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AA Membership Review

AA Membership offers vehicle breakdown call-out, fuel discounts and other benefits for $89 a year (or $99 if you're based in Auckland) - our review looks at the pros and cons of the membership scheme and also alternatives for possible breakdown cover and fuel discount from other providers.
Updated 8 August 2024
AA Membership Summary:
  • With over one million members, it’s fair to say that the Automobile Association is highly popular among New Zealand car owners.
  • The AA (as an organisation) provides a range of services for drivers and vehicle owners, and carries out research and advocacy.
  • AA Membership combines access to the roadside support and car-related services and benefits with discounts on AA Insurance (such as car, home and contents, among others), further discounts and benefits from AA partner organisations are outlined here. AA Insurance is an independent joint venture between the AA and Suncorp, an Australian financial group, and not outwardly owned by the AA. 
  • With prices from $89 per year, our view is that AA Memberships offer an affordable benefit-heavy package. Additional loyalty bonuses (for memberships maintained over several years) offer further value, as do the ongoing discounts.
  • However, it's important to know membership covers the person, not the car - if you share a car in your household, add-on breakdown cover from car insurers will likely be cheaper. Our car insurance policy comparison outlines the add-on costs per insurer in detail.
  • We believe that the benefits should easily cover the cost even if you are lucky enough never to require assistance.

To outline AA Membership, the pros, cons and costs, our guide covers:

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views on AA Membership:

"The AA offers a lot of value and protection, but its membership may not suit everyone. Arguably the most valuable benefit is breakdown cover, but most car insurers offer similar cover for a low annual add-on fee. And, unlike AA Membership, car insurers cover the car, not the driver. This means anyone driving the insured car is covered should breakdown assistance be required. This means if you share a car with your loved ones, they'd all need AA memberships if they're driving the car. This can get expensive.

At times of record petrol prices, it may seem tempting to join the AA - I suggest reading our guide carefully to see if you will get the benefits that make it worth the cost. It is debatable how much value AA membership offers for anyone who already has breakdown cover with their car insurance.

For the latest car insurance breakdown cover add-ons and benefits, visit our AMI vs AA vs State vs Tower and more comparison".
MoneyHub Founder
Christopher Walsh

AA Membership options

There are three types of AA Memberships:
  1. Individual Membership is the standard membership open to anyone over 19 years of age. As outlined in the table below, the longer you are a member, the lower the annual fee. The AA rewards members for their loyalty.
  2. Associate Membership is for the spouse/partner of an existing AA member living at the same address. It provides the same benefits at just 50% of the standard cost
  3. Youth Membership has all the benefits of AA membership at a discounted rate for young people up to 19 years of age

Membership is slightly more expensive in Auckland than in the rest of New Zealand, and a loyalty bonus reduces the cost for length of membership – the longer you remain a member, the less you will pay to renew each year. The AA treats Auckland as based on New Zealand Post postcodes 0600-2697, excluding 0900-0920 and 0972-0986.

Current AA Membership prices are outlined on the AA website.

AA Membership Upgrade Options

There are also two upgrades to standard membership available for people who might benefit from some additional coverage – AA Plus and AA Motorhome, they are described below.

AA Plus
  • This package of services is aimed at people who spend a lot of time travelling around New Zealand.
  • The cover protects members from the risk of having a breakdown in a place from where they could not easily get home.
  • The service provides full vehicle recovery, a replacement rental car, emergency accommodation, and alternative transport home. 
  • Cost: AA Plus Membership costs an additional $54 per year, or an additional $27 if your spouse or partner living with you already has AA Plus.

AA Motorhome
  • This upgrade provides the same package of services as AA Plus, but it is tailored for owners of campervans who want additional coverage while they are off touring New Zealand.
  • Cost: AA Motorhome Membership costs an additional $80 per year.

What does AA Membership give you?

​Roadside Assistance

Most New Zealanders with AA Membership originally joined to access the 24-hour AA roadside assistance service. This extensive plan covers breakdown assistance, battery service if your car won’t start, key lockout service if you lose your key, tyre changes, temporary side glass replacement (i.e. if side-windows are broken), and towing to safety. Members, including youth members, can receive these services even if they are only the passenger in a car driven or owned by someone who does not have AA Membership.

Further to the above coverage, the AA will also assist with shattered windscreens and emergency fuel delivery.

