.
5. Extrication
All plans offer an extrication service, but if your household has more than one driver, check to see how many vehicles and drivers are protected. Your options for extrication are:
- Classic: This plan covers up to one truck.
- Plus and Premier: With an upgraded plan, you get coverage for two drivers and vehicles.
6. Bicycle Coverage
All plans come with bicycle coverage, which you can activate if you are riding a bicycle that becomes inoperable. A technician can transport you and your bicycle back to your vehicle or to a different location within the allotted range.
7. Automobile Accident Protection
Coverage for accident protection scales with the type of membership. Your options are:
- Classic: You are covered for accidents up to $200*.
- Plus: You are covered for accidents up to $600*.
- Premier: You are covered for accidents up to $1,500*.
8. ID Theft Monitoring
All memberships also cover ID theft monitoring to protect your identity from being stolen. This is a useful safety feature that prevents outsiders from claiming your benefits.
Why Get a AAA Membership?
You enjoy the greatest benefits of your AAA membership if you start with a AAA Premier Membership. Getting the premium membership grants the same benefits of a AAA Plus plan with several additions, including:
- Additional towing miles: You get up to 200 miles of towing included with the service. You can use your 200-mile service once annually, but you can also contact Roadside Assistance if you ever need towing fewer than 100 miles.
- Automobile accident protection: You get the highest protection offered of up to $1,500*.
- Home lockout services: You can be reimbursed for locksmith service for up to $100* if you are locked out of your residence or apartment.
- Emergency car rental: You can order a car rental for one day if you are stranded without transportation. This service is included with the service and comes without an out-of-pocket charge.
- Vehicle return protection: You are protected for up to $500* on vehicle returns.
- Concierge services: This is included for both U.S. use and international travel without an additional cost. A helpful concierge makes travel arrangements easier.
- Travel assistance services: If you have a travel emergency or require medical assistance, this service is included for U.S. and international travel. You can contact AAA to make arrangements for emergency transportation, including medical transportation. You can also request a referral to a medical provider, prescription replacement and translations.
Cover the Person, Not the Car
A special benefit of signing up with AAA is that your coverage applies to you instead of your vehicle. All AAA memberships are tied to a cardholder. This means you can use your AAA membership if you are a passenger in a friend's car that breaks down, and you have coverage regardless of the vehicle you are in at the time of an accident as long as the vehicle is eligible for coverage and a service situation applies.
The Basic and Plus Membership plans provide coverage for four-wheel passenger cars, including rentals. If you get an RV plan with your Plus Membership, coverage also applies to motorcycles, motorhomes, pickup trucks and other vehicle types.
Cover Your Family
You can also sign up for an Associate Membership, which is available at a lower rate than Primary Memberships. An Associate Membership applies to any dependent students away at school and family members who live in the same household as the Primary Membership holder.
For a family member to be eligible for coverage, you must first enroll them as an Associate on your AAA account. All Associate Members are entitled to the services and benefits you get as a Primary Member. The annual membership rate for an Associate Member is lower and is based on when you signed up for your Primary Membership. The cost of the additional memberships is pro-rated and is even more affordable if you have been a member for a long time.
No Age Requirements
Your family members can get AAA memberships regardless of age. Even your infant or child can become an Associate Member and receive full protection. This means when you sign up for a membership, your entire family can have coverage.
RV Coverage
AAA offers two tiers of RV coverage — Plus and Premier. This coverage is designed to cover vehicles other than a passenger car and includes motorcycles, drivable RVs, motor homes, travel trailers and pickup trucks with campers. If you have an RV, you should get RV coverage to make sure you are fully protected on the road, but you might also consider RV coverage if you have a motorcycle or another special class of vehicle.
Both Plus and Premier tiers cover:
- Towing: If your RV or other vehicle breaks down on the road and needs to be taken to a mechanic, you can request towing to the nearest auto shop specializing in RVs or the vehicle you drive.
- No-charge emergency gas: If you run out of gas in a drivable RV, a technician can deliver fuel.
- Vehicle entry service: If you get locked out of your RV, a locksmith can come to unlock your car.
- Extrication service: If your vehicle is stuck, a technician can extricate or winch it.
- Accident protection: If you experience an accident when traveling, you are covered for the cash amount specified in your membership plan.
- Bicycle coverage: If you travel with a bicycle, you have protection for it and your family members' bicycles.
- Free ID theft monitoring: Your identity is protected with theft monitoring, so your RV will stay secure on your travels.
The Premier tier also covers:
- Vehicle return: You are protected up to a set limit for vehicle returns.
Home entry: If you get locked out of your residence, this level of protection ensures the help of a locksmith.
Trip interruption: Delays or cancelations are always a possibility when you have travel plans, but with trip interruption service, you can be reimbursed for those issues up to a set limit.
Concierge services: If you need help making travel arrangements, this service covers a concierge.
Discounts With AAA
Having a AAA membership also gives you access to all kinds of discounts at various businesses. You can expect to save on:
1. Theme Park Tickets
If you want to go to the Philidelphia Zoo or another designated park, you can get a AAA discount just for having a membership. Whether you occasionally attend local theme parks or want to travel, AAA has many valuable discounts on tickets.
2. Travel
Several options for travel-related discounts are available. You could save on hotels such as Courtyard by Marriott, the Hampton Inn and Best Western.
3. Car Parts
When you use your AAA membership, you can get discounts of 10% with NAPA Auto Parts and Advance Auto Parts. If your vehicle breaks down on the road and requires replacement parts to run again, you are eligible for a small discount on certain auto parts, which can help you save even more money as the technicians work to get you back on the road.
4. Auto Services
You can save on basic automotive services such as car washes, oil changes and new speaker installation with discounts you automatically get from joining AAA. You will have to check for eligibility with certain companies or apply for services using your AAA account.
5. Rental Cars
A membership with AAA includes a free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership and discounts up to 20% on Hertz rental cars. It is a big advantage to have quick access to affordable rental cars when you're traveling. The savings you get on rental cars help make your travel plans less expensive. In some cases, the possibility of a rental car alleviates other costs, like what you would pay for public transportation miles away from home.
Your rental car will also be covered by your AAA benefits, so you can travel with confidence. This opportunity is available to all membership types, but coverage limits and services vary depending on which plan you select.
6. Restaurants and Food
With your AAA membership discounts for local restaurants, you can save when you dine out. Options cover many types of restaurants and foods.
Join AAA Today
Purchase a AAA membership today to enjoy all of these benefits and so much more. Start saving with special discounts and services designed for your safety and convenience. Review the membership levels to learn more about our programs.
*The prices and values stated in this post are current as of the time of publication.
