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AAA
Categories: Hotels & Travel Travel Services Financial Services Insurance Automotive Towing Travel Services, Insurance, Towing
430 Forest AvePalo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 262-3870
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- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
19 reviews for AAA
19 reviews in English
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Review from Michael J.
Berkeley, CA
2/17/2012
Short or no lines - super convenient, relative to trekking to the DMV and potentially waiting for a while.
Staff are (almost) all super friendly and helpful. In particular, Sharon (DMV services) goes out of her way to help - a very positive experience.
Last but not least: don't forget to get your car insurance quote and AAA tote bag. My trunk has never looked neater. -
Review from Christine P.
Daly City, CA
Updated - 2/18/2012
People at work laugh at me when I tell them I'm going to see my travel agent over my lunch hour. I just like the human interaction and the personalization that a travel agent has with trip planning. I love asking for input - especially from a well travelled person. Call me old school but Expedia or Travelocity or even the AAA websites don't do it for me. Booking easy flights, yes. Not for full on vacations!
I was struck with dismay when I called earlier this week and found that Richard (my travel agent) retired! I spoke to the person that took over his accounts and - gosh - I miss Richard!
We developed such a great relationship over the years! It was to the point where I would tell him where I'm going, who I'm going with, and had utter trust that he would recommend a package and itinerary (flight, transportation, hotel location, tours) that I would love! He did a great job at spacing things out so I'd have enough time to spend in one spot. Even knew my interests so he would make sure I'd have more time doing certain activities. He got back to me promptly and when I called after a long time, he always remembered who I was. All my stuff - vouchers, reservations, etc. was always in a neat package for me to pick up. That's excellent service for a gal on the go like me!
This week I called about hotels in SoCal. I don't think the person that helped me knew the area and wasn't able to describe a visual of what'd I'd be getting. Was really disappointed. I'm going to Disneyland for Christ's sake and it didn't sound like she knew which hotel was the closest!
Guess I'll need to play the field until I find someone great to replace Richard. =( How am I going to plan my next trip without Richard? I think I'm going to cry...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/7/2010
when i travel to a place i've never been to, i'd rather book the trip in person than online. i have… Read more »
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Review from Matt S.
Charlotte, NC
Way better than the DMV!
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Review from Keiko S.
1/9/2008
I've been a loyal customer of AAA for...nearly 15 years now. (Please don't count as I hate giving away my age.) I've met and worked with many different AAA reps in various cities, and while most of them were generally nice, let's just say that I have finally found the BEST agent here at the Palo Alto office. I have his number stored in my cell now.
Never before had a representative explained so thoroughly, honestly and clearly about my coverage options and treated me with so much care. He spent over an hour with us, taking the time to carefully answer our questions even after the office closed.
His name is Mr. Hamid Ezzatyar. You should ask for him, too. -
Review from Mark M.
Mountain View, CA
9/26/2011
great reviews, would give a great reference for AAA on Forest ave in Palo Alto. They are courteous and helpful.
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Review from Phil S.
San Jose, CA
4/14/2010
My first visit here was to purchase my car from the previous owner. She said they would handle all the paperwork for us and transfer the title to me. We got in line, filled out the paperwork, then the register lady looked it over, and within a few minutes, the car was registered under my name! She said a new title would be mailed out to me within 4 weeks and I actually got it sooner. Who knew AAA offered DMV services? And there I was thinking I had to drive to the DMV and wait 2 hours just to get the car registered under my name. I was so impressed that I decided to speak with a rep for car insurance, they quoted me about $200 less than what I got from progressive and geico. To sum it up, I got the car in my name, the insurance, and became a AAA member in less than 30 minutes. NOTE: They only accept cash for DMV services performed.
About a week later I went out to eat with my family, busted out the AAA card and got a 10% discount which saved me $20 = AWESOME! And today, I was at work when my tire decided to blow and go flat on me. I called AAA, and they said they'd get there in 30 minutes. The best part was when my wait time was approaching 28 minutes, a guy from AAA called me to let me know they were running a few minutes late, and he was about 3 minutes from my location. I was like seriously?? Now that is CUSTOMER SERVICE! -
Review from Gregor M.
Redwood City, CA
10/22/2008
Normally when most of us think about anything automotive related, especially pertaining to anything that would provoke a visit to the local DMV, we procrastinate the process to the final hour of the final day, in an effort to AVOID the inevitable madness that awaits.
That said, before I recently joined AAA, I had no idea that anything to do with an automobile or motorcycle, insurance to title transfer could go so seamlessly. Why oh WHY do we bother going to the DMV?!? If only to utilize the available on site DMV services at the Palo Alto office, I would have paid double my yearly AAA membership dues...... (Best not raise the rates AAA!)
Although in and of itself AAA has many benefits, it's helpful associates at offices like Palo Alto, who are genuinely interested in ensuring your visit is productive, that will keep me as an AAA member.
Oh, and they have lots and lots of maps should you loose your way... -
Review from Vb L.