Know this - there are some exclusions, but most are limits on the number of times a service is provided or the cost involved:
  • ​Some of these services are subject to conditions. Members have up to six free callouts per year for the first nine years of membership, with unlimited callouts after that. If you exceed your annual callout limit, there is a $60 charge per callout.
  • For lost car keys, the AA covers a maximum of $40 of locksmith labour charges for urban and $100 for other areas, with the member needing to cover any charges beyond that amount.
  • AA Plus or AA Motorhome offers up to $150 of locksmith coverage. 
  • Some services, such as the free temporary side glass replacement, may not be available in more remote areas
  • For vehicles that have broken down, AA Membership will cover towing to the nearest safe place or workshop where it can be repaired or stored. Top-up fees may be charged if the car needs to be towed more than 10 km. If the car needs to be towed again, it will be at the member’s cost.
  • Some services may be subject to restrictions if you are driving a rental car or you are less than 100 km from home

Members should also keep in mind that there are also several exclusions in addition to the above restrictions. Most are common sense rules relating to unlawful and outsized vehicles, they also pertain to the presence of the AA member. For example:
  • The AA will not repair or transport vehicles if it's dangerous or illegal to do so, if the vehicle has been stolen, is over the legal load limit, is carrying hazardous goods, or is more than 2.44 metres wide, 3 metres high, or 7 metres long.
  • The AA will also not deal with the vehicle if a member was not in it when it broke down. 
  • Assistance won't be provided if the member has a breakdown on a beach, is trapped or bogged, or breaks down while being driven off-road or on a non-public road.

Important - AA Membership is not a substitute for car insurance
AA Memberships do not cover vehicle parts, consumables or repairs at the repairer, breakdowns that are covered by the member’s insurance, or problems with electrical items in the vehicle, such as stereos and fridges. 

Legal and technical advice

AA members are entitled to free technical and legal advice. This includes the AA 10-Point Check, a basic vehicle check-up to help you maintain your vehicle in excellent condition. The check covers the battery, engine oil condition and level, wiper condition and operation, washer, tyre depth, wear and condition, and lights.

Members can also call the AA Motoring Advice Helpline for free advice on car care, repairs and servicing, technical problems, and issues such as mechanical bills, and car exports and imports for personal use.

Electric bicycles and Mobility scooters assistance

​Roadside assistance is also covered for mobility scooters and electric bicycles. If an electric bicycle is immobilised due to a flat battery, other electrical issues, damaged tyres, wheels or drivetrain, the AA will provide bicycle recovery to the member’s home address, vehicle, or place of repair. 

If a mobility scooter is immobilised by a flat battery, tyre or lost keys, and the member does not require any special personal assistance, the AA will provide vehicle recovery to the member’s home address. 

In both of the above cases, the attending vehicle will only be able to carry the member if it is legally permitted to do so. If the member needs to use an alternative means of transport, that will be at the member’s expense.

Discounts on AA Insurance

AA Insurance provides a comprehensive range of insurance services, including car insurance, as well as general insurance policies ranging from home and contents to health, travel, and life insurance. Our insurance comparison guides include AA Insurance, which is regarded as a mid-market insurer in terms of pricing.

AA members receive a 5% discount on their first AA Insurance policy (and 10% on Pet Insurance) which can be car, home, contents etc. If you purchase more than one AA insurance product, the discount increases to 10% on each policy. For those who have been AA members for long enough, there is also a discount of up to $50 on car and home and contents insurance. The discounts are applied when you sign up or renew by quoting your policy numbers.

As a background, AA Insurance has an A+ (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating from Standard and Poor’s, and is reviewed on our insurance comparisons in detail. 

Discounts on other AA Services

AA members are eligible for discounts on the other services the AA provides, including AA Vehicle Inspections, Vehicle Servicing and Warrants of Fitness, and Vehicle Loan establishment fees.

Our view: Before entering any vehicle finance agreement, it's best to compare the options available. Our car finance guide outlines the latest offers, fees and top lenders who may be more affordable than AA Money's rates (depending on the borrower's affordability).

AA Smartfuel (a petrol discount card)

AA members receive an AA Smartfuel card that saves on fuel and accumulate discounts at more than 1,200 retailers across New Zealand, including Countdown, BP and G.A.S.

How it works:
  • Members can accumulate more savings by using AA approved repairers, energy providers (i.e. Contact) and ASB's rewards credit cards. General discounts include 6 cents/litre at BP and G.A.S, with a minimum $40 spend. 
  • Households can link their cards to accumulate points faster.
  • The general idea is that you can get a discount of up to 30 cents a litre on petrol, but the discounts vary. 
  • Important: You can't combine discounts. For example, a 30 cents off petrol offer, and another for 6 cents off cannot combine to 36 cents. 

