Great service on-line and off-line
Written: Jun 29 '03
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I hadn't really imagined that I would find AAA in the Online Services Section, but since it is, I'll just have to review it from here. Not only that, but since I have used their website to do some of the things I would normally do at a branch office, it'll actually fit right in to this category at the same time. Now how convenient is that?
For those who don't know about AAA, and my guess is that population is incredibly small, AAA stands for American Automobile Association, and was created in the early 1900s, back when there were few vehicles and almost no paved roads. AAA was formed at first in order to lobby congress for federal dollars to improve the nation's soon-to-be highways. It soon expanded to become what it is today: a network of clubs that serve the travelling needs of its members.
AAA is a member-based service. Fees vary depending on your location and what type of service you require. The services that are offered also vary by club. For example, in Maryland (AAA Mid-Atlantic), there is a standard membership and AAA Plus. For three people, AAA Plus costs $160 per year. However, it does have significant advantages. Unlike with basic membership which covers towing for the first three miles, AAA Plus will cover towing for the first 100 miles. Normally, if you break down and have to be towed, you would call the Emergency 800 number (800) AAA-HELP. I just discovered last week that you can also go online to their website and file a request for help. My guess is this is most useful during times when the call centers get swamped, like during the last blizzard. Instead of trying to call and get a constant busy signal, you can call someone else and have them go online and file your help request. You can call AAA for Roadside Assistance four times per year. The only thing you have to watch is that if you call, and then cancel, make sure they have noted it. Last year they sent me a warning letter because I had "used" 3 calls, but one of them was a cancellation. Were it not for the fact that my membership year was about to expire anyway, I would have disputed it. When I had AAA in Michigan, they only offered standard membership, which was about $100 for three people, plus the ability to add a "Towing rider" for $8. This gave you and extra 10 miles of towing from the normal 5. It appears that they are now offering Plus, but didn't when I lived there. Make sure that you investigate all available plans. AAA is wonderful about upgrading or downgrading your plan whenever you want.
One of AAA's most touted products is their array of travel documents, including TripTiks (personalized maps showing your route from one place to another), TripBooks (wonderfully detailed books showing what main attractions exist in each city, followed by a cross-section of hotels and restaurants in the back), and maps. Typically, you would have to go to your nearest branch office during office hours, wait in line, talk to someone, pick everything up, and then cart it all back home. Now you can go online and have all that stuff sent to you. Not only do they send it, but they do it FAST. When I was with AAA Michigan, I had planned a very LONG road trip that eventually never happened. Anyway, I went on to AAA's website and plugged in my entire routing. This was a zigzag, cross-country trip with frequent stops. They sent me maps, TripBooks, TripTiks, and other assorted information. It came in a box that must have weighed 10 pounds. IT CAME FOUR DAYS AFTER I PLACED THE ORDER, ON A FRIDAY. If that isn't customer service, I don't know what is.
AAA, in conjunction with numerous partners, offers discounts at many different places, and not just travel related. This, of course, does not mean I don't enjoy my 10% discount at Jiffy Lube every 3,000 miles, but there are discounts at a number of other places. From AAA's website, just find the link for "Show Your Card and Save" to get a list of the many vendors who offer AAA discounts.
Yes, you can join on-line, as well as modify your membership. The only thing you CAN NOT do online is move your membership from one club to another. For example, when I moved from Michigan to Maryland, I had to go to a branch office to have my Michigan membership converted into a Mid-Atlantic one. Other than that, if you can do it at a branch office, you can do it online. Insurance, travel agency, everything. You can even purchase foreign currency and traveler's checks!
If you like to travel, head over to AAA's website at http://www.aaa.com It will ask you for your zip code, which in then will redirect you to the home page for your local club. Furthermore, it will place a "cookie," which is a small text file, on your computer. That way, the next time you go to aaa.com, you will automatically be redirected to your local club's page. No re-entering your zip code each time. You must have your browser configured to accept cookies in order for this to work.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? TripBooks, Maps, and TripTiks
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Epinions.com ID:
Tigger1313
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Member: Rob
Location: Reisterstown, MD
Reviews written: 56
Trusted by: 20 members
About Me:
Is bouncin' what Tiggers do the best? What a ridicerous question! Of course!
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