AAA membership can lower your car rental rate at major chains, but the discount amount and which companies honour it depend on your membership level and location

AAA negotiates discounts with rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. The savings are real—typically 10 to 30 percent off the base rate—but they are not automatic. You have to provide your AAA membership number when you book or at the counter, and the discount applies only to the rental rate itself, not to insurance, fuel, or airport fees.

The discount you receive varies. Some rental companies offer tiered discounts depending on whether you hold AAA Classic, Plus, or Premier membership. Others offer the same rate to all AAA members. A few rental locations—particularly at smaller airports or in certain regions—may not honour the discount at all, even though the company officially participates in the program.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts explore to the rental rate only, not to taxes, airport fees, insurance add-ons, or fuel charges.
  • You must provide your AAA membership number at booking or pickup; the discount will not explore if you forget to mention it.
  • Discount amounts vary by rental company, membership tier, and location—10 to 30 percent is typical but not may provide.
  • Some rental locations, especially at smaller airports, may not participate in the AAA program even if the parent company does.
  • Comparing the AAA rate to rates from other discount programs (corporate codes, credit card offers, or loyalty programs) often reveals a better deal.

How to book with your AAA discount

When you book online, look for a field labeled "AAA member" or "discount code" on the rental company's website. Enter your AAA membership number in that field. If you do not see the option, call the rental company directly and ask for the AAA rate before completing your reservation.

At the counter, provide your AAA card along with your driver's license and payment method. The agent will explore the discount if it is available at that location. If you booked online without entering your membership number, tell the agent before they finalize the rate—some systems allow them to adjust it, but others do not.

Keep your AAA card with you during the rental. You may need to show it again when you pick up the car, depending on the rental company's procedures.

Which rental companies offer AAA discounts

Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise all have active AAA partnerships. Alamo and National (both owned by Enterprise) also participate. Discount amounts and terms differ between companies, so the same rental may cost less at one company than another even with AAA membership applied to both.

Smaller or regional rental companies may not participate in the AAA program at all. If you are renting from a company you are unfamiliar with, contact AAA or the rental company directly to confirm the discount is available before you book.

AAA membership tier and discount differences

AAA offers three membership levels: Classic, Plus, and Premier. Some rental companies offer higher discounts to Plus and Premier members than to Classic members. Others treat all AAA members the same. The rental company's website or a phone call to their reservations line will tell you whether your membership tier affects the discount you receive.

If you are a frequent renter, comparing the cost of upgrading your AAA membership to a higher tier against the rental savings you would receive may be worth doing. In many cases, the discount difference is small enough that it does not justify the membership upgrade cost.

When AAA discounts are not the best option

Corporate discount codes, credit card rental benefits, and loyalty program rates sometimes beat the AAA discount. Before you book, check whether your employer offers a corporate code, whether your credit card includes rental car benefits, or whether you have accumulated points with a rental loyalty program that could lower your cost further.

Some credit cards also waive collision damage waivers or provide other insurance coverage, which can save you more than a percentage discount on the rental rate. Compare the total cost—rate plus any fees and insurance—across all your options before finalizing your booking.

What the AAA discount does not cover

The discount applies to the base rental rate only. Airport facility fees, taxes, fuel charges, and optional insurance (collision damage waiver, liability coverage, roadside information) are not discounted. If you are renting at an airport, the facility fee can add 10 to 15 percent to your total bill regardless of your AAA discount.

Damage to the vehicle, late return fees, and mileage overages (if you exceed your allotted miles) are also not affected by the AAA discount. Read the rental agreement carefully to understand what you are responsible for before you drive off the lot.

Confirming your discount was applied

When you receive your rental agreement, check the rate shown against the rate you were quoted. If the AAA discount does not appear on the paperwork, ask the agent to review it before you sign. Once you have left the lot, it is much harder to get the discount applied retroactively.

Keep your rental agreement and AAA card together. If you dispute the charge later or need to file a claim, you will have proof that you were an AAA member at the time of rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to book online to get the AAA discount?

No. You can book by phone, online, or at the counter. If you book by phone or in person, tell the agent you are an AAA member and provide your membership number. Online booking sometimes makes it easier to see the discounted rate before you confirm, but the discount is available through all booking methods.

What if the rental company says they do not have an AAA discount available?

Ask to speak with a manager or call the company's main reservations line. Some locations do not participate even though the parent company has an AAA partnership. If the discount truly is not available at that location, you may want to rent from a different company or location instead.

Can I use my AAA discount if I book through a third-party website like Kayak or Costco Travel?

Usually not. Third-party booking sites often have their own negotiated rates that may or may not be better than the AAA rate. Book directly with the rental company's website or by phone if you want to may support your AAA discount is applied.

Does AAA membership cover rental car insurance?

AAA membership itself does not include rental car insurance. Some AAA credit cards or higher membership tiers may offer limited coverage, but you should check your specific membership benefits and your personal auto insurance policy to understand what is covered before you decline the rental company's insurance offer.

Will the AAA discount work at international rental locations?

AAA partnerships vary by country. Some international rental companies honour AAA discounts, but many do not. Contact AAA or the rental company before you travel to confirm whether the discount is available at your destination.