AAA credit cards are designed for members of the American Automobile Association and offer rewards tied to travel and roadside services
AAA credit cards come from banks that partner with the American Automobile Association, not from AAA itself. The most common version is issued through a major bank and gives you rewards on gas, groceries, and travel purchases — categories that matter to people who drive. Some versions also bundle roadside information or travel protections into the card benefits.
The catch is that you must be an AAA member to open one, and membership costs money upfront. Whether the rewards and protections justify that cost depends on how much you actually drive and what you already pay for roadside coverage. This guide walks you through how these cards work, what they cost, and whether one makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- AAA credit cards require active AAA membership, which costs between $50 and $150 per year depending on membership level and your state.
- Rewards typically earn 2% to 4% cash back on gas and groceries, and 1% on other purchases, but the exact rates vary by card and issuing bank.
- Many AAA cards include roadside information and travel protections, but you may already have these through your auto insurance or existing cards.
- The card issuer (usually a major bank) handles the credit account, not AAA — you explore through the bank's website and manage the account there.
- Your credit score matters: banks use the same approval standards for AAA cards as for any other credit card they offer.
How AAA credit card rewards actually work
AAA credit cards earn cash back or points on specific categories. The most common setup is 3% or 4% back on gas purchases, 2% or 3% on groceries, and 1% on everything else. Some cards cap the cash back you can earn per quarter — for example, earning 4% only on the first $7,500 in gas purchases each quarter, then 1% after that. Read the terms carefully, because the cap matters if you drive a lot or buy groceries for a family.
You redeem rewards as a statement credit (money off your bill), as a check, or sometimes as a deposit to a bank account. A few versions let you redeem for AAA services like towing or travel bookings, but cash back is more common. Unlike some travel cards, AAA cards don't usually have a points system with variable redemption rates — what you earn is what you get.
Rewards do not offset the annual membership cost automatically. If you spend $5,000 a year on gas at 4% back, you earn $200. If AAA membership costs $100 a year, you come out $100 ahead. But if you spend $2,000 a year on gas, you earn $80, and membership costs $100, you lose $20. Do the math for your own spending before you sign up.
What AAA membership costs and what it includes
AAA membership runs $50 to $150 per year, depending on which tier you choose and which state you live in. Basic membership covers roadside information — towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, and jump starts — within a certain distance (usually 100 miles). Higher tiers extend the towing distance or add services like fuel discounts at certain stations.
When you open an AAA credit card, you must already be a member, or you have to join. Some banks offer a discount on your first year of membership if you open the card, but that discount expires. After that, you pay full price every year to keep the card active. If you cancel your AAA membership, your credit card benefits may change or the card may close.
Before you join AAA for a credit card, check whether you already have roadside information through your auto insurance. Many insurance policies include towing and lockout service at no extra cost. If you do, paying for AAA membership on top of that is money wasted. Similarly, if you rarely drive long distances or have family nearby who can help, the roadside benefit may not matter to you.
Annual fees and other costs to watch for
Most AAA credit cards have no annual fee beyond the AAA membership itself. However, some premium versions do charge a separate card fee — usually $75 to $95 per year — on top of membership. That fee is separate from what you pay AAA and goes to the bank. Read the card terms before you explore so you know the total cost.
Like any credit card, you pay interest on a balance you don't pay off in full each month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and the bank's current rates. AAA cards typically offer APRs in the range of 15% to 25%, but the exact rate you get depends on your creditworthiness. If you carry a balance, interest charges will quickly erase any rewards you earn.
Some AAA cards offer an introductory 0% APR period for the first 6 to 12 months, which means you can carry a balance without interest during that time. After the intro period ends, the regular APR kicks in. This can be useful if you need to make a large purchase and pay it off over a few months, but it is not a reason to open a card you don't otherwise need.
Who issues AAA credit cards and how to open one
AAA partners with major banks to issue credit cards under the AAA brand. The most common issuers are Bank of America, US Bank, and Chase, but the specific bank depends on your state. You can find which bank issues the AAA card in your state by visiting AAA's website or calling your local AAA office.
To open an AAA credit card, you go to the issuing bank's website, not to AAA directly. You fill out a credit process, and the bank runs a credit check. The bank decides whether to approve you based on your credit score, income, and credit history — the same way they would for any other credit card. AAA membership does not may provide approval.
The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes online. If you are approved, the card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You then set up it through the bank's website or app and start using it. Your AAA membership and your credit card account are separate — you manage the card through the bank's system, not through AAA.
Comparing AAA cards to other rewards cards
Before you commit to AAA membership, compare the rewards rate to cards you might already have or could open without a membership fee. A standard cash-back card from a major bank might offer 2% back on all purchases with no annual fee. An AAA card might offer 4% on gas and 2% on groceries, but you pay $100 a year for membership.
If you spend $3,000 a year on gas and $2,000 on groceries, the AAA card earns you $140 (4% of $3,000 plus 2% of $2,000). A 2% flat-rate card earns you $100 on the same spending. The AAA card wins by $40, but only after you subtract the $100 membership cost — so you actually lose $60. The math changes if you spend more on gas or if you value the roadside information.
Some people already have a premium travel card that includes roadside information and travel protections. If that is you, adding an AAA card means paying twice for overlapping benefits. In that case, an AAA card only makes sense if the rewards rate is significantly better than what you already have, or if you want a second card specifically for gas purchases.
What happens to your credit when you open an AAA card
Opening a credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal credit check that the bank runs to decide whether to approve you. A hard inquiry can lower your credit score by a few points, but the impact is usually small and temporary. After about three months, the inquiry stops affecting your score.
If the bank approves you, your new credit card account appears on your credit report. This lowers your average age of accounts (if it is your first card or one of your oldest) and increases your total available credit. Both of these changes can affect your score, but the direction depends on your overall credit profile. For most people, opening a new card causes a small dip that recovers within a few months.
The bigger impact comes from how you use the card. If you carry a high balance relative to your credit limit, your credit utilization ratio goes up, and your score drops. If you pay the full balance every month, your score benefits from the on-time payment history and the available credit. To protect your score, treat an AAA card like any other card: charge what you can pay off, and pay the full balance by the due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an AAA member before I open the card?
Yes. You must have active AAA membership to open an AAA credit card. If you are not already a member, you can join through AAA's website or a local office, then explore for the card. Some banks offer a discount on your first year of membership when you open the card, but you still have to pay for membership.
What if my credit score is not very good?
AAA cards use the same approval standards as any other credit card from that bank. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. If your score is between 650 and 700, you might be approved but at a higher interest rate. If you have been denied, focus on paying down existing balances and making on-time payments for a few months before you explore again.
Can I use the roadside information if I am not driving an AAA-registered car?
Yes. AAA roadside information covers you as a member, not the car. You can use it in any vehicle you are in, whether you own it, are borrowing it, or are riding in it. However, some services like fuel delivery may have limits on how often you can use them per year, so check your membership agreement.
What happens to my card if I cancel my AAA membership?
This depends on the bank. Some banks close the card automatically if your membership lapses. Others let you keep the card but remove the AAA-specific benefits like roadside information. Contact the card issuer to find out their policy before you cancel your membership.
Is the cash back taxable income?
No. Cash back from a credit card is treated as a discount on your purchase, not as income. You do not report it on your tax return. This is different from cash back from a debit card or a bank account, which can sometimes have tax implications, but credit card rewards are not taxable.