AAA has been around forevah…..since 1902. When it comes to roadside assistance AAA is where most of us turn. I was an AAA member for many years. The renewal envelope would come in the mail year after year and I wouldn’t even think twice about signing up. AAA came to my rescue on more than one occasion-several times when the battery in my car didn’t want to start on a cold day or when a light was left on. AAA has found me in New Hampshire with a broken fuel line. They sent me on many driving adventures with their wonderful triptiks. I have used them for discounted ski lift tickets and discounted hotel rooms.
My renewal would have continued until it was suggested that I take a look into AAA’s lobbying practices. It didn’t take long to discover that AAA’s position on many issues didn’t align with mine.
AAA factoids
- AAA is considered to be anti-bicycle. Rails to Trails was astonished to find AAA opposing the conversion of certain rail right-of-ways to bicycle paths in the early 90s. It is apparent that AAA is interested in keeping cars on the road and continuing to support the “cars first” transportation policies that have guided our country for the past 50 years.
- In 1999 AAA denied that automobiles cause air pollution in its “Cleaning the Air” study. I am not really sure how they could maintain this position.
- AAA is a lobbyist for more roads, more pollution, and more gas guzzling- A lot of people belong to AAA because they think it’s “a nice place to get Triptiks and traveler’s checks,” said Daniel Becker, director of Sierra Club’s global warming and energy program. “What they don’t know is that AAA is a lobbyist for more roads, more pollution, and more gas guzzling.”
- No two ways about it, AAA is corporate America. They are technically not for profit however, they sell billions of dollars worth of insurance, traveler’s checks and travel agency services every year. They are in line with the automobile industry, oil industry and road building industries.
- AAA is in favor of manufacturing more cars and building more roads-simply put, this makes more revenue for AAA.
For many years AAA was a monopoly, with no other options for drivers who wanted a roadside assistance program. Now alternatives do exist. Better World Club offered everything I was getting from AAA plus some additional perks.
Better World Club-A Better Alternative to AAA
- Better World Club provides nationwide roadside assistance, much in the same manner as AAA.
- They are the only environmentally friendly auto club.
- They donate 1% of their proceeds to environmental cleanup and advocacy.
- They provide discounts for hybrid rentals.
- They offer hybrid and diesel fueled car owners a 15% membership discount.
- Bike roadside assistance is available! They will pick you and your bike up and take you anyplace within 30 miles. AAA offers this, but only in 2 states!
- Discounts are available for eco-travel.
Bottom Line: Better World Club provides essentially the same roadside assistance service with some additional perks. They are the nations only environmentally friendly auto club. The cost for joining Better World Club is basically the same as AAA-perhaps a bit cheaper.
If you would like to join me in making the world a bit greener check out Better World Club