I need to sign up for Roadside assistancefor my upcoming trip...which is the best ? bearing in mind I will have three kids in the van, so I'll need help fast when I call them
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I need to sign up for Roadside assistancefor my upcoming trip...which is the best ? bearing in mind I will have three kids in the van, so I'll need help fast when I call them
There are contributers to this forum who work for AAA, so before they pop on let me say that without prejudice and without question AAA is the best. I have used them for many, many years and they have never let me down. They are truly nationwide, and almost everywhere operate 24/7. They cannot be beat for service, attitude, or value. And their Triptiks are the driver-friendliest maps available.
AZBuck
I agree with AzBuck as long as you are speaking about passenger cars and trucks -- Emergency Road Service provided by Good Sam is the clear superior provider for RVs. As far as TripTiks go -- I am not a fan, but for those who might be map-challenged they do provide some useful information.Quote:
Originally Posted by didcotnumber1
Mark
thanks I was leaning towards AAA as it was, I take it the premier package is best as appossed to the basic...must say this site has been a great source of advice and tips for my trip..thanks....a scotsman far away from home
I have been a basic/standard member for about three decades (I didn't even know -- until I read your post -- that other membership options were available). In my view, the standard is just about all you will need. The one thing that you won't find out on the official AAA sites is that AAA doesn't pay their vendor members as fast as some of the smaller vendors would like. That being said, AAA tends to ensure that all AAA vendors are diligent about responding quickly as there is some sort of graduated payment schedule for quicker responses (all very hush-hush). The huge advantage of AAA is that the work represents a significant part of that towing/service vendor's revenue each month and so they tend to respond fast. In fact, I know for a fact, that in many areas of the country AAA tow drivers monitor the local state police radio bands and often get rolling before the dispatch order comes in... The other advantage, of course, is that you will be getting service from local vendors who also know the names and addresses of other local kinds of businesses and stores, should you need that kind of assistance.Quote:
Originally Posted by didcotnumber1
Mark
To be honest, I have never needed more than the basic plan, which is pretty comprehensive. And to give Mark his due, I do not use TripTiks for planning or hard navigation purposes. But for one-handed operation while driving, to just quickly see how soon the next rest area or exit with services is coming up, they can't be beat. Note that I said they were driver-friendly. You really should know where you're going before you get behind the wheel.
AZBuck
Therein lies the rub -- I am a firm believer in the mosey style of roadtripping -- whenever that is possible and I think TripTiks take away too much of the "not-knowing-up-lies-ahead" aspect of roadtripping. The only reason I make reservations these days is that I need broadband Internet access, but knowing where the next rest stop is... well, that is not something I spend much effort thinking about.. before I need one.Quote:
Originally Posted by AZBuck
The other problem with TripTiks is they will never route folks down the dangerous, or at least interesting back road byways that I find appealing.
I do have to relate on recent road trip experience straight out the comic books --- on a back road lane -- someone had changed the angle of a sign so that we followed the sign instead of common sense (the road was heading away from where we thought it should be going) and it was only when I stopped to look at the map, that I realized we had been had -- The up side: it is unlikely that I would ever have found that road without the gremlin-like behavior of the local citizenry. It was a very pretty country lane in western Colorado....
Mark
Mark,
So, did they sell you anything?
Nah, it was storming and rainy and wet and they were probably at home being dry. The river in the area was attempting to jump out of its banks.... Megan was not overly amused by the extra detour. But we both loved the sign-switching routine!Quote:
Originally Posted by Moderator Bob
We jusst got AAA and are using it for our first trip. We used to bother other people for the maps and region books. Now how it helped us out was with all the books of every region they gave us when ever we drive.
The reason it helped is because the books told us every hotel there was along the way. This was useful to us because the kids always want a pool and not all hotels have one. Plus they gie discounts. Fortunately I have never used the roadside assistance so I can't say much about that. Good luck with your choice.
Even though I am a AAA Arizona, Inc. employee, I must first state that I am no way biased because my living comes from AAA. Although it may seem that way to some of you.
Okay, now down to business. I would say AAA is your best overall value, because you do get more services and other things for your money. The Auto Club of America does provide unlimited service calls, but you are having to call a central call center for your service. There is another club out there, I believe its the Better Day Club (or something to that effect) that even offers bicycle roadside assistance. The drawbacks on both of these are clear. AAA clubs staff locally as much as possible. If you are broken down in Arizona, chances are you will speak to a Roadside Assistance agent who lives and works in Arizona. We do have overflow agents in Florida, and they do a bang-up job for not actually being here.
AAA has three levels of membership, and you should decide carefully which is best for you. If you are towing anything, riding a motorcycle, or driving an RV, the only option that will cover all your vehicles and trailers is AAA Plus RV. This is the most expensive option of course, but I must tell you that in Arizona, the additonal $30 per household per year to upgrade from Plus to RV Plus doesn't even come close to the charges for even a flat tire change on a boat trailer. In fact, AAA Arizona actually loses money on every RV call we process. Good news is we don't get too many of them.
For those driving standard cars, trucks, SUV's, and vans (that have not been lifted or lowered), there are 2 options for you.
The first is AAA Classic membership. The mileages you get vary from club to club, but most offer the first 5 miles free, with each subsequent mile at a per mile rate (in Arizona, it is $4/mile over the first 5 miles) - or back to the contractor's garage or, if they do not have a garage, to a garage of their choosing for free.
Personally, I take the AAA Plus. In Arizona and most other states, Plus grants members 100 miles of towing at no charge, in addition to emergency fuel supply at no charge (other variations from the Classic membership also apply). Plus is primarily an upgrade to your roadside assistance.
