My parents have had it for a long time. We use it at least bi-annually, mainly for battery jump starts, but these last two times, my Saturn's alternator crapped out on my driveway and the Serpentine Belt tensioner snapped. (drives water pump)
Here's the catch about AAA: They are EMERGENCY road side assistance. So, if you screw up on a repair job on your driveway, they may not tow you to a repair shop as it isn't a true emergency. Of course, I've been known to push the car a block away and fake it, and it works every time. Be aware that their basic membership only covers towing for 5 miles, and for any additional miles, IIRC, YOU have to negotiate with the truck driver. Get AAA plus if you want up 100 mi towing.
The $$$ you pay are really for a sense of security. Whether its worth it or not, I do not know. Depending on how much $$$ you spend at their preferred vendors (as they have 10% discounts at many of them), you can easily make-up for the cost of membership.