Know AAA

> Save on Mother's Day gifts
> Battery Tenders protect unused vehicles
> Watch for bikes
> Watch out for this locksmith scam
> Auto coverage for Mexican travel
> Save around the world
> Using AAA.com
> Free maps for schools
> Plan now for fall foliage tours



MEMBER SAVINGS

Save on Mother's Day gifts

Mother's Day is a chance to say "Thank you," and using your AAA card can help you save on some of the most popular Mother's Day gifts.

  • Save 30% on the FTD Spring Splendor Bouquet—a beautiful arrangement of roses, daisies and carnations in a classic vase. Visit www.AAA.com/ftd or call 800-SEND-FTD and mention code 11839.
    (Offer expires May 13, 2009.)


  • Blue Nile, the online jewelry store, offers an everyday 10% discount for AAA members. From May 1-31, 2009, save 20% on a freshwater cultured pearl solitaire necklace in 14k white gold. Visit www.AAA.com/bluenile and enter code AAAMD at checkout to receive the discount.


  • For women's fashion and accessories, show your AAA card to save 15% at New York & Company. To find a store near you, call 877-902-7521 or visit www.nyandcompany.com.


  • Still can't decide? Target has more than 80,000 items to choose from, and AAA members save 10% when shopping online at www.AAA.com/Target.

Find all of these special AAA savings and more at www.AAA.com/discounts.

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AUTOMOTIVE

Battery Tenders protect unused vehicles

Lead-acid batteries, the kind found in cars, boats, personal watercraft and snow vehicles, gradually lose their charge when the vehicle is not used. A battery charging device can help prevent a dead battery (and an expensive, premature replacement) in situations where a vehicle is left unused for long periods of time.

Battery Tenders are designed to maintain the charge on a wide variety of lead-acid vehicle batteries. The devices use microprocessor-controlled, multi-step "smart" charging and maintenance. AAA Colorado now has Deltran Battery Tenders available for members at a discounted price, with two-year warranties beyond those found in regular retail outlets.

Scott Soper, battery service manager for AAA Colorado, says, "We are pleased to partner with forward-minded companies like Deltran who are using technology to eliminate common causes of vehicle failure. Combining the AAA network of roadside problem-solving technicians with the Battery Tender devices means increased convenience and peace of mind for our members."

The chargers can be purchased at most branch offices or through AAA's mobile Battery Service program.

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SAFETY

Watch for bikes

Each year, more than 267,000 children are treated for bicycle-related injuries. Of these, 40% are traumatic brain injuries.

Properly fitted bike helmets reduce the risk greatly. Parents, teach children to obey traffic signs and rules of the road when riding their bikes, and insist that they wear a helmet. Children should not ride without supervision until they have demonstrated that they always follow the rules.

Motor vehicles are involved in approximately 90% of fatal bike crashes. Whenever you drive, please remember to watch for bikes and motorcycles—they are not as visible as larger vehicles.

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AUTOMOTIVE

Watch out for this locksmith scam

Locked out! It happens to everybody sooner or later.

Unfortunately, phony locksmiths make the most of this.

One common scam is for an unscrupulous locksmith to claim "affiliation" with AAA; customers are asked to pay the locksmith directly (often at an exorbitant rate) and are told that they can go into a AAA office later to have their money refunded. Of course, when the victim turns up at the office, they discover that AAA has no connection or agreement with the locksmith-their money is gone.

Some businesses even use "AAA" in their names to give the appearance of an official connection to AAA. Members should be aware that this is not the case and that AAA does not work with vendors this way.

Lockout service is covered as part of AAA Colorado's roadside assistance, and is requested in the same way as all roadside assistance services-by calling 800-AAA-HELP or entering a request online at www.AAA.com, not by contacting a private company. For simple lockouts, true affiliated AAA locksmiths will not ask you for money to unlock your car. They are paid directly by AAA. If the situation is beyond a simple lockout and requires additional locksmithing services, AAA covers the first $50 for Basic members and the first $100 for Plus members.

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INSURANCE

Auto coverage for Mexican travel

Taking a drive trip south of the border? If you're planning to drive into Mexico using a privately owned vehicle, your normal auto insurance policy is not valid. AAA Colorado now offers short-term insurance coverage for individuals visiting Mexico.

For many years, one of the only ways to acquire this type of insurance was to stop by one of the AAA clubs that bordered Mexico. Now Coloradoans can purchase coverage online before they leave, so it's one less thing to worry about. The insurance applies only to private passenger vehicles, not rental cars.

When buying any insurance coverage, it is important to check the company's A.M. Best Rating. There are fewer than 20 insurance companies in Mexico that offer auto coverage to tourists, and some are unrated. You should never buy your coverage from unrated insurers in the U.S., let alone in a foreign country! AAA Colorado offers coverage from GNP, an A-rated Mexican insurance company.

This coverage is only available for purchase online. A quote and purchase can be completed in one visit to www.AAA.com/MexicoInsurance using a secure online form. The policy can then be printed out-and you're ready to go.

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MEMBER SAVINGS

Save around the world

Exploring the canals of Amsterdam or the breweries of Ireland, AAA provides big discounts. With more than 160,000 partner locations throughout the world, members can stretch their travel budget by taking advantage of AAA's Show Your Card & Save program.

  • England: AAA members get 10% off the London Pass, for convenient prepaid entry to 50 of the most popular attractions throughout London.


  • Ireland: At the Guinness Experience in Dublin, receive a 10% discount and learn the fascinating history of this 250-year-old brewery.


  • Germany: Return to your childhood at Legoland with a five-Euro discount per person.


  • Holland: See Amsterdam from the canals with a 20% discount on the popular one-hour Holland International Cruise tour, which takes in more than 100 highlights of the city.


  • Europe, Japan and Australia: AAA members get a 10% discount while touring with Gray Line Sightseeing Tours.

When you travel, remember to pack your AAA membership card and save in countries all around the world. For complete information on local and international savings, visit www.AAA.com/discounts.

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WEBSITE

Using AAA.com

Are you on the right site?

AAA Colorado's website can take care of all member needs, no matter where you are in the country. However, when browsing www.AAA.com from another state (or after a recent move to Colorado) some members find themselves automatically redirected to the local AAA club website for that state.

If this happens, simply check out the disclaimer section at the bottom of the page for a link to redirect you to AAA Colorado. Or go to www.AAA.com/stop and enter your zip code-this will allow you to always get to the AAA Colorado website.

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TRAVEL

Free maps for schools

Each year, AAA Colorado updates its map inventory and donates hundreds of surplus maps to interested Colorado schools. The giveaway previously took place in May and June. This year, based on feedback from teachers, it will be moved to September so that more maps can be delivered without interruption from the summer vacation.

A large range of maps will be available this year. Look for order details in the Sept/Oct 2009 issue of EnCompass.

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TRAVEL

Plan now for fall foliage tours

Each year, the fall foliage of the American Northeast attracts tourists from all corners of the world. The color usually peaks between late September and early October in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and northern New York.

Most visitors opt for self-drive trips, hoping to catch the best vantage points to view the magical canopies of leaves. However, self-drive travelers can waste an incredible amount of time and money just trying to figure out where to go-and the best viewing locations and routes vary from one year to the next.

Escorted touring is an alternative option that takes all the guesswork out of a fall foliage trip, for one upfront price including meals and accommodations. A short itinerary can include multiple states and visits to local attractions that might be missed on a self-planned drive.

Fall may seem a long way off, but fall foliage tours are very popular and sell out early in the year. Talk to your travel agent today about tours departing in September and October.

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