AAA has over a century of serving American members. So, what makes AAA membership costs vs. savings so worth it? We’re turning to the hard facts for answers.

AAA members get true value, with collective savings of $3 billion via partner discounts annually. Let’s break down the costs versus savings of membership.

AAA Membership Costs

AAA memberships are set at graduated tiers, with Classic, Plus, and Premier plans. Each successive tier has more inclusions than the lower tiers, for example, more miles for towing, additional benefits or a higher dollar amount for covered events.

The cost of AAA membership varies depending on your location. Classic costs generally around $65 per year, Plus costs around $100 per year and Premier costs around $125 per year. Prospective members should check with their local club for exact pricing in their area.

When weighing the cost vs. savings of AAA, it’s important to examine the specific benefits you’ll receive. We broke those down in the following sections.

Roadside Savings with AAA Membership

Roadside assistance is one of the original AAA services and has evolved to cover modern motorists’ needs. AAA responds to over 27 million roadside assistance requests per year, with an average of 52 members helped per minute. 

When comparing costs versus savings, the question is, if you were to need these roadside services, how much would they cost you without membership? Let’s break them down:

With towing, note that many companies charge a minimum callout fee, which is on average around $50. You’ll pay more for more miles towed. AAA’s Classic Membership offers four free tows of five miles or less per year, while higher membership tiers offer four free tows with more miles. On average, using just one of your free tows in a year covers Classic membership, while one tow of 100 miles or more will more than cover Premier Membership.

AAA’s “go-rate,” the ratio of calls dispatched as a tow service that were resolved at the scene of disablement, allowing the motorist to safely drive away, is more than 50 percent. Consider that in a situation where, without membership, you may simply be towed and have to pay the costs. This is another saving for members, and a convenience when an AAA responder can get you on the road faster.

If you need winching out of a sticky situation, you’ll generally pay more for more complex situations. For example, without a AAA membership, wilderness recovery could set you back $750 or more, while recovery from a ditch near home might cost around $200.

When it comes to basic services such as tires, batteries or emergency fuel, non-members can end up paying a lot in callout fees, depending on where they are. However, if you need roadside assistance, you can very quickly realize the savings of an AAA membership. In fact, 80 percent of members join specifically for Roadside Assistance benefits.

Travel Savings with AAA Membership

AAA members get access to a variety of different travel deals, and over one-third of members get travel information from AAA each year. Members typically save between 10 percent and 20 percent on hotels, and sometimes, hotels offer exclusive discounts. Choice Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy and other AAA preferred hotels like Hilton and Hyatt are among those offering member discounts. 

Without a AAA membership, the average mid-range hotel generally costs between $110 and $180 per night, while more upscale hotels cost anywhere from $180 to more than $800 per night. Factors like location, amenities, and demand impact the price. This means AAA members will typically save a minimum of $18 to $20 per night, and could save more than $80 per night. Hotel discounts add up to more than make up for the cost of membership, especially if you travel often.

Let’s look at some other travel costs vs. savings:

• Car rentals: AAA members can save between up to 20 percent plus receive other benefits at Hertz, Dollar Car Rentals and Thrifty Car Rentals. Without membership, your average car rental will cost $50 to $80 per day.

• Vacation packages: AAA members save on vacation packages, including cruises, guided tours, and more, with exclusive discounts. Additionally, using AAA travel agents is free for members.

• Activities: There are many examples between AAA Travel and AAA Discounts of membership savings, so we’ll pick one example here. Disneyland Resort is one of the most popular theme parks on earth, but is known for being pricey. AAA members can save on tickets, with some deals saving more than $100.

• Expedited passport service: Needing a new passport at short notice can be stressful and expensive. AAA members save 10 percent with RushMyPassport.

Home and Entertainment Savings with AAA Membership

With discounts saving 10 percent or more, AAA members can get more from their home and entertainment budgets. Members who use their discounts save an average of at least $200 annually, which is more than the cost of a Premium Membership.

Given that entertainment and dining out are generally part of “non-essentials” in household budgets, it’s nice to find ways to save. AAA members can save significantly in these areas:

• Dining: AAA members can stretch their money further by saving 10 percent or more on various dining options.
• Movies: AAA members save 10 to 30 percent on movies.
• Concerts and events: AAA members can access exclusive savings on concerts and events.
• Sports: AAA members get access to a range of discounts on sporting events.
• Appliances and electronics: AAA members can access exclusive offers and discounts on brands like HP, Samsung and DirecTV.
• Gifts: AAA members can access exclusive offers and discounts on a range of shopping partners, including Shari’s Berries, Shutterfly, Harry and David and 1800-Flowers.com.

Compare those savings to the average costs of entertainment and dining. On average, Americans spend more than $3,600 per year on entertainment. We love entertainment, and it’s important to find ways to add it to the budget, even when times are tight. Of that $3,600:

• 27 percent was spent on electronics and streaming services
• 26 percent was spent on events and admissions
• 18 percent was spent on leisure items and activities.

Americans also spend around $3640 per year on dining out, including takeout, although about one-third of Americans have cut back on those expenses. AAA membership offers a way to get more for your entertainment and dining budget.

Maximize Your AAA Membership

AAA membership costs depend on the level you choose, but overall, the costs versus the savings to be had make sense for many household budgets. It’s not just the roadside assistance inclusions and the exclusive discounts accessible through membership; it’s the peace of mind knowing that you’re covered should you need unexpected roadside services. 

Sign up for a AAA Membership today and start making the most of discounts available to you.

 FAQ

Here are some typical FAQs on AAA Membership Costs vs Savings:

What is the difference between AAA Classic and Plus?

AAA Classic is the base-level plan, while AAA Plus is the next tier. Exact plan details may differ depending on where you live, but Plus offers more inclusions, such as longer-distance towing and higher coverage on some products and services.

Which level of AAA Membership is best?

The “best” AAA Membership level depends on your needs. Still, as a general rule, AAA Premier is the most comprehensive option and is relatively inexpensive, generally priced between $65 and $125 per year.

Does AAA really save you money?

For most members, yes! To get the most value from your AAA membership, use AAA discounts on goods and services that are available to members.