What is complimentary credit card Roadside Assistance?
Free roadside assistance on a credit card is usually packaged in with its travel insurance benefit, or it might be added for a fee. It can also be purchased as a standalone product through motor clubs like RACV, RACQ or NRMA. Typically, roadside assistance includes these services:
- Flat battery jumpstarts: a technician is sent to your location to jumpstart your car if it won’t start because of a flat or dead battery.
- Changing or repairing a flat tyre: depending on the assistance program, you’ll either have a technician change your tyre or offer a temporary repair to get you to a service centre.
- Delivering fuel if you run out: a roadside assistant will bring enough petrol or diesel to get you to a service station. Some may cover the cost of the fuel, and others may charge it separately.
- Getting you into a locked car: a technician will attempt to open your car roadside, or arrange a locksmith if that’s not possible.
- Minor mechanical repairs or advice: If your car won’t start or there’s a worrying warning light, a roadside mechanic can offer simple repairs or over-the-phone guidance to save you booking in with a service centre.
- Towing: If your car can’t be fixed roadside, or you’ve been in an accident that renders it unroadworthy, towing is provided to take your car to a service centre. There might be a limit to the towed distance, after which fees might apply (for example, up to 50km from the car’s location).
Which is better: credit card or standalone membership?
Getting free roadside assistance on your credit card is an easy win that can save you money and stress. But, there are some key questions to ask:
- Do all roadside assistance programs come with the same level of assistance?
- Is it cheaper to pay a membership on a credit card, or standalone assistance?
- Will you get the right value out of your roadside assistance?
In the next sections, we’ll do a comparison so you can see the differences.
Calculating the value of credit card roadside assistance
A standalone membership typically costs between $80 to $550 per year, depending on your car type and the level of cover you choose.
If you choose a credit card simply because of its roadside assistance feature, then you’ll need to make sure the card’s annual fee is lower than the cost of a standalone membership. For example, if your card is $158 per year, then it might be cheaper to buy roadside assistance cover for $100 elsewhere…unless your card came with other valuable features.
So, it’s more likely you’ll choose a credit card because of its rewards points, travel insurance, complimentary flights, cashback or other perks. In that instance, roadside assistance is just a great extra if it’s included on your card.
Comparing roadside assistance by features
To give you a better idea of how credit card roadside assistance measures up to standalone memberships, here is a rundown of the common features side-by-side.
Coverage
Standalone roadside memberships like NRMA, RAA and RACV typically offer tiered plans so you can choose from basic options through to comprehensive cover, which would lift limits on features like towing distances, the number of callouts per month, or include cover for caravans and trailers.
Credit card roadside assistance is usually more basic and doesn’t allow customisation. It might offer fewer services overall, however unlimited callouts and long towing distances are typically included.
Flexibility
Standalone roadside memberships are linked to your car or membership, meaning you aren’t locked into any particular credit card or bank account to keep your service active.
Credit card roadside assistance is dependent on your account, so if you cancel the card or miss a payment, your roadside cover is cancelled.
Loyalty and extras
Standalone roadside memberships offer a network of extra discounts, including fuel discounts, deals on movie tickets, theme parks and accommodation, and insurance and travel deals.
Credit card roadside assistance itself won’t offer any particular perks since it’s designed for emergency support, but the credit card it’s attached to might include rewards, discounts or cashback offers.
So, which option is better for you?
If roadside assistance is something you’ll only use occasionally (because you’re not traversing Australia daily), then complimentary assistance on a credit card can be a handy safety net. It’s nice to know you can get help on the road when you need it, because we all do at some point.
