AAA gift memberships let you give someone a year of roadside information, travel discounts, and member services without them having to sign up themselves

A AAA gift membership is a prepaid membership to the American Automobile Association that you purchase for someone else. The recipient gets the same roadside information, travel planning tools, and retail discounts that a regular AAA member receives — they just don't have to pay for it or handle the enrollment. You buy it, and AAA sends it to them with instructions on how to set up their account.

The main reason people give AAA memberships is roadside help. If your recipient's car breaks down, they can call AAA and get a tow truck, lockout service, fuel delivery, or battery jump without paying per incident. The membership also includes discounts at hotels, rental car companies, and restaurants, plus access to AAA's travel planning and insurance services.

Gift memberships come in different coverage levels — Basic, Plus, and Premier — depending on how far AAA will tow and what other services are included. You choose the level when you buy, and the recipient gets that level for the year.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA gift memberships provide roadside information, travel discounts, and member services for one year, purchased by you and given to someone else.
  • You can buy gift memberships directly from AAA.com, by phone, or at a local AAA office, and choose between Basic, Plus, and Premier coverage levels.
  • The recipient receives a membership card and set up instructions, then can use their benefits when ready after setting up their account.
  • Gift memberships cost less than a regular annual membership because they do not include some renewal incentives or multi-year discounts.
  • The membership is valid for one year from the set up date, not from the purchase date, so the recipient controls when their coverage year begins.

How to purchase an AAA gift membership

You can buy an AAA gift membership through three main channels. The easiest is AAA.com — go to the gift membership section, select the coverage level (Basic, Plus, or Premier), enter the recipient's name and address, and pay by credit card. AAA will mail a gift card or membership packet to the address you provide.

You can also call AAA's customer service line and order over the phone. A representative will walk you through the coverage options and take your payment information. This route works well if you have questions about which level to choose or want to confirm the recipient's address before the package ships.

If you have a local AAA office nearby, you can walk in and purchase a gift membership in person. Staff can explain the differences between coverage levels and answer questions about what services are included. This is also the fastest way to get a physical membership card if you need it quickly.

Coverage levels and what each one includes

Basic membership covers towing up to a certain distance (typically 7 miles), lockout service, fuel delivery, and battery service. It includes discounts at AAA-partner hotels, restaurants, and attractions, plus access to AAA's travel planning tools and TripTik Travel Planner.

Plus membership extends the towing distance (usually 100 miles) and includes everything in Basic. This level is popular for people who live far from repair shops or who travel frequently.

Premier membership offers the longest towing distance (typically 200 miles) and is designed for people who take long road trips or live in rural areas where the nearest mechanic is far away. It includes all Basic and Plus benefits.

All levels include the same discount programs and travel services — the main difference is how far AAA will tow your car. The price difference between levels is usually $20 to $40 per year, so choosing the right one depends on the recipient's driving habits and how far they typically travel.

How the recipient activates and uses their membership

When the gift membership arrives, it includes a membership card and instructions for set up. The recipient goes to AAA.com or calls AAA to set up their account using the membership number on the card. They create a login, add their vehicle information, and read the AAA mobile app if they want roadside help on their phone.

Once activated, the membership is live when ready. The recipient can use their card at AAA-partner businesses, call for roadside information if they break down, and access travel planning tools. The membership year runs for 12 months from the set up date, not from when you purchased it, so the recipient controls when their coverage begins.

If the recipient already has an AAA membership, the gift membership can sometimes extend their existing membership rather than creating a duplicate account. They should mention this when they set up, or contact AAA to combine the memberships.

Price and how gift memberships compare to regular memberships

AAA gift memberships cost less than buying a regular membership yourself, but the exact price depends on the coverage level and your location. Basic gift memberships typically start around $50 to $70 per year, Plus around $80 to $100, and Premier around $120 to $150. Prices vary by state because AAA is a federation of regional clubs.

The reason gift memberships are cheaper is that they do not include some of the incentives AAA offers to new members who sign up directly — things like discounted first-year rates or bonus services. If you buy a regular membership for yourself, you might pay less in year one than a gift membership costs, but the gift membership is still a solid value for the recipient.

Some AAA offices run promotions on gift memberships during holidays or special events, so if you are buying one, it is worth checking AAA.com or calling your local office to see if a discount is running.

When a gift membership makes sense as a present

AAA gift memberships work well for people who drive regularly but have never had roadside coverage. Young drivers, new car owners, or people who recently moved to an area where they do not know mechanics often benefit most. It is also a practical gift for someone who travels by car frequently or lives far from repair shops.

Gift memberships are less useful for people who already have roadside coverage through their car insurance, employer, or credit card. Before you buy, it is worth asking whether the recipient already has roadside information somewhere else — if they do, the gift membership might duplicate coverage they already have.

The membership also makes sense if the recipient is hesitant to commit to AAA but would use it if they had it. A one-year gift lets them try the service and decide whether to renew on their own.

What happens after the membership year ends

When the one-year gift membership expires, the recipient stops having roadside coverage and member discounts unless they renew. AAA typically sends renewal notices a few weeks before the membership expires, with options to renew online, by phone, or in person.

The recipient can choose to renew at the regular membership rate (which may be lower than the gift membership price because they are an existing member) or let it lapse. If they renew, they can often lock in a multi-year rate, which brings the annual cost down.

If you want to give another year of AAA membership, you can purchase another gift membership, though the recipient might find it cheaper to renew on their own at that point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy an AAA gift membership for someone who already has AAA?

Yes, but it may extend their existing membership rather than create a new one. When the recipient activates the gift membership, they should tell AAA they already have a membership, and AAA can add the gift year to their current account. This prevents duplicate memberships and keeps all their benefits in one place.

What if I do not know the recipient's address?

You can still buy a gift membership online or by phone and have AAA mail it to an address you provide later, or you can purchase it and pick it up at a local AAA office to give in person. Some AAA offices also sell physical gift cards that you can give without revealing the recipient's address.

Does the membership year start when I buy it or when the recipient activates it?

The membership year starts when the recipient activates their account, not when you purchase it. This means if you buy a gift membership in November and the recipient does not set up it until January, their 12-month coverage runs from January, not November.

Can I return or exchange an AAA gift membership?

AAA's return and exchange policies vary by location and how the membership was purchased. Contact the AAA office where you bought it or call customer service to ask about returns. Generally, unopened gift memberships can be returned within a certain timeframe for a refund.

Does an AAA gift membership include roadside information outside the United States?

Basic roadside information typically covers the United States and Canada. If the recipient travels internationally, they may want to ask AAA about additional travel protection or international roadside coverage options when they set up their membership.