How CAA Memberships Can Help You Save Money Beyond Your Car

The American Automotive Association’s Canadian division, the Canadian Automotive Association (CAA), offers memberships for roadside assistance and recovery. At first glance, the memberships are geared toward drivers who want protection if their vehicle breaks down. However, being a member can unlock savings on many different kinds of purchases.

Some alternative benefits include discounts on travel, fuel, car rentals, and even in-store and online retail. Even though I don’t often drive, I have made good use of my membership especially when it comes to hotels, where most major brands, such as Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt, offer discounts for CAA members. 

Needless to say, the CAA membership program is a great tool for travelers and is most likely underutilized by many. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this program and how you can use it to your benefit.

CAA Overview

The not-for-profit company has eight regional clubs nationwide, serving residents within their service areas. Depending on the region, membership benefits and prices can vary with options for additional coverage for RVs, motorhomes, and trailers. CAA members can use their benefits interchangeably with American merchants who offer benefits for AAA members. This also extends to worldwide FIA affiliates, like Japan’s JAF (Japan Automotive Federation).

The CAA membership program is open to all Canadian residents, with or without a car. CAA membership dues are paid monthly or annually and vary in price depending on the plan chosen. Members can also add family members to their membership for a lower fee if they want to share benefits. Some regions also offer time-limited promotional discounts for new memberships. 

Members can also earn CAA Dollars through the CAA Rewards program that can be redeemed towards membership renewals, additional member fees, or even insurance. Similar to a points program, members can earn them through purchases, with redemptions valued at one CAA dollar to $1 CAD. However, not all purchases qualify for CAA 

To use these CAA membership benefits, members must present their card at booking or wherever the transaction takes place in person.

General Benefits of CAA Membership

Many current CAA members typically get a membership as an additional safeguard for emergency vehicle roadside assistance. Most membership plans include roadside assistance, towing, and suggestions on where to get vehicles serviced. 

Although most plans are geared towards vehicle owners, clubs with denser populations, such as BCAA and CAA SCO, have lower-priced plans for those who are not vehicle owners, providing the same access to benefits such as car-sharing and member-exclusive discounts. Most plans have a similar name across regions, however the benefits and costs may vary between clubs. 

Exclusive Discounts for CAA Members

Hotel Discounts

CAA discount rates are available across most major hotel chains, including Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt which is a great way for members to save on their next hotel stay. Depending on the property, these discounts may be cheaper than the member discount price exclusive to a brand’s loyalty members.

Although there are also discounted pre-pay rates for CAA members, the pay-at-check-in prices often have the same change and cancellation flexibility as a standard flexible rate. Additionally, the discounted rates for hotel stays can be combined with hotel loyalty membership, earning points for members and elite night credits. Last year, I took full advantage of these rates to achieve Marriott Titanium Elite status.

Some properties have additional amenities exclusive to CAA members, such as complimentary or discounted Self-Parking, saving additional dollars on these hotel stays. For example, the Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport charges for parking, but AAA members receive self-parking for free when booking an eligible AAA rate.

Travel & Transportation Discounts

Transportation discounts are usually dependent on a member’s club location. For example, in British Columbia, BCAA members have access to discounts on flights onboard Pacific Coastal Airlines, a regional carrier based out of Vancouver International Airport. Although they fly flights for WestJet Link on flights within Alberta to smaller towns in BC, Alberta AMA members presumably do not have access to a discount.

VIA Rail (All Clubs)

Nationally, all clubs have access to VIA Rail savings. Discounts can be up to 20% off, including on the world-famous Canadian, featuring a cross-country trip across Canada. No discounts are available on Prestige fares, the highest class of sleeper onboard the Canadian. These discounts can be combined with a VIA Préférence membership number for points earning.

Rocky Mountaineer (All clubs except BCAA, AMA)

Some CAA regional clubs have access to savings on Rocky Mountaineer trips. Benefits during the rail tours vary between clubs. If a member wishes to use their discounts for the Rocky Mountaineer, they must speak and book through a CAA Travel Consultant from their region.

