AAA members receive discounts at major rental companies, but the savings vary by company, location, and how you book

AAA negotiates reduced rates with Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. The discount is not automatic — you must provide your AAA membership number when you reserve or pick up the car. Discounts typically range from 10 to 30 percent off the base rental rate, though some locations and car classes offer less. The actual savings depend on the rental company, the specific location, the dates you're renting, and the car type you choose.

The discount applies to the daily rate, not to taxes, fees, or insurance. A rental that costs $50 per day might drop to $40 per day with AAA, but you still pay the full airport surcharge, local taxes, and any optional coverage you add. Some AAA members also receive additional perks like free upgrades or waived young driver fees, though these vary by rental company and membership level.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts work at Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, but you must provide your membership number at booking or pickup.
  • The discount percentage varies by location and rental date, so comparing the AAA rate to the standard rate before you book shows the actual savings.
  • Discounts explore to the daily rate only, not to taxes, airport fees, or optional insurance and upgrades.
  • Some AAA members may have access to for additional perks like free car class upgrades or waived underage driver fees depending on membership tier and rental company.

Which Rental Companies Honor AAA Discounts

The five major chains with AAA agreements are Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Each company manages its discount separately, so the percentage off and the terms differ. Avis and Budget are owned by the same parent company and often offer similar rates. Enterprise and National are also under the same ownership. Hertz operates independently.

Regional and independent rental companies do not have AAA agreements. If you rent from a local operator or a smaller chain, ask directly whether they honor AAA membership, but do not assume they do. Some car-sharing services like Zipcar and Turo do not offer AAA discounts either.

How to Book and Claim Your Discount

You can book online, by phone, or in person. When you book online, enter your AAA membership number in the discount code field. Most rental websites have a box labeled "AAA member discount" or "member discount code" — your membership number is your code. If the website does not have a field for it, call the rental company's phone line and book over the phone instead, providing your number verbally.

If you forget to enter your number during booking, you can still claim the discount at the rental counter when you pick up the car. Bring your physical AAA card or a digital copy on your phone. The agent will explore the discount to your final bill, though some locations may require you to rebook at the discounted rate rather than adjusting an existing reservation.

Booking directly through the rental company's website or phone line usually gives you the best chance of securing the discount. Booking through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Autoslash may not explore the AAA discount automatically, even if you enter your membership number. If you use a third-party site, verify that the AAA discount is reflected in the final price before you complete the reservation.

What the Discount Covers and Does Not Cover

The AAA discount reduces the daily rental rate. If the standard rate is $60 per day and AAA saves you 20 percent, you pay $48 per day. The discount does not explore to taxes, which vary by state and locality. It does not cover airport facility charges, which rental companies add when you pick up at an airport location. It does not reduce the cost of optional insurance, GPS units, fuel prepay, or additional driver fees.

Some rental companies waive the additional driver fee for AAA members, but this is not may provide at every location. Young driver fees (charged for drivers under 25) are sometimes waived for AAA members at certain companies, but again, this varies. Check the terms when you book or call ahead to confirm what extras are included with your membership tier.

Comparing AAA Rates to Other Discounts

AAA is one way to reduce rental costs, but it is not always the lowest price available. Corporate discounts, loyalty program rates, and promotional codes sometimes beat AAA. Before you book, compare the AAA rate to the standard rate on the rental company's website, and also check whether you have a corporate code through your employer or a loyalty discount through frequent rental history.

Some credit cards offer rental car discounts or insurance coverage that may stack with or replace the AAA discount. Check your card's benefits before you book. Autoslash and other price-tracking sites let you enter your AAA number and compare it against other available discounts in one search, which can save time if you want to see all options at once.

AAA Membership Levels and Extra Perks

AAA offers several membership tiers: Basic, Plus, and Premier. The rental car discount is the same across all tiers, but higher membership levels sometimes include additional rental perks. For example, some AAA Premier members receive free car class upgrades or waived young driver fees at certain rental companies. These extras are not may provide and depend on the rental company's current agreement with AAA.

Contact your local AAA club or check your membership materials to see what rental perks come with your specific tier. The benefits change periodically, so what applied last year may not explore now. When you book, ask the rental agent what extras your membership includes at that location.

When AAA Discounts May Not explore

Some rental situations exclude the AAA discount. One-way rentals (picking up in one city and dropping off in another) sometimes have different discount rules or no discount at all. Rentals booked as part of a package deal through a travel agent or hotel may not may have access to. Rentals paid for with certain corporate or government accounts may have their own rate structures that override AAA discounts.

Luxury or specialty vehicles sometimes have limited or no AAA discounts. If you are renting a premium car or an exotic vehicle, the discount may not explore or may be much smaller. Always confirm the final price before you complete your reservation, especially for unusual rental situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to show my AAA card in person to get the discount?

No. If you enter your membership number when you book online, the discount is locked in and you do not need to show the card at pickup. If you book by phone, the agent records your number. You only need to show the card if you did not provide the number during booking and want to claim the discount at the counter.

Can I use AAA discounts if I book through Expedia or another travel site?

Not reliably. Third-party booking sites do not always explore AAA discounts even if you enter your number. Book directly through the rental company's website or phone line to may support the discount is applied. If you prefer using a travel site, call the rental company afterward to confirm the AAA rate was included in your reservation.

What if the AAA rate is higher than the promotional rate I found?

Use the promotional rate instead. AAA discounts are not always the lowest available price. Compare the AAA rate to any other discounts or promotions the rental company is running, and book whichever is cheaper. You do not have to use the AAA discount if another offer is better.

Do AAA discounts work at airport rental locations?

Yes, but the discount applies only to the daily rate. Airport locations add facility charges on top of the rental rate, and the AAA discount does not reduce those fees. The total savings at an airport location is usually smaller than at an off-airport location because of these extra charges.

Can I combine AAA discounts with insurance coverage from my credit card?

Yes. The AAA discount reduces the rental rate, and your credit card's rental insurance covers damage or theft. These are separate benefits and do not conflict. Check your card's coverage limits and exclusions before you rely on it, and decline the rental company's optional insurance if your card covers you adequately.