topic Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club in Community Chat

AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

flickerbulb — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:17:38 GMT

I need to sign up for an auto club. I am a BJs member and they sell one of those cardboard displays that you take up to the register. It is called Auto Vantage and it costs under $48 and offers up to four tows up to 100 miles.

A similar plan for AAA costs $100. I prefer the longer mileage option because the cheapest AAA only allows for 5 miles or so. That would not work for me.

Anyone have experience with Auto Vantage? I ditched OnStar because it costs toooooo much!

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

flickerbulb — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:34:47 GMT

Anyone?

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

september — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:35:58 GMT

I've been a AAA member for most of my driving years, and have been pleased with the service, when I needed it. I'm not familiar with the other services.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 01:45:29 GMT

Flickerbulb, I am not familiar with the BJ's plan. Have you googled it to see what if any comments or reviews there are on it. I do have AAA and I have to say, I have only had to have a car towed and it was a while ago but the mileage thing did come into play and I had a pretty good bill for the rest of what AAA didn't cover.

I did look up and found that these are the top 10 roadside services and it gives you a comparison, showing what each one offers.

http://roadside-assistance-services-review.toptenreviews.com/

I also googled Auto Vantage and I am not sure if this is the same one that BJ's offers but I found a complaint board if you want to take a look.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/auto-vantage-c1365.html

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

SydneyH — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:02:42 GMT

I guess it depends on your driving experience. I found the AAA Plus a waste of money because we service our cars regularly, so it's unlikely we would need towing 100 miles from our home. I use the free roadside service from Geico.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

pigletsmom — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:13:00 GMT

Flicker I would check and see what your insurance offers. I have Geico and it comes with roadside assistance. I have had them change flats since I can get the lug nuts off, jump start once, also once when my started was going they got that working for me so I could just drive to my mechanic. I also just had to be towed due to a flat with no spare tire (long story)! That was probably 15 miles but they didn't seem to care where I was having it towed to.

Looks like Sydney and I were thinking alike!

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

flickerbulb — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:18:22 GMT

I do have Geico but I currently do not have the RA on the policy because I had On Star.

I forgot about their offering that service. I do not want one where I have to send in the bill to be reimbursed. Thanks for the reminder and I will check into it!

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

Shorty2U — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:44:38 GMT

We have what AAA's covers on our car insurance plan and its cheaper. I can tell you that my parents always had AAA and liked it.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

gidgetgh — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 12:01:59 GMT

We have AAA. We have only had to use it once, thankfully (knock on wood), but we renew it faithfully every year. We have AAA Plus. I'm not familiar with Auto Vantage Auto Club.

We keep our cars serviced regularly also, but tires can go flat and things can break regardless of that.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

sunshine45 — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 14:57:49 GMT

we have AAA plus and have had it for 30+ years. i also get cards for my children. it is good all over the USA and i think even if you dont use it it brings you peace of mind to have the roadside coverage. it doesnt matter how often you service your car, you never know what can happen......tires, alternator, battery, thermostat, radiator......stuff happens. i also like the convenience of getting free tour books/maps, having easy access to foreign money exchanges, discounts and tickets to zoos, museums, amusement parks, water parks, passport photos, etc.... i would never be without it.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

SydneyH — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:19:04 GMT

On 8/30/2014 gidgetgoeshawaiian said:
We have AAA. We have only had to use it once, thankfully (knock on wood), but we renew it faithfully every year. We have AAA Plus. I'm not familiar with Auto Vantage Auto Club.

We keep our cars serviced regularly also, but tires can go flat and things can break regardless of that.

While that's true, AAA Plus is more expensive. I rarely drive 100 miles from my home, so the likelihood of needing a tow is nil.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

~moxie~ — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:25:27 GMT

I have had AAA for most of my adult life. I would not ever use another company. They do a lot of DMV activities that theycan do for you. I recently went looking for the pink slip for my car and could not locate it. I called DMV and they recommended I get it done at the AAA. As far as onstar I love it. They do diagnostics on my car every month and I like hands free calling.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

Qwackertoo — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:38:09 GMT

I've only had it a few years. We did sign up one year to get the International Driver's Licenses and passport photos. Then signed up again a few years ago, handy for hotel discounts and something else that trip to Europe . . . and with daughter 4+ hours away and driving back & forth . . . just she & I were on it for 123.00 a year . . . then when I called to renew last week . . . they had where I could add 17 yr old son for *free* and husband for *free* plus she entered a code so I got 5.00 off so all four of us for 118.00 a year and that will cover 5 vehicles plus IF we are in anyone else's vehicle it would cover us whether a passenger or driving someone else's car like IF I flew to TX and was driving my Dad's car while in town.

I have plus . . . and usually get the AAA rate when booking hotels unless another discount is better.

The lady when I renewed last week . . . mentioned the "lock out service" that IF you lock yourself out of your car or somehow break your key (I guess in the ignition) they'll come out and you get a 100.00 credit towards a new key . . . and keys these days from dealerships aren't cheap.

AND in the case of a dead battery . . . IF you need a new one . . . they'll come out and install it for free but of course you have to pay for the battery.

It is worth it to me. I think we use to for years and years, with State Farm, had towing where it was like an extra 1.00 per month per vehicle but now with multiple vehicles, just easier to have AAA.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

AnikaBrodie — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:57:28 GMT

We've had AAA forever and are satisfied with it when we need it. I've never heard of the other club you mentioned.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

Hooty — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:48:32 GMT

AAA is the best, IMO! We have been members forever and we would never be without it!

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

jlkz — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:44:58 GMT

We have AAA now for over 30 years. We also have their Visa card and the credit we get annually goes to pay the AAA membership cost. We got the extended towing after the fact when our vehicle broke down while we were away. I believe they let us retroactively get the extended plan to cover the 100 mile distance. Great customer service, esp. For trip planning whether by car or RV.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

pistolino — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:20:26 GMT

I can only speak to AAA (Plus) and it's worth the yearly membership because I lock my keys in the car at least once a year and I've used roadside service in the middle of a winter storm. Quick and gives me a feeling of security.

Re: AAA vs. Auto Vantage Auto Club

jlkz — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:46:54 GMT

Last week while getting gas, I unknowingly locked my keys and purse in the car. The fellow on the other side of the pump saw my distress and offered to call police ( or 911? ) to open my car for me. In 10 minutes I was back in my car --- Didn't need to use A AA. I was so glad the fellow called because I had just come from the eye doctor and my eyes couldn't focus on the number pad of the cell phone!