ccolor

Our AmEx card gives us a free Roadside Assistance Program - I have been a member of AAA for quite a few years, but am wondering if I need it anymore since the AmEx program seems to give us the same benefits. We are also AARP members, so hotel and car discounts are already covered. Does anybody have any input pro and con for either program?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

happytrailstoyou

I wouldn't be without my AAA Membership. I had a hard time finding the following Terms and Conditions of the AmEx Roadside Assistance Program: "American Express Roadside Assistance Services are provided as an emergency service and not a general maintenance type service. Only one disablement for the same cause during any consecutive seven-day period will be allowed. Coverage provided for self-propelled, four-wheel vehicles designed, licensed, and used for private on-road transportation, and trucks with a carrying capacity of up to 2 tons. Towing to the nearest authorized facility, or, upon the Cardmember's request, to another location at a maximum towing distance of 10 miles. Fuel provided in emergency situations will be charged to the Cardmember's Card Account. Emergency situations do not include: all parts, labor and supplies provided while at an auto repair shop or service station, towing to another location unless the initial service location is closed, service for taxicabs, tractors, boats, rental vehicles, ambulances, trucks, vehicles used for competition, unlicensed vehicles, illegally parked or impounded vehicles, or any vehicles in tow, rental and towing equipment, towing at the direction of law enforcement officer relating to traffic obstruction, impoundment, abandonment, illegal parking, or other violations of law or towing by other than a licensed service station or garage, installation or removal of snow tires, repairs to studs, mounting and dismounting snow chains, repeated service calls for a vehicle in need of routine maintenance or repair, shoveling snow from around a vehicle, vehicle storage, or impoundment charges. Limit of 4 services per calendar year."

RedRock

There is a difference in a Motor Club and just road side assistance. Many new cars come with road side assist for the first few years of ownership.. We have been members of AAA for 30 years. I get my money's worth from maps, tour, camp books and other travel services that are offered. In all the years as a member I have only used the road side assist 3 or 4 times and always have been satisfied. One time even while camping in the Black Hills. I looked into the AARP sponsored Motor Club and even joined it for a year when they had a special offer. The travel information and maps they offer was more than lacking. When I ordered maps some of them were over 5 years old and most times they were out of the ones I needed and I had to reorder again and again. They did not offer any form of tour/camping information as does the AAA. I guess you could say you get what you pay for. I did not even let the AAA membership expire while I experimented with the AARP Motoring Plan.