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MEMBER SAVINGS

AAA savings at the Hard Rock Café

Since its beginnings in 1971, Hard Rock Café International has grown to 108 restaurants in 41 countries. The world-famous eatery presents classic American food in an upbeat atmosphere with pulsating music, videos and memorabilia.

This “Smithsonian of Rock 'n' Roll” owns the largest collection of rock memorabilia in the world—more than 60,000 pieces. It all started when Eric Clapton, a regular customer at the original venue in London, asked the staff if he could hang his guitar on the wall to mark his favorite spot.

You can save 10% on dining, non-alcoholic beverages and merchandise by showing your AAA card. Colorado's only Hard Rock Café is in Denver at 500 16th St., 303-623-3191.

Tips for a smooth car rental

Renting a car? To ensure a smooth experience, follow these tips:

• Book as far in advance as possible. Like airfares, car rental rates change as availability decreases.

• Be sure of what size car you need. It may be more costly to upgrade later.

• Ask what time the car must be returned. Will you be charged for an extra day, if late?

• See if your auto insurance or credit card covers you when renting. It may be unnecessary to accept the rental company's Loss Damage Waiver.

• You will save money by not accepting the fuel purchase option. Fill up before returning the car.

• Ask for the company's emergency road-service number. Remember, though, that your AAA membership covers you no matter what car you are driving.

• Before leaving the lot, check that the tank is full and that the attendant has noted any existing damage.

Hertz is a Show Your Card & Save partner; member-direct telephone number is 800-654-3080.

Member savings in March and April

As a AAA member, you can save every day. The Show Your Card & Save program also brings you these special offers in March and April:

• Stay with Doubletree between April 1 and Aug. 31, 2005, and be entered to win roundtrip airfare for two and six nights at a Doubletree hotel of your choice. To reserve your room, call 800-916-2221 or visit aaa.com.

• Stay two nights at Days Inn between April 1 and Sept. 8, 2005, and receive a free $10 gas card. Just ask when checking in. For reservations, call 800-432-9755, book online at aaa.com, or visit your local AAA Travel office.

• Receive an international phone card with $5 credit when you purchase a AAA Visa TravelMoney card during March.

• Book your 2005 RV rental during April with Cruise America and save an extra 2% in addition to the normal 10% discount. Reservations, call 800-783-3768.

• During April, AAA's Healthy Savings partners bring you these offers:

-- Pick up a pharmacy coupon booklet from participating AAA Prescription Savings network pharmacies.

--Save 10% on select health books at Barnes & Noble.com.

-- Save 15% on select health products at HSN.com (Home Shopping Network).

To find out more about AAA's Show Your Card & Save program, call 866-AAA-SAVE, or visit www.aaa.com and click on “Savings.”

AUTOMOTIVE

Plan ahead in the event of a breakdown

Sometimes a breakdown is unavoidable. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be. Knowing the following can turn an anxious situation into a non-event.

• To reach AAA for roadside assistance, call 1-800-AAA-HELP.

• If possible, get your vehicle off the road.

• Be visible. Raise the hood, turn on your hazard warning flashers, and use flares or reflective triangles if you have them.

• If you think your vehicle may be struck, get out and move away from the road. However, if your vehicle is in no danger from traffic, it is safest to remain in it.

• Politely decline strangers' offers of a ride to a phone. Instead, ask the person to call 1-800-AAA-HELP on your behalf.

• Give the AAA call receiver as much information about your location as possible. Look for signs, buildings or other landmarks.

• If you fear for your safety for any reason, make sure the AAA call receiver understands this.

• The AAA call receiver also needs your cell phone number if you have one, your membership number and a description of your vehicle. Tell AAA the number of adults and children in your vehicle, if anyone has special needs, and any special towing requirements.

• It is helpful if you can name a repair facility where you want to have your car towed. If you don't have a preferred facility, ask for a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility in your area.

• Weather, or a remote location, may delay road service. In this situation, ask AAA to contact the highway patrol or local law enforcement to assist with traffic.

• Get a receipt from the tow service provider for your records.

With a bit of preparation and thought, any breakdown you have will probably be short and uneventful.

Did You Know?
Sophisticated locksmiths are part of AAA's roadside assistance

While practically everyone knows that AAA's roadside assistance offers towing services, few people realize that locksmith services are available as well.

Even more surprising is how sophisticated locksmiths need to be. Most new cars are equipped with transponder keys, which contain a computer chip that interacts with the automobile's computer. It takes high-tech locksmithing equipment to read the key's chip and, when necessary, encode the car's security code onto a new key.

Such equipment requires people who are trained in the most up-to-date technological advances. Even then, sometimes a car will need to be towed back to the dealership for a new key and encoding.

As automotive computer technology advances even further, it will become critical for drivers to have access to highly educated, computer-equipped locksmiths. AAA Colorado's locksmiths are working to meet that challenge.

See your AAA membership benefits to determine what locksmith services are provided.

