Which Credit Card Has Roadside Assistance?

Credit cards often extend benefits beyond traditional rewards programs, and one such feature is roadside assistance. This benefit can provide support during unexpected vehicle issues, offering a layer of convenience for cardholders. Understanding the scope and availability of this service through a credit card can be valuable for managing unforeseen automotive emergencies. It functions as an on-call service designed to help with various vehicle troubles, potentially saving cardholders from the inconvenience of finding independent service providers during a breakdown.

Credit Card Networks Offering Roadside Assistance

Many credit card networks and issuers incorporate roadside assistance into their card benefits, though the specifics vary significantly. Visa cards, for instance, commonly offer “Roadside Dispatch,” a pay-per-use program available to all Visa cardholders. Similarly, Mastercard provides “Master RoadAssist Roadside Service” on select cards, where availability often depends on the card’s issuing bank and its specific tier, such as World or World Elite Mastercard products.

Cardholders can determine if their specific credit card offers this benefit by reviewing their card’s “Guide to Benefits,” which outlines all included perks. Information is also often available on the card issuer’s website or by contacting their customer service department directly. While Visa and Mastercard widely offer these services, it is important to note that American Express often does not offer a universal roadside assistance benefit on all cards, although some premium American Express cards may include a form of roadside assistance, sometimes with complimentary uses. Discover cards, on the other hand, no longer offer roadside assistance as a benefit.

Scope of Roadside Assistance Benefits

Credit card roadside assistance programs typically cover common vehicle emergencies to help cardholders get back on the road. These services often include towing, jump-starting a dead battery, changing a flat tire, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance. For towing, there are often mileage limitations, such as coverage for the first five miles, with additional mileage incurring an extra charge. Flat tire services often require the cardholder to have a good, inflated spare tire available for the service provider to install.

Fuel delivery often provides a limited amount of fuel, such as up to five gallons, but the cardholder is responsible for the cost of the fuel itself. Lockout services assist with gaining entry to the vehicle if keys are locked inside, though key replacement is not often included. Common exclusions also apply, such as limitations on vehicle type, with most programs covering light-duty vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds, and excluding commercial vehicles or those in off-road areas.

Many credit card roadside assistance programs operate on a pay-per-use model, where cardholders pay a flat fee per service call, such as Visa’s Roadside Dispatch which can cost approximately $79.95 per service. Some premium cards, however, may offer a set number of complimentary service calls per year or a fixed subsidy per incident.

Accessing Roadside Assistance

To utilize credit card roadside assistance, cardholders must contact the dedicated hotline provided by their card issuer or network. This number is often found on the back of the credit card, in the “Guide to Benefits” document, or on the issuer’s website. Upon calling, the cardholder will often need to provide their credit card number to verify eligibility for the service.

It is also important to have precise details about the vehicle’s location, including the street address or nearest cross streets, and a clear description of the vehicle issue. Providing the vehicle’s make, model, and year can further assist the dispatch process. Once the information is confirmed, the assistance program will dispatch a local service provider, such as a tow truck operator or locksmith, to the reported location. The service provider’s arrival time can vary based on location, weather conditions, and service availability, but an estimated time of arrival is often provided during the call. Discover cards, on the other hand, no longer offer roadside assistance as a benefit.