Is AAA membership worth it?
Apr 1, 2008 | 11:09 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 350
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?
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?
Apr 1, 2008 | 11:17 am
#33
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CHI
Programs: SPG LIfetime Plat, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Wannabe, Hilton Silver, UA Gold
Posts: 397
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.
Last edited by cliff_rock; Apr 2, 2008 at 12:34 pm Reason: Typo: "car care" not "car car"
Apr 1, 2008 | 11:26 am
#35
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: CO-Silver, Hertz, Marriott Silver, Hilton
Posts: 138
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 11:48 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 7
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 12:28 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,657
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 3:01 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2007
Location: MCI/ORD/CDG
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 786
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 3:10 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Maryland
Programs: AS, UA, BA, Hyatt, Amtrak, AF
Posts: 67
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 3:11 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,823
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.
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.
Apr 1, 2008 | 4:00 pm
#45
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: San Diego
Programs: IC Platinum Ambassador, UA Mileage Plus, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 852
sdcarver
Last edited by sdcarver; Apr 1, 2008 at 4:07 pm