AAA Premier gives you the highest towing distance and service limits of any AAA tier
AAA Premier is the top membership level offered by the American Automobile Association. It includes up to 200 miles of free towing per service call, four free service calls per year, and coverage for lockouts, fuel delivery, and jump starts. If you drive an older vehicle, tow a trailer regularly, or live far from repair shops, the higher limits justify the cost over AAA Plus or Classic membership.
The membership is sold through your local AAA club — there is no national AAA organization that sells directly. Pricing and exact coverage details vary by region, so you will need to contact your club to see current rates and what is included in your area. Most clubs offer annual or multi-year memberships, and some offer discounts if you bundle with auto insurance or home coverage.
Key Takeaways
- AAA Premier covers up to 200 miles of towing per call, compared to 100 miles for Plus and 7 miles for Classic.
- You get four free service calls per year under Premier, which resets annually on your membership renewal date.
- Lockouts, fuel delivery, and jump starts are included, but you pay out of pocket if you exceed your four annual calls.
- Pricing and coverage rules differ by AAA club, so confirm the exact terms with your local club before joining.
- Premier membership does not cover mechanical repairs, parts, or labor — only the cost of getting the vehicle to a shop.
How Premier towing distance compares to other AAA tiers
AAA offers three membership levels, each with a different towing limit. Premier covers the most distance, which matters if you break down far from home or your regular mechanic. The table below shows how the tiers stack up.
| Membership Tier | Towing Distance per Call | Service Calls per Year | Lockout/Fuel/Jump Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | 7 miles | 4 | Included |
| Plus | 100 miles | 4 | Included |
| Premier | 200 miles | 4 | Included |
The jump from Classic to Plus is the biggest practical difference — 7 miles covers a breakdown within a city or suburb, but not a highway breakdown or a trip to a distant repair facility. Plus and Premier both give you real distance, with Premier doubling Plus's range. If you regularly drive more than 100 miles from home, or if your preferred mechanic is far away, Premier's 200-mile limit removes the risk of paying out of pocket for a long tow.
All three tiers include the same number of free service calls per year. The difference is purely in how far each call can take you. Once you use all four calls, any additional towing or roadside service costs you the full amount — there is no partial coverage or discounted rate for calls beyond your annual limit.
What Premier membership actually covers
Premier covers the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair facility, plus four other common roadside problems: lockouts, dead battery jump starts, fuel delivery, and flat tire changes. The towing goes up to 200 miles, and the other services have no distance limit — a locksmith or fuel truck will come to you wherever you are.
What Premier does not cover is important to understand. It pays for transportation to a shop, not for repairs themselves. If your engine fails and you need a new transmission, AAA pays to tow you there, but you pay the shop for the work. The membership also does not cover parts, labor, or any service performed at the roadside — for example, if a technician repairs your battery on the spot, you pay for that repair even though the jump start itself is free.
Towing is limited to one destination per service call. If you ask to be towed to a shop 150 miles away, that uses your 200-mile allowance for that call. You cannot split the distance across multiple stops or ask for a second tow the same day under the same service call.
How to use your four annual service calls
Your Premier membership includes four free service calls per year. Each call resets on your membership renewal date, not on the calendar year. If you renew on March 15, your four calls reset on March 15 of the following year, regardless of what month it is.
A single service call covers one incident. If you get locked out of your car, that is one call. If you need a tow the next week, that is a second call. If you need two tows in the same day, that counts as two separate calls. Once you have used all four, any additional roadside service or towing is your responsibility — you will be billed by the towing company or service provider.
You do not have to use all four calls in a year, and unused calls do not roll over. If you use only two calls in a year, the other two expire when your membership renews. There is no way to bank them or transfer them to the next year.
Pricing and how to join through your local AAA club
AAA membership is sold through regional clubs, not through a single national office. Each club sets its own pricing, so Premier membership costs different amounts depending on where you live. In some regions, Premier might cost $150 to $200 per year; in others, it could be higher or lower. You will need to contact your local AAA club to see current rates.
To find your local club, visit the AAA website and enter your zip code. The site will show you which club serves your area and provide contact information. You can join online, by phone, or in person at a local AAA office. Most clubs offer discounts if you bundle membership with auto insurance, home insurance, or other products, so ask about package deals when you call.
Membership is typically sold as a one-year or multi-year contract. Some clubs offer a discount if you commit to three years upfront. Read the renewal terms before you join — some memberships auto-renew and charge your card annually, while others require you to renew manually.
When Premier makes sense versus Plus or Classic
Premier is worth the extra cost if you regularly drive long distances, live far from repair shops, or own an older vehicle that breaks down more often. If you drive 50 miles or less from home most days and have a reliable car, Plus is probably sufficient — the 100-mile limit covers most breakdowns and gets you to a nearby shop. Classic is only practical if you rarely drive and live in a city where a breakdown is unlikely to be more than a few miles from help.
Consider your actual driving patterns before upgrading. If you take one long road trip per year but drive locally the rest of the time, Plus might be enough — you can call AAA before the trip if you are worried. If you commute 80 miles each way or frequently drive to distant locations, Premier's 200-mile limit gives you peace of mind without worrying about whether a tow will exceed your coverage.
The cost difference between tiers is usually $30 to $60 per year. Compare that to the cost of a single 150-mile tow from a private company, which can run $300 to $500. If Premier prevents even one out-of-pocket tow in a year, it pays for itself.
What happens when you call AAA for roadside service
When you need help, call the number on the back of your AAA membership card. Have your membership number, vehicle information, and location ready. The dispatcher will ask what you need — towing, lockout, fuel, jump start, or tire change — and will send the appropriate service to your location.
For towing, tell the dispatcher where you want to go. If it is within your 200-mile limit, the tow is free. If the distance exceeds 200 miles, you will be told the overage cost before the tow happens. You can then decide whether to proceed or choose a closer destination.
Response times vary by location and time of day. In urban areas, help may arrive in 30 minutes to an hour. In rural areas, it can take several hours. The dispatcher will give you an estimate when you call. You are not charged if the service does not arrive within a reasonable time — you can cancel and arrange your own help, though you will lose that service call from your annual four.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my four service calls for different types of service, or are they only for towing?
Your four calls cover any roadside service: towing, lockouts, jump starts, fuel delivery, or tire changes. You can use all four for towing, or mix them — for example, one lockout, two tows, and one jump start. Each incident counts as one call, regardless of the type of service.
What if I need to tow more than 200 miles?
AAA will tow you up to 200 miles free. If your destination is farther, you pay the towing company for the distance beyond 200 miles. The overage cost is calculated by the towing company and varies by region and the specific distance. The dispatcher will tell you the overage amount before the tow begins.
Does Premier membership cover towing if my car breaks down outside my home state?
Yes, AAA membership works nationwide and in Canada and Mexico. Call the number on your membership card from anywhere, and AAA will dispatch service to your location. Coverage limits and service types are the same as they are at home.
Can I transfer my membership to someone else or use it for a rental car?
Membership is tied to the person whose name is on the card. You cannot transfer it to another person. For rental cars, check whether the rental company offers roadside coverage as part of the rental agreement — most do. Your AAA membership will not cover a rental vehicle you do not own.
What if I disagree with a charge or think a service call was handled incorrectly?
Contact your local AAA club directly. Provide your membership number, the date of the service, and details of the issue. The club can review the incident report from the service provider and adjust charges or credits if there was an error. Response times for disputes vary by club, but most resolve them within one to two weeks.