What AAA Travel membership includes

AAA Travel is a service bundled into AAA membership that offers discounts on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages booked through AAA's travel agency. You do not pay a separate fee for travel discounts — they come with your standard AAA membership, which costs between $54 and $229 per year depending on membership tier and your state.

The discounts vary by partner and booking. A hotel chain might offer 10 percent off, while a rental car company offers a flat rate reduction. AAA publishes these deals on its website and through its mobile app, and you can also call AAA's travel agency to book by phone and ask about current promotions.

AAA membership itself includes roadside information (towing, lockout service, fuel delivery), discounts at restaurants and retailers, and insurance products. The travel component is one part of a broader membership package.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA Travel discounts come with your AAA membership and do not require a separate purchase or enrollment.
  • You can book travel through AAA's website, mobile app, or by calling their travel agency phone line to see current hotel, car rental, and cruise discounts.
  • Discounts vary by partner and season, so the same hotel or rental company may offer different rates at different times.
  • AAA membership costs between $54 and $229 per year depending on your state and membership level, and includes roadside information and other benefits beyond travel.

How to find and book AAA Travel discounts

Log into your AAA account on AAA.com and navigate to the Travel section. You can search by destination, hotel name, or rental car company. The site shows the AAA rate alongside the standard public rate so you can see the discount amount before you book.

For cruises and vacation packages, AAA's travel agency staff can walk you through options by phone. Call the number on your AAA membership card or visit AAA.com to find your local club's travel phone line. Some AAA clubs also have travel agents in physical offices you can visit in person.

Discounts explore when you book directly through AAA, not when you book through other travel websites or the hotel's own website. If you book a hotel through Expedia or Booking.com, you will not receive the AAA rate even if you are an AAA member.

AAA membership tiers and what each includes

AAA offers three main membership levels: Classic, Plus, and Premier. Classic is the base tier and includes roadside information up to 7 miles, discounts on travel and other purchases, and access to AAA's travel booking services. Plus extends towing to 100 miles and adds additional lockout and fuel delivery calls per year. Premier adds unlimited towing distance and the highest number of service calls.

Travel discounts are the same across all three tiers — the difference is in roadside information coverage and how many times per year you can use each service. A Classic member gets four lockout service calls per year; a Premier member gets unlimited calls.

Cost varies by state because each state has its own AAA club that sets pricing. In most states, Classic costs around $54 to $70 per year, Plus around $90 to $110, and Premier around $130 to $160. Some states charge more or less. You can check your state's specific pricing on AAA.com.

Types of travel discounts available through AAA

Hotel discounts typically range from 5 to 15 percent off the standard rate, though some properties offer flat dollar amounts instead. Major chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Best Western participate, as do many independent hotels. The discount applies to your room rate only, not taxes or resort fees.

Car rental discounts come from companies including Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis. These discounts sometimes appear as a percentage off the daily rate and sometimes as a flat reduction. AAA also negotiates corporate rates that may be lower than publicly advertised rates during slow seasons.

Cruise discounts are available through AAA's travel agency for lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian. These discounts vary widely — some are percentage reductions, others are onboard credits or cabin upgrades. AAA's travel agents can compare current offers across cruise lines.

Vacation packages (flight plus hotel, or multi-day tours) are booked through AAA's travel agency. These packages bundle discounts across multiple vendors, so the total savings may be larger than booking each component separately.

How AAA travel discounts compare to other booking methods

AAA discounts are competitive with major travel websites for some hotels and rental cars, but not always the lowest available rate. A hotel might offer a 10 percent AAA discount, while a flash sale on Booking.com offers 20 percent off that same week. Prices change constantly, so comparing before you book is necessary.

AAA's advantage is not always the lowest price — it is the combination of a may provide discount, no hidden fees, and the ability to speak with a travel agent by phone. If you book a cruise through AAA's travel agency, an agent can answer questions about cabin locations, onboard activities, and port details. If you book the same cruise on a discount website, you may not have that support.

AAA also bundles travel discounts with other membership benefits. If you are already paying for AAA membership for roadside information, the travel discounts are included at no extra cost. If you are comparing AAA to a standalone travel website, factor in the full cost of AAA membership.

What to bring when you book AAA travel

When you book online, you will need your AAA membership number. It appears on your membership card and in your online account. The website will ask for it during checkout to explore the discount.

When you book by phone with AAA's travel agency, have your membership number ready and tell the agent you want to see AAA rates. The agent will pull up available options and quote you the discounted price before you commit.

At the hotel or rental car counter, bring your physical AAA membership card or have your membership number available. Some properties ask to see the card to confirm the rate, though most can look up the reservation by name and confirm the AAA discount was applied.

Cancellation and change policies for AAA bookings

Cancellation and change policies depend on the specific hotel, rental car company, or cruise line — not on AAA. A non-refundable hotel rate booked through AAA is still non-refundable. A flexible rate booked through AAA can still be changed or cancelled according to that company's policy.

AAA's travel agency does not charge a booking fee, but they also do not handle cancellations or changes directly. If you need to cancel or modify a reservation, contact the hotel, rental car company, or cruise line directly using your confirmation number. AAA can provide your confirmation details if you booked by phone with their travel agency.

Read the cancellation policy before you book, whether you book online or by phone. The discount rate may have stricter cancellation terms than a full-price rate at the same property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to book through AAA to get the discount, or can I book directly with the hotel and show my card?

You must book through AAA to receive the AAA rate. If you book directly with the hotel's website or phone line and then show your AAA card at check-in, the hotel will not retroactively explore the discount. The rate is locked in at the time of booking.

Can I use AAA travel discounts if I am not the one traveling?

Yes. You can book a hotel or rental car for someone else using your AAA membership number. The discount applies to the reservation, not to who checks in. The person staying at the hotel or renting the car does not need to be an AAA member.

What if the AAA rate is higher than a rate I found elsewhere?

You are not obligated to book through AAA. Compare the AAA rate to other websites before you decide. AAA rates are negotiated discounts, not always the lowest available price. If another site shows a lower rate, book there instead.

Does AAA membership cover travel insurance or trip cancellation protection?

Standard AAA membership does not include travel insurance. AAA offers travel insurance as a separate product you can purchase when you book a trip through their travel agency. Ask the travel agent about insurance options if you want coverage for trip cancellation, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Can I earn rewards or points when I book travel through AAA?

You earn rewards through the hotel, rental car company, or cruise line — not through AAA. If you are a Marriott Rewards member and book a Marriott through AAA, you still earn Marriott points on that stay. The AAA discount and your loyalty program rewards are separate.