Article Archive
10 School Backpack Essentials
July 31, 2017. Christina Elston
Your child’s backpack is a kind of bridge between home and school, a place to carry essential supplies. But carrying around a pack all day can take its toll. Help your child start the school year off right with a backpack that fits correctly and fill it with all the necessities.
Save & Splurge: Saratoga Springs
July 31, 2017. Craig Idlebrook
Saratoga Springs is a city that has reinvented itself many times throughout history. Since before Colonial settlers arrived to this New York city, its mineral springs have drawn visitors for the water’s reportedly restorative properties. Then it became known as a hotbed of gambling and horseracing. In the time since, Saratoga Springs has once again…
Back to School Means Great Rates on Vacations
July 31, 2017. AAA Staff
The start of a new school year means different things to different people. For kids, it means homework. For parents, it means frantic early mornings and afternoons. For teachers, it means stacks of papers and projects. But for travelers, it means one of the year’s best travel windows has arrived. It’s when the summer crowds…
Test Drive: 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
July 27, 2017. AAA Staff
For 2017, the Kia Optima offers a model for just about every taste. It’s available as a gas model, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, each with a variety of trim levels to suit any desire, from sporty to luxurious. After receiving refreshed styling for 2016, the gas-only 2017 Kia Optima comes with three engines…
Is Your Battery Zapped?
July 26, 2017. Roberto Cruz
Car batteries hate extreme temperatures. It’s one reason so many fail in the summer heat. Periodically disconnecting the car battery to clean its terminals with water and baking soda can help extend its life, said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul. But all automotive batteries will fail eventually. Here are a few signs yours is on…
Parent-Friendly Features in Cars
July 25, 2017. AAA Staff
It’s a fact of family life: With a growing family often comes the need for a new car. In addition to picking one with high crash-test ratings and plenty of room, there are other car features that will give parents peace of mind on the road. Backup camera Being a parent means you’ll be in…
From the President’s Desk: Pave the Way for Teen Driver Safety
July 14, 2017. Mark Shaw
Traffic crash statistics obscure the fact that behind every crash, behind every death, is a person. Not just that one person, but his or her family, co-workers and friends. We have watched with growing alarm the spike in traffic deaths around the country, knowing that behind those 40,000 yearly fatalities are thousands more whose lives…
Test Drive: 2017 Nissan Pathfinder
July 01, 2017. AAA Staff
After 60 years on sale in the U.S., the Nissan Pathfinder is one of the true pioneers in the SUV world. While it may be a “senior” in the segment, the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is no slow-moving, muumuu-wearing granny. It’s a hot, single grandma whose hobbies include competitive country dancing and backpacking. The Pathfinder received…
Memphis Pulses to a Rock ‘n’ Roll Beat
July 01, 2017. Jill Fergus
When the music started, the people who had been standing around began to tap their toes, bounce their heads and move their hips to the beat. But this wasn’t a dance hall or a dimly lit club. It was a museum. Yet people couldn’t help themselves when the distinctive sounds of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry…
Impress With Recipes From AAA Diamond Rated Restaurants
July 01, 2017. Nick Tavares
Concoct expertly crafted dishes in your home with the help of AAA Diamond Rated restaurants. These recipes will ensure you three courses of fancy summer fare. 1. A fresh start Start sophisticated with the Champagne mango salad created by chef Jean Georges Vongerichten for his AAA Five Diamond Rated, self-titled restaurant in New York City….
What’s in a (Car) Name?
July 01, 2017. Nick Tavares
Automobile brand names have some funky histories, and many borrow from other languages. Check out the roots of these company titles and drop some linguistic trivia on your next road trip. Volvo This luxury brand opted for a Latin name, one that perfectly describes a car’s purpose. Rooted in the verb volvere, Volvo translates to…
4 Car Repairs to Make Before It’s Too Late
July 01, 2017. Roberto Cruz
Paying for car repairs is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist. And, like the dentist, some people will go to great lengths to avoid a trip to the shop. But drivers who skip or delay important repairs expose their vehicles to dangerous situations and costlier fixes down the road, AAA’s Car…
Drumming Out a Workout
July 01, 2017. Nick Tavares
I’m a drummer, and when I finish playing a show, I’m exhausted. Playing the drums requires constant motion in both legs and both arms. That, plus setting up and breaking down equipment, makes for a tiring workout. But does it count as exercise? To find out, I geared up with a Fitbit and got behind…
Putting a Five Diamond Shine on the Big Apple
July 01, 2017. AAA Staff
If you’re looking to experience the finer side of New York City, AAA has you covered. For more than 80 years, AAA has inspected and rated both hotels and restaurants on behalf of AAA members. The highest ranking – AAA’s Five Diamond Award – is reserved for the best of the best. Earlier in the…
New Massachusetts Four Diamond Hotels for 2017
July 01, 2017. AAA Staff
AAA added four Massachusetts hotels to its exclusive Four Diamond list for 2017. Boston Park Plaza: This hotel is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year after completing a multiyear, $100 million renovation in 2016. Furniture and fixtures throughout the hotel were replaced, the 1,060 guestrooms and communal areas were completely redone and a library room…
Test Drive: 2017 Volkswagen Passat
June 01, 2017. AAA Staff
In a crowded midsize sedan market, the Volkswagen Passat is a standout for its German engineering at an affordable price point. Starting at just $22,440, the sedan – built in Chattanooga, Tenn. – is loaded with advanced technology, including many driver assistance systems that are often found in more expensive models. And its base engine is fun…
Rob Corddry’s 1975 Ford Pinto
June 01, 2017. AAA Staff
Massachusetts-born Rob Corddry is an actor, comedian and writer who has appeared in hit films such as “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Warm Bodies” and “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.” A longtime correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Corddry also created and starred in the Emmy Award-winning comedy series “Childrens Hospital” on…
Don’t Break the Bank on Unexpected Car Repairs
June 01, 2017. Roberto Cruz
Unless you’re rich Uncle Pennybags, spending $600 on car repairs is a tough pill to swallow. Unfortunately, that’s the going rate for the average car repair bill today, according to new AAA research. What’s more, an estimated 30 percent of Americans are unable to pay the average car repair bill without going into debt, the…
Travel Europe by River Cruise, Train or Car
June 01, 2017. AAA Staff
Backpacking is probably one of the most creative ways to see Europe, but it’s not the only way to explore the continent off-the-beaten path. Consider these modes of travel if you’re looking for a different perspective of Europe. River Cruising It’s easy to see why river cruising’s popularity is on the rise. Guests on these…
Explaining Mortgage Insurance
June 01, 2017. AAA Staff
Q. Can you explain mortgage insurance? A. Mortgage insurance, sometimes referred to as private mortgage insurance or PMI, protects lenders against borrowers who default on their loans. Any borrower who puts down less than 20 percent on a mortgage should expect to pay mortgage insurance, which is often paid on a monthly basis with other…