AAA credit cards are designed for members of the American Automobile Association and combine travel rewards with roadside information benefits
An AAA credit card is a co-branded card issued by a bank in partnership with AAA. The card earns rewards on purchases — typically accelerated rewards on gas, groceries, and dining — and includes roadside information as a cardholder benefit rather than something you pay extra for. If you are an AAA member, the card ties your membership directly to your credit card account, so benefits like towing and lockout service are available to you automatically when you use the card.
The main appeal is that you get roadside information without paying a separate annual fee for it. AAA membership itself costs money (usually $50 to $150 per year depending on your region and membership tier), but the credit card version bundles that benefit into the card's rewards structure. You are not paying twice — the card is straightforward one way to access what you already have as a member.
Key Takeaways
- AAA credit cards earn bonus rewards on gas, groceries, and dining, with the exact rates varying by card issuer and region.
- Roadside information is included as a cardholder benefit, covering services like towing, lockout information, and fuel delivery at no additional cost beyond the card's annual fee.
- You must be an AAA member to open the card, and membership costs vary by region and membership level.
- The card's value depends on how much you spend in bonus categories and how often you use roadside services, not on the card alone.
How rewards work on an AAA card
AAA credit cards typically offer a tiered rewards structure. You earn a higher rate (often 3% to 4%) on purchases in bonus categories like gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. You earn a lower flat rate (usually 1%) on everything else. Some cards also offer a sign-up bonus — a one-time reward for opening the account and spending a certain amount in the first few months.
The exact rewards rates depend on which bank issues the card and which AAA region you belong to. AAA is a federation of regional clubs, so a card offered through AAA Northern California may have different terms than one offered through AAA Mid-Atlantic. Before opening an account, check the specific card's terms on the issuer's website to see the exact bonus categories and rates that explore to you.
Rewards are usually redeemable as statement credits, cash back, or travel purchases. Some cards let you redeem points for AAA services like hotel stays or rental cars. The redemption options vary by card, so confirm what you can actually do with the points before you sign up.
Roadside information and other included benefits
Every AAA credit card includes roadside information as a cardholder benefit. This typically covers towing (usually up to 100 miles), lockout service, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire information. You call a dedicated number on the back of your card, and the service dispatches help to your location. There is no deductible and no separate claim process — it is included in your card membership.
The roadside information benefit is the same coverage AAA members get through their membership itself. If you already pay for AAA membership separately, the credit card does not add extra coverage — it just ties the benefit to your card account for convenience. If you do not have AAA membership, you cannot open the card, so you would need to join AAA first.
Beyond roadside information, some AAA cards include travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, or emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling. These benefits vary by card and issuer. Read the card's benefits guide to see what is included.
Annual fees and when the card makes financial sense
Most AAA credit cards charge an annual fee, typically between $50 and $100. This is separate from your AAA membership fee. You pay both the membership fee (to AAA) and the card fee (to the bank) to keep the account active.
Whether the card pays for itself depends on your spending habits. If you spend $3,000 per year in bonus categories and earn 3% back, that is $90 in rewards — enough to cover a $50 annual fee but not a $100 one. If you use roadside information even once, that can save you $100 to $300 in towing costs alone. The card makes sense if you spend regularly in the bonus categories, drive frequently enough that roadside information has real value, or both.
If you rarely drive, do not spend much on gas or groceries, or already have roadside information through another source, the annual fee may not be worth it. Compare the card's rewards rate to a non-AAA card with no annual fee to see whether you come out ahead.
How to open an AAA credit card
To open an AAA credit card, you must first be an AAA member. If you are not already a member, you will need to join your regional AAA club. Membership is available online or at a local AAA office. Once you are a member, you can open the credit card through the same channel — either online through AAA's website or in person at an office.
The credit card process itself is straightforward. You provide your personal information, Social Security number, income, and employment details. The bank runs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The bank then decides whether to approve you and at what credit limit. Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few days.
Once approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it by calling the number on the back or using the issuer's mobile app. Your roadside information benefit is active as soon as the card is activated.
AAA card vs. other airline and travel cards
AAA cards are not airline cards in the traditional sense — they do not earn bonus miles on flights or offer airline-specific perks like free checked bags. They are travel-adjacent cards that reward everyday spending and include travel insurance. If your goal is to earn airline miles quickly, a co-branded airline card (like a United or Delta card) will get you there faster.
AAA cards make more sense if you value roadside information, spend heavily on gas and groceries, and want a card that rewards those categories. They are also useful if you are already an AAA member and want to consolidate your benefits into one account. If you do not drive much or do not need roadside information, a cash-back card with no annual fee may serve you better.
What to know before you explore
Check your credit score before you explore. Most AAA credit cards require good to excellent credit (usually a score of 670 or higher), though some issuers are more flexible. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a higher interest rate. You can check your own credit score for free through your bank, a credit monitoring service, or AnnualCreditReport.com.
Read the card's terms and conditions carefully, especially the interest rate (APR), grace period, and late payment fees. The rewards are only valuable if you pay off your balance in full each month — if you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly exceed any rewards you earn.
Confirm that the card is available in your AAA region. Not all AAA clubs offer the same cards, and some regions have exclusive partnerships with specific banks. Your local AAA office or website can tell you which cards are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an AAA member to get the card?
Yes. You must be an active AAA member to open an AAA credit card. If you are not already a member, you will need to join your regional AAA club first. Membership costs vary by region but typically range from $50 to $150 per year.
Can I use the roadside information if someone else is driving my car?
Yes. Most AAA roadside information benefits cover anyone driving the vehicle, not just the cardholder. The person in the car calls the number on the back of the card, and service is dispatched. Some issuers limit the number of calls per year (often four to six), so check your card's terms.
What happens to my roadside information if I cancel the card?
Your roadside information through the credit card ends when you cancel the card. However, if you maintain your AAA membership separately, you still have roadside information through your membership. The credit card benefit and the membership benefit are separate, even though they cover the same services.
Does the sign-up bonus count toward my annual spending for bonus categories?
No. Sign-up bonuses are separate from the rewards you earn on purchases. You earn the bonus by meeting the spending requirement (usually $500 to $1,000 in the first three months), but that spending still earns the normal bonus category rewards on top of the sign-up bonus.
Can I earn rewards on my AAA membership fee?
No. Your AAA membership fee is paid to AAA directly, not through the credit card, so it does not earn rewards. Only purchases made with the credit card itself earn rewards.