Pacific Coastal Airlines (BCAA only)

BCAA Members in British Columbia can get up to 10% off on flights aboard Pacific Coastal Airlines. The discount is valid for the BCAA member and one other person traveling on the same reservation. If you want additional coverage for your rental car, credit cards, such as the Brim Financial Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard have car rental collision/loss insurance as an included benefit.

Vehicle Rentals

Alamo, Enterprise, and National offer discounts for car rentals as well as CAA Dollars earnings. Exclusive CAA member benefits are also available, such as free additional drivers, unlimited mileage, and discounts on prepaid fuel.

Canadream also offers a 5% discount off the vehicle charge on RV and motorhome rentals on top of promotional discounts.

Evo Car Share discounts are available to BCAA members, where they receive a free membership, 60 complimentary minutes at sign-up, and a 10% discount on each trip.

Gas

CAA Members receive discounts at Shell gas stations, as members save 3 cents off per litre for fuel, 10% off car washes, and 10% off in-store purchases for most items. This is an easy way to save money on fuel costs; ensure you also sign up for Shell Go+ to earn points on your purchases.

Airport Parking

Some airport parking services also have a discount for CAA members. Nationwide, members get Park’N Fly discounts, 10% off for online reservations, and 25% off for drive-up/walk-in bookings. With locations at most major airports, including Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver, and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the majority of CAA members can take advantage of the offer.

Some airports have discounts on their parking lots for CAA members. At Park YVR in Vancouver, discounts of up to 15% are available for online bookings for up to 27 days with a BCAA membership number.  

Montreal’s YUL airport has a 10% discount for CAA-Quebec members for stays beyond 48 hours. Although I have a BCAA membership, I was able to see the same discount when booking. Additionally, at YUL, Air Canada Aeroplan members can also earn points on reservations.

Foreign Currency Exchange

Some CAA clubs have a foreign currency exchange partnership with ICE, a known foreign exchange company widely seen at major airports. The exchange rate varies between provinces, although CAA members can order foreign currency online without additional fees. Debit is the only form of payment accepted for fee-less currency exchanges. 

Some club offices have foreign exchange ATMs, without requiring members to wait at the airport before getting money exchanged. However, these ATMs only have a few currencies and they have a fee compared to booking currencies online and picking up in person at a club office.

Other Discounts

Aside from travel discounts and benefits, CAA memberships are also beneficial for local activities. From sports games to dining, there is a wide variety of discounts subscribers can receive. Discount offers are sometimes specific to their region. For example, BCAA members get discounts for Abbotsford and Vancouver Canucks hockey game tickets and merchandise from the team store. 

Dining discounts are also available, including at major Canadian chains like New York Fries, Montana’s, and Harvey’s. Region-specific savings are also available, such as Blenz Coffee and Freshslice Pizza for BCAA members. 

Insurance discounts are available to members as well. For BCAA, members can get Travel, Home, Vehicle (ICBC and additional BCAA optional), Health, Pet, and even Small Business insurance at various discount rates. Auto service discounts are also available at CAA Approved repair shops. 

Retail discounts are also available, however, the variety depends on the regional club. All kinds of retailers, from moving services to hearing aids, there are quite a few discount categories that CAA members benefit from.

BCAA members do, however, have access to discounts for Rogers plans. Known for one of the most expensive telecom rates in the world, this discount provides a good reduction to phone costs.

Mobile Apps

Each regional club has a mobile app that allows members to easily access their CAA membership card number in addition to viewing their CAA Rewards program balance and any special offers that are currently available.

There is also the option to add their number as a digital card to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Although having the mobile app is one way to bring up your card number, I suggest bringing your physical card in case of any problems.

The app also features a shortcut to Roadside Assistance, making it quick to find a contact in case of vehicle trouble. You can also look up discounts, offers, or even BCAA locations. The mobile app also has tools for looking up driving conditions and even gas prices.

Conclusion

The CAA membership program is a great way to squeeze extra savings for travel and other activities. Beyond providing roadside assistance, holding a CAA membership card unlocks various discounts and incentives exclusive to its members. Although there is a fee for joining the program, the savings will outweigh the membership fees, especially for vehicle owners and frequent travelers.

Other than discounts, CAA members have access to travel guides for various destinations. Not all clubs offer physical guides, however, such as BCAA, who only offer web links to AAA digital guides. 

Frequently Asked Questions