AAA Plus is a mid-tier roadside information membership that covers more than basic AAA

AAA Plus is the middle membership tier offered by the American Automobile Association. It covers the same services as basic AAA membership — towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service — but extends towing distance and adds a few extra perks. The main difference is that AAA Plus covers up to 100 miles of towing, compared to 7 miles with basic AAA, and includes services like fuel delivery and locksmith costs that basic membership may limit.

The cost and exact coverage vary by state and region, since AAA is organized into regional clubs. What you pay in California differs from what you pay in Ohio, and the benefits package shifts slightly depending on where you hold your membership. You'll need to check your specific AAA club's website or call their member services line to see the exact price and coverage in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA Plus covers towing up to 100 miles, compared to 7 miles with basic AAA membership.
  • The membership includes lockout service, fuel delivery, battery service, and winch-out information at no additional cost when you call AAA.
  • Pricing and exact coverage details vary by your regional AAA club, so you need to check with your club directly for current rates.
  • AAA Plus members can use their membership at any AAA-affiliated tow shop or service provider nationwide, not just in their home region.
  • The membership is annual and renews automatically unless you cancel, so you should review your renewal notice each year to confirm the new rate.

What roadside services AAA Plus covers

AAA Plus covers the core roadside emergencies: towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and winch-out information. When you call AAA's dispatch line, they send a tow truck to your location at no charge up to 100 miles. If your car is locked and your keys are inside, AAA will send a locksmith or unlock service. If you run out of fuel, they deliver up to 5 gallons of gas. If your battery is dead, they can jump-start your vehicle or replace the battery if you purchase it through them.

Winch-out service means AAA will pull your car out of a ditch, snow bank, or similar situation if the vehicle is stuck but still drivable. This is different from towing — it's a recovery service that gets your car back on the road without a flatbed truck. The exact scope of what counts as a "winch-out" versus a tow varies slightly by region, so ask the dispatcher when you call what they can do in your situation.

AAA Plus does not cover mechanical repairs, parts replacement, or labor at a repair shop. It covers getting your car to a shop or to your home, but not fixing what's wrong with it. It also does not cover accidents, collisions, or damage from weather — those fall under your car insurance, not roadside information.

How towing distance and coverage limits work

The 100-mile towing limit means AAA will tow your car up to 100 miles from your current location at no charge. If you break down 80 miles from home, they'll tow you all the way home. If you break down 120 miles from home, they'll tow you 100 miles toward home, and you pay out of pocket for the remaining 20 miles. The distance is measured from where your car stops, not from a fixed location.

You get a set number of towing calls per year — usually four with AAA Plus, though this varies by region. That means you can call for a tow up to four times in a 12-month period without extra charge. Lockouts, fuel delivery, and battery service are usually unlimited, but towing calls are limited. If you exceed your towing limit, you pay the full cost of the tow at that point.

The 100-mile limit applies to each individual tow. If you call for a tow, get towed 50 miles, and then call again a week later, you get another 100 miles on that second call. The distance does not carry over or accumulate.

How to use your AAA Plus membership when you need help

When you have a roadside emergency, call the AAA dispatch number on the back of your membership card. Have your membership number, vehicle information, and location ready. Tell the dispatcher what happened — your car won't start, you're locked out, you're out of fuel — and they'll send the appropriate service to you. Most dispatch lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The service provider will arrive within a timeframe that depends on your location. In urban areas, this is often 30 to 60 minutes. In rural areas, it can be longer. The dispatcher will give you an estimate when you call. You don't pay the service provider directly — AAA covers the cost as part of your membership, and the provider bills AAA.

Your membership card works at any AAA-affiliated service provider in the United States, not just in your home state. If you break down while traveling, you can still call AAA and use your membership. Some AAA clubs have reciprocal agreements with other clubs, so coverage may extend to Canada and Mexico, but this varies by region.

AAA Plus versus basic AAA and AAA Premier

Basic AAA covers towing up to 7 miles and includes the same lockout, fuel, and battery services. It costs less than AAA Plus but is only useful if you break down close to home or a repair shop. AAA Premier is the highest tier and covers towing up to 200 miles, plus additional perks like fuel tank fill-ups instead of just 5 gallons. Premier costs more than Plus.

AAA Plus sits in the middle: more towing distance than basic, lower cost than Premier. It makes sense if you drive regularly outside your when ready area but don't need the maximum coverage. If you mostly drive locally and rarely travel far from home, basic AAA may be enough. If you frequently take long road trips or live far from repair shops, Premier might be worth the extra cost.

All three tiers include the same non-towing services — lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service — so the main difference is towing distance and the number of tow calls included per year. Check your regional AAA club's pricing to compare the cost difference between tiers in your area.

How to sign up and renew your membership

You can sign up for AAA Plus through your regional AAA club's website, by phone, or in person at a local AAA office. You'll need a valid driver's license and a credit card to pay the membership fee. The sign-up process takes about 10 to 15 minutes online or by phone. You'll receive your membership card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though some clubs offer when ready digital cards you can use when ready.

Your membership renews automatically one year from the date you sign up, unless you cancel. AAA will send you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your renewal date. The renewal notice shows the new rate for the coming year. If the rate has increased and you don't want to renew, you can cancel before the renewal date. If you don't cancel, your credit card will be charged automatically.

You can cancel your membership at any time by contacting your regional AAA club. Some clubs allow cancellation online, by phone, or in person. If you cancel mid-year, you may receive a prorated refund depending on your club's policy, but this varies. Check your club's cancellation policy before you sign up.

What happens if you need service outside your membership coverage

If you exceed your towing distance or use up your towing calls for the year, you pay the full cost of the service at that point. The tow company will give you a quote before they tow, so you know the cost upfront. You can accept the quote, decline and call a different tow company, or arrange your own transportation. There's no penalty for declining — you straightforward don't get the AAA discount.

Some AAA clubs offer the option to purchase additional towing calls or distance coverage mid-year, but this is not standard across all clubs. Contact your club to ask if this option is available. If you find yourself regularly exceeding your coverage, upgrading to AAA Premier at your next renewal may be more cost-effective than paying out of pocket each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AAA Plus cover my passengers if they need help?

Your AAA Plus membership covers the vehicle and anyone in it when you call for roadside service. If you're traveling with passengers and your car breaks down, the tow covers everyone. However, if a passenger's own vehicle breaks down, they would need their own AAA membership to use the service.

Can I use AAA Plus if I'm renting a car?

Yes, your membership covers you in any vehicle you're driving, including rental cars. Call AAA with the rental car's information, and they'll dispatch service the same way. The rental company's insurance and roadside coverage may also explore, so check your rental agreement to see what's included.

What if the tow truck can't reach my car?

If your car is in a location the tow truck can't access — deep in the woods, on private property, or stuck in a way that requires special equipment — AAA may not be able to help, or the cost may exceed your coverage. Call the dispatcher with details about your location, and they'll tell you whether they can reach you and what it will cost if they can't cover it fully.

Does AAA Plus cover towing if I'm at fault in an accident?

AAA Plus covers towing for mechanical breakdowns and roadside emergencies, not accidents or collision damage. If you're in an accident, your car insurance's roadside information or collision coverage applies instead. AAA will not tow a vehicle involved in an accident as part of the membership.

How do I know if my membership is active?

Check the expiration date on your membership card. You can also log into your account on your regional AAA club's website to see your membership status and renewal date. If you're unsure, call the AAA dispatch number on your card and they can confirm whether your membership is current before you need service.