When one person recently asked in the r/Millennials subreddit if a AAA membership was still worth it, it kicked off a bunch of stories from people who really like having AAA.
The original post came from someone who said they kept their AAA subscription mostly because their parents had pushed them to get it years ago.
“Is there really any benefit to it? I don’t think I’ve ever used the service,” they wrote. “Will these kinda things die off soon?”
They might not be using it, but judging by the replies, plenty of others are, and they’re glad they have it.
One Tow Can Cover the Cost
The most repeated theme across hundreds of replies was simple: one emergency can justify years of AAA membership fees.
For example, one person said, “I broke down 96 miles from my home. That tow alone was worth a decade of membership.”
Another echoed that point, writing, “Each big instance would have cost more than five years of membership. It’s more than worth it, even just as a piece of mind.”
AAA’s standard membership costs roughly $60 to $100 a year depending on your state and plan.
Users say a single flatbed tow can run anywhere from $150 to $300 out of pocket, making the math pretty straightforward.
Peace of Mind Matters
For many, the value isn’t in how often they use it, it’s in knowing it’s there when they need it.
“You don’t need it until you need it,” said one millennial.
Another added, “I’ve used it a handful of times and been SO GRATEFUL for it.”
Some even said they use AAA more for others than themselves.
“If I happen to be hanging out somewhere and someone locks their keys in their car, I got you,” one person said.
More Than Just Towing
While most people sign up for roadside help, Redditors pointed out that AAA also offers things like battery replacement, DMV services, and discounts on hotels and car rentals.
“My tag got lost in the mail, went into AAA and had a new one in 10 minutes,” one commenter noted.
One person also mentioned, “Have a dead battery? They’ll come to you with a new one and you only have to pay for parts.”
But Not Everyone’s Happy
A few commenters did voice frustration with the service. One commenter said AAA kept promising a tow truck every 40 minutes for over four hours.
Another said they were left stranded on a highway in freezing temperatures waiting on an AAA contractor who never showed.
“That experience alone has put me off the service for life,” they wrote.
Others pointed out that if you already have roadside assistance through your insurance, it might make more sense to drop AAA.
But many responded that using insurance roadside help could impact your premiums, while AAA doesn’t report service calls the same way.
Family Ties and Habitual Renewals
Several users shared that they got AAA memberships as gifts from parents or grandparents, and just kept them.
“My dad gives me a yearly membership for Christmas every year,” one person said.
Another person wrote, “I’m still on my mom’s membership. Love it so much.”
That includes the original poster, who returned later to say the comments had changed their mind.
“Responses have definitely convinced me to keep it… good to know it’s useful,” poster said.
Whether you use it once a year or once a decade, the consensus was clear: AAA may not be flashy, but when your car breaks down, it can feel like the best purchase you ever made.