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Car trouble rarely happens at a convenient time. Whether it’s a flat tire, a dead battery, an empty fuel tank, or keys locked inside the car, having access to roadside assistance can help resolve a frustrating situation.
Several credit cards include roadside assistance as a cardholder benefit. In some cases, that simply means access to a dispatch hotline that connects you with a tow truck or locksmith for a fee. But a smaller group of cards goes further by covering the actual service cost.
Here are the credit cards that still offer complimentary roadside assistance and what’s actually covered.
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The Best Credit Cards for Roadside Assistance
Many rewards credit cards list roadside assistance as a benefit, but most credit cards simply provide a 24/7 dispatch service where you pay for the services you use. Additionally, a handful of card issuers will cover the service itself.
For example, if you lock your keys in your car, you can call the dispatch service and ask the customer service agent to find a locksmith. The dispatch service connects you with the locksmith free of charge, but you’ll pay the locksmith for the services provided.
The list of rewards cards we’ve put together below all provide complimentary roadside assistance. You call the dispatch center, and they organize the service technician. Provided it’s an issue covered by your card’s policy, the tow operator, mechanic, or locksmith will show up to help you at no cost, up to a maximum of $50 per incident.
Related: 22 Credit Card Benefits Every Traveler Should Know About
Chase Roadside Assistance
If you want complimentary roadside assistance, you need a credit card issued by Chase. Unlike other card issuers, Chase covers the cost of roadside assistance — at least up to $50.
Other limitations: You can only claim one service event for the same cause during any consecutive seven-day period. And you can access this complimentary roadside assistance up to four times per year.
Personal cards providing free roadside assistance include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
- United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees)
- United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
- United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants)
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Business cards that offer free roadside assistance:
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees)
- United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)
- United Club℠ Business Card
- Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $150 Annual Fee.
- NEW! 8x total miles on eligible United flights.
- 2x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
- 2x on United® purchases*
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
While all the cards above charge an annual fee, note that the United Explorer Card and the United Business Card offer the same full-service roadside assistance as you'll find on premium credit cards, but charge much lower annual fees.
It's worth mentioning that several other Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), offer roadside assistance on a pay-per-use basis. However, we haven't included those cards on our list because the free service options are clearly better.
What does Chase Roadside Assistance cover?
Here's what's covered under Chase's roadside assistance policy:
- Towing: If your car breaks down and needs to be towed, the representative will arrange transport to the nearest repair facility.
- Tire change: If you have a flat tire, they'll install your inflated spare.
- Battery assistance: If your vehicle doesn’t start due to a dead or weak battery, someone can come and jump-start the battery or tow your electric vehicle to the nearest charging station.
- Lockout service: If you accidentally lock yourself out of your vehicle, a qualified locksmith will be sent to help. Note that you'll pay the cost of any replacement keys required.
- Fuel delivery: If you run out of gas, someone can deliver an emergency supply to you. The cost of up to two gallons of fuel is covered.
- Standard winching: As long as your vehicle is within 100 feet of a paved road or highway, standard winching assistance is available.
Chase Roadside Assistance eligibility requirements
Any vehicle with wheels that weighs 10,000 pounds or less is covered under this program. Luckily, most consumer vehicles fall below this threshold, so odds are you're covered. Assistance isn't available in off-road areas or for over-one-ton-capacity trailers, campers, or vehicles-in-tow. Although rental vehicles are covered, you must call the rental agency before calling the roadside assistance provider.
The roadside assistance number depends on your card, so check your benefits guide and save the number in your phone so it's easily accessible when you need help. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for any charges exceeding $50.
Roadside Assistance From Other Credit Card Providers
Wells Fargo, Capital One, Bank of America, and U.S. Bank offer roadside assistance on a pay-per-use basis with some of their credit cards, meaning all that's free is your phone call and being connected with someone who can provide help. You'll receive a bill once the tow truck or mechanic shows up.
With Visa cards, for example, you'll pay $79.95 each time you obtain roadside assistance service. Other cards use a pre-negotiated fee that isn't publicly available. Considering you can use Google to find a tow truck or mechanic yourself, the ability to call a help center isn't much of a benefit.
