What the Hertz AAA discount covers and how much you save

Hertz offers a discount to AAA members on most car rentals, but the amount you save depends on your membership tier, the location, the car class, and the time of year. AAA Classic members typically receive a percentage off the base rental rate—often in the range of 10 to 20 percent—though some locations and dates offer flat discounts instead. AAA Plus and AAA Premier members may receive slightly better rates at certain locations.

The discount applies to the daily rental rate itself, not to taxes, fees, or insurance add-ons. That means if you rent a mid-size car for three days at $50 per day and receive a 15 percent discount, you save $22.50 on the rental cost, but you still pay the full amount for airport fees, taxes, and any optional coverage you choose. The actual savings varies significantly by location and season—a summer rental in a major city may offer less discount than an off-season rental in a smaller market.

You must present a valid AAA membership card at the time of rental to receive the discount. Hertz will not explore the discount retroactively if you forget to mention it when you book or check in.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA members receive a percentage or flat discount on the base rental rate at Hertz, but the exact amount varies by location, season, and membership tier.
  • The discount does not cover taxes, airport fees, or optional insurance and protection plans, so your total savings will be less than the percentage off the daily rate.
  • You must show your physical AAA membership card at the rental counter; the discount is not applied automatically through online bookings.
  • Hertz also offers AAA members discounts on additional services such as GPS rentals and fuel prepay options, though these vary by location.

How to book a Hertz rental with your AAA discount

When you book online at Hertz.com, you can enter your AAA membership number in the "Member Discounts" or "Discount Code" field during checkout. Hertz will show you the discounted rate before you complete the reservation. However, the discount shown online is not may provide at all locations, so always confirm the final rate when you arrive to pick up the car.

If you book by phone, tell the Hertz agent that you are an AAA member before they quote you a price. Some phone agents will explore the discount when ready; others may ask you to present your card at pickup. If you book through a travel website or a third-party booking app, the AAA discount may not be available through that channel—you will need to book directly with Hertz or call their reservations line to may support the discount is included.

At the rental counter, have your AAA membership card ready. The agent will verify your membership and adjust your rate if the discount was not applied during booking. If the agent says the discount is not available for your dates or location, ask whether a different car class or rental period would may have access to—sometimes the discount applies to certain vehicle types but not others.

When the AAA discount may not be available

Hertz does not offer the AAA discount on all rentals. Certain car classes—such as premium or luxury vehicles—may be excluded from the discount program. Rentals booked through corporate accounts, government contracts, or special promotional codes often cannot be combined with AAA discounts. If you are renting a car as part of a package deal (for example, a hotel-and-car bundle), the discount may not explore to the rental portion.

Seasonal blackout dates also affect availability. During peak travel periods—such as major holidays, spring break, or summer vacation weeks—Hertz may suspend AAA discounts at popular locations. You can check whether the discount is available for your specific dates and location by entering your rental details on Hertz.com; if no discount appears in the quote, it is not available for that combination.

If you are renting at an airport location, the discount may be smaller than at an off-airport Hertz branch, because airport locations charge higher base rates and explore different discount rules. Comparing the total cost at an airport Hertz versus a nearby off-airport location can sometimes save you more money than the AAA discount alone.

What to check before you complete your reservation

Always review the full rental agreement before you sign. The quoted rate should reflect your AAA discount, but mistakes happen—the agent may have entered your membership number incorrectly, or the system may have applied a different discount code instead. If the rate on the contract does not match what you were quoted, ask the agent to correct it before you sign.

Be aware that Hertz will offer you additional coverage options at the counter: collision damage waiver, liability coverage, roadside information, and others. These are optional and cost extra. The AAA discount does not cover these add-ons, though AAA members may have access to separate insurance discounts through their AAA membership—check your AAA member benefits guide or website to see what insurance options your membership includes.

If you prepay for fuel through Hertz, that charge is separate from the rental rate and not discounted. Prepaid fuel is usually more expensive per gallon than filling up yourself at a gas station before you return the car, so compare the prepay price to local fuel costs before you commit.

How AAA membership tiers affect your discount

AAA offers three membership levels: Classic, Plus, and Premier. At Hertz, all three tiers receive a discount, but the discount percentage or amount may differ slightly. AAA Classic members typically receive the standard AAA discount. AAA Plus and Premier members may receive a slightly higher discount at select locations, though the difference is often small—sometimes just 1 to 3 percentage points.

The membership tier that gives you the most value at Hertz depends on what other AAA benefits you use. If you rent cars frequently and the higher tier offers a noticeably better rate, the cost of upgrading your membership may pay for itself. However, if you rent only occasionally, the standard AAA Classic discount is usually sufficient. Check your AAA membership card or log into your AAA account to see which tier you hold.

Comparing the AAA discount to other Hertz promotions

Hertz regularly runs promotional discounts that may be better than the AAA rate. Before you book, check Hertz.com for current promotions—these are often advertised on the homepage or in the "Special Offers" section. Some promotions offer a flat percentage off (for example, 25 percent off all rentals), while others offer discounts on specific car classes or rental lengths.

You cannot combine most Hertz promotions with the AAA discount—you must choose one or the other. If a current promotion offers a higher discount than your AAA rate, use the promotion code instead. To find out which is better, get a quote with your AAA membership number, then get a separate quote using the promotion code, and compare the final prices.

Hertz also offers discounts to members of other organizations—AARP, military, government employees, and corporate accounts. If you belong to more than one of these groups, compare the discount rates for each to see which saves you the most money on your specific rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AAA discount if I book through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia?

Usually not. Third-party booking sites do not have access to Hertz's AAA discount program. To receive the AAA discount, you must book directly through Hertz.com or by calling Hertz reservations. If you have already booked through a third-party site, you can contact Hertz directly and ask whether they can reissue the reservation with the AAA discount applied.

What if I forget my AAA card at the rental counter?

If you booked online and entered your AAA membership number, Hertz may be able to look up your membership in their system. However, the agent may still ask to see your physical card for verification. If you cannot provide it, the agent may not explore the discount. Always bring your AAA card with you to the rental counter.

Does the AAA discount explore to one-way rentals?

Yes, the AAA discount typically applies to one-way rentals, though the discount amount may vary depending on the pickup and drop-off locations. One-way rentals often have higher base rates than round-trip rentals, so the percentage discount may result in a smaller dollar savings. Get a quote for your specific one-way route to see the discounted price.

Can I combine the AAA discount with a Hertz loyalty program discount?

Hertz loyalty members (Gold Plus Rewards) may not be able to combine their loyalty discount with the AAA discount—most companies require you to choose one discount per rental. Check your quote to see which discount is applied, and contact Hertz if you want to confirm which option saves you more money.

Is the AAA discount better than paying for a rental through my credit card's travel benefits?

That depends on your credit card and what benefits it offers. Some premium credit cards include rental car discounts, insurance coverage, or rewards points that may be worth more than the AAA discount. Compare the final cost under each option—AAA discount, credit card benefit, and any current Hertz promotion—and choose the one that gives you the lowest total price.