AAA has rolled out an iPhone application that provides gasoline station locations and pricing, as well as directions and information on restaurants, hotels and attractions for on-the-go drivers.

The TripTik application lets consumers compare fuel prices at stations close to home or on the road. In addition, the application frequently updates gas prices, maps, directions and AAA travel information.

?These services are part of AAA?s overall wireless and telematics strategy to provide access to our services where and when members want it,? said Heather Hunter, Heathrow, FL-based public relations manager at AAA. ?Efforts such as the TripTik Mobile also help build awareness of AAA's presence in new channels and reach younger member segments via technology that is prevalent with that market.

?We strive to provide compelling member-only features, while also exposing non-members to the value of AAA membership,? she said. ?All AAA-branded applications for smartphones that have location determination capabilities provide a GPS-enabled roadside assistance call feature.?

AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.

Here is a screen grab of the application:

Roadside convenience
The GPS-based application shows fuel prices and spots AAA approved hotels and restaurants, attractions and AAA offices.

Additionally, the application provides maps and directions to get drivers to their destinations.

The application can calculate and display the route to a selected AAA point of interest or to a user-entered address.

?Smartphones are gaining market share and are expanding well beyond business users,? Ms. Hunter said. ?The content and capabilities travel with the user  and provide a quick, free way to see what restaurants or discount offerings are nearby ? locally or when on a road trip.

?Providing ready-access to these services and content through devices that users have with them further increases the value of AAA membership,? she said.

Here is another screen grab of the application:

Mobile ventures
Drivers can access voice guidance for the next maneuver at the press of a button or by shaking their iPhone.

The application requires uninterrupted WiFi access for full functionality on Apple?s devices.

AAA also has two other applications, AAA Discounts and AAA Roadside.

AAA Discounts acquires a user?s location and displays nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations.
Drivers who require emergency service can use AAA Roadside to send their location, vehicle description and specific breakdown details directly to AAA.  

?The goal is to reach new members through these channels and increase relevance to existing members,? Ms. Hunter said. ?For instance, many of the discounts available are for members only.

?AAA will continue to grow its suite of mobile offerings with new applications and services and with availability on more platforms,? she said.