The Automobile Association (AA)is a British motoring association founded in 1905, which currently provides vehicle insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans, motoring advice, road maps and other services. The association demutualised in 1999, to become a private limited company, and from 2014 a public limited company (plc). In 2021, a consortium led by Tower Brook capital partners and Warburg Pincus completed the acquisition of AA Limited (formerly known as AA PLC). In 2002 the AA Motoring Trust was created to continue its public interest and road safety activities.
AA ratings and awards
Hotels, guest accommodation, and self catering accommodation
The AA awards ratings according to a system based on quality standards, agreed by the AA and the various tourist authorities in the United Kingdom. Properties are awarded a star rating, from one to five stars. In addition, each hotel receives a "Merit % Score" to enable comparison of hotels with similar star ratings. Hotels that are deemed to stand out may also receive a "Red Star" "AA Inspectors' Choice" award. A similar award for guest accommodation is the "Gold Star" for properties deemed to stand out.
Campsites and caravan parks
The AA award a "Pennant rating" to campsites and caravan parks on a five-point scale. A percentage score is also awarded to enable comparison of parks with the same rating.
Restaurants
AA inspectors award AA rosettes on a zero to five system. About one in ten restaurants have been awarded one or more rosettes. As of 2020, around 2,000 restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland held AA rosettes.
