Tough economic times call for savvy travel strategies, like our 20 recession travel rules. Today we turn our attention to no. 18, which is also one of our 6 Genius Travel Buys. If you travel even once a year, then springing for membership in the AAA is a no-brainer. Basic membership costs just $59 a year, and it entitles you to discounts on all kinds of travel services, from hotels and restaurants to cruises, car rentals, and train travel. 

To demonstrate how quickly that $59 investment pays for itself, we price-checked a stay at the historic Jekyll Island Club, on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The place was once the winter stamping ground for American millionaires such as Rockefeller and Morgan, but today it is a family-friendly resort (see our review). For a four-night stay in early March, the rack rate for a traditional room with two double beds is $189 a night. With the AAA discount, the rate drops to $159 a night. So you save $30 a night and make back the cost of your AAA membership after just two nights. Consider the additional $61 savings as gravy.

Note: For stays of three or more nights, the Jekyll Island Club will also give you a gas credit for $100 (be sure to mention code GASRED).