However, if you’re on the road a lot and want more features like trailer and caravan cover, a roadside membership might give you more robust assistance - but just be aware you’ll pay a lot more for comprehensive cover.
| Feature | Credit Card Roadside Assistance | Standalone Membership (NRMA, RACV, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually included with the card; effective cost depends on the card’s annual fee. | Typically $80–$550 per year, depending on level of cover. |
| Coverage Level | Basic cover: for example, fuel, tyre repair, capped towing distances and key retrieval. Likely excludes caravans and trailers. | Tiered plans with higher limits, unlimited callouts, longer towing, and optional caravan/trailer cover. |
| Availability | Linked to the credit card account — coverage ends if you cancel or miss a payment. | Independent membership — remains active regardless of your bank or card. |
| Callout Limits | Most are unlimited, but check the terms to be sure. | Usually unlimited (depending on membership level). |
| Extras & Discounts | Designed for emergency assistance only; no ongoing loyalty benefits. | Includes member discounts on fuel, insurance, travel, and entertainment. |
| Value Proposition | Great if you already want the card for other perks like rewards or travel insurance. | Better choice for regular drivers or those who want comprehensive assistance. |
Common exclusions in roadside assistance cover
However you get your roadside assistance, there will be a bunch of situations it won’t cover fully. These are called exclusions and limits. You’ll find these details in the PDS of the assistance program. It’s always a good idea to know what you’re not covered for, so you don’t get caught out at the worst possible time.
First, we’ll explain the limits you might come across, and then the exclusion.
Common limits on roadside assistance in Australia:
- Caps on call-outs
Some plans include unlimited call-outs, and some cap your assistance at a few times a year, or may have a cap on the value of your call-outs (for example, unlimited callouts up to $200 annually), depending on the level of cover you choose. Roadside assistance on credit cards may vary, but as an example, the Amex Platinum range include unlimited call-outs.
- Limits on the towing distance
Many roadside assistance programs pay for towing costs up to a certain distance, and any travel beyond that to get to a service centre is charged at an additional cost. For example, Amex Platinum credit card assistance covers up to and even over 50km in certain circumstances.
- Waiting periods
Unlike many memberships, credit card roadside assistance doesn’t have a waiting period. Once your credit card is activated, or your additional cover is approved, you can use the roadside services. Memberships may enforce a 24 or 48 hour waiting period before cover starts.
- Limits on location or accessibility
Almost all roadside assistance programs have caveats for remote or regional locations, and criteria around accessibility. For example, if your vehicle is inaccessible because of poor terrain or flooding, or it’s in a dangerous part of a road, your roadside service may choose to provide help at their own discretion, and at full cost to you. Similarly, regional locations may have different limits on towing distances or serviceability.
Common exclusions on roadside assistance in Australia:
- Oversized or heavy vehicles (most will cover regular road vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes)
- Pre-existing defects or poor maintenance (if it’s clear your car isn’t up to scratch, they may refuse service)
- Cars that aren’t registered or roadworthy
- Bogged cars or off-road recovery (if you’re stuck in the mud or trapped in rugged or rocky terrain)
- Cars used for business, or rental vehicles (some will cover any car you’re in, unless it’s a rental, but some exclude cars used for business purposes)
- Cost of repairs offroad (any parts or repairs that happen after your roadside assistance will be at your own expense)
- Cars used for motor racing, rallies or other high performance, high-risk activities
How to Use Your Credit Card Roadside Assistance: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Call the roadside assistance number. It’s a good idea to save this number to your phone and have it on a card in your glovebox.
- Step 2: Have your personal details ready (name, card number, car registration number and your location).
- Step 3: Describe your situation to the operator.
- Step 4: Check what is covered by the roadside assistance before agreeing, and then wait for them to arrive.
Choosing the right roadside assistance cover for you
Ultimately, roadside assistance that comes with your credit card is a fabulous benefit and comes with many of the same features as standalone insurance, but may not suit you if you need something more comprehensive.
Choosing roadside assistance comes down to your driving habits, how much value you’ll get out of the credit card’s other features, and whether the value of the card outweighs any annual fee. Standalone insurance is more expensive, but may offer greater coverage and optional extras.
Options to explore include:
- The American Express Platinum credit cards
- The Ampol Fuel Card
