AAA membership
 

Hi ........ <BR> <BR>In about 5 weeks I am coming from England for 3 weeks holiday .... I can get free membership of AAA .... is it worth it ??? <BR> <BR>Mark

I myself use AAA constantly for travel information. If them membership will cost you nothing and save you some dollars, then by all means jump on it! <BR>You can get tourbooks that rate hotels and let you know which ones offer special discounts for AAA members. When you make reservations, just let the hotel know that you're a AAA member and then show your card when you check in to qualify for the discount. <BR> <BR>You also can get discounts on MANY major attractions all around the US. All you have to do is show your card and save. Again, the tour guides (usually available by state, with the exception of smaller states being grouped several to a book) will let you know what attractions are available in each area, what the cost is, their hours of operation, and which ones offer discounts. <BR> <BR>Triptiks are highly detailed maps that get you from point A to point B effectively. If you give your dates of travel they'll even have construction zones marked for you. These triptiks cost nothing and are really useful if you're traveling by car. <BR> <BR>Have fun on your 3 week (lucky you!) holiday.

In addition to all of the above benefits, AAA also has excellent road maps if you're doing any driving.

In support of Howard's point it should be noted that these maps are free for AAA members - convenience stores and gas stations charge $2.50 - $4.00 for the same maps! Also - any large AAA offcie will have metro area maps for major cities (at least on the specific coast on which they're located). I find these maps to be aprticulalry helpful when negotiating the secondary highways in metro areas as they are more detailed than the insets on statewide maps.

I have been an AAA member for over 20 years.If you are driving, it is definitely worth it, for the towing benifits, will jump a dead battery, change a flat tire(just change it, not give you a new tire), even can help if you lock your keys in the car. But, as already mentioned it is fantastic for maps, & also for discounts(usually about 10%) on entrance fees to various attractions, or on some hotels/motels.Many places, you just show your membership card when buying tickets & they will give you the discount on the spot. Other things, you can purchase at a greater discount at various AAA stores. When I was at my local AAA, last month, to purchase discounted Disneyland tickets & to get maps & info books, a guy who was vacationing from Australia & going across country & had a membership, came in & load up on maps(free to members) & books & asked numerous questions, all of which were answered. It was worth it to him. Most AAA stores are open Monday thru Friday & Saturday mornings. But the emergency car benefit works 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week, via a toll free phone number. If it is a free membership, if you use it to save 10% on a $40 entrance fee, or $8 on an $80 night at a hotel, if already come out ahead.

Definitely get it if it is free! Esp if you will be driving at all. If you get a flat tire or need a jumpstart or run out of gas - anywhere! - they will come to the rescue and it will in almost all cases be free! Also you can stop by the AAA office in the area you are visiting and find out about any special offers or discounts for the area they have. have a great trip!

The most interesting discount I have received was 30% off my Rx glasses at Lenscrafters!! It amounted to big bucks when I purchased regular glasses and sunglasses.

You can also get discounted movie tickets through AAA.

Take advantage of the deal for AAA. We have been members for years and it is well worth it.