Is AAA membership worth it?
 

I am asking from a Starwood perspective but opinions if it's worth it in general would also be helpful.

As I posted in a previous thread I always seem to see lower *wood rates for AAA members. Does anyone have a AAA card? Is the $54 per year worth it?

I've been a AAA member for 25 years. Yes, it's worth it even if you never use any of the discounts.

I think so. You do get discounts at Starwood and many other hotels, so the card can pay for itself that way. Plus, you can get good guide books for many destinations. Finally, they provide emergency car care and towing, which you may be paying for elsewhere.

You convinced me. I already saved $26 on my reservation this weekend.

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.

Some of my savings from AAA include:

• On my stays booked online, about half my stays with Starwood properties have been with the AAA discount which shaved off roughly 10% or so.
  
• On my stays where I had to walk to the front desk to book a room, the AAA rate was always cheaper than their rack rate.
  
• I have two cars insured with a separate insurance company and having AAA allowed me to cancel the towing portion of the policy on both cars. This is a savings of $32/year.
  
• AAA discount is good at quite a few restaurants that I frequent, including Boston Market and Armadillo Willy's.

The most important perk:)

It's worth it alone for the roadside assistance / lockout services. I rarely use them, but when you need it, it's there. Also, in California, you can handle all of your DMV auto registration there. No nasty lines like the regular DMV offices. Then the discounts on hotels and other travel stuff, some restaurants, etc.

If you use the AAA to stay at a Starwood property, do you still get the starpoints?

It's a booking option through the spg.com website, so, yes

Interesting. How can I find out the SPG rates applicable to AAA members? I have a handful of existing reservations and I'd like to see if the AAA rate is better and if so, it may be worth it to sign up for membership.

While in the past I have mostly used AAA rates at spg, recently the rates are better (sometimes much better) for seniors. To qualify for spg senior rates you must be a member of AARP. -- Suzanne

I feel it is worth it, just for the peace of mind. I've used their towing service, dead battery jump and obtained free road maps. Not to mention the discount on hotel rooms and some Amtrak tickets.

I get AAA mainly for roadside assistance. Also, many don't know this, but they will come to your car to change out your dead battery (for a charge, of course, but it's very convenient).

If you get locked out of your car or building, they come to the rescue too.

You also get quite a few discounts here and there including sunglasses hut, shoes.com, etc

Starwood discount is a bonus.

When reserving online one you choose the hotel, on the hotel screen there is a box called Rate Preference (to the right of the dates) scroll down to Automobile Association then click update room list which will then show you if any AAA discounts are available.


sdcarver