ADVOCACY

AAA supports mature drivers

Armed with new survey data that show seniors rank mobility among their top concerns, AAA Traffic Safety Policy/Government Relations Director Bella Dinh-Zarr participated in a recent planning session for a White House Conference on Aging scheduled for Oct. 23–26, 2005.

Dinh-Zarr, who was part of a panel of experts from the transportation, academic, medical and senior communities, said the goal was to “make room on the agenda for a robust discussion of transportation and mobility issues that matter to seniors.”

She referred to a AAA market research survey that indicates mobility ranks third as a major concern for those over 55, behind affordable health care and financial security. For those over 65, mobility ranks second, equal with financial security.

In a related development, AAA released in January AAA Roadwise Review: A Tool to Help Seniors Drive Safely Longer, an at-home, easy-to-use, scientifically validated screening tool. It was highlighted in Parade magazine and featured in a story on “Good Morning America.” Members of AAA Colorado can find out more about the program at www.aaa.com or by calling 303-753-8800, ext. 2323.

INSURANCE

Hail to Spring

While April brings the first hint of spring to Colorado, it also brings hail. In fact, April signals the start of hail season, which peaks in mid to late summer. The Front Range is located in the heart of “Hail Alley,” which receives the highest frequency of large hail in North America and most of the world. In the last 10 years, hailstorms have caused nearly $2 billion in damage in Colorado.

Almost all homeowners' policies and most car insurance policies with comprehensive coverage will cover hail damage, but it's prudent to confirm this with your agent. A few tips to keep in mind:

• Never go out in a hailstorm to protect property. You could be injured.

• If hail is heavy enough to strip plants of their foliage, check your roof for damage.

• Check your car for dents and broken/cracked glass.

• Call your insurance agent as soon as you notice damage.

• When building a new home or replacing a roof, consider asking your builder about hail-resistant roofing.

New insurance product exclusive to AAA members

AAA Colorado's Insurance Agency recently began offering car and homeowner coverage through its own brand called “AAA Insurance.” Specifically designed with AAA members in mind, AAA Insurance is exclusively offered to members, can be highly price-competitive and is the newest product from AAA Colorado, a company dedicated to stability, integrity and quality service.

As an insurance agency, AAA Colorado's Insurance Agency has affiliations with a number of high-quality insurance companies to meet a wide range of member needs for automobile and homeowner insurance, as well as health and life coverage. Since no one insurance company can be all things to all people, multiple relationships give AAA Colorado's Insurance Agency the flexibility to find a carrier that best fits your needs.

For more information about how this new insurance product might save you money, call 866-399-9836.

TRAVEL

New AAA vacation packages celebrate Disneyland 's 50th

On May 5, 2005 (05/05/05), Disneyland will begin an 18-month celebration titled “The Happiest Homecoming on Earth” that commemorates its opening five decades ago on July 17, 1955.

As part of the celebration, AAA and Disneyland have developed new AAA vacation packages that offer numerous benefits to AAA members. These include commemorative gifts, early entry into Mickey's Toontown and Fantasyland, and complimentary parking. Additionally, there are special values such as saving up to $40 per person on five-day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus tickets.

The anniversary celebration is the park's biggest party ever, with an unprecedented lineup of new shows, fireworks, parades, entertainment and attractions in both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure park next door.

Where do I find passport information?

Members continually write, call and email asking this question. AAA Colorado stocks the passport application and can take your passport photos for you. Photos are $7 plus tax for members and $12.95 plus tax for non-members. Take the application and photos, along with a state-issued birth certificate and a government ID (such as a driver's license), to the post office where you apply for the passport.

For more information contact your local AAA Travel professional, or the only official U.S. government website for passport information at http://travel.state. gov/passport, or call 877-487-2778.

Useful overseas travel tool

Q: Few AAA members I've talked to have heard of the AAA prepaid travel card. It's the greatest overseas travel tool anyone can purchase. Perhaps a brief write up would be informative?
- Prue Lewand, Aurora

A: Introduced in June 2004, the AAA Visa TravelMoney card can take the place of travelers checks. After paying an initial fee of $4.95, you pre-load and activate the card with whatever amount you want. Then use the card wherever Visa is accepted, or use it to withdraw local currency at Visa ATMs around the world.

The card comes with Visa's Zero Liability protection on merchant transactions, 90-day purchase protection, and travel assistance for medical, legal or travel ticket emergencies. Additionally, a second card can be issued with a different PIN for your traveling companion, or for safekeeping.

For more information click on www.aaa.com/TravelMoney.

WEBSITE

AAA.com now easier to use

AAA has simplified the log-in process for www.aaa.com. Instead of creating unique user IDs at the log-in page, members will simply supply email addresses, then their password. Members who register online at www.aaa.com get immediate access to:

• Internet TripTik—Rated #1 for online routing and directions.

• AAAMaps.com—A scaled-down version of TripTik for fast and easy use.

• Online TourBook—Search online for lodging, restaurants and points of interest.

• Online Map Gallery—Maps of metro areas, major national parks and popular destinations.

• All other AAA member services and benefits—The Show Your Card & Save program, approved auto repair facilities, car insurance and much more.