AAA: A Great Travel Resource

My parents have been AAA (the Automobile Club of Southern California) members for a good many years, so when I became a real-life car owner for the first time, I had no hesitation heading over to the local AAA office to sign up for a Basic (now Plus) membership and obtain auto insurance with them.  After a plethora of sleepless nights leading up to our first Independence Day as a married couple listening to neighborhood kids setting off fireworks right outside our window while praying they didn’t set the entire apartment complex on fire, we added renters insurance. 

Not only does AAA have affordable insurance products, but their membership has been invaluable with the various auto-related calamities that befall me.  Between the two of us, Rick and I have experienced practically everything: lock-outs, running out of gas, overheated engines, punctured tire, dead batteries, brakes dying, belt snapping, tire exploding.  One of the main reasons why I’m not completely neurotic regarding driving by now is that I know that I am only one phone call away from a AAA tow truck (plus my family members are rather quick to respond to emergencies and Rick is handy with a tire jack). Plus, it’s great to go to a AAA-certified auto repair shop knowing that their standards are relatively high for a competitive price plus members get a discount on repairs. 

And they have GREAT travel resources. 

The AAA website has basic country info.  They also have their own guidebooks (often free to members) with ratings on hotels and restaurants, or offer discounts on other guidebooks.  I noticed that at the Premium level, they have global travel emergency assistance, reduced processing fees for airline/rail tickets, travel accident insurance, and trip interruption benefits.  I know they also offer TripPaks, which are packs of currency (like Euros, Pounds, etc.) worth $100, just enough spare change to tuck away in your pocket for emergencies.  Plus, they have tons of member-only discounts on amusement parks, shopping, attractions, sports, etc.

In a recent trip to the Irvine AAA office, we took passport-sized photos which are $8 each + tax.  We grabbed some free maps of Europe, detailed maps delineating main roads and motorways, available to Plus-level members.  Domestic maps are offered to all members, which we took advantage of during our last trip to Kentucky.  We also dropped my auto insurance to liability only and sought advice on when would be an appropriate time to drop our renters insurance.  Even with the office buzzing with activity, we were still in and out in about half an hour. 

I’ve barely scratched the surface of everything AAA offers, so check out their website or drop by a local branch office.  Every local AAA office I’ve ever been to has been filled with genuinely nice people (definitely a marked improvement over the DMV).  If you’re looking for a great insurance guy in Irvine, ask for Joe Chow or Charles Carothers, both of whom I’ve dealt with personally and have nothing but praise for.  They’re both smart and funny guys you can trust to be looking out for your best interests even if it makes AAA less money.  Plus you can ask them questions over email and they’re always quick to respond. 

We’re going to go back in a month or so to get our international driver’s license and to see if we can pick up some maps of Asia.

**I made no money off this post (I just really like their service)