I was an AAA member for perhaps 25 years. One day I had a look instead of blindly renewing (again), and realized that for $5 a year I had towing on my auto insurance, that the maps aren't worth it, and that none of the other benefits are of much value to me. Now, I haven't been a member in about 5 years and looking back, haven't missed it at all. Furthermore, AAA rates for accommodations and other travel services are virtually never the best rates.

It's a great gimic, a huge cash cow, and I only wish that I'd invented it.