Some issuers don't offer this benefit at all. In September 2019, Citi removed many of its travel and purchase protections across numerous credit cards. Sadly, roadside assistance was removed as a benefit for most cards and hasn't returned. A few months later, American Express eliminated Roadside Assistance benefits in January 2020.
Related: The Master Guide to Credit Card Insurance Benefits
Final Thoughts
Complimentary roadside assistance is one of the hidden benefits of credit cards — a perk many cardholders may not realize they can use multiple times per year. Unlike other perks on your card, there's no enrollment requirement or specific monthly activity required to keep the roadside assistance benefit active. You receive the benefit free of charge by holding one of the cards on the list.
If you’re looking for free roadside coverage without paying a premium rewards card's annual fee, it’s hard to beat the United Explorer Card, which offers complimentary roadside assistance and the lowest annual fee on the list. However, the Sapphire Reserve beats out virtually every other card on the market if you want the most comprehensive travel and purchase protections available.
$795Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®*
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
$695Rates & Fees
- Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases*
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (Rates & Fees), United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
A maximum of $50 per incident? That’s really low for a tow? Thinking about United Exp. card though since it’s no AF year 1..
AAA is now $$$$
Just as the best way to keep track of points and miles is AwardWallet, the best insurance for roadside assistance for decades has been American Automobile Association membership at the Premier level 130 per year but you get free tows up to 100 miles (1 per year up to 200 miles). They will also assist if your vehicle refuses to start in your own garage. Along with various other travel benefits. It would be great if AwardWallet would review AAA membership.
Chase United MileagePlus Business card 1/16/22 — called and was told towing would be fully covered, 5 miles.
She confirmed she could see my card, and this is because I called the specific phone number associated with this card, and that each card type has a specific phone number to call.
I tried asking about how many times/how often I can use the benefits —
I got redirected to call my Chase card’s phone number, who then redirected me to call a number for Chase United card’s benefits, who then redirected me back to the very first number.
Per comparing between multiple blogs, I decided to chock it up as four services per calendar year, and possibly a rolling 12-month period.
One blog also specified that we have to be within 50 miles of home — maybe I can try to confirm this later
I just looked at Chase’s website and called their roadside assistance number and the cost for a jump start is $69.95. It seems that is the “flat fee” they mention on Chase’s website. https://www.chase.com/card-benefits/benefit-details/slate/roadside-assistance
I don’t think Amex is offering roadside assistance any more.
Amex Plat Biz has taken 4 hours and now the rental company says i owe 130 over even though it is 4.1 miles
These terms and conditions state 10 miles fully covered
Disgraceful
This may be an old thread but people need to know that American Express is discontinuing their roadside service as of 12-31-2019. They charge $95 a year for what?
Thanks! Working on updating this.
Love the idea of a cheat sheet so I know which card to use for what. Can you give us a breakdown of benefits in a checkbox format like Consumer Reports and lots of others? Please???
Can you share an example?
USAA Roadside Assistance also subcontracts with Cross Country Motor Club at 1-866-860-7978. They use above average tow providers . A tow in major metropolitan area will run a lot more than $50. Mine was $180 for twenty mile drop-off for collision work. The vehicle did have to be stowed on a flatbed trailer.
BMO World Elite Mastercard also offers roadside assistance – free – up to 4 times per year. It comes with a $150 annual fee (though it is waived the first year).
This is incorrect or I have been lied to. I have a United Explorer MileagePlus card and just got off the phone with them and they said it is NOT free and that there is a 69.95 charge every time, which is NOT a benefit at all. Definitely will keep this in mind and bring this up when I CHANGE credit card companies.
Sorry about your experience. I’d suggest you review the guide to benefits of your card. Your experience does not match up what we’ve seen and experienced personally.
Thanks for this. I didn’t even know these cards had roadside assistance!
Did not know this info before. Nice to know. Got ambushed by big US Corp “H”. Next trip if Time permits local dealer or body shop
Great information, I did not know this. I have a few of those cards so I am good to go.
