Is CAA Worth It for Travellers Without a Car?

When most people think of CAA (Canadian Automobile Association), they picture dead batteries, flat tires, and roadside rescues.

Fair enough, it’s what they’re known for.

But if you’re a traveller who’s always on the lookout for ways to save, CAA might be more useful than you think—even if you don’t own a car.

From hotel discounts and VIA Rail savings to gas perks and passport photos, a CAA membership quietly delivers value well beyond towing and tire changes.

Here’s a look at why CAA might be a surprisingly good deal for travellers, whether you’re behind the wheel or not.

Hotel Discounts

One of the most valuable travel perks of being a CAA member is access to discounted hotel rates.

Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt offer up to 10% off through dedicated CAA rates. You don’t need a special promo code—just select the CAA rate from the dropdown menu during your search.

In my experience, Marriott consistently offers the best value. The CAA rate is often lower than the standard flexible rate, and only marginally higher (if at all) than the prepaid rate—without sacrificing cancellation flexibility.

Take the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre as an example. A high-floor king guest room under the standard flexible rate clocks in at $565 per night, taxes included.

If you go the prepaid route, you’ll drop that to $506, but with the usual catch: zero flexibility, no refunds, and no last-minute changes.

Now here’s where the CAA rate shines. That same room, booked under the CAA rate, costs just $468 per night—all taxes in.

That’s a $97 savings compared to the flexible rate, or about 17% off.

Even better? The cancellation policy mirrors the flexible rate, meaning you can typically cancel two or three days before check-in without penalty.

In just one night, you’re already saving more than the cost of a CAA membership.

For instance, in Ontario, the entry-level CAA Everyday membership costs just $30 per year, while the Basic membership runs $75 per year. Either way, that’s a quick return on investment for travellers—even if you don’t own a car.

Of course, the exact discount and cancellation policy can vary by property and brand. But even if you only use the CAA rate for a couple of hotel nights per year, the savings can easily justify the membership fee.

It’s a low-effort way to stretch your travel budget a little further.

VIA Rail…