I am a new AAA member and read over the benefits and one of the new benefits they have is the free credit card key. I took my set of car keys into the local AAA office and they made me these plastic keys that are attached to a credit card size frame. Anyhow, it really did take less than a minute for them to make the keys and I had two keys made. One for a Mazda RX8 and another for an Isuzu Trooper. They are unable to make duplicates of squarish keys or the inverted design like Lexus'. Anyhow, both of the plastic keys unlocked doors but the RX8 would not start b/c the original metal key has a security feature in it. So for older cars, it should work fine to unlock and start the car. However, since it's plastic, I think that the key may wear down over time so I wouldn't rely on it as your primary key.

I thought this was a hot deal since it's a fairly new benefit and not well advertised and it's free so it's gotta be hot.

Oh and also, the AAA office I went to (Potrero Center in SF) had automated vending machines for their maps so you can just borrow someone's AAA card if you are not a member and get maps.

Cool I am gonna check it out!

I have one of these that I got years ago... probably about 8 years ago. I'm not sure if they discontinued giving these out for free or what but it was a free when I got mine and I know they had the same thing for at least 5 years before I had mine made.

In any case, it's highly recomended in case you get your keys locked in the door. I'm sure AAA would rather pay for this than sending out a locksmith.

I have a very simple and permanent solution to this: I always carry two car keys with me, one is always attached to my belt, and the other in my pocket as the primary key. Worry-free forever.

I know that California locations have this service, but it's definitely not true for all states. The rep at my office here in Michigan was so intrigued by the plastic spare that he asked to borrow it so that he could show his coworker!

When I was overseas twenty years ago, all Japanese cars came with three sets of keys. One of them was a plastic key.

Keep it in your wallet. Do not use it as a primary key.

johnny98 said:AAA in California has been giving these emergency keys to members for at least 20 years. They are very flimsy and probably only good for 1 or 2 uses.Correct - my family has gotten these for at least 15 years. And yes, the AAA people have warned us to only use as an emergency - they do NOT hold up.
-cd

xqwizit said:I am a new AAA member and read over the benefits and one of the new benefits they have is the free credit card key. I took my set of car keys into the local AAA office and they made me these plastic keys that are attached to a credit card size frame. Anyhow, it really did take less than a minute for them to make the keys and I had two keys made. One for a Mazda RX8 and another for an Isuzu Trooper. They are unable to make duplicates of squarish keys or the inverted design like Lexus'. Anyhow, both of the plastic keys unlocked doors but the RX8 would not start b/c the original metal key has a security feature in it. So for older cars, it should work fine to unlock and start the car. However, since it's plastic, I think that the key may wear down over time so I wouldn't rely on it as your primary key.

I thought this was a hot deal since it's a fairly new benefit and not well advertised and it's free so it's gotta be hot.

Oh and also, the AAA office I went to (Potrero Center in SF) had automated vending machines for their maps so you can just borrow someone's AAA card if you are not a member and get maps.

I would only use this as an emergency key. Imagine the cost if it broke off in your ignition. I guess you could always call AAA to tow it home or to a good locksmith or dealer.

beatmesweety said:These are not ignition keys. These are just door keys in case you are locked out. It came up very useful couple of times in the past 10 years I have been carrying.

It's misleading to say that they are "not ignition keys" when the keys will clearly work in the ignition (if your car doesn't have computer chips in the keys). Sure, they might be more likely to break in the ignition, but they're fine for a one-time emergency use.

davamond said:I have a very simple and permanent solution to this: I always carry two car keys with me, one is always attached to my belt, and the other in my pocket as the primary key. Worry-free forever. I am glad there are still people who approved my opinion. I just never get the idea of having a plastic emergency key while you can simply go to the WalMart and make a duplicate, permanent copy and have it on you all the time for a permanent back-up. I guess those who red me are also those who only buy brand-new batteries rather than using re-chargeable batteries.