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Useful AAA discounts for moving services
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On average, people spend $5,000 – $10,000 throughout their move. Fortunately, members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) can take advantage of several discounts and deals to help with moving costs.
In this guide, we’ll provide insights on AAA discounts for moving-related expenses and explain how AAA discounts can help you continue saving after you settle into your new home.
AAA moving discounts
Discounts often vary depending on the city and state, and you can check the AAA website to get details about specific moving-related discounts in your area.
AAA is a nonprofit organization comprised of many automobile associations throughout the United States. Well-known for its free roadside assistance program, the organization partners with several local and national businesses to offer exclusive discounts and benefits to members.
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Have a lot of excess stuff that you don’t want to move? 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can help you get rid of all the junk you don’t want to take with you.
Pros
The company disposes of damaged or broken items and donates things in good condition to local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army. It also recycles items when possible. Forbes Home called 1-800-GOT-JUNK? the best junk removal company in 2022 and noted that the company has saved over 1.5 billion pounds of waste from landfills. AAA members can receive a discount of up to 10% on all services from 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.
Hiring 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is often less costly than renting a dumpster, especially with the AAA discount. Getting rid of things you don’t need is a great way to prepare for your move and avoid needing to rent storage space for your junk.
Cons
One thing to know about 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is that the savings from being a AAA member may not be the same in all locations. If you’re considering hiring 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, you should know that the organization can’t remove any items too heavy for two people to lift. Also, the company doesn’t handle asbestos, paint, gasoline, dyes, or other chemicals, potentially biohazardous items, or cars.
Additional info
The company is a franchise, and a different owner operates each location.
Atlas Van Lines
Atlas Van Lines is a full-service moving company offering packing, unpacking, crating, local moving, and long-distance moving. It also provides short-term and long-term storage and moving for safes and vaults.
Pros
If needed, the company can use a trailer to move your car, truck, or SUV. Also, Atlas Van Lines can move specialized items like grand pianos, pool tables, boats, children’s play sets, and swing sets and disassemble and reassemble items when necessary.
AAA members who use Atlas Van Lines get Full Value Protection moving insurance for free when they move to a new state. This helps people save an average of $600 and provides up to $100,000 in coverage for your items. That way, if any of your possessions get lost, damaged, or stolen during your move, you can get compensation for your losses.
Cons
The company doesn’t move live animals, loaded guns, household cleaning chemicals, or flammable substances like gasoline.
Additional info
Many AAA members also qualify for discounts on in-state and international relocations.
Hertz
Many people choose to rent a car and let movers transport their vehicle. That way, they can get to their new home without adding mileage or wear and tear to their car, truck, or SUV. Hertz is one of the best-known vehicle rental companies.
Pros
If you’re an AAA member, you may be able to take advantage of discounts from Hertz when renting a vehicle. The company also rents moving vans, pickup trucks, and cargo vans for people who want to complete most of their move on their own without professional movers. All AAA members under 25 can avoid paying a Young Renters fee. In many regions, AAA members can save up to 20% on domestic Hertz rentals. Each rental includes a free infant, toddler, or child seat.
Cons
Hertz doesn’t provide movers, so you may need to do the work yourself or find someone to hire on your own.
Additional info
AAA members can get a 50% discount on Sirius XM satellite radio for their Hertz rental.
Penske Truck Rental
Penske Truck Rental is AAA’s exclusive truck rental partner.
Pros
AAA members can save up to 20% on truck rentals, and one-way rentals get free, unlimited miles. AAA members also get 12% off the daily rate for local and one-way rentals and a variety of discounts on moving supplies. This company is ideal for people who want to move most of their stuff by themselves. Customers get 24-hour roadside assistance, and they can cancel their truck reservations anytime with no additional fees or penalties. You can rent or buy a variety of moving supplies, including boxes, hand trucks, packing kits, mattress bags, furniture pads, and more.
Many truck sizes are available, including a high-roof cargo van, a 12-foot moving truck, a 16-foot moving truck, a 22-foot truck, and a 26-foot truck. Penske Truck Rental uses well-maintained, late-model trucks for reliable, hassle-free service. Towing equipment is available to let you tow your vehicle with a Penske truck.
Cons
People must be at least 18 years old to rent a truck. Another potential downside is that you can’t tow a trailer that’s not owned by Penske.
Additional info
This company has over 2,500 locations in the United States and Canada.
The UPS Store
If you only need to move a few larger boxes, you can often save money by shipping them to your new home instead of using movers or renting a moving truck.
Pros
At The UPS Store, AAA members can get a 5% discount on domestic and international shipping, up to $100 per order. They can also get 15% off on products like packing supplies, moving supplies, and packaging materials. A 15% discount on in-store items and services is available as well.
Cons
Even when you pack your items carefully, there’s a chance that they could become damaged during shipping.
