AA Gold Membership

GolfBravo

sarlyka wrote: »

... 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. ...

Members? They don't have members, they have customers - the Automobile Association Limited is a private limited company and their only priority is profit maximisation and shareholder returns.

Back in 2009 they left me stranded on an Autobahn 100 miles south of Berlin with a semi detached bottom engine cover - I had their £99 Euro cover, they told me over the phone that the fault is only cosmetic and my car is not really immobilised, so no help (a local mechanic and ADAC patrol managed to fix it for free).

So I asked the AA to cancel my membership there and then - no refund for 11 months and then surprise surprise they auto renewed my Euro Cover and charged me £160 the following year and then told me no refund, go and jump.

Now I'm a ADAC member - and my annual pan european membership fee is €79.50.

Buzby

As a long time RAC customer (Aviva)' they work the same sting - renewal price is usually £30-£50 more than you paid last year - so NEVER ever pay by DD or card (as they will keep the number and use it next year). I post them a cheque, having confirmed the online price, invariably a few quid higher than last year but not much more.

Glad to see they sing from the same hymn sheet!

Ishtar

I was with the AA for 15 years and each year the price went up, usually by around £20 or thereabouts. Apart from the last two renewals, where they added £50 or more to the previous year's prices.

They were more than happy to reduce this by applying 'discounts' for me being a member for so long. My argument was that they should apply these 'special' discounts before sending me the renewal. The last time we called the AA out they sent someone from a local garage - something that we thought was quite unusual, given that they say they'll always send an AA patrol - and the repair he did was a temporary bodge that lasted exactly 1 mile. (The wiper linkage that had worn, the temp repair was supposedly enough to get us home). As an aside, we repaired it ourselves using the same method and it hasn't broken since (it's been holding for almost 2 years). The mechanic had used a cable tie to hold it all together but had put it in the wrong place.

The upshot was that we moved to the RAC - exactly the same cover for over £100 less than the AA were quoting (cost us £108), and that was automatically renewed at the same price this year.

The_AA_Company_Representative

Hello GolfBravo. We'd like to look into this for you, if you have any outstanding queries, please email the details to [EMAIL="chat@theaa.com"]chat@theaa.com[/EMAIL] including reference FOR17990. Regards The AA

collieowner

Just received ny renewal quote from AA. Just like the last 5 years I fully anticipated having to phone them to hagge as the renwal quotes were way beyond market normal but this years is unbelievable.
I have been a member for 16 years and had 3 minor call outs in all that time. Last year's renewal was £70 with complimentary Home Start.

This years is £240!!!!!!!!! Spoke to a lady at the AA to express my displeasure and was told they could reduce the quote to £109- which is still a 50% increase on last year. She pointed out that I had been upgraded to gold membership. I equally pointed out I hadnt asked for it. She said that she would include complimentary home start. Big deal- I've had that for years.

My cover is on auto renewal so if I didnt have time to phone or simply forgot AA get their extra money. This is unacceptable.
I am off today to do some research on better cover at a better price.

pompeyrich

Sorry to revive an old thread but just cancelled the AA after 36 years due to their ridiculous renewal charges. We had a fairly comprehensive package, 3 people, 3 cars on relay, homestart and breakdown repair cover. Last year £250, this year £489. Phoned and the guy said well drop the repair cover and homestart, this brought it down to £175, yet for a new client this is £150. our original cover would be £300 for a new customer. Crazy, wouldn't budge, didn't even discuss this "gold" membership stuff oh well their loss.

FireMatch

It's no secret that breakdown companies raise the renewal price to make money on people that forget or don't contest it. Use cashback sites like topcashback.co.uk when buying breakdown cover, for example with RAC you can get up to £60 cashback for policies over £100. I have done this with both AA and RAC. Also you can use Tesco clubcard vouchers to get breakdown cover.

gocat

Gosh they still dont learn. Just got renewal for me, OH & son £243 and upgrade to gold :eek::eek:
Time for a look around. Anyone know any good deals at the moment .

tia