I had forgotten about this! Argh I could have just used that! Oh well, next time. So we would call that number you listed?
Is it on the back or through calling Chase too? I will forget it and of course lose any paper I’ve written it down on.
You can always call the number on the back of your card.
Good reference post to bookmark when you need it.
I’ve learned both from personal experience, over the years, and vicariously to carry both a primary and a backup roadside assistance plan.
Some worthwhile options to consider, in addition to the aforementioned roadside assistance plans offered by credit card issuers, are roadside assistance plans offered by some auto insurers, by some vehicle manufacturers (e.g., ToyotaCare), by AARP, and by some mobile phone service providers. For example, a Sprint PCS perq is free AAA basic membership (customers can pay the difference if they want higher level AAA plans).
I don’t drive, but do you know if you can get this benefit if you are stuck in (or outside) someone else’s car?
It depends on the specific card you have. I’d recommend you look through the various guides of benefits for your particular card to confirm the exact coverage you’ll receive https://awardwallet.com/credit-cards/guide-to-benefits-list/. In general, however, you’re covered as long as you’re with the car when service is required.
I had no idea this was even a possible perk!
Makes me wonder why anyone pays for AAA.
Your car insurance offer this, why do you need it in a card?
Are you sure? Mine charges extra.
Roadside assistance should be the last thing to value when looking at a new card. Purchase protection and extended warranty features are much more valuable. Free iPhone insurance that covers accidents and losses with no deductible vs something I already get with my CAA membership? No thanks.
Handy niche, thanks for the compilation
I didn’t know ANY card offered roadside assistance.
Perhaps it is worth it to ditch my AAA memership
Really did not know about it, great idea..Thanks for the heads up.
@Lee Ann says: “Now only to remember to use the right card!”
Yes, it almost requires a cheat sheet to know which one to pull out in which situation these days! 🙂
What’s the typical cost of the services? Since Chase has the $50 limit, I’m wondering if one of the other cards would be better to have.
I had a tire changed for less than $50. So it worked for that. Just call the number on the back of the card.
Great to know but $50 for each event with the CSR, isn’t much, when companies charge a lot for just showing up let alone the addition of a tire change or jump.
Never knew about this benefit!
Extremely useful post – thanks! I really had no idea this coverage was so comprehensive. I am going to print this and put a copy in each car.
Thanks Howie!
After the AAA left us stranded overnight in the car without any help for 12 hours, I will definitely look at the option of having a card that covers the road assistance. Thanks for finding this.
That 50 dollar limit makes me anxious with Chase, which is the only one I have. Luckily hasn’t been an issue yet, and it’s better than nothing!
This is also so great for when you’ve rented a car in travels and need assistance!
Be sure to check the coverage to make sure it covers your rental prior to renting.
I have a paid AAA membership for my wife and me. I have the CSR and my wife has the United Mileage Plus Explorer. Not sure if I should renew the AAA?
Time to look at what you actually get from AAA now, isn’t it?
A lot of these cards have services and perks most people never utilize. Good to see articles like this to help remind people
I didn’t realize these cards have roadside assistance. To be honest I’ve always used AAA and have been satisfied.
This will be of immense help. Thank you.
I like perks… but to be honest.. I have AAA and it is always a hassle to use it…
So, what do you do if your car breaks down?
Thanks for the information. Now only to remember to use the right card!
Good perk to know about, thanks!
Our Sapphire Reserve is definitely making up for it’s annual fee with one tow and one flat tire this year.
I love CSR. It is the best card for traveling.
This is a great benefit to have and shouldn’t have to cost much money. I hope that the banks decide to add this benefit to more cards.
So good to know!
I had no idea. Thanks.
I even didn’t know about it!!! thank you
Thanks for the summary. I had no idea cards offered these types of benefits.
I honestly did not know that these cards provided roadside assistance. I have paid for at AAA membership for years and have used it. I will now have to reassess to see if it is worthwhile keeping that membership. On the other hand, I do take a vantage of the AAA discounts so it might be a wash.