Get Your Free Guide to AAA Plus Benefits

What AAA Plus Membership Includes

AAA Plus is an enhanced membership tier offered by the American Automobile Association. This guide provides information about the features and benefits that come with this membership level, helping you understand what coverage and services may be available to you as a member.

AAA Plus membership builds on the standard AAA membership by offering extended roadside assistance coverage. The primary distinction between basic AAA and AAA Plus relates to towing distance and service limits. With basic AAA membership, members typically receive up to 7 miles of free towing. AAA Plus extends this to 100 miles of free towing per service call, which represents a significant increase in coverage distance for members who experience breakdowns far from home or repair facilities.

Beyond towing services, AAA Plus includes the standard AAA roadside assistance features available to all members. These services include lockout assistance, fuel delivery, battery service, and winch-out assistance for vehicles stuck in ditches or off-road situations. The membership also provides coverage for other common roadside emergencies that drivers might encounter during their travels.

Many AAA members use this tier of membership specifically because of the extended towing distance. For example, a driver stranded 60 miles away from their home due to a mechanical failure would benefit substantially from the 100-mile towing limit, as this would cover their tow completely without additional out-of-pocket costs. Without this extended coverage, the member would pay for towing beyond the 7-mile limit.

Practical Takeaway: Review your typical driving patterns and consider how far you usually travel from your home or regular repair shops. If you frequently drive long distances or live in rural areas, understanding the difference between basic and Plus coverage can help you determine which membership level might better suit your needs.

Understanding Roadside Assistance Coverage Details

Roadside assistance is the core benefit of any AAA membership, and AAA Plus offers expanded coverage for these emergency services. This section explains the specific types of assistance covered and how the service works when you need help on the road.

Lockout assistance helps when you've locked your keys inside your vehicle. AAA members can call their local AAA club for assistance with this common problem. A service provider will come to your location and work to unlock your vehicle. This service is covered for personal vehicles and applies regardless of where you are when the lockout occurs.

Fuel delivery is another critical service included in membership. If you run out of gasoline, AAA will deliver fuel to your vehicle's location. This service typically covers up to 5 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline, though specific amounts may vary by region. The value of this service alone can justify membership costs, as emergency fuel delivery from independent services can cost $50 to $100 or more.

Battery service covers situations where your car battery dies and won't start your vehicle. An AAA service provider will come to your location and attempt to jump-start your vehicle. If the battery cannot be jump-started, the service may include a tow to a repair facility. Battery replacement services may involve additional charges depending on your specific membership tier and local AAA club policies.

Winch-out assistance helps when your vehicle becomes stuck in a ditch, off-road area, or similar situation where the vehicle cannot be driven out under its own power. A service provider with proper equipment will help extract your vehicle from the stuck position. This service prevents you from having to pay private towing companies premium rates for extraction work, which can easily exceed $200.

Flat tire assistance is included, though it's important to understand what's covered. AAA service providers can assist with changing a tire on your vehicle. If you have a spare tire available and it's in usable condition, the service provider will typically help change the tire. If you need the damaged tire repaired or replaced with a new one, that work would involve additional charges from a tire shop.

Practical Takeaway: Keep AAA's phone number saved in your phone or stored in an easily accessible place. When you need roadside assistance, having the number readily available means you can get help quickly rather than searching for contact information during a stressful roadside emergency.

How the 100-Mile Towing Benefit Works in Practice

The extended towing distance is what distinguishes AAA Plus from basic membership, and understanding how this benefit works helps you make the most of your coverage. The 100-mile towing allowance applies per service call, meaning each time you use the towing service, you can receive up to 100 miles of free towing.

When you have a breakdown or accident that requires towing, you contact AAA through their phone number or mobile app. AAA has dispatch centers that work with a network of towing providers in your area. The dispatch center will arrange for a tow truck to come to your location and tow your vehicle to a repair facility of your choice, typically within the 100-mile radius.

The towing service can take your vehicle to any repair facility, not just AAA-preferred shops. This gives you flexibility in choosing where your vehicle gets repaired. You can direct the tow truck to your preferred mechanic, dealership, or repair shop. Some members choose to have their vehicle towed to a dealership for warranty work, while others prefer independent shops they've used before.

Distance is calculated from your vehicle's location to the final destination repair facility. If you're stranded 80 miles from your home, AAA Plus will cover the full 80-mile tow at no cost to you. You wouldn't pay anything beyond your membership fee for that towing service. In contrast, a member with basic AAA coverage would only receive 7 miles of free towing and would need to pay approximately $3 to $5 per mile for the remaining 73 miles, totaling $220 to $365 out of pocket.

There are practical scenarios where this benefit provides substantial value. Consider a person who experiences a transmission failure while driving 90 miles away from home. The vehicle cannot be driven to the nearest repair shop. AAA Plus covers the entire 90-mile tow at no cost. Without this coverage, that tow could cost $270 to $450 if paying standard towing rates.

The membership covers towing for mechanical breakdowns, accidents, and other situations where the vehicle cannot be safely operated. Weather-related incidents such as being stuck in snow may also be covered depending on circumstances and regional variations in AAA club policies.

Practical Takeaway: Before you need towing service, locate your nearest AAA-affiliated repair facilities and repair shops within your region. Knowing these options in advance helps you know exactly where to direct the tow truck and ensures you get service at a location convenient to you.

Comparing AAA Plus to Other Membership Options

AAA offers several membership tiers, and understanding how they compare helps you determine which level provides the coverage you need. Most AAA clubs offer basic membership, Plus membership, and sometimes additional premium tiers. The primary differences relate to towing distance and service limits.

Basic AAA membership typically includes 7 miles of towing per service call. This tier is appropriate for people who live and work in urban or suburban areas where repair facilities are close by. If your regular activities keep you within 7 miles of reliable repair shops, basic membership may cover your typical needs. Basic membership costs less than Plus membership, making it suitable for budget-conscious members with predictable driving patterns.

AAA Plus extends towing to 100 miles, representing a 14-fold increase in coverage distance. This tier costs more than basic membership but provides substantially expanded coverage. The additional cost varies by region and AAA club, but typically ranges from $50 to $150 annually for the upgrade. For members who frequently take road trips, commute long distances, or live in rural areas, this upgrade often pays for itself in a single incident.

Some AAA clubs offer Premier membership, which extends towing coverage to 200 miles per service call. This tier is designed for members who take frequent long-distance trips or live very far from major urban repair centers. The annual cost for Premier membership varies by region but typically costs more than Plus.

In addition to towing distance, different membership tiers may include variations in other services. Some premium tiers offer additional lockout calls per year, extended fuel delivery amounts, or other enhanced benefits. It's important to check your specific AAA club's membership tiers and benefits, as these can vary between regions.

Cost-benefit analysis helps determine which tier makes sense for your situation.