Discount on AAA membership?
 

I'm about to sign up for AAA. Does anyone have any tips on getting a discount off the first-year membership or some-such?

We just signed up in response to a direct mail piece that offered waived enrollment fee ($15), free second membership ($28) and one extra month added on the one-year rate. Total was $56 vs $99 as listed on the web site. I don't know how you would get targeted for this - maybe call and sweet talk them, knowing this deal exists? There were no web links in the mailer, signup was completed by filling a form and mailing it in. This was from the Mid Atlantic AAA, if that makes any difference.

I got the same promotion a while back. Does the promotion last for the lifetime of the member, or do you have to pay for the associates membership for the second year? I wonder if they will honor the promotion with the mailing as I have discarded it.

Just looking at my renewal billing: $48 + $24 ea.addtl (AAA-MI) -- I usually stop by the office to pay, & grab new state maps for everybody (4).
Haven't felt the need to push for a discount; between road-service & hotel discounts, we seem to make it back several times over.

Their booking service is durn cheap too -- got an agent who just ROTFLHAO when I bring in those 12-segment ITA printouts ^

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How much does one really save with AAA hotel discounts? I have always used my American Express travel service, and have gotten room upgrades, late check-out, breakfast, etc... I am seriously considering purchasing a AAA membership, but am not sure if it would benefit me since I already have an Amex Travel Service.

No, I don't think it will. The offer just stated free membership for the second member for the first year.

I hope you're not serious.

I believe the rates vary from state to state, region to region.

So, if the OP wants promos, the OP probably needs to be more specific.

Caloy -- I hope you're not serious.

Sure. For my purposes, 50 bucks is dirt cheap -- why quibble over, what, maybe $4-5?

Hotels: 10% is a pretty solid figure -- very few occasions it doesn't beat whatever else might be offered (I'm talking company sites -- not PL, etc); seems to make those "advance pay" terms disappear, and I checkout with whatever flavor plastic suits my fancy.
In one 4-nite, all 2-room run, I got the whole year's fees back, and then some, plus the miles, points, perks, and whatever...

Saves a ton on my car insurances, too, even with the teen drivers :D
Now, if I could just get 'em to underwrite the plane... ^

YMMV -- I don't leave home without it.
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Around 10%, sometimes more. Mrs Flyer Jon uses AMEX, but I often book her hotels as I find better rates, often with AAA. There is no reason that AMEX cannot book AAA rates. They prefer to book their negotiated rates, but AAA can, from time to time, beat them. AMEX will still receive commission.

With free maps, passport photos, hotel discounts, car insurance discount, no-fee traveler checks, Cingular Wireless discount, my family membership is more than covered.

I always check AAA for hotels and sometimes the rates beat the other sites (hotels.com, expedia, etc.). Got a TripTik recently for Tampa and it was not up to date with all the construction near and around the aquarium :(

Be sure to sign up for the "Plus" membership which costs an additional $25-30/year and - among other benes - provides free towing for up to 100 miles. (The regular membership only provides 3 miles free.)

This benefit literally saved us $100s (CAN) when we had our damaged rental car towed 100km (Alamo insisted that we return the car to the airport). It is also quite handy if your car breaks down and you want it towed to a preferred mechanic.

Starwood Hotel Chain (Sheraton, Westin, etc.) also offers an upgraded frequent stayer membership for AAA members. With it you get, late check-up and upgrades....this AAA membership has been worth its weight in Gold (club that is!).

There are several threads already on this in the *wood forum, here is the link to sign up:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/aaa

At Hilton it's usually a flat 10%. My membership in AAA pays for itself just with the hotel discounts.

Lots of other discounts available too, and one time I saved enough on a Hertz Rental through them was so incredibly discounted, that one rental week paid for the membership for the year.