What the AAA Comenity Credit Card is

The AAA Comenity Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Comenity Bank for members of the American Automobile Association (AAA). It is designed for people who are AAA members and want a card that rewards driving-related purchases and AAA membership benefits. The card earns cash back on gas, EV charging, and roadside information purchases, and it waives the annual membership fee for AAA Basic membership.

This is not a premium travel rewards card or a general-purpose cash back card. It is built specifically around AAA membership and automotive spending. If you do not use AAA services or do not spend much on gas and charging, the rewards structure may not work for you.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 3% cash back on gas and EV charging, and 1% on all other purchases, with no category caps or rotating categories.
  • You must be an AAA member to open the card, and the card waives the annual fee for AAA Basic membership (currently around $50 to $70 depending on your region).
  • There is an annual fee for the card itself, which varies by region but is typically $0 to $99; check with AAA directly for your state's rate.
  • The card is issued by Comenity Bank, so the process, account management, and customer service all go through Comenity, not AAA.
  • Cash back is earned on every purchase and can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check; there are no points to track or redeem through a portal.

Rewards structure and earning rates

The card earns 3% cash back on gas station purchases and EV charging stations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There are no category caps, no rotating categories, and no bonus categories that change each quarter. Every dollar you spend in those categories earns at that rate, every month.

Cash back is posted to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit (applied to your next bill), as a direct deposit to a bank account, or as a check mailed to you. You do not need to reach a minimum balance to redeem, and there is no expiration date on cash back earned.

The 3% rate applies only to gas stations and EV charging networks. Warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam's Club, even when they have gas pumps, do not earn the higher rate. Supermarket gas purchases also earn only 1%. If you fill up at a truck stop or convenience store, check whether it is coded as a gas station or a general merchant — coding varies by location and can affect your rate.

Annual fees and AAA membership

The card itself carries an annual fee. The amount varies by state and region; it is not a flat $99 nationwide. Contact AAA in your state or check the Comenity process page to see the exact fee for your location. Some regions have a $0 annual fee, while others charge up to $99.

In exchange, the card waives the annual membership fee for AAA Basic membership. AAA Basic membership costs roughly $50 to $70 per year depending on your state, though the exact amount varies. If you are already an AAA member, you will still need to be a member to hold the card, but the card's membership waiver saves you that annual renewal cost.

To decide whether the card makes financial sense, compare the card's annual fee to the AAA membership fee in your state, then add the cash back you expect to earn. If you spend $2,000 per year on gas and EV charging, you would earn $60 in cash back at the 3% rate. If your card's annual fee is $99 and your AAA membership would cost $60, the card breaks even only if you earn more than $39 in additional cash back from other purchases — which requires spending roughly $3,900 on non-gas purchases at the 1% rate.

Who should consider this card

This card makes sense if you are already an AAA member, spend a meaningful amount on gas or EV charging, and want to consolidate that spending onto one card. The 3% rate on gas is competitive with general cash back cards, and the membership fee waiver adds real value if you use AAA services like roadside information or travel planning.

The card is less useful if you do not drive regularly, if you already have a card earning 3% or more on gas, or if you are not an AAA member and do not plan to join. The card requires AAA membership to open, so you cannot use it as a standalone credit card.

If you are considering joining AAA primarily to open this card, calculate the total cost: the card's annual fee plus any AAA membership fee not waived by the card, minus the cash back you expect to earn. AAA membership includes benefits beyond the card — roadside information, travel discounts, insurance discounts — so the card is one piece of a larger membership value, not the only reason to join.

How to open an account

You must be an AAA member to open the card. If you are not currently a member, you will need to join AAA first through your state's AAA chapter. Once you are a member, you can explore for the card through AAA's website or by calling the AAA chapter in your state.

The process goes to Comenity Bank, not to AAA directly. Comenity will review your credit history, income, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you. The approval process typically takes a few minutes to a few days. Once approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You will manage your account through Comenity's website or mobile app, not through AAA. Payments, statements, and customer service all route through Comenity. If you have questions about rewards or your account, you will contact Comenity, not AAA.

Comparing this card to other options

If you want 3% cash back on gas without joining AAA, cards like the Citi Custom Cash or the Capital One SavorOne offer 3% on gas stations (or 4% on one rotating category) with lower or no annual fees. However, those cards do not waive an AAA membership fee, so the comparison depends on whether you value AAA membership separately.

If you are an AAA member and want a card that rewards your membership, this card is one of the few options that directly ties the card to AAA benefits. Most other AAA-branded cards have been discontinued or are no longer widely available.

If you spend heavily on gas and want the highest possible rate, some premium travel cards earn 3% or more on gas, but they charge annual fees of $95 to $550 and are designed for people who spend significantly on travel and dining as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AAA member before I explore?

Yes. You must have an active AAA membership to open the card. If you are not a member, you will need to join your state's AAA chapter first. Once you join, you can explore for the card through AAA or Comenity.

What happens to my card if I cancel my AAA membership?

Your card will remain active, but you will lose the membership fee waiver. If you cancel AAA, you will no longer receive that benefit. The card itself will continue to work and earn rewards, but you will be paying the full annual fee without the offset of a waived membership cost.

Can I earn cash back on AAA membership fees or roadside information calls?

No. Cash back is earned only on credit card purchases — gas, EV charging, and other merchants. AAA membership fees and roadside information charges are not credit card purchases and do not earn rewards.

Is there a sign-up bonus?

Sign-up bonuses vary and change over time. Check the current offer on AAA's website or Comenity's process page to see whether a bonus is available when you explore. Bonuses are not may provide and may depend on your state or membership tier.

What if I move to a different state?

Your card will continue to work, but your AAA membership and the card's annual fee are tied to your state of residence. If you move, contact AAA to transfer your membership to your new state's chapter. The card's annual fee may change based on your new state's rates.