Woman ‘hacks’ high gas prices with AAA membership after her tank hits empty on the side of the road

We’ve all been feeling the pain of high gas prices lately, and TikTok creator Shantell (@iiamshantell) recently shared what she said was a unique solution. But as she may have learned, it won’t work quite as well as she thought it would.

In a short clip now viewed more than 3 million times, a AAA technician in a fluorescent green vest fills Shantell’s tank at the roadside. The text overlay says, “Using my AAA to fill my tank so I don’t have to pay these high a— gas prices.”

Shantell’s followers like what they say. One comment noted, “I’m not using my membership to its full potential wtf ! How many times have you done this ? 😭.”

AAA delivers gas — with a catch

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs in the United States, known for providing travel, insurance, and automotive services to millions of members nationwide. One of its most recognized offerings is roadside assistance, which includes services like towing, battery jumps, tire changes, lockout help, and, in certain cases, emergency fuel delivery.

Members can request the service via the AAA mobile app or by calling their local AAA branch. A service technician is dispatched to the vehicle’s location depending on local demand and traffic.

AAA’s roadside gas assistance policy provides members with a limited amount of fuel, typically just enough to reach the nearest gas station.

But while the service covers the cost of the delivery, in most cases, the fuel cost itself is the responsibility of the member, not AAA. (For Plus and Premier members, a limited amount of fuel, usually 2 gallons, is typically provided at no additional cost.)

Another Shantell comment noted, “Well when i actually ran out of gas aaa gave me barely enough to get to the closest gas station so maybe it depends on the worker.”

Gas prices in the age of BNPL

Offering another solution to expensive gas, another commenter added, “I used Klarna for mine! Haha I’m set for several months 😂😂😂.”

Klarna is a Swedish fintech company that provides “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services. It allows consumers to split purchases into installments or delay payments, making it easier to shop without paying the full amount upfront.

Klarna does not offer roadside fuel delivery or any automotive services like AAA, but if a station’s app or payment system allows Klarna, you could buy fuel and split the cost over installments.

Shantell and other U.S. motorists are feeling sticker shock at the pump as the national average for a gallon of gasoline has climbed above $4, levels not seen since 2022, driven largely by global oil market volatility tied to the ongoing war in Iran and related supply disruptions.

Gasoline prices are closely linked to crude oil costs, which have remained elevated as geopolitical tensions threaten key export routes like the Strait of Hormuz, where a significant portion of the world’s oil flows.

Seasonal demand for travel this spring also adds upward pressure, and regional factors—such as taxes, refining costs, and local environmental regulations—can further widen price differences across states.

But, while AAA insurance is a good thing to have, if you run out of gas, they will deliver enough to get you to the gas station, but you’ll likely pay anyway, and most often, AAA gas costs the same as it does at the pump.