Additional info
The UPS Store has more than 5,000 locations in the United States.
Flying
If you’re moving a long distance, flying could be the fastest way to get to your destination.
Pros
AAA offers great deals on plane tickets, and with The Parking Spot, AAA members can get 10% off airport parking in many locations. They can also get 15% off day passes for many airport lounges.
Cons
People can sometimes experience flight cancellations, and the lines for airport security checks are often long. These factors can add stress and complexity to a move.
Additional info
AAA discounts are available at most major airports and some smaller, more local ones.
AAA discounts after you move
AAA offers discounts for many other services as well. Learning about them can help you continue saving after you move.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is a smart home security system that’s professionally monitored 24 hours per day. It uses entry and motion sensors, glass breakage detection, and cameras. It also has a battery backup system that keeps working for 24 hours if your power goes out. AAA members get 40% off, a free indoor camera, and two free months of monitoring with any new security system.
Samsung
Many people decide to purchase appliances and other items after a move, and Samsung has an online store that’s exclusively for AAA members. You’ll need to enter your AAA member number to access it. This company offers AAA members up to 30% off on appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, microwaves, ovens, and vacuum cleaners. You can also get discounts on TVs, phones, tablets, watches, and more.
Meal kits
If you’re busy decorating a new home and organizing your stuff after a move, you may not have much time for shopping. AAA offers discounts on several home meal kit delivery services. You can get fresh ingredients and recipes that are easy to follow with little preparation. Blue Apron gives a $60 discount for the first three boxes and Freshly offers AAA members $65 off the first three orders. With Green Chef and HelloFresh, you can get half off the first box and 15% off deliveries after that.
Spot Pet Insurance
Getting pet insurance before you move is a great idea. It can help you treat any illnesses, injuries, or behavioral problems your pet suffers from during or after your move and add to your peace of mind. Spot Pet Insurance gives all AAA members a 10% discount, and people with more than one covered pet get another 10% off for 20% off. The available plans reimburse 70% to 90% of eligible vet bills. You can add preventative care coverage as well.
Other ways to save money when moving
Along with AAA discounts, you can take advantage of many other ways to make moving less costly.
Save on packing supplies
Buying enough boxes and other packing supplies to move all your possessions can be expensive. Fortunately, you can get free boxes from many local businesses and recycling centers. When you order items online or buy in bulk, it’s a good idea to start saving the boxes after you start planning your move. You can also rent packing supplies and use items you already have, such as garbage bags, blankets, suitcases, and dresser drawers.
Choose the best moving dates
Choosing the time of your move carefully can help you save on moving costs. In most areas, moving is the least expensive from October to April, and you can get the best deal by choosing a time in the middle of the day and the month. Moving is usually more costly during summer when the weather is nicer in many places. People often pay more to move on weekends as well.
Ask friends and family members for help
When you move, you can ask friends, neighbors, and family members for help. You can offer them money or pay for snacks and lunch to make assisting you more appealing. You can also ask for help on Craigslist or other forms of social media. This is often less costly than hiring professional movers.
However, it’s a good idea to make sure the people you choose are reliable and willing to help. Otherwise, you may not be able to move heavy furniture and other items by yourself.
Get several quotes from moving companies
Getting several moving quotes lets you choose movers with the capabilities you need that won’t break your budget. To give an accurate estimate, many movers ask to inspect your belongings in person. It’s also a good idea to ask about each moving company’s licensing, experience, and insurance coverage.
Do most packing yourself
You can keep your costs down and prevent damaged or lost items by packing most things yourself. Even the best movers don’t usually handle items as carefully as their owners. It’s a good idea to start packing a few weeks before your move and start with items you probably won’t need to use soon. For example, if you move in winter, you can pack summer clothing first.
Transfer your utilities promptly
Choosing the date when you shut down your utilities carefully can help you avoid paying for an extra month. It’s also a good idea to make sure the utilities in your new home are working before you move in. You may need to set up power service, water, gas, internet service, and trash pickup. Moving is an excellent time to try a new streaming service or get rid of your cable service, and you may need landscaping or regular lawn maintenance.
Plan ahead
To get the best moving rates, you can schedule your move three months or more in advance. Planning ahead can also give you a better selection of dates, times, and moving vehicles.
Get insurance
Moving insurance can protect you from losses due to damage, and many moving companies offer it. It’s also a good idea to ask about the deductible and what the insurance will cover. Before you move into your new home, you’ll probably need homeowners’ insurance or renters’ insurance as well.
Lowering the cost of moving
Moving can be difficult, stressful, and expensive. However, you can make it easier by preparing for your move carefully and taking advantage of AAA discounts. AAA members can save hundreds of dollars, and many different companies offer valuable savings opportunities. It’s a good idea to check local businesses for AAA discounts as well. Some organizations also offer lower prices to senior citizens, active members of the military, and military veterans.
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