AA Gold Membership

sarlyka

Hubby and I have just received our AA renewal information. We've been upgraded to Gold membership for a total cost of £170.55!!!!

Our last experience with the AA was horrendous - took them 12 hours to get us from Southampton to Devon/Cornwall border. Left us in the middle of an industrial estate for 3 hours, in the dark, with no light or heating and no contact from anyone to tell us what was happening.

I contacted customer services at the beginning of this month to question the extortionate cost of the 'gold membership'. Haven't received any response.

So - is Green Flag the best alternative?

wallbash

Just ring them up and 'tell' them you are prepared to pay the same as last year , tell them to 'stuff' their Gold membership.

I have always had very good service from the AA , been a member for over 40 years , but I object that they still insist on sending me ridiculous renewal prices, just be firm and say the figure you think is fair.

Quentin

Check out auto aid - just £38 "fully comp" cover for husband and wife - see MSE article on breakdown cover.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/roadside-recovery

The_AA_Company_Representative

sarlyka wrote: »

Hubby and I have just received our AA renewal information. We've been upgraded to Gold membership for a total cost of £170.55!!!!

Our last experience with the AA was horrendous - took them 12 hours to get us from Southampton to Devon/Cornwall border. Left us in the middle of an industrial estate for 3 hours, in the dark, with no light or heating and no contact from anyone to tell us what was happening.

I contacted customer services at the beginning of this month to question the extortionate cost of the 'gold membership'. Haven't received any response.

So - is Green Flag the best alternative?

Hi Sarlyka, after reviewing your post, we feel this is something of great concern and would like the opportunity to look into this for you. Please email your details and reference number FOR16580 to [EMAIL="chat@theaa.com"]chat@theaa.com[/EMAIL]. Thank you, Claire.

poppasmurf_bewdley

There's another thread running on this subject at this time.

See:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/55215311#Comment_55215311

Mindless_Clone

I had a similar renewal letter upgrading me to Silver membership "at no extra cost". Which is odd because it was £121 and last year was £57. I checked the current renewal price on line and also checked with an AA patrolman (er, my next door neighbour ) and both quotes came up £74. So I phoned AA and told them I'm not paying that and would be happy to renew for the £74 quoted. I didn't even get a fight or debate about it; they just did it without even arguing.
They knew what they were doing; this is the same classic practice insurers do; hike up the cost to "existing members" hopeing you'll be too busy to check if you're getting a good deal and will rely on the auto renewal. So much for loyalty being rewarded!


I've always been happy with AA, but only ever called them out twice in all the years we'd been with them. The costs they are starting to charge for breakdown cover now though... I am starting to wonder if it's actually worth it.

sarlyka

Quick update: AA contacted us and have offered a small payment to compensate us for the very shoddy service we received last time we called them out. They have also reduced our subscription almost down to the new member rate.

So, moral of the story is to check how much the new subscription is and, if you don't like it, phone them and tell them! They seem to think that 'loyal' members will happily pay lots more than new members and they won't change that policy if we all keep paying their inflated prices.

Hoof_Hearted

Never accept the renewal price. We have family AA -- renewal price with 20% discount was about £40 more than RAC, A quick call and they soon undercut the RAC price. I don't like this at all. It preys on the less savvy who just renew every year regardless.

sarlyka

They phoned me at a bad moment and I was less than polite with them. I told them their policy to charge loyal members extortionate fees was wrong. They said most loyal members were happy to pay the extra because the AA provides such a good service. Of course, the woman I was talking to was also very aware of the terrible service we'd received when we last called the AA out and she accepted that we had a right to feel angry about it.
I've been with the AA since I first learnt to drive, and my dad was in the AA for many years before that. I hope lots of 'loyal' members either leave or negotiate a price reduction. That might help the AA to see sense and put their current customers first.

Horizon81

sarlyka wrote: »

They said most loyal members were happy to pay the extra because the AA provides such a good service.

Is this quote for real! If they'd said that to me I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. The more loyal you are, the more you pay. Gotta hand it to them for trying.

My friend uses National Assist (??) or something like that, arranged through Diamond (her insurer) and its a network of local rescue services (affliliated with local garages) which to date have been brilliant in coming out quickly.

pault123

My renewal came through for £120, informing me i'm now a silver member with loads of extra benefits.

Rung up to cancel and they renewed for £55.

Best 5 minute phone call i've made