Does AAA still offer plus membership?

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Yes, AAA still offers the AAA Plus Membership tier as one of its core roadside assistance plans.

AAA Plus Membership Overview

  • Cost: Typically around $99.99 to $117.00 per year for a primary member, depending on your specific regional AAA club.
  • Towing: Up to 100 miles of towing per occurrence, for up to 4 calls per year.
  • Coverage: Follows the person rather than a specific vehicle, meaning you are covered whether you are driving or riding as a passenger in any eligible car, truck, SUV, or bicycle.
  • Additional Benefits: Free emergency fuel delivery, locksmith reimbursement up to $100, extrication/winching services, and travel interruption coverage.

How can I upgrade my AAA membership to a Plus plan?

You can upgrade your AAA membership online through the AAA Membership Portal or by calling Member Services at (800) 922-8228.

How to Upgrade Your Membership

  • Online: Go to AAA, sign in to your account, select My AAA, go to Membership, and choose Change Plan under your plan level.
  • By Phone: Call AAA Member Services at (800) 922-8228 to have a representative process the change and prorate the remaining cost of your term.
  • In Person: Visit your local AAA branch office to speak with a representative and update your plan face-to-face.

What to Expect

  • Cost: You will pay a prorated amount for the difference in cost between Classic and Plus for the remainder of your current billing cycle.
  • Waiting Period: Upgraded benefits like extended towing usually have a 7- to 10-day waiting period before they become active, though your basic coverage remains active immediately.
  • Household Accounts: Depending on your regional club, upgrades to Plus may apply to all members listed on your household account.

How much is a plus membership at AAA?

A AAA Plus Membership typically costs between $89 and $117 per year for the primary member.

Because AAA is divided into regional motor clubs, the exact price depends entirely on your zip code. For example:

  • AAA Mountain West (e.g., California, Utah, Alaska): $99.99/year
  • AAA Auto Club Group (e.g., Florida, Georgia, Michigan, parts of the Midwest): $117/year
  • AAA Carolinas: $89/year

Key Details to Keep in Mind:

  • Enrollment Fees: New members often face a one-time enrollment fee ranging from $10 to $15.
  • Adding Members: You can add extra drivers in your household to a Plus plan for a discounted rate, usually around $35 to $65 per person annually.

What You Get With AAA Plus:

The Plus tier is the most popular option, significantly expanding the perks of the base-level "Classic" plan:

  • Towing: Free towing up to 100 miles per call (compared to just 3–5 miles on Classic).
  • Locksmith Service: Up to $100 reimbursement if you get locked out of your car.
  • Fuel Delivery: Free roadside delivery of fuel, including the cost of the gas itself.

To get the exact price for your specific location, you can check the plan tiers directly via the AAA Membership portal.

Is there a difference between AAA and AAA Plus?

Yes, AAA Classic (or Basic) and AAA Plus differ mainly in their annual cost and the coverage limits for towing, lockouts, and emergency fuel.

Key Differences

  • Towing Distance:
    • Classic: Covers towing up to 3 to 7 miles (depending on your region) back to a repair shop or a location of your choice.
    • Plus: Upgrades your towing distance to 100 miles per call, up to four times a year.
  • Locksmith Coverage:
    • Classic: Reimburses locksmith services up to $50 or $60.
    • Plus: Increases locksmith reimbursement up to $100.
  • Fuel Delivery:
    • Classic: Usually delivers emergency fuel, but you may have to pay for the cost of the gas itself.
    • Plus: Includes the cost of the emergency fuel delivered to you.
  • Additional Benefits:
    • Plus: Adds extra perks not found on the base tier, such as trip interruption protection (up to $750) and lost luggage insurance (up to $250).
  • Cost:
    • Classic: Generally runs around $33 to $65 per year, depending on your state and local club.
    • Plus: Generally costs about $62 to $100 per year, roughly 50% more than the base tier.

Is AAA Plus membership worth it?

A AAA Plus membership is generally worth it if you frequently take long road trips or drive an older vehicle, as it upgrades your towing coverage from the basic 5–7 miles to 100 miles per service call.

Key Benefits of AAA Plus

  • Longer Towing: Up to 100 miles of towing per call (4 times a year), compared to just 5 miles on the Classic plan.
  • Free Fuel Delivery: Includes free emergency fuel if you run out of gas (Classic members pay for the fuel itself).
  • Higher Lockout Coverage: Covers up to $100 for locksmith services.
  • Extra Perks: Adds trip-interruption protection, lost baggage coverage, and personal-data monitoring.
  • Coverage Follows You: Benefits cover you as a person, whether you are driving your own car, a friend's vehicle, or riding as a passenger.

Cost vs. Value

  • Price: Typically costs between $90 and $110 per year depending on your region (higher than the base Classic plan, which is usually $40–$60, but cheaper than the Premier tier).
  • The Verdict: If you only drive a few miles around your hometown, the Classic tier is usually enough. However, a single long-distance tow out of a rural area or highway breakdown without Plus can easily cost hundreds of dollars out of pocket, making the Plus upgrade a cheap insurance policy.

