Is AAA Worth It? Membership Costs, Benefits and Alternatives
- AAA membership can be worth it if you regularly drive, want dependable roadside assistance and can use other membership perks enough to offset the annual cost.
- AAA membership plans offer different levels of roadside assistance, including towing, battery service, flat-tire assistance, lockout service and fuel delivery.
- AAA alternatives include roadside assistance through your auto insurer, credit card or vehicle manufacturer.
What is AAA membership?
This article focuses on AAA membership, not auto insurance from AAA. AAA (or the American Automobile Association) is a membership organization best known for its valuable roadside assistance, but joining can also give you access to travel services, discounts and other perks.
AAA offers multiple membership tiers, including Classic, Plus and Premier, with pricing and benefits varying by your local AAA club. One important distinction is that AAA roadside assistance generally follows you rather than your car. That means you can use your membership when you’re driving your own vehicle or riding in someone else’s eligible vehicle.
Availability, pricing, towing limits and specific AAA membership benefits can vary by location, so check your local club’s terms by entering your ZIP code before joining.
What does an AAA membership include?
Roadside assistance is the core benefit of an AAA membership, but it’s far from the only perk. Depending on the plan you choose, AAA membership benefits can include towing, battery service, flat-tire assistance, fuel delivery, lockout service, car-buying service, travel discounts and more.
AAA uses tiered membership plans, so the benefits you receive can depend on whether you choose a basic or higher-level membership. AAA membership cost also varies by plan and location. AAA is made up of regional clubs, and coverage limits, pricing and specific benefits can vary by territory.
The table below highlights some of the key features you’ll want to compare when looking at your local AAA membership plans.
| Benefit | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Up to four roadside assistance calls per membership year for:
|
| Towing | Towing limits depend on membership tier and local AAA club, but many regions offer the following (or similar):
|
| Battery and jump-start service |
|
| Flat tire, lockout, fuel delivery and winching |
|
| Travel, retail and auto repair discounts | AAA members can get numerous discounts on travel- and car-related services. These savings only add meaningful value if you would otherwise purchase those products or services. |
| Additional benefits |
Availability and eligibility vary by local club and membership plan. |
How much does AAA cost?
AAA membership cost depends on your ZIP code, membership level and how many people you add to your plan. AAA typically offers Classic, Plus and Premier tiers, with annual dues ranging from roughly $65 to $170 or more depending on the regional club.
New members may also pay a one-time enrollment or sign-up fee, which varies by club and promotion. For example, AAA Washington currently charges a $20 enrollment fee.
| Sample location | AAA club | Basic/Classic | Plus | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg, PA | AAA Central Penn | $25 to $69 per year | $99 per year | $139 per year |
| St. Paul, MN | AAA Minneapolis | $73 per year | $122 per year | $174 per year |
| Denver, CO | AAA Colorado | $81.50 per year | $134 per year | $174 per year |
| Sacramento, CA | AAA Mountain West | $64.99 per year | $99.99 per year | $124.99 per year |
| Olympia, WA | AAA Washington | $25 to $75 per year | $115 per year | $155 per year |
| Albany, NY | AAA Hudson Valley | $67 per year | $106 per year | $134 per year |
| Raleigh, NC | AAA Carolinas | $68 per year | $100 per year | $130 per year |
Is AAA worth it for you?
Whether AAA is worth it depends largely on how often you drive, what other coverage you already have and which AAA membership benefits you would actually use. For some drivers, the roadside assistance alone may justify the annual fee. For others, another form of roadside assistance may provide similar protection at a lower cost.
Who gets the most value from AAA?
| AAA may be worth it if you… | Why |
|---|---|
| Drive often or take road trips | More time on the road can mean more opportunities to need towing, a jump-start, a tire change or other roadside help. |
| Have an older or less reliable car | An older vehicle may be more likely to need roadside assistance, making the membership easier to justify. |
| Don’t have roadside coverage elsewhere | AAA can fill a gap if your auto insurance, credit card or vehicle manufacturer doesn’t already provide roadside assistance. |
| Value travel, rental car or repair discounts | These perks can add value if you would otherwise pay for the same travel, rental car or automotive services. |
| Want roadside coverage that follows you | AAA roadside assistance covers the member rather than a specific vehicle, so you may be able to use it when driving or riding in another eligible vehicle. |
Who may want to skip AAA?
AAA may not add much value if you already have comparable coverage or don’t expect to use the membership benefits.
- People who rarely drive: If you’re rarely behind the wheel, you may have fewer opportunities to use roadside assistance or other AAA benefits.
- People who already have roadside assistance: Check your car insurance, credit cards and vehicle warranty before paying for duplicate coverage.
- People who want unlimited service: AAA membership plans have limits on service calls and other benefits, so the coverage isn’t unlimited.
AAA membership alternatives
AAA isn’t the only way to get roadside assistance coverage. Before paying for an AAA membership, check whether you already have similar benefits elsewhere. Coverage can differ significantly, so look at service limits and additional fees as well as any ongoing price.
- Car insurance coverage: Many auto insurers offer roadside assistance as an add-on. It can be less expensive than AAA, but coverage is typically tied to the insured vehicle rather than the person. Check your policy for towing limits, service fees and the number of covered calls.
- Car warranties: New car warranties and extended service contracts may include roadside assistance for a limited period. Benefits can include towing, jump-starts, flat-tire service and fuel delivery, but coverage applies to the covered vehicle rather than the driver.
- Credit card benefits: Some credit cards offer roadside assistance, either as a complimentary benefit or for a set fee when you request service. Coverage can have limits on the number of calls or the services provided, so check your specific card’s terms before relying on it.
How to decide if AAA is worth it for you
If you’re still wondering if AAA membership is worth it, a few simple comparisons can help you decide whether the annual fee makes sense for your situation.
- Find out if you have roadside assistance coverage elsewhere. Check your auto insurance, vehicle warranty and credit cards for existing roadside assistance. You may already have coverage that overlaps with AAA benefits.
- Check your local AAA’s club costs, service limits and restrictions. AAA membership plans and prices vary by location. Look at the annual cost, number of service calls, towing limits and any fees that could apply.
- See which benefits you’re likely to use that could help you get additional savings. Consider whether you would realistically use travel discounts and additional perks. Don’t count discounts as savings unless you’d actually make those purchases.
Is AAA worth it? Ultimately, that may come down to how much you value roadside assistance. Other AAA membership benefits can be useful extras as well, but roadside assistance is often the core reason to consider joining.
Frequently asked questions
It may not be. Take the time to compare your existing roadside assistance with AAA’s coverage, including towing limits, service calls and fees, before paying for duplicate coverage.
Typically, yes. AAA roadside assistance follows the member rather than a specific vehicle, so you can typically use it when riding in someone else’s eligible car.
No. AAA membership and AAA car insurance are separate products. A membership provides roadside assistance and other benefits, while insurance provides coverage for your vehicle and liability protection.
AAA membership does not automatically lower your car insurance costs. However, you could still save money on car insurance by switching to AAA auto insurance, depending on your driving history and other factors.
You can generally use AAA benefits after joining, but some services may have waiting periods or fees if you need assistance shortly after enrolling.