1/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
We've been members of AAA for so long I honestly can't remember ever being without it. Arthur Ward has been there the entire time and made sure that anything we need for insurance is taken care of. He's been immensely patient - oh, and I mean immensely. Come on, I have teenagers! He's always been professional and beyond, going out of his way for us by email, by phone, even on the weekends when he's not working. Whether for home owner's insurance, car insurance, vacations, car registration, lost titles - it doesn't matter - he is our own personal AAA guru! Thank you Arthur Ward for keeping our family on the road, in the house, at the beach and generally organized. We never could have done it without you!!
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Review from Patricia V.
Mountain View, CA
5/1/2010
I went here back in January 2010 to register my car and because the registration didn't have my name on it the old bitty wouldn't serve me. She refused. Fine. I said to myself "F" her. Registered the car online.
So old "B" if the DMV registered the car your suppose to also, so like I said F U !! -
Review from Emily P.
Menlo Park, CA
10/28/2011
Let us set the scene:
My husband and I recently moved back up to the Bay Area from Los Angeles. My beloved 1996 Toyota Avalon did not make the journey with us, as -- after many years of loyal service -- we had decided to donate her to NPR. The problem? I could not find the title anywhere. Cue emergency form mailed to the DMV. Weeks later, we've heard nothing, and my check has not even been cashed. Meanwhile, the (admittedly rather old, somewhat-less-than-pristine) car sits outside my parents-in-law's home back in LA. Though they are extremely tolerant and haven't said a thing, I am very eager to get this taken care of as soon as possible so as to inconvenience them (and their neighbors) as little as possible.
So, anyway...
I arrived this afternoon at AAA in Palo Alto, 10 minutes before closing time, to avail myself of their DMV services -- since the actual DMV features in some of my worse nightmares. I get in line, feeling somewhat harried, and see that they only accept cash or check. I have exactly $18, which covers the cost of the duplicate title. Yay! I then see a small sign specifying that AAA now charges $4 for CA DMV services. Oh no! The friendly woman behind the counter points me toward an ATM, but it's clear that I am going to be pushing their closing time. As I prepare to make a run for it, I hear a man call out from his cube. He stops me, hands me a 10-dollar bill, and tells me that for $4 it's not worth making the ATM sprint. I thank him profusely, turn back, and finish filling out my form (aided by the extremely friendly and helpful woman behind the DMV services desk) at exactly 5:30 on the dot. This means I am able to hand the kind man back $6 but don't have time to go get cash to pay him back in full. He tells me, again, not to worry about it or to pay him next time I am in!
Fortunately, I managed to see the name card on his desk. Mr. Clinton Ward, your unsolicited kindness to a total stranger, who, due to her own extreme disorganization, was trying to run an errand at the very last minute on a Friday evening, did not go unnoticed or unappreciated! AAA Palo Alto, you have won my loyalty! Not only was the service prompt (hey! no line at the DMV!) and efficient, but your generous employee has given me one of those delightful hey-the-world-is-full-of-kindness moments that really redeem a frenzied day.
Mr. Ward, please expect a thank you note and a crisp $5 bill soon! (Also, if you would prefer not to be mentioned by name, please just reply to this review, and I will remove your name immediately.) -
Review from Rachel C.
Palo Alto, CA
2/9/2011
As a long term member of AAA, I decided to try out their travel department to see if they could help me with a trip to the UK this summer. I had a great first face to face meeting with Richard Gagliasso, but it all went down from there. After losing my paperwork, missing a couple of prearranged phone meetings, and being unresponsive to several email attempts to make contact, I decided to give up. Any kind of communication, at least telling me that he was too busy to help would have been great, but he continued to make excuses and then never came through.
Though the automotive portion of AAA is great, I would not rely on their travel agents for any type of professional service. Or, maybe I just wouldn't recommend Richard, who is their primary Vacation Sales Specialist. It's too bad. I really like having AAA so close to my work and home, but had to turn to Ladera Travel instead. -
Review from G L.
Palo Alto, CA
12/21/2011
I was in this location last week, when I walked in a guy said, over there and I looked back to see who he was talking to there was another lady with him and he was pointing at the sign marked "Auto Registration" and I said I know I happened to be looking in that direction anyway. so I get in line there was one lady clerk helping this lady and I'm being patient hoping that someone will come soon, don't know how much time had passed maybe 5 to 10 minutes or so. then this other lady comes out and I proceeded to the counter very bizarre transaction I had my membership card and photo id already out for the lady as proof that I'm a member. so I paid for my tags and she also wanted a $4.00 service fee and I said a service fee?????? I was not pleased so I pulled out the cash and paid it. in the future I going to mail mine for other AAA members save your $4.00. they must be out of their minds charging a service paying for the tags is more than enough and then she asked me if I was a member of AAA and I said yeah for over 20+years man somebody was not paying attention it clearly states the total of years on the card for god sakes. I told my mother about this and she said, oh yeah she meant to tell me about that and AAA started that a few weeks ago. you live and you learn.
