Is AAA better than a credit card's roadside assistance?
 

I'm wondering if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership for the roadside
assistance. I have a Citibank Mastercard, and they have something called
"MC ASSIST", which provides just about the same services that AAA offers --
jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes (not sure if they offer
locksmithing).

So has anyone ever relied on their credit card's roadside assistance? Is it
as good as AAA's? If my credit card's is as good as AAA's, then there's no
reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.

Thanks.

wrote:
>
> I'm wondering if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership for the roadside
> assistance. I have a Citibank Mastercard, and they have something called
> "MC ASSIST", which provides just about the same services that AAA offers --
> jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes (not sure if they offer
> locksmithing).
>
> So has anyone ever relied on their credit card's roadside assistance? Is it
> as good as AAA's? If my credit card's is as good as AAA's, then there's no
> reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.
>
> Thanks.

The service from Mastercard is not free. From their website:

> This is not only reassuring, but it may also save you money because fees for
> many services (jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, tire changes) are pre-negotiated.
> Road service fees will be automatically billed to your MasterCard account.

All they do is arrange to have someone come out. You pay for the
service.

Bill

"Bill" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> wrote:
>>
>> I'm wondering if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership for the roadside
>> assistance. I have a Citibank Mastercard, and they have something called
>> "MC ASSIST", which provides just about the same services that AAA
>> offers --
>> jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes (not sure if they
>> offer
>> locksmithing).
>>
>> So has anyone ever relied on their credit card's roadside assistance? Is
>> it
>> as good as AAA's? If my credit card's is as good as AAA's, then there's
>> no
>> reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.
>>
>> Thanks.
>
> The service from Mastercard is not free. From their website:
>
>> This is not only reassuring, but it may also save you money because fees
>> for
>> many services (jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, tire changes) are
>> pre-negotiated.
>> Road service fees will be automatically billed to your MasterCard
>> account.
>
> All they do is arrange to have someone come out. You pay for the
> service.
>
> Bill

AAA also has a variety of services for their members. Free maps and
Triptiks. I happen to have a AAA office nearby so it's conveniently located
for for me. Maps are generally highway maps and do not show many smaller
streets. You just gotta weigh what you want and the reliability of your
car.

-Dave

Bill wrote:
>
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm wondering if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership for the roadside
> > assistance. I have a Citibank Mastercard, and they have something called
> > "MC ASSIST", which provides just about the same services that AAA offers --
> > jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes (not sure if they offer
> > locksmithing).
> >
> > So has anyone ever relied on their credit card's roadside assistance? Is it
> > as good as AAA's? If my credit card's is as good as AAA's, then there's no
> > reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.

Is it that much for a single membership where you live? I think it's only $47
(one card, which is enough) in California. After a year you can upgrade to
100-mile tows for $75.

> The service from Mastercard is not free. From their website:
>
> > This is not only reassuring, but it may also save you money because fees for
> > many services (jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, tire changes) are pre-negotiated.
> > Road service fees will be automatically billed to your MasterCard account.
>
> All they do is arrange to have someone come out. You pay for the
> service.

Possibly at $7/mile, according to a towtruck operator I chatted with. AAA
also gives you fairly significant discounts at a number of places. And maps.
I love maps. I got a closetful of 'em. Really.

--
Cheers,
Bev
_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_
Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

> wrote...
> I'm wondering if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership for the roadside
> assistance. I have a Citibank Mastercard, and they have something called
> "MC ASSIST", which provides just about the same services that AAA offers --
> jump-starts, towing, gas delivery, and tire changes (not sure if they offer
> locksmithing).
>
> So has anyone ever relied on their credit card's roadside assistance? Is it
> as good as AAA's? If my credit card's is as good as AAA's, then there's no
> reason for me to pay an extra $60/year for a AAA membership.

Specific AAA services vary by state of membership. However, access is pretty
much universal.

Check the number of service stations that are affiliated with your CC club, and
whether they cover the cost up front or require a claim for reimbursement.

Dave L wrote:

> AAA also has a variety of services for their members. Free maps and
> Triptiks. I happen to have a AAA office nearby so it's conveniently located
> for for me. Maps are generally highway maps and do not show many smaller
> streets.

That depends on the area in question, I guess. The AAA map of the San Gabriel
Valley (street-, and even alley-level) when xeroxed onto 11x17 paper and
marked up, makes a fine single-use yard-sale map.

> You just gotta weigh what you want and the reliability of your
> car.

And how much trouble it is for a mommy with toddlers to get help without it.

--
Cheers,
Bev
_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_|-_
Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

"Dave L" > wrote:
>AAA also has a variety of services for their members. Free maps and
>Triptiks. I happen to have a AAA office nearby so it's conveniently located
>for for me.

Plus, you can order maps, etc by email.

The Real Bev wrote:
> Possibly at $7/mile, according to a towtruck operator I chatted with. AAA
> also gives you fairly significant discounts at a number of places. And maps.
> I love maps. I got a closetful of 'em. Really.

nice to have, and i used to have to get a new thomas bros guide
yearly... but ive found mapsonus, google maps, mapquest, etc work pretty
damn good almost all the time.

On Mon, 23 May 2005 00:11:10 -0700, SoCalMike
> wrote:

>The Real Bev wrote:
>> Possibly at $7/mile, according to a towtruck operator I chatted with. AAA
>> also gives you fairly significant discounts at a number of places. And maps.
>> I love maps. I got a closetful of 'em. Really.
>
>nice to have, and i used to have to get a new thomas bros guide
>yearly... but ive found mapsonus, google maps, mapquest, etc work pretty
>damn good almost all the time.


And they are sooooo easy to refer to when you are lost somewhere
between Barstow and Bakersfield!