AAA has four main membership tiers, each with different towing distances and roadside service limits

AAA membership comes in four levels: Classic, Plus, Premier, and AAA Plus (the digital-only tier). The main difference between them is how far AAA will tow your vehicle for free and what other roadside services are included. Classic covers the shortest distance and fewest services; Premier covers the longest towing distance and the most. Which tier makes sense depends on how far you typically drive from home and whether you want coverage for things like fuel delivery or lockout service.

All AAA members get the same basic roadside information — someone will come to you if you break down. The tier you choose determines whether that help is limited to a few miles or extends 100 miles or more, and whether services like fuel delivery or lock-out information are included at no extra charge or cost you money when you use them.

Key Takeaways

  • Classic tows up to 7 miles free; Plus tows up to 100 miles; Premier tows up to 200 miles; all other services vary by tier.
  • Every tier includes roadside information for lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes, but some tiers charge a fee for these services while others include them.
  • AAA Plus is a digital membership with no physical card and covers towing up to 100 miles, designed for people who want coverage without joining a local club.
  • Membership costs and what is included vary by AAA club and region, so the same tier name may offer different services depending on where you live.
  • You can upgrade or downgrade your membership tier at any time, and the cost difference is prorated based on how much of your membership year remains.

Classic membership: the entry-level option with limited towing

Classic is the lowest-cost AAA tier and covers towing up to 7 miles at no charge. If your breakdown happens within 7 miles of a repair shop, you are covered completely. If it is farther, you pay the difference out of pocket. Classic members also get roadside information for lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes, but each of these services carries a separate fee — usually between $50 and $100 depending on your location and the specific service.

Classic makes sense if you live and work close to home, rarely drive long distances, and are comfortable paying per service when you need help. It is also the right choice if you want AAA membership primarily for the discounts on hotels, car rentals, and insurance rather than for roadside coverage.

Plus membership: the middle tier with 100-mile towing

Plus covers towing up to 100 miles at no charge and includes the same roadside services as Classic — lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes — but without the per-service fees. This means if you run out of gas 50 miles from home, AAA tows you and delivers fuel at no extra cost. If your battery dies, they replace it on the spot at no charge.

Plus is the most common AAA tier and works well for people who drive regularly within a 100-mile radius of home or their main repair shop. The included services save money if you use roadside information more than once or twice a year. The 100-mile towing limit means you are covered for most day trips and commutes, but not for long road trips or vacation driving far from home.

Premier membership: the highest tier with 200-mile towing

Premier covers towing up to 200 miles at no charge and includes all the same services as Plus — lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes — with no per-service fees. Premier also typically includes additional perks like discounts on hotel stays and car rentals that are better than what Plus members receive, though these vary by AAA club.

Premier is designed for people who take frequent long road trips, drive far from home regularly, or want the peace of mind that comes with the longest possible towing distance. If you live in a rural area far from major repair shops, or if you drive across multiple states for work or vacation, Premier covers you in situations where Plus would leave you paying out of pocket for the extra towing distance.

AAA Plus: the digital membership option

AAA Plus is a membership tier available only through AAA's website or app, with no physical card or local club affiliation. It covers towing up to 100 miles at no charge and includes the same roadside services as the Plus tier — lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes — with no per-service fees. AAA Plus costs less than traditional Plus membership because there is no local club overhead.

AAA Plus works well if you want roadside coverage but do not care about local club discounts or events, or if there is no AAA club in your area. You manage everything through the AAA app or website, and roadside information is dispatched the same way as with any other tier. The main trade-off is that you do not get access to AAA club-specific discounts or services that vary by region.

How towing distance actually works and what happens if you exceed it

When you call AAA for a tow, the dispatcher sends a tow truck to your location and tows you to the nearest repair facility that can handle your vehicle. The free towing distance is measured from where you break down to that repair facility. If the nearest shop is 50 miles away and you have Plus membership (100-mile limit), you are fully covered. If the nearest shop is 150 miles away, you pay for the towing beyond 100 miles.

In practice, AAA tow operators try to take you to a shop within your coverage limit whenever possible. If no shop within that distance can handle your vehicle type, AAA may negotiate with you about paying the overage or may cover it as a courtesy. The key point is that the distance is measured in miles of actual towing, not miles from your home — so if you break down 80 miles from home but the nearest shop is 20 miles in the opposite direction, you have traveled 100 miles total and a Plus member would hit their limit.

Membership costs and regional differences

AAA membership costs vary significantly by region because each AAA club sets its own pricing. A Classic membership in one state might cost $50 to $70 per year, while the same tier in another state costs $80 to $100. Plus and Premier tiers cost more, typically ranging from $100 to $200 per year depending on location and club. AAA Plus, the digital tier, is usually priced between Plus and Premier because it has lower overhead.

The services included in each tier also vary by club. Some clubs include additional perks like discounts on roadside service calls or free locksmith service; others do not. Before you choose a tier, contact your local AAA club or visit their website to see what is included in each membership level in your area. The tier names are the same everywhere, but what you actually get for your money is not.

Upgrading, downgrading, and switching tiers

You can change your membership tier at any time by contacting your AAA club or logging into your account online. If you upgrade mid-year — for example, from Classic to Plus — you pay the difference between what you already paid and the cost of the new tier, prorated for the remaining months of your membership. If you downgrade, you receive a credit toward your next renewal.

There is no penalty for changing tiers, and the change takes effect when ready. Your new membership card arrives by mail within one to two weeks, though you can use your membership number right away if you need roadside information before the physical card arrives. If you are unsure whether your current tier is right for you, most AAA clubs allow you to try a higher tier for a month or two before committing to the full year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AAA membership if I am traveling outside my home state?

Yes. AAA membership is valid nationwide and in Canada and Mexico. Your towing distance limit and included services follow you wherever you travel. If you break down in another state, call the AAA roadside information number on your membership card and they will dispatch help to your location, even if you are far from your home club.

What happens if I need a tow longer than my membership covers?

You pay the difference out of pocket. If you have Plus membership (100-mile limit) and need a 150-mile tow, AAA covers the first 100 miles and you pay for the remaining 50 miles. Some tow operators will negotiate the overage cost with you, and AAA may cover it as a one-time courtesy if you have a good membership history, but you should not count on that.

Do I need to renew my membership every year?

Yes. AAA membership is annual and expires 12 months from the date you join or renew. AAA typically sends renewal notices 30 to 60 days before your membership expires. You can renew online, by phone, or in person at your local club. If your membership lapses, you can rejoin at any time, but you will not have coverage during the gap.

Is AAA Plus the same as Plus membership?

AAA Plus and Plus membership have the same towing distance (100 miles) and the same included services (lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, flat tire changes). The difference is that AAA Plus is digital-only with no local club affiliation, while traditional Plus membership includes access to your local AAA club and its discounts. AAA Plus typically costs less because there is no club overhead.

Can I add AAA membership to my car insurance policy?

Some insurance companies offer AAA membership as an add-on to your policy, but this is not the same as joining AAA directly. If you add it through your insurer, you get the roadside coverage but may not get access to AAA discounts on travel, hotels, or other services. It is usually cheaper to join AAA directly through your local club or through AAA Plus online.