AAA Passport Photo Cost: Prices, Fees & Ways to Save

AAA is a federation of regional clubs, and each club decides what it charges for passport photos and what it gives away to members. That is why a search for AAA passport photo prices returns different answers depending on the page.

Two things stay consistent across clubs. Photos are sold by the set, and a set means two photos. Higher membership levels tend to get a better deal than basic members or non-members. Everything else, including tax, digital copies, and which branches offer the service, comes down to your club.

The two clubs below publish their prices online. They are examples from two regions and say nothing about your club. AAA Central Penn lists prices for more than one set, so you can see how cost climbs as you add sets.

At AAA Central Penn, a non-member pays $15 for one set, and three sets cost $19. A Classic member pays $8.45 for one set. A digital copy is $5. Those figures come from AAA Central Penn.

AAA Minneapolis quotes prices with tax included, per set of two photos. A non-member pays $17.10 and a Basic member pays $14.08, according to AAA Minneapolis. That club also lists a free set for its higher membership levels.

The same service is priced differently from club to club. If your club is not one of these two, look for its passport page, or call a branch.

AAA sells several membership tiers, and passport photo benefits often follow them. At the two clubs above, higher tiers such as Plus and Premier receive a free set of photos each year, while Basic and Classic members pay a reduced rate. Non-members can still buy photos at the full price.

If you are already a member, check which tier you hold before you pay. If you are not a member, compare the cost of joining against the photo discount. A photo alone rarely justifies a membership, but if you also want roadside assistance or other benefits, the passport photo perk is a small bonus.

The listed price covers a set of two photos. Digital copies are usually extra, when offered at all, and some clubs only offer them at certain branches. Sales tax may be added on top of the listed price. The Minneapolis figures above already include tax, while other clubs list a price before tax.

AAA does not decide whether the State Department accepts your photo. The photo has to meet the official requirements, and it is your responsibility to check them. If a photo is rejected, ask the branch what it does about retakes before you pay.

Practices vary by club. Some branches take photos on a walk-in basis during business hours, while others ask you to call ahead, and some offer photos at only one or two locations. Look at your club's page or phone the branch to avoid a wasted trip.

• Use your free set if you have one. Plus and Premier members at some clubs get a free set each year.
• Ask the branch for the member price before you pay. Bring your card or number.
• Skip the digital copy unless you need it. A digital file matters mostly for online renewals.
• Compare with other places. Retail counters list their own prices, and some charge less than non-member AAA rates.