AARP Car Rental Discounts: How They Work and What to Expect

AARP membership comes with a range of travel perks, and car rental discounts are among the most commonly used. But how much you actually save — and whether the discount is the best deal available — depends on more variables than most people realize before they book.

What the AARP Car Rental Discount Actually Is

AARP has negotiated discounted rates with several major car rental companies. These are pre-arranged corporate discount agreements, similar to the kinds of deals large employers or AAA negotiate on behalf of their members. When you book through AARP's travel portal or enter a specific AARP discount code (sometimes called an AWD, CDP, or BCD number, depending on the rental company), the base rate reflects the negotiated pricing.

The discount percentage isn't fixed across all companies or situations. Depending on the rental company and the booking terms, AARP members have historically seen discounts ranging from roughly 5% to 30% off base rates — though the actual savings will vary based on location, vehicle class, rental dates, and current promotions.

Which Rental Companies Partner with AARP

AARP has maintained partnerships with several of the major national rental brands. Historically, these have included:

• Avis — one of the longest-standing AARP partners
• Budget — often paired with Avis under the same parent company
• Enterprise — another common partner
• Hertz — periodically included depending on current agreements

These partnerships can change. Rental companies renegotiate or restructure deals, and the specific terms in place when you read this may differ from what's described in current AARP promotional materials. Always verify directly with AARP's travel benefits page or the rental company before booking.

How to Apply the Discount

There are generally two ways to access AARP rental pricing:

1. Book through AARP's travel portal — AARP maintains a dedicated travel section on its website where members can search and book rentals with the discount pre-applied.
2. Enter your discount code at checkout — When booking directly through a rental company's website or by phone, you can enter the AARP-specific discount code. You'll typically need to provide your AARP membership number as well.

In both cases, you'll need an active AARP membership. Membership is open to anyone 50 and older, and annual dues are generally modest — which affects whether the discount provides net value if you're only renting once or twice a year.

Variables That Affect How Much You Actually Save 💡

The AARP rate isn't automatically the lowest rate available. Several factors shape the actual value:

Rental location and market. Airport rentals, city centers, and resort areas each have different baseline pricing. A 20% discount off an inflated airport rate may still cost more than a smaller discount off a lower neighborhood rate.

Vehicle class. The negotiated discount typically applies to standard vehicle classes. Specialty vehicles, luxury cars, and certain SUV categories may be excluded or discounted differently.

Rental timing. During peak travel periods — holidays, summer, major events — base rates rise significantly. The AARP percentage discount applies to whatever the base rate is, so absolute savings fluctuate.

Insurance and add-ons. Discounts generally apply to the base rental rate, not to optional add-ons like collision damage waivers, GPS, car seats, or prepaid fuel. These extras are priced separately and can quickly exceed the savings from the discount itself.

Competing promotions. Rental companies run their own promotions — weekend specials, advance booking discounts, loyalty program rates — that may beat the AARP rate outright. It's worth comparing.

AARP Rate vs. Other Discount Programs

AARP isn't the only membership discount in this space. AAA, Costco Travel, corporate employer codes, credit card travel benefits, and rental loyalty programs all offer competing discounts. Some credit cards provide rental discounts or, more valuably, secondary or primary collision damage waiver coverage that eliminates the need to purchase expensive rental insurance.

Stacking discounts isn't always possible — most rental companies allow only one code per booking — but checking multiple sources before booking takes only a few minutes and can produce meaningfully different prices.

Age Surcharges and Older Drivers 🚗

One irony worth noting: rental companies in the United States generally don't impose senior surcharges on older drivers the way they impose young driver fees on renters under 25. So AARP members in their 50s, 60s, and beyond typically won't face age-based add-ons when renting domestically. Internationally, policies differ by country and company.

What the Discount Doesn't Cover

The AARP discount is a rate negotiation — it's not a standalone rental service. Everything else about the rental transaction works the same way it does for any renter:

• You'll still need a valid driver's license and a qualifying credit or debit card
• Minimum age requirements still apply (usually 25, with surcharges for younger drivers)
• You're still responsible for understanding what your personal auto insurance and credit card coverage extends to rental vehicles
• Rental terms, fuel policies, and return conditions are set by the rental company, not by AARP

The Part Only You Can Determine

How much value the AARP discount provides depends on where you're renting, how often, what class of vehicle, and what other discounts you already have access to through credit cards, employer programs, or competing memberships. A membership that costs $16–$20 per year pays for itself quickly if you rent cars regularly — but the math changes if you rent infrequently or if other programs in your wallet already beat the AARP rate. The discount is real, but whether it's the best option for a specific rental on a specific date requires a quick comparison at booking time.