Certainly I've used the AAA discount for hotel stays, but I've also used AAA services for lots of things, like starting a dead battery, towing my car, opening my car when I locked my keys inside. For non-car related things, AAA offers lots of travel-related discounts, like special rates with Hertz, free maps and travel information, restaurant discounts, etc.

I definitely got back what I paid when we broke down at the furthest point of Big Bend Nat'l Park and had to be towed out about 70 miles to the nearest auto mechanic. I had upgraded my membership to AAA+ earlier that year, which allows tows up to 100 miles.

It's nice have the peace of mind even if nothing happens or you don't use any of the other services.