AAA Membership Levels Breakdown: Which One is for You?

9 related questions found

How do I get a senior discount at AAA?

AAA does not offer an official, nationwide senior discount on membership fees, but you can save money by using standard AAA membership discounts on travel, insurance, and partner services.

How Seniors Can Save with AAA

  • Mature Driver Discounts: Complete the AAA Roadwise Driver course (designed for drivers 55 and older) to qualify for potential auto insurance discounts.
  • Travel and Dining Savings: Use your standard membership card to get exclusive rates on hotels, rental cars, and partner restaurants.
  • Partner Promotions: Access specific senior-targeted offers through partners, such as special T-Mobile 55+ phone plans available to AAA members.
  • Local Club Offers: Check with your local AAA branch to see if your regional club offers special promotions or state retiree rates.

Is AAA even worth it anymore?

A AAA membership is still worth it if you drive an older car, take long road trips, or want roadside help that follows the driver instead of a specific vehicle. It may not be necessary if you drive a brand-new car with factory roadside help or already pay for similar coverage through your car insurance.

Opinions on Clark Howard Community are mixed. Some users feel it costs too much due to long wait times or redundant insurance perks, while others keep it for travel discounts, DMV services, and peace of mind.

When AAA is Worth It

  • It follows you, not the car: You are covered whether you drive your own car, ride in a friend's car, or rent a vehicle. Insurance roadside plans usually only cover a specific insured vehicle.
  • No insurance rate hikes: Using a tow from AAA does not count as an insurance claim. Using roadside help through your auto insurer can sometimes count as a claim and raise your rates.
  • Longer towing limits: Basic plans offer short tows, but Plus and Premier tiers cover tows up to 100 or 200 miles, which saves hundreds of dollars during a major breakdown far from home.
  • Extra perks: Members get discounts on hotels, rental cars, restaurants, and select auto repairs, plus free identity theft monitoring and local DMV registry services in some states.

When to Skip AAA

  • You have new car coverage: Most new cars include free roadside assistance for the first three to five years.
  • Your insurance is cheaper: Many auto insurers offer roadside add-ons for a few dollars a month.
  • You rarely drive: If you live in a city and barely use a car, out-of-pocket pay-per-use dispatch services (like those tied to many credit cards) might make more sense than an annual fee.

How many free tows a year with AAA Plus?

AAA Plus includes up to four free service calls per membership year, each covering a tow of up to 100 miles.

Key Details for AAA Plus Towing

  • Towing Distance: Up to 100 miles per tow to the destination of your choice. Extra miles cost a discounted per-mile fee.
  • Shared Pool of Calls: The four annual service calls are shared across all roadside services. This includes towing, flat tire changes, jump-starts, emergency fuel delivery, and vehicle extrication.
  • Member-Specific Coverage: Coverage follows you (the member). You can use your benefits whether you are driving or riding as a passenger in any vehicle, including a rental car.

How can I lower my AAA premium?

You can lower your AAA insurance or membership premium by adjusting your coverage levels, bundling policies, and asking for hidden or unapplied discounts.

Adjust Your Coverage and Deductibles

  • Raise your deductibles: Increasing your comprehensive and collision deductibles lowers your ongoing monthly or annual payment, though you will pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
  • Drop unnecessary coverage: Remove comprehensive and collision coverage if you drive an older, depreciated car whose market value is less than 10 times your annual premium.
  • Downgrade your membership tier: If you pay for a Premier AAA membership but rarely use long-distance towing, drop down to a Plus or Classic tier.

Maximize Discounts and Policy Details

  • Bundle your policies: Combine your auto insurance with a AAA Home Insurance or renters policy to unlock multi-policy discounts.
  • Update your mileage: Inform AAA if you have changed jobs, retired, or drive fewer miles annually to qualify for low-mileage rates.
  • Complete safety courses: Take an approved AAA defensive driving course or traffic school to earn a direct percentage discount on your auto premium.
  • Clean up extra household members: Remove family members from your membership plan if they already have independent roadside coverage.

Negotiate and Pay Proactively

  • Ask for promotional or retention rates: Call a local agent, ask if there are any promotional or returning member deals, or politely state you are shopping around to see if a retention discount is available.
  • Pay in full: Switch from monthly installments to paying your full balance annually or semi-annually to avoid recurring processing fees.
  • Most users on Reddit agree that updating your reported mileage, bundling policies, and paying for multi-month terms upfront are reliable ways to trim costs.

Does Costco offer free AAA membership?

No, Costco does not offer a free AAA membership or bundle AAA with its warehouse club plans.

❌ Costco and AAA Facts

  • No bundles: Costco memberships do not include AAA services.
  • No cross-discounts: Neither company offers standard cross-membership discounts for joining the other.
  • Separate costs: You must pay full price for a Costco Membership ($65 for Gold Star or $130 for Executive) and a separate AAA plan.