Other benefits

AA members can also receive a range of worthwhile benefits from partner organisations:
  1. Free eye test at Specsavers every two years at Specsavers
  2. Free dermatologist exams for problem spots and discounts on full-body consultations at Skin Institute
  3. Free hearing screening and full diagnostic tests if hearing loss is detected at Bay Audiology and Dilworth Hearing

Discounts around New Zealand
  • Travel and attractions: An AA Membership card will get you discounts on car and campervan rentals, accommodation, Interislander ferries, scenic trains, and entry to attractions like Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, MOTAT, Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s, Rainbow’s End and Big Boys Toys.
  • Retailers: AA Membership gives you access to discounts on purchases at Torpedo7, tickets at Event Cinemas, and when sending flowers and gift baskets online with Teleflora or Petals Network.

Assistance abroad
AA members travelling abroad can access reciprocal services from other AA organisations in other countries.​

AA Membership - Frequently Asked Questions

Our list of common questions below helps explain AA Membership further. 

​How much is a AA Membership?

Individual adult membership starts from $89 - the AA Membership cost and options table has more details. 

Does AA membership cover the car or the person?

AA Membership covers you, not the vehicle. This means it doesn't matter what car you're in, nor if you're the driver or the passenger. If you have an AA Membership, you can use the call-out service and make use of any of the benefits. 

Can I add someone to my AA Membership?

​Yes - existing members can add their partner or spouse for half the price if you're both living at the same address. You can also add children up to the age of 19 under the Youth Membership, above that age they would need to purchase their own Individual Membership.

Does AA cover family members?

​No - AA Membership is strictly for the person, not the vehicle. This means individual memberships are required, but AA does offer discounted Youth Membership and the "Associate Membership" can be purchased for your partner, which is half the price of the regular membership.

Are there alternatives to AA Membership?

​Yes - many car insurance companies offer breakdown cover. The first difference between the insurer policies and AA Membership is that the car is covered, not the person (as is the case with AA Membership). This means anyone driving the insured car is covered should breakdown assistance be required. The second difference is the price and benefits - car insurance breakdown is added on to a policy for around $40/year, but it doesn't include the petrol and other discounts which AA Membership offers. 

Popular roadside assistance options offered as insurance add-ons include:

Can I join AA and use it immediately?

Yes - there is no stand-down period, but you can't join online and request a call-out on the same day. If you need roadside rescue and don't have AA Membership, you can sign up on the phone for $195 (the Non-Member rate). 

If you join in advance, you'll avoid the $195 fee and can use the benefits (cheaper petrol, discounts at retailers) immediately.

Does AA Membership cover windscreen repairs?

No - but AA Membership offers discounted windscreen repair and replacement.

Can I pay my AA membership monthly?

No - AA Membership is charged annually.

AA Membership - Pros, Cons, Alternatives and Our View

Our Pros and Cons summary outlines AA Membership in a nutshell. Our view is that the annual cost is a fraction of the total cost of running a car, and even if you don't use the additional services, the breakdown cover (up to six per year) and loyalty discounts make it worthwhile. However, it won't be for everyone and add-on products and services (WOF, insurance, petrol etc) may not be the best value for your needs. 

Pros
  • Multiple call-outs - up to six per year, for a flat fee of $79 or $89 per year
  • Cheaper membership year after year if you stay loyal to the AA
  • Discounts and freebies, covering everything from car inspection, WOF, petrol savings and more
  • Cheaper to buy in advance ($79 or $89 per year) than joining on the roadside (which costs $195, valid for one year)

Cons
  • Membership covers the person, not the car. This means if you have one family car and four drivers, you would need to sign up for four AA Memberships which will cost over $200/year. Insurance company breakdown cover, around $40 per vehicle, is comparatively cheaper.  
  • Petrol discounts may not be significant from some retailers, especially when supermarkets routinely offer 6 cents/litre petrol and petrol stations (Mobil being one example offer 10 cents/litre discount).
  • AA Insurance does not outperform any other insurer in our car, home, contents and pet insurance comparison reviews, so the discounts offered may not make their policies the cheapest (or best) for your needs.

Bottom Line:
  • AA Membership is an affordable safeguard for anyone driving on New Zealand roads. With annual pricing ranging from $79 to $89 for new members (and dropping as members renew), it's a small optional fee in the overall cost of running a car. 
  • With an extensive list of benefits and up to six breakdown call-outs per year, the pricing is attractive. But if your car insurer offers roadside assistance, the annual service usually costs half the price of AA Membership. This makes it a strong alternative.
  • AA claims that they reach 90% of breakdowns within the hour and 92% are mobilised at the roadside.

Know this: If you break down and don't have AA Membership, it costs $195 to join at the roadside with a credit card. There is a $50 discount if your partner or spouse is an AA member, though they must be living at the same address as you. The membership then renews in one year at the standard rates. ​
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