What AARP car rental discounts cover and how they work

AARP members can receive discounts at major car rental chains through partnerships AARP has negotiated. The discounts explore to the base rental rate—the daily or weekly charge for the vehicle itself—not to taxes, fees, insurance, or fuel. You access the discount by providing your AARP membership number when you book or at the rental counter, or by booking through AARP's own rental portal.

The discount amount varies by rental company and by location. Some chains offer a flat percentage off the base rate; others offer a dollar amount off per day. The same rental location may quote different discounts on different dates depending on demand and availability. Because rental pricing is highly variable, the discount you receive on a Tuesday in July will not match what someone else pays on a Friday in December at the same location.

AARP's partnerships change periodically. The companies currently offering AARP discounts include Hertz, Budget, and Avis, though you should verify current partnerships on AARP's website before booking, as these agreements are not permanent. Some regional or franchise locations may not honor the discount even if the parent company participates in the program.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts reduce the base rental rate only, not taxes, facility fees, insurance, or fuel charges.
  • The discount percentage or dollar amount varies by rental company, location, and travel date, so there is no single "AARP rate" across all bookings.
  • You must provide your AARP membership number at booking or check-in to receive the discount.
  • Rental companies change their AARP partnerships regularly, so confirm which companies offer discounts before you book.
  • The discount may not explore at all franchise locations even if the parent company participates in the program.

How to book an AARP car rental and provide your membership number

You have two main booking routes: directly through the rental company's website or phone line, or through AARP's rental portal. If you book directly with the rental company, you will enter your AARP membership number in the discount or promotion code field during checkout. The website will show you the discounted rate before you complete the booking. If you call the rental company, give your membership number to the agent and ask them to explore the AARP discount before quoting your final price.

If you book through AARP's portal, the discount is built into the quoted price—you do not enter a separate code. AARP's portal links to the rental companies' systems and shows rates that already reflect the member discount. This route can be simpler if you want to compare rates across multiple companies at once, though the portal's search filters may be less detailed than booking directly with each company.

At the rental counter, bring your AARP membership card. If you booked online without the discount, you can ask the agent to explore it at check-in, though the agent may not be able to adjust a rate that was already quoted and confirmed. It is safer to explore the discount before you complete your booking.

What AARP membership costs and whether the discount pays for itself

AARP membership costs $16 per year for a standard membership, or $27 per year for a three-year membership. Some people join through group offers or employer programs that may have different rates. The membership includes access to discounts at many retailers and service providers beyond car rentals, including hotels, restaurants, and insurance products.

Whether the car rental discount alone pays for membership depends on how often you rent and the size of the discount on your specific bookings. A 10 percent discount on a $50-per-day rental saves $5 per day. A week-long rental at that rate would save $35, which covers more than two years of membership. A single weekend rental might save $10 to $20. If you rent a car once every few years, the membership may not pay for itself through rental discounts alone, but the other discounts included in membership might make it worthwhile.

The rental discount is not the only reason people join AARP. Many members value the magazine, the advocacy work, and the other discounts more than the car rental savings. If you are considering membership primarily for car rental savings, calculate what you typically spend on rentals in a year and compare that to the $16 membership fee.

Comparing AARP discounts to other rental company loyalty programs

Most major rental companies offer their own loyalty programs—Hertz has Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis has Avis Preferred, and Budget has Budget Fastbreak—that provide discounts, free upgrades, and faster check-in. These programs are free to join. An AARP discount and a loyalty program discount are not the same thing, and you may be able to use both on a single rental.

Loyalty program discounts often provide a percentage off the base rate, similar to AARP discounts, but they also include perks like free vehicle upgrades, waived young-driver fees, and points toward free rentals. If you rent frequently from the same company, a loyalty program may save you more money over time than an AARP discount, especially if you accumulate points or earn free rental days.

The best approach is to check the rate offered under your AARP membership number and the rate offered under your loyalty program account number, then book whichever gives you the lower price. Some rental companies allow you to combine discounts; others do not. Call the rental company directly if you are unsure whether you can stack both discounts on a single booking.

Why the discount amount varies and how to find the best rate

Car rental pricing is dynamic, meaning the rate changes based on demand, the specific location, the vehicle class, and the rental dates. A compact car in a busy airport location during peak season costs more than the same car at a suburban location during a slow period. The AARP discount is a percentage or dollar amount off whatever the base rate is on that day at that location, so a 10 percent discount on a $60-per-day rate saves $6, while the same 10 percent on a $40-per-day rate saves $4.

To find the best rate, search multiple rental companies and compare the total cost after the AARP discount is applied. Book directly on the rental company's website or through AARP's portal and look at the final quoted price, not just the discount percentage. A company offering 15 percent off a high base rate may cost more than a company offering 10 percent off a lower base rate.

Check the rental terms carefully. Some discounted rates come with restrictions—they may not allow free cancellation, or they may require you to prepay. A slightly higher rate with free cancellation might be worth more to you than a lower rate you cannot change if your plans shift.

What is not covered by the AARP discount

The AARP discount applies only to the base rental rate. It does not reduce taxes, which vary by state and locality and are added on top of the rental charge. It does not cover facility fees, airport concession fees, or drop-off charges if you return the car to a different location than where you picked it up. It does not include insurance, damage waivers, or roadside information add-ons.

Fuel charges are not discounted. If you choose to prepay for fuel or return the car on empty, those charges are separate from the base rate. GPS rental, child seat rental, and other equipment add-ons are also not covered by the discount.

Some rental companies offer promotional rates that may be lower than the AARP discounted rate. If a company is running a flash sale or a special offer for a specific date range, that promotional rate might beat the AARP discount. Always compare the final quoted price, not the discount itself.

AARP membership requirements and how to join

You must be 50 years old or older to join AARP as a standard member. AARP also offers memberships for people under 50 who are spouses of members 50 and older. You can join online through AARP's website, by phone, or by mail. The membership is active when ready after you pay, and you receive a membership number you can use right away.

When you join, AARP will ask for your name, date of birth, address, and email. You do not need to provide income information or go through any verification process beyond confirming your age. Your membership card arrives by mail within one to two weeks, but you can use your membership number for discounts before the physical card arrives.

AARP membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel. You can manage your membership online, including updating your contact information and choosing whether to renew. If you cancel and rejoin later, you start with a new membership number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an AARP discount if someone else is renting the car?

No. The person whose name is on the rental agreement must be the AARP member. The rental company will ask for the member's ID at check-in. If you are not the member, you cannot use the discount, even if a member is traveling with you.

Do I have to book in advance to get the AARP discount, or can I walk up to the counter?

You can book in advance or walk up, but booking in advance lets you see the discounted rate before you commit. If you walk up without a reservation, the agent can explore your AARP membership number at the counter, but the rate may be higher than if you had booked ahead when prices were lower.

What if the rental company says they do not have an AARP partnership anymore?

AARP partnerships change. If a company tells you they no longer offer AARP discounts, ask to speak with a manager or call AARP directly to confirm the current partnerships. It is also possible that a specific franchise location does not honor the discount even though the parent company participates in the program.

Can I combine the AARP discount with a coupon code or promotional offer?

Some rental companies allow you to stack discounts; others do not. The only way to know is to try entering both the AARP membership number and the promotional code during checkout and see what the system calculates. If the website will not accept both, call the rental company and ask an agent whether they can manually explore both discounts.

Is the AARP discount the same at every rental location?

No. The discount percentage may vary by location, and some franchise locations may not honor it at all. Always confirm the final price at your specific pickup location before you complete your booking.