American Automobile Association
Encyclopedia : A : AM : AME : American Automobile Association
AAA (read triple-A), also known as the American Automobile Association, is an American not-for-profit automobile lobby group and service organization.
History
The American Automobile Association was founded on March 4, 1902 in response to a lack of highways suitable for autos and widespread public disapproval of the automobile and its noise. The organization originally had 1000 charter members, and these original members were generally of an auto enthusiast demographic. AAA’s membership was formed from a number of local and regional motor clubs, and these auto clubs combined forces to create a more powerful organization.The association expanded its scope of services as years progressed. The first AAA road maps were published in 1905, and AAA began printing hotel guides in 1917. AAA began its School Safety Patrol Program in 1920, and many driver safety programs followed in the decades to come. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which conducts a large volume of studies regarding motorist safety, was established as separate entity in 1947.
AAA was a sanctioning organization for automobile racing in the United States until 1956. It sanctioned many races, including the Indianapolis 500. AAA returned to racing in 2006. Currently, AAA and Roush Racing have teamed up for the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup racing series. AAA is now the primary sponsor of driver Mark Martin and Roush Racing's flagship No. 6 Nextel Cup Ford Fusion.
Current operations
The name “AAA” refers to a national consortium of numerous independent automobile clubs. Members belong to an individual club, such as the Automobile Club of Southern California, AAA Texas or Auto Club South, for example. The member clubs have arranged a reciprocal service system so that members of any participating club are able to receive member services from any other affiliate club. Member dues finance all club services as well as the operations of the national organization.
From the standpoint of the consumer, AAA clubs primarily provide emergency road services to members. Clubs also distribute road maps and travel publications, and rate restaurants and hotels according to a "diamond" scale (one to five). Many offices sell automobile and home insurance, financial products, provide travel agency, auto registation and notary services. AAA also offers member discounts at 90 national and more than 6,000 club-licensed local brands including many hotels, Amtrak, Hertz rental cars, LensCrafters, Payless ShoeSource and FTD.com through its "Show Your Card & Save" program.
AAA member benefits
Nationwide Roadside AssistanceAAA offers 24-hour roadside assistance throughout the United States and Canada, covering members -- whether they are drivers or passengers -- by:
- Changing flat tires.
- Jump-starting dead batteries.
- Unlocking vehicles.
- Making minor adjustments to start a vehicle or providing a tow, if necessary, to the service provider's station or repair facility of the member’s choice.
- Delivering fuel to stranded members, enabling them to reach the nearest open service station.
- Extrication/winching.
Travel counselors assist members with vacation and business travel plans.
- TripTik routings, personalized strip maps with marked driving routes, include information on hotels, food and gas.
- TourBook guides, travel guides, hotel directories.
- Guaranteed AAA rates at many hotels, motels, resorts and campgrounds approved by AAA.
- Reservations and tickets for hotels, cruise, tour, motorcoach, rail and air travel.
- Independent or escorted tours for individuals or groups.
- Benefits on cruises, tours and travel packages, such as exclusive discounts, shipboard credits and special gifts.
Members get discounts at retailers, restaurants, specialty shops, hotels, attractions, sports and recreation venues, and online.
Including:
- Hertz
- LensCrafters
- Target.com
- NAPA
- Barnes & Noble.com
- Payless ShoeSource
- Hard Rock Café
- Six Flags
- SeaWorld
- Prescription discounts
Members get exclusive savings year-round on all types of entertainment, attractions and movie tickets, plus special vacation packages and discounted hotel and resort accommodations.
AAA Insurance
In many states, AAA provides access to auto, homeowners, life, mobile home, renters, flood, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or pet insurance.
Automotive Financial Services
AAA offers members pre-approved AAA financing at competitive rates for new and used vehicles, as well as refinancing.
Fee-Free Travelers Cheques and AAA Visa Credit Cards
Safety and Legislative Programs
AAA supports safety programs, including school safety patrols, high school driver education support and pedestrian protection. AAA is an endorser of teen Graduated Licensing legislation as well as child passenger safety laws.
International affiliates
The AAA has reciprocal arrangements with a range of international affiliates in 34 countries. In general, members of affiliates are offered some AAA benefits, such as member discounts, while AAA members are offered equivalent benefits while travelling in the territory of the affiliate.International affiliates include:
- The Canadian Automobile Association in Canada (TourBook guides and maps of Canadian places are published by AAA, and are distributed by AAA and CAA clubs using both AAA and CAA logos).
- The Automobile Association in the United Kingdom.
- All 29 ARC Europe clubs
- All 7 clubs of AAA Australia
- JAF of Japan
- AMA of Mexico
- AASA of South Africa
- KAA of South Korea
Criticism
AAA has been criticised for its lobbying arm's environmental positions. Specifically, the organization has a record of supporting more highway construction and opposing environmental restrictions on automobiles. The Environment News Service notes a 1999 AAA effort to persuade lawmakers to focus their efforts away from autombiles in reducing air pollution. AAA's interim vice president of public relations, Susan Pikrallidas, is quoted as saying, "Overall air quality in our cities is improving, and it's due in large part to the automobile," in reference to a report attributing cleaner air to cleaner cars.Harper's Magazine notes, that AAA opposed "strengthening of the Clean Air Act - a measure supported by three fourths of Americans - on the grounds that it would limit the 'personal mobility' of motorists." AAA, besides opposing environmental restrictions on automobiles, often supports widening highways and opposes smart growth.
Many AAA members are unaware of how the organization is representing them, according to many environmentalists. The Sierra Club writes that although AAA supports "more highway spending, fewer pollution controls and less money for mass transit ... This isn't exactly common knowledge".[link]
See also
External links
- [AAA's official Web site]
- [AAA's Five Diamond Restaurants (Word File)]
- [AAA's Five Diamond Hotels]
- [AAA's Public Service Web site]
- [AAA's Media Resource]
- [AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report]
- [AAA traffic reports]
- [An article critical of AAA]
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