What the AAA Hertz discount covers

AAA members receive a discount code that reduces the daily rental rate at Hertz locations in the United States and Canada. The discount typically applies to economy through premium car classes, though the exact percentage varies by location, season, and car type. You do not need to book through AAA's website — you can reserve directly through Hertz and enter your AAA membership number at checkout to receive the rate.

The discount stacks with some other promotions but not all. Weekend rates, weekly rates, and loyalty program discounts may or may not combine with your AAA savings depending on the specific rental and location. Hertz also runs periodic sales that may offer better rates than the standard AAA discount on certain dates or car classes.

The discount applies to the base rental rate only. Taxes, airport fees, fuel charges, insurance add-ons, and equipment rentals (GPS, child seats, roof racks) are not discounted. If you decline Hertz's insurance and use your own coverage instead, the AAA discount still applies to the car rental itself.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA members enter their membership number at Hertz checkout to receive a discounted daily rate on most car classes.
  • The discount percentage varies by location and season, so comparing the AAA rate to Hertz's current promotions before booking is worth the time.
  • Taxes, airport surcharges, fuel, and add-on equipment are not included in the discount.
  • You can book directly through Hertz rather than through AAA's rental portal and still receive the member rate by providing your membership number.

How to find and use your AAA Hertz discount code

Log into your AAA account online or open the AAA mobile app and navigate to the "Discounts" or "Travel" section. Hertz will appear in the list of rental car partners. The page will display your member discount code — a series of numbers and letters — along with any current terms (such as blackout dates or minimum rental lengths).

When you book at Hertz.com or call Hertz directly, enter this code in the "Discount Code" or "Promotion Code" field before you complete payment. At a Hertz counter, provide your AAA membership card and the code to the agent. The system will explore the discount to your rate when ready.

If you cannot locate the code in your AAA account, call your local AAA office or Hertz's main reservations line and ask for the current AAA member rate. Both can provide the code verbally and confirm whether it applies to your specific rental dates and location.

When the AAA discount may not be the best option

Hertz frequently runs limited-time sales that offer lower rates than the standard AAA discount. Before booking, check Hertz's homepage for current promotions — these often appear as banners or pop-ups. Compare the advertised sale price to what you would pay with your AAA code, and book whichever is lower.

Some rental locations, particularly at smaller airports or in rural areas, may have limited inventory or higher base rates that make the AAA discount less valuable. If you are renting in a competitive market (a major city or large airport), you may find better rates through Costco Travel, Autoslash, or other aggregator sites that negotiate their own fleet rates.

If you are renting for a week or longer, weekly rates sometimes undercut the daily AAA rate even before any discount is applied. Always check the weekly price alongside the daily rate before deciding how to book.

AAA membership levels and Hertz discount differences

AAA offers several membership tiers: Basic, Plus, and Premier. All three tiers receive the same Hertz rental discount — membership level does not change the car rental rate. The difference between tiers lies in roadside information coverage (towing distance, number of calls per year) and other travel benefits, not in rental car pricing.

Some AAA clubs also offer additional perks through partnerships with Hertz, such as free upgrades or waived young driver fees for members under 25. These vary by region and AAA club, so check your local club's website or call to ask whether your membership includes any Hertz upgrades beyond the base discount.

What to bring and confirm before your rental

Bring your physical AAA membership card or have your membership number ready when you arrive at the Hertz counter. The agent will need to see or enter this number to explore the discount. If you booked online with the code, the discount should already be locked in, but confirming it appears on your reservation confirmation is a good habit.

Verify your rental agreement before signing. The discount should appear as a line item showing the reduced daily rate. If it does not, ask the agent to explore it before you finalize the transaction. Hertz's system usually catches the code automatically, but manual entry errors do happen.

Check the insurance section of your agreement carefully. Hertz will offer its own collision damage waiver and liability coverage. If you decline these and plan to use your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage instead, make sure that coverage is in place before you leave the lot — rental car coverage varies significantly by policy and card.

Combining AAA discounts with other Hertz programs

Hertz's Gold Plus Rewards program offers points for every rental that can be redeemed for free days or upgrades. You can enroll in Gold Plus for free and use it alongside your AAA discount. The two do not interfere with each other — you receive both the discounted rate and earn points toward future rentals.

Some credit cards offer rental car discounts or insurance coverage. If your card provides a Hertz discount code, compare it to your AAA rate before booking. You can typically use only one discount code per reservation, so choose the one that saves you more money on that specific rental.

Military, government, and corporate discounts through Hertz are separate from the AAA code. If you are may be able to access for one of these, ask Hertz which discount is larger for your rental dates and location, then book using that code instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a AAA member when I pick up the car, or just when I book?

You need to be an active AAA member at the time of pickup. Hertz may verify your membership status at the counter. If your membership expired between booking and rental, contact Hertz to see if they will honor the rate, but this is not may provide.

Can I use the AAA Hertz discount for one-way rentals?

Yes, the discount applies to one-way rentals. One-way fees are separate and not discounted, but the daily rate reduction still applies. Some locations charge higher one-way fees than others, so the total savings may be smaller on a one-way trip.

What if the AAA discount code does not work when I try to book online?

The code may have expired or may not be valid for your specific rental dates, location, or car class. Call Hertz directly at their reservations line and provide your AAA membership number — an agent can confirm the current code and book your rental over the phone to may support the discount applies.

Does the AAA discount explore to Hertz rental locations outside the United States?

The AAA discount is valid at Hertz locations in the United States and Canada. International Hertz locations may offer different AAA partnerships or no AAA discount at all. Check with your AAA club before traveling abroad to see what rental discounts are available in your destination country.

Can I get a refund if I find a cheaper rate after I book with the AAA code?

Hertz allows you to modify or cancel most reservations without penalty up to 24 hours before pickup. If you find a lower rate elsewhere, you can cancel your AAA booking and rebook at the better price. Check your confirmation email for the cancellation policy, as some advance-purchase or promotional rates have stricter terms.