AAA, formerly known as the American Automobile Association, has been around since 1902 providing roadside assistance and other services to drivers. Today, AAA serves over 60 million members across North America through various club affiliates.
When you join AAA, you have a choice of membership tiers. The classic level provides basic roadside assistance for around $50–60 per year. But AAA also offers upgraded memberships known as Plus and Premier that have enhanced benefits.
Understanding AAA Classic vs Plus vs Premier
The classic AAA membership covers you with:
- Basic towing — up to 5 miles included
- Tire change
- Lockout service
- Fuel delivery
- Jump starts
It’s designed for basic breakdown needs.
AAA Plus membership costs around $100 per year and adds:
- Towing — up to 100 miles included
- Trip interruption reimbursement — up to $500
- Car rental discount
- Additional towing miles — 100 miles per incident
AAA Premier runs around $130–150 yearly and further expands services to:
- Towing — up to 200 miles included
- Trip interruption reimbursement — up to $1500
- Identity theft monitoring
- Vehicle return coverage — up to $500
- Home lockout service
- Additional towing miles — 100 miles per incident
So as you upgrade from Classic to Plus to Premier, you get enhanced insurance coverage, reimbursements, and towing mileage. Premier acts as AAA’s top-tier roadside assistance and insurance product.
Key Differences in Coverage Between Levels
When deciding whether it’s worth upgrading from Classic to Plus or Premier, look closely at these key differences in coverage:
Towing Mileage
With Classic, you only get 5 miles of towing included per incident. AAA Plus increases that to 100 miles of towing, while Premier covers up to 200 miles.
So if you ever break down in a remote area far from home, a higher-tier membership could save you hefty towing fees. Having 100–200 miles of towing covered per incident provides much more flexibility.
Trip Interruption Reimbursement
If your trip gets interrupted due to a breakdown, Plus members can get reimbursed up to $500 for expenses like hotels and food while stranded. With Premier, that reimbursement limit jumps to $1,500.
Trip interruption reimbursement is an incredibly valuable insurance benefit for long road trips. You have the peace of mind that AAA will cover your lodging and meals if the unexpected happens far from home.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Premier members get up to $500 per trip if their luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged. This perk only comes with AAA’s top membership tier.
Identity Theft Monitoring
Another advantage exclusively for Premier members is identity theft monitoring through Experian. It alerts you about suspicious activity involving your personal information.
Vehicle Return Coverage
If you fall ill or get into an accident far from home, Premier members can have AAA coordinate and cover the costs of returning their vehicle back home — up to $500.
Again, this is coverage only available if you upgrade to AAA’s highest membership tier.
Additional Perks with AAA Premier
Besides insurance coverage differences, upgrading to AAA Premier also unlocks additional perks:
Free Maps, Travel Guides, and TripTiks
AAA Premier members get free printed maps, tour books, and TripTiks customized routing. This allows you to plan your travels without needing to purchase resources.
Discounts and Rewards
You’ll have access to special discounts and rewards at thousands of retailers, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment attractions. AAA provides a discount portal specifically for Premier members.
Higher Coverage Limits
For many basic services like towing, Premier members are eligible for higher coverage amounts compared to Classic and Plus. You get greater allowances across the board.
So Premier provides advantages beyond just further towing miles and reimbursements. You can save money on maps and enjoy discounts you wouldn’t receive at lower membership tiers.
Membership Cost Differences
Now let’s compare the annual membership costs:
- AAA Classic runs around $50–60 per year
- AAA Plus is approximately $100 per year
- AAA Premier averages $130–150 yearly
The upgraded memberships cost more for good reason — you get drastically better coverage.
When you look at the big picture, the higher price for Plus and Premier pays for itself if you ever use the enhanced benefits. One long tow or covered hotel stay would likely surpass the cost difference versus Classic.
And keep in mind, membership dues are typically discounted if you pay for multiple years upfront. Paying for 2–3 years of Plus or Premier at once can lower your effective yearly cost.
Choosing Between Plus or Premier
When deciding whether to upgrade from Classic, ask yourself:
- How often do I travel long distances where roadside assistance may be needed?
- Would I benefit from identity theft monitoring and other insurance perks?
- Would discounted maps, travel books, hotel deals, and rewards be useful?
Plus membership makes sense if you want more towing miles and basic trip interruption coverage. But Premier delivers greater maximum benefits, especially for frequent long-distance travelers.
The choice ultimately depends on your budget and the level of protection you desire. Evaluate the key coverage differences and premium features to determine if Plus or Premier is the right fit.
For most drivers, the peace of mind of upgraded roadside assistance and insurance is well worth the small difference in annual membership fees. Unless you rarely drive and don’t travel far from home, Plus or Premier memberships can provide invaluable security.
FAQs
What are the main differences between AAA Plus and Premier?
The main differences between AAA Plus and Premier include:
- Towing distance: AAA Plus members receive up to 100 miles of towing, while AAA Premier members receive up to 200 miles of towing.
- Lockout service: AAA Premier members receive up to $150 in lockout services, while AAA Plus members receive up to $100.
- Identity theft monitoring: AAA Premier members receive identity theft monitoring and assistance, while AAA Plus members do not.
- Travel benefits: AAA Premier members receive additional travel benefits, such as trip interruption coverage and travel accident insurance, that are not available to AAA Plus members.
Does AAA Premier offer identity theft monitoring?
Yes, AAA Premier members receive identity theft monitoring and assistance as part of their membership benefits.
How much further will AAA Premier tow your vehicle?
AAA Premier members receive up to 200 miles of towing, while AAA Plus members receive up to 100 miles of towing.
Do AAA Premier members get free maps and travel guides?
Yes, AAA Premier members receive free maps, travel guides, and other travel-related resources as part of their membership benefits.
How much more does it cost to upgrade to AAA Premier?
The cost of upgrading to AAA Premier can vary depending on the location and specific membership plan. According to the AAA website, the cost of upgrading from AAA Plus to AAA Premier can range from $49 to $89 per year, depending on the state and region.
https://wiack.com/what-is-the-difference-between-aaa-plus-and-aaa-premier/?feed_id=24820&_unique_id=64f167acda53d #Wiack #Car #CarInsurance #CarRental #CarPrice #AutoLoans
