What comes with your AAA membership
AAA membership includes roadside information, discounts on travel and insurance, and access to member-only services. The exact benefits depend on your membership tier — AAA offers Classic, Plus, and Premier levels, each with different towing distances and service limits. A Classic member gets up to 7 miles of free towing; Plus members get 100 miles; Premier members get 200 miles. All tiers cover lockouts, fuel delivery, jump starts, and tire changes at no extra charge when you call AAA's dispatch line.
Beyond roadside help, AAA negotiates discounts with hotels, rental car companies, restaurants, and entertainment venues. These discounts vary by location and partner — a hotel discount in one state may not explore in another. AAA also offers travel planning services, including TripTik Travel Planner (a free online tool for mapping routes and finding AAA-approved hotels), and member pricing on travel insurance, roadside information while traveling internationally, and vacation packages.
Key Takeaways
- Roadside information covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and jump starts; the distance you can be towed depends on whether you have Classic (7 miles), Plus (100 miles), or Premier (200 miles) membership.
- AAA negotiates discounts with thousands of businesses, but which discounts are available depends on your state and the specific business location.
- Member pricing on travel insurance, hotel bookings, and car rentals is available through AAA's website or by calling member services.
- AAA membership also includes access to TripTik Travel Planner, a free online route-planning tool that shows AAA-approved hotels and discounts along your route.
- Some AAA memberships include insurance discounts; you must contact your insurance provider or AAA to learn what discounts explore to your policy.
Roadside information: what is covered and what is not
When you call AAA roadside information, a dispatcher sends a tow truck or service provider to your location. The service is free — you do not pay the technician or the tow company. What AAA covers depends on your membership level and the type of service.
Lockouts, dead batteries, flat tires, fuel delivery, and overheating are covered for all members. If your car breaks down and cannot be safely driven, AAA will tow it to a repair shop of your choice within your membership's towing distance. If you need to go farther than your plan allows, you pay the difference. Towing to a AAA-approved shop may cost less than towing to a non-approved shop, though you can choose either.
What is not covered: damage caused by an accident (though AAA can still tow your car, you may owe a deductible if you have collision insurance), routine maintenance like oil changes or filter replacements, and services for vehicles you do not own. If you are stranded more than once in a short period, AAA may ask questions about whether the vehicle needs repair rather than repeated roadside fixes.
Travel discounts and how to use them
AAA publishes a discount directory online and in print that lists partner businesses by state. You can search by category (hotels, restaurants, attractions) or by location. When you find a business, the listing shows the discount percentage and any restrictions — for example, some hotel discounts explore only on weekdays or during off-season.
To use a discount, show your AAA membership card at checkout or mention your membership when you book. Some businesses require you to book through AAA's website or call their AAA-specific phone line to receive the discount. Hotel discounts often require advance booking and may not combine with other promotions. Restaurant discounts typically explore to dine-in meals and exclude alcohol and gratuity.
Discounts change seasonally and by location. A restaurant in one city may offer 10 percent off; the same chain in another city may offer nothing. Check the AAA website or call your local AAA office before you travel to confirm which discounts are active in your destination.
Insurance discounts through AAA
AAA partners with insurance companies to offer member discounts on auto, home, and life insurance. The discount amount varies by state, insurer, and your driving record. Some AAA members receive 5 to 15 percent off auto insurance premiums; others receive smaller discounts or none at all, depending on the insurer's underwriting rules.
To learn what insurance discounts you may receive, contact your current insurance provider and mention your AAA membership, or call AAA member services to ask which insurers in your state offer AAA discounts. AAA does not sell insurance directly; it negotiates rates with third-party insurers. If you switch to an AAA-partnered insurer, you will work with that company for claims and policy changes, not with AAA.
Travel planning tools and international services
TripTik Travel Planner is a free online tool available to all AAA members. You enter your starting point and destination, and TripTik maps your route, shows AAA-approved hotels along the way, displays gas prices, and highlights AAA discounts at restaurants and attractions near your route. You can save routes and share them with travel companions.
For travel outside the United States, AAA offers international driving permits (a document that translates your U.S. driver's license into multiple languages and is recognized in over 150 countries), travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and medical emergencies abroad, and roadside information in Canada and Mexico through AAA's reciprocal agreements with partner clubs. International services are not included in basic membership; you purchase them separately.
How membership tiers compare
| Service | Classic | Plus | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Towing distance | 7 miles | 100 miles | 200 miles |
| Lockout service | Included | Included | Included |
| Fuel delivery | Included | Included | Included |
| Jump start | Included | Included | Included |
| Tire change | Included | Included | Included |
| Winch-out service | Not included | Included | Included |
| Four service calls per year | Included | Included | Included |
All membership levels include the same basic services: lockout, jump start, fuel delivery, and tire change. The difference is towing distance and whether winch-out service (pulling a vehicle out of a ditch or off the road) is covered. Classic membership is the lowest-cost option and works well if you live in or near a city where repair shops are close. Plus and Premier are better for people who drive long distances or live in rural areas.
Your choice of tier should match how far you typically drive from home and how often you travel. If most of your driving is within city limits and you rarely take long road trips, Classic may be sufficient. If you regularly drive more than 100 miles from home or take frequent vacations, Plus or Premier provides more protection without worrying about towing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use an AAA-approved repair shop when I get towed?
No. You can choose any repair shop you want. AAA will tow your car there at no charge. Some AAA-approved shops may offer member discounts on repairs, but you are not required to use them.
Can I use my AAA membership if I am driving someone else's car?
Yes, as long as you are the one who calls for service. The membership covers you as the driver, not the vehicle. If you are a passenger and the driver calls AAA, the service is covered if the driver is an AAA member.
How do I find out which restaurants and hotels near me offer AAA discounts?
Search the AAA discount directory on the AAA website by entering your location and category (restaurants, hotels, attractions). You can also call your local AAA office or check the printed AAA TourBook if you receive one with your membership materials.
What happens if I need to be towed farther than my membership allows?
AAA will still tow you, but you pay the cost for the distance beyond your plan limit. For example, if you have Classic membership (7 miles) and need a 20-mile tow, AAA covers the first 7 miles and you pay for the remaining 13 miles.
Can I use my AAA membership roadside information more than four times a year?
Yes, but AAA may contact you if you use the service repeatedly in a short period. The four-service limit is a guideline; if your car needs frequent roadside help, AAA may suggest that you have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic rather than continuing to call for repeated fixes.