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Review from Sushi S.
5/18/2011
A real friendly bunch in my opinion.
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Review from Kim M.
Palo Alto, CA
12/13/2010
I will write a complete review when I have more time but wanted to make a note regarding Maria at AAA in Palo Alto (Forest Ave.). She planned my entire 4 day trip to Disneyland (including hotel, dinners, etc..) and did an absolutely fantastic job. I'm extremely particular and everything was perfect. Maria is competent, friendly and goes the extra mile. You can just tell her what you want and go about your life. She'll handle it all for you.
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Review from Deborah S.
Los Angeles, CA
7/18/2011
I had the same terrible experience with the AAA travel service that Rachel C. and others had. I have been a very long-time member of AAA for their roadside service in case of emergency. But for the first time in 20 years I just tried to get their assistance to plan the route I would drive from SF to LA. Normally I don't need help with the SF-LA trip, but I'm moving and don't want to put my pets through flying - especially in the summer when more animals die traveling by plane - so my sister and I will be driving a fully loaded 26 foot rented U-Haul truck. I don't relish the idea of driving off a cliff on Highway 1 or trying The Grapevine from I-5 into the LA basin. Driving the moving van is quite different from a car. So I called the Palo Alto office to get help planning the safest route under the circumstances.
The snotty cow who answered the phone refused to let me speak to anyone else and insisted AAA could not help me as they don't deal with travel safety or road grade, cant identify mountain passes or where a coastal road might be at sea level or harrowing cliffs. I can get terrain, times, routes etc. on Google Maps. I asked if she was telling me that I pay for a AAA service that can't even give me as much information as FREE Google Maps provides and she confirmed that was true. So, I said, if you were assisting someone driving through Lake Tahoe and you had never done it yourself, you would be unable to tell them if they would be driving through mountain passes or a flat desert road? She confirmed that was correct. So, according to this woman, AAA doesn't deal with "travel safety" (REALLY?!) nor can they help you plan your route as well as Google Map. I know that several years ago AAA hired McKinsey to do consulting for them. I'd say they paid too much if this is a) the business service they provide and b) the quality of their customer service people.
I switched from AAA car insurance years ago (to Hartford) and saved a bundle of money and got better service. I see it is now time to find another roadside service provider and just stop giving them any business. This is not the company it once was.
I met a AAA representative at a street fair AAA booth in Menlo Park who said they could definitely help me and told me to call the PA office as I did. The rude, snotty cow who insisted they could not help me in any way was unforgiveably nasty and refused to let me speak to anyone else (the guy at the Menlo Park streetfair had told me to speak to a man in the travel dept).
Bottom Line: Cheaper insurance is easy to come by. AAA employees themselves will tell you AAA doesn't care about your travel safety. The AAA travel service is worse than useless - they are rude and time-wasting. So, roadside service is the only reason to deal with AAA, but I'll be looking to replace them. Any company with such inconsistent quality across different services and products is an accident waiting to happen... -
Review from Ken C.
Palo Alto, CA
11/30/2011
We worked with Clinton who went way above the call of duty! An engineer had written a report that allowed us to reduce our flood insurance. But the flood insurance company was very resistent to adopting the engineer's recommendations. Clinton was tenacious in chasing the flood insurance provider almost daily and then over a span of more than 2 months, carefully answering all requests. The annual savings is nearly $1000 and we absolutely want to call out Clinton who was key in making this happen!
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Review from Isis N.
San Jose, CA
6/30/2010
After having trouble signing up for a membership on several occassions online I decided to call this office and Maria was quick to help and extend friendly reminders of all the perks that come with a AAA membership. I am very happy with her customer service!
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Review from Sundar K.
Mountain View, CA
8/13/2007
I had the chance to use AAA for our travel plans to Europe early August and a great experience. Susan Fetterly, who specializes in European destinations was great!
She picked great hotels and had a lot good recommendations for travel in and around UK and France.
I highly recommend talking to Susan if you are in the market for someone to help you with travel plans in Europe. -
Review from NewtotheBay J.
Palo Alto, CA
3/29/2011
As a long time member of AAA, I've taken advantage of their travel services a number of times. I've always had great customer service and efficient follow up. But I can not say the same for the service, or lack of, at AAA in Palo Alto. It all started when I called and spoke to Mr. Richard Gagliasso. He was very kind and attentive, and he told me that he would get back to me later that day via email and he never did. Over the next week I called, left messages, and sent emails. Still no reply. Then he finally answered the phone after I had been calling for 1 1/2 weeks. He apologized and said that he would get right on my request for a Jamaica itenerary. He sent me a a few emails, and when I responded to the final email with full names, birthdates, and a question about the deposit, I never heard back from him. It's been 2 weeks, and I still have not heard back from him. Needless to say, I'm over it and have scheduled my trip with American Express travel in Palo Alto.
