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 Discounts

Another underrated benefit of a CAA membership is the exclusive discount on VIA Rail tickets across Canada.

Depending on the route and fare class, you can save up to 20% just by entering your membership number during your ticket search.

For example, on the popular Quebec–Windsor corridor (think Toronto–Montreal or Ottawa–Quebec City), CAA members get 10% off in both Economy and Business class.

I occasionally take VIA Rail from Toronto to Montreal, since the train connects downtown to downtown and skips the airport chaos, security lines, and luggage hassles.

With the CAA rate, you get 10% off standard fares. While it won’t apply to the ultra-cheap Escape fare, if you’re booking last minute—or just want more flexibility—the savings definitely help.

If you’re an adventurous person and looking to experience a cross-country train ride, the savings can be even more significant.

Take The Canadian, VIA Rail’s iconic four-day journey from Toronto to Vancouver. With a CAA membership, you can knock 15% off Economy class and a whopping 20% off in Sleeper Plus Class.

For example, on October 22, 2025, an Economy class ticket on this route drops from $524 to $446 with the CAA discount. If you’re going for comfort (and honestly, you probably should), Sleeper Plus class goes from $1,872 to $1,497—a savings of $375

It’s not a budget trip by any stretch, but the experience of rolling through the Prairies, Rockies, and countless small towns is on many travellers’ bucket lists. And when you factor in that meals and accommodations are included in Sleeper Plus, the CAA discount makes a noticeable dent in the overall cost.

It’s worth noting that the CAA discount also extends to up to five travel companions, as long as everyone is travelling together on the same itinerary. You’ll need to carry your CAA card and a matching photo ID while travelling, and the usual fare rules still apply for changes or cancellations.

Our trains are nowhere near as fast as the high-speed rail systems in Europe, Japan, or China—but what we lack in speed, we make up for in scenery. Whether you’re gliding through the forests of Northern Ontario or waking up to views of the Rockies, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.

Even if you only take the train once or twice a year, the CAA discount can add up quickly. And just like with hotel bookings, it’s another low-effort way to get your money’s worth from your membership—without ever needing to call a tow truck.

Savings at Shell Gas Stations

Even if you don’t drive regularly—or don’t even own a car—your CAA membership still pulls its weight at the pump and in-store.

CAA members save 3¢ per litre on all fuel grades at participating Shell stations across Canada. Just swipe your CAA card at the pump or inside the store before paying. You can also link your CAA card to the Shell EasyPay™ app if you prefer a mobile checkout.

The perks go beyond fuel. You’ll also get 10% off car washes and 10% off most in-store purchases, whether you’re grabbing road trip snacks or topping up your windshield washer fluid.

It gets even better if you have a BMO credit or debit card. Through the AIR MILES Card Link program, you can link your eligible BMO card and unlock extra savings when paying at Shell:

• 2¢ off per litre on Shell Bronze, Silver, and Diesel
• 7¢ off per litre on Shell V-Power premium fuel
• 1 Air Mile per 20 litres on Bronze, Silver, and Diesel
• 1 Air Mile per 10 litres on V-Power

That stacks with your CAA 3¢/L discount, meaning you could save up to 10¢ per litre on V-Power fuel—and earn AIR MILES at the same time.

Let’s say you fill a 50-litre tank with V-Power using a linked BMO card and your CAA membership. You’d instantly save $5, plus earn 5 Air Miles. And if you’re just filling up with regular gas, you’re still shaving off 5¢/L and getting 2–3 Air Miles per tank.

Whether you’re driving your own car, renting one, or borrowing a friend’s, this is one of those sneaky-good perks that adds up quickly, especially on road trips or long-haul drives.

Discounted Travel Photos at CAA Stores

Here’s another underrated perk that might come in handy sooner than you think: CAA members get discounts on photos for passports and International Driving Permits (IDPs) at CAA locations.

In Southern Ontario, members pay just $8.95 plus tax for a set of two passport or visa photos. That’s a solid discount compared to the $19.95 non-member rate. If you have a Plus or Premier membership, you even get one free set per year.

If you’re planning to drive abroad, CAA is also the only authorized issuer of IDPs in Canada. The permit costs $31.00 (tax included) and you can get it done right at a CAA store—no need to visit multiple places or bring your own photos. In fact, the passport photo you get at CAA can be used for your IDP as well.

It’s not the most glamorous benefit, but it’s incredibly practical—and exactly the kind of thing that makes you glad you have the membership when you’re scrambling to prep for an international trip.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who loves maximizing every travel dollar, CAA might be a quiet MVP in your toolkit. While it doesn’t scream “travel hack,” the value adds up quickly.

Whether you own a car or not, chances are you’re still driving now and then—be it a rental, car share, or borrowing a friend’s vehicle. That’s where the benefits start to show: discounts on gas, car washes, and travel-related essentials like hotels, VIA Rail, and even passport photos.

With entry-level plans starting at just $30 a year, it doesn’t take much to break even. One hotel booking or a couple of VIA Rail trips and you’re already ahead. Everything else, like a Shell discount or free passport photos, is just a bonus.

CAA may not be flashy, but for travellers who love squeezing every bit of value out of their journeys, it’s a small membership that delivers—wheels or not.