Of course with any AAA membership you get a wide variety of maps for free (including all state maps and many metropolitan maps), trip-tiks (mixed feeling about these I can see), tourbooks (provide information on lodging, restaurants, attractions, and even tid-bits about each state, including some major driving laws that motorists need to be aware of).
There are many other benefits, but I do recommend checking with your local club, as I can only provide insight as far as the exact benefits of AAA Arizona.
Whether you choose AAA or one of our competitors, I am glad to hear that you are taking the opportunity to check out what it's all about.
And on a side-note, our drivers are too busy to be listening to scanners in their rigs. Many of our contractors also contract with state and local police. At our dispatch center in Phoenix, we have a direct line for Arizona DPS, should they need to contact us. We do have a couple of HAM radio operators that have set up a multi-frequency scanning array at one of our rural dispatching stations, but they don't even have the time to gather the information as it's transmitted, only that a call is coming in from DPS.
Any other questions, feel free to ask me.
-Brad M.
Administrative Assistant
AAA Arizona, Inc. Automotive Services
I've been an AAA member for about 10 years now, ever since breaking down on the Turnpike with a busted radiator hose in my old Beretta.
The one time I've had to call them, they responded with a tow promptly, and we managed to tow our (now gone) 1-ton Dodge Ram dually without a problem. The flatbed operator was hesitant, but he got the job done, though he should have had a wider truck.
As an aside to that experience, you meet some very interesting people when you break down...
I've never used any of their other services. People ask me why, but I like planning my own routes and meandering as well.
I, too, love AAA. Service has been great. But this is a rare occasion where I strongly disagree with our Dear Editor. Pay the tiny bit extra for the AAA-PLUS membership.
I have had to have vehicles towed by AAA on 4 occasions. Not one of those times has there been a garage within 5 miles.
1. Husband's pickup broken down in the woods, about 50 miles from town and our mechanic. Saved us about $180 out of pocket for towing above 5 miles.
2. My car had a waterpump go out on the North Cascades Highway. AAA-Plus towed my car 105 miles from the top of the pass to Mt. Vernon, WA, and the nearest dealership for my car. Out of pocket: $20 vs. $400.
3. My daughter was in a minor accident (no injuries, thank goodness) that made her car inoperable near Kalaloch, WA. Distance to town: about 75 miles. AAA-Plus saved us about $280 in additional towing charges that time.
4. My son's 68 Chevy Impala broke down in Federal Way. They towed his vehicle the whole way home to our trusted mechanic and gave him and his friend a ride home to boot. Distance: about 95 miles. Savings about $360.
And in all cases our vehicle was taken to the place we wanted rather than just the nearest garage.
And you know what the real kicker is? When my son's incident happened (#4 above), we had forgotten to pay the renewal on our membership dues. So, technically, when he called he wasn't covered. They asked him if we intended to renew and he told them yes. So, they sent the tow-truck who brought him and his vehicle 95 miles to home on his promise that we'd pay. We didn't even get a phone call from them asking us to renew or to confirm that's what we intended to do. Believe me, once he told me that I went on the website and paid for our renewal pronto. But I was amazed they did this tow on my son's say-so like that. Now THAT'S service!!
So, do I think AAA-Plus is worth it? You bet. It has saved me hundreds of dollars in towing expenses in the 5 years we've had it. Add in about 3 flat tire fixes, and 3-4 times where hubby has locked his keys in the car far from home and the extra key, and we're quite happy with the value we've gotten from this service. And it has probably saved me a couple of hundred bucks in map and guidebook fees as well.
So, unless you never drive far from home, pay the tad extra for AAA-PLUS!!! I can't remember how much difference it is, but it isn't that much for the extras you get. Check it out on their website at www.AAA.com
And the service has always been quick, professional, and friendly.
Trip-Ticks are useful tools for quick glances while driving along the road but I only order them for about maybe half my trips. I NEVER plan my trips by them. But the free guidebooks are great as are the discounts.
Gosh.....I almost sound like I should be in a commercial for them or something, don't I?
I bet with a track record like that, the local AAA dispatcher starts to shake when he/she sees your account flash on the screen... I will still stick with the basic plan, I think it is one of the best travel deals out there... And the discounts are always a plus!Quote:
Originally Posted by Judy
Mark
Thanks for all the advice ..I went with AAA...I set off today and I've no idea how long we will take to get NYC, but rest assured I'll let you all know as soon as I get back how it went...thanks
LOL...I'm hoping we have better luck in the next 5 years and don't need them so much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Editor
Someday when my kids are off on their own more, and have their own AAA accounts if they choose to get them, I might take a chance on the basic plan. However, with kids driving hither and yon, I like the extra security the deluxe plan gives us.
I've been a member for over 30 years, and always appreciate having them availalble for travel related support.
No org. is perfect, but even then they try. Years ago, one very snowy winter Saturday, when people were advised to stay at home to allow plowing in the Wash. D.C. area, we had to attend a funeral for a dear friend. On the way back, a flat tire in the middle of what normally would be a busy road, and on a medium (5% ?) grade. AAA said they couldn't reach us, but if we could find anyone they'd reimburse us (up to a certain amount I think). We didn't find anyone, I changed it myself, but boy was I chilled, slush dirty, and out of breath.
Foolish - could be, but the option of taking a taxi (IF I could find one), then having to get my car out of some impound, "drove" me on. There were other cars out, but I saw no indicators of tow trucks or taxis. I don't think being a member of some other club would have given me better results on that particular day.
TTM