AAA Premier membership is the highest roadside information tier AAA offers, covering towing up to 200 miles and other services that standard membership does not

AAA Premier is a membership level, not a separate product you add on top of basic AAA membership. When you join AAA or upgrade an existing membership to Premier, you get roadside information benefits that go further than the Classic or Plus tiers. The main difference is towing distance: Premier covers up to 200 miles per tow, while Plus covers 100 miles and Classic covers 7 miles.

Premier also includes lockout service, fuel delivery, fluid delivery, jump starts, and winch-out service. You pay an annual or monthly fee to maintain the membership, and you call AAA's roadside information line when you need help. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA Premier covers towing up to 200 miles per incident, compared to 100 miles for Plus and 7 miles for Classic.
  • The membership includes lockout service, fuel delivery, fluid delivery, jump starts, and winch-out service at no additional charge per use.
  • You pay an annual or monthly membership fee; individual incidents do not cost extra once you are a member.
  • AAA Premier is available only through AAA membership; you cannot buy it as a standalone product or add it to non-AAA roadside plans.
  • Coverage applies to any vehicle you are in, not just one car, as long as you are the member or a household member.

How towing distance works under Premier membership

When your car breaks down and needs a tow, AAA will send a tow truck to your location and haul your vehicle up to 200 miles to a repair shop, your home, or another destination you choose. You do not pay per mile; the 200-mile limit is the maximum distance AAA will cover in a single tow event. If you need to go further, you pay the towing company directly for the overage.

The tow truck arrives from AAA's network of contracted towing companies in your area. Wait times depend on how busy the service is and how remote your location is. In urban areas, arrival times are often 30 minutes to an hour. In rural areas, it may take longer. You can track your tow truck's arrival through the AAA app or by phone once dispatch has sent a truck.

If your car breaks down again during the same trip or incident, that counts as a separate tow. For example, if a tow truck takes your car 150 miles to a shop, and the shop cannot fix it that day and you need another tow, you get another 200-mile tow. However, if you call for a tow, change your mind, and call again for the same breakdown, that is one tow event, not two.

Other services included in Premier membership

Lockout service covers the cost of a locksmith or AAA technician to open your car if you lock your keys inside. This service is unlimited during your membership year.

Fuel delivery means AAA will bring gasoline to your car if you run out of fuel. You pay for the fuel itself, but AAA covers the service call and delivery. Fluid delivery works the same way for other fluids like coolant or windshield washer fluid, though not all locations offer this service.

Jump start service is provided if your battery is dead. AAA sends a technician to jump-start your car; you do not need to have jumper cables or another vehicle present. Winch-out service covers the cost of pulling your car out of a ditch, mud, or other minor stuck situation. This is different from towing; it is meant for situations where the car can be freed without going to a repair shop.

None of these services cost extra per use. You call the same AAA roadside information number for any of them, and dispatch sends the appropriate service to your location.

Who is covered under your Premier membership

Your AAA Premier membership covers you as the primary member, and it also covers household members who are listed on your account. Coverage applies whether you are driving your own car, a rental car, or someone else's vehicle. You do not need a separate membership for each car you own.

If you are a passenger in someone else's car and that person is not an AAA member, you can still call AAA roadside information using your membership, and they will help. However, if you are not the driver and the driver is not an AAA member, some services like lockout may not explore, since the driver would need to authorize the service.

Household members typically means people who live at the same address and are related to you or your spouse. The exact definition varies by state and by AAA club, so check your membership agreement or call AAA directly to confirm who counts as a household member in your case.

Cost and membership terms

AAA Premier membership costs vary by location and by AAA club, since AAA is a federation of regional clubs rather than a single national company. Annual membership typically ranges from around $100 to $150 per year, though some clubs offer monthly payment plans. Discounts are sometimes available for multi-year memberships, military service, or bundling with other AAA products like travel insurance.

You can cancel your membership at any time, though refund policies vary. Some clubs offer a pro-rata refund if you cancel partway through the year; others do not. Check your membership agreement or call your local AAA club to understand the cancellation and refund terms before you join.

Your membership renews automatically on the anniversary date unless you cancel. AAA will send you a renewal notice before your membership expires, usually 30 to 60 days in advance. You can renew online, by phone, or in person at an AAA office.

How to join or upgrade to Premier membership

You can join AAA or upgrade an existing membership to Premier through your local AAA club's website, by phone, or in person at an AAA office. To join, you will need a valid driver's license and a current mailing address. Payment is typically by credit card, debit card, or bank account.

If you already have AAA Classic or Plus membership, you can upgrade to Premier by contacting your club and paying the difference in annual fees. The upgrade takes effect when ready, and you do not lose any remaining time on your current membership.

Some employers, credit unions, and insurance companies offer AAA membership discounts to their members or customers. If you have access to one of these programs, you may be able to join or upgrade at a lower rate. Check with your employer's benefits office or your insurance agent to see if a discount is available.

What Premier membership does not cover

AAA Premier does not cover mechanical repairs themselves, only the towing and roadside information to get you to a repair shop. Once your car is at a shop, you pay the repair bill directly to the shop. AAA does not negotiate repair costs or cover the cost of parts and labor.

Premier does not cover damage caused by accidents, vandalism, or theft. If your car is stolen or damaged in a collision, you would file a claim with your auto insurance company, not AAA. AAA roadside information is for breakdowns and mechanical failures, not collision or theft claims.

Towing is not covered if you are towing another vehicle or if your vehicle is being used to tow something else. For example, if you are pulling a trailer and the trailer breaks down, AAA will not tow the trailer. If you are towing another car and your car breaks down, AAA will tow your car, but not the car you were towing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Premier membership if I am driving someone else's car?

Yes. Your membership covers you as a driver in any vehicle, whether it is your own, a rental, or a friend's car. The coverage applies to you, not to the car. However, the car's owner or the person responsible for it should be present or authorize the service when possible.

What happens if I need a tow longer than 200 miles?

AAA covers up to 200 miles. If you need to go further, you pay the towing company for the additional distance. Some people in rural areas or those who travel long distances frequently choose to purchase additional towing coverage through their auto insurance instead of or in addition to AAA.

Do I have to use AAA's towing company, or can I call my own?

You should call AAA first. AAA dispatches its contracted towing network, which is included in your membership. If you call an independent towing company without contacting AAA, you will pay out of pocket and would need to submit a claim to AAA for reimbursement, which may not be approved depending on your club's policy.

Is AAA Premier worth it compared to my auto insurance's roadside information?

That depends on your insurance coverage and how far you typically drive. Many auto insurance policies include roadside information, but the towing distance is often shorter (50 miles is common). If you drive long distances regularly or live far from repair shops, Premier's 200-mile coverage may be worth the extra cost. Compare your insurance's towing limit and cost to AAA's to decide.

Can I add Premier coverage to my car insurance instead of joining AAA?

Some insurance companies offer roadside information as an add-on to your policy, but it is a separate product from AAA membership. Insurance roadside information and AAA are different networks with different coverage limits. You would choose one or the other, or both, depending on your needs and budget.