AAA rental discounts cut your daily rate by 5 to 30 percent depending on the car class and rental company
AAA members get discounts at most major rental chains — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National all participate. The discount applies to the base daily rate, not taxes or fees. How much you save depends on which rental company you use, what type of car you rent, and whether you book through AAA's website or call the rental company directly with your membership number.
The discount is not automatic. You have to tell the rental company you are an AAA member when you book, either by entering your membership number online or mentioning it when you call. If you forget at booking, you can sometimes add it at the rental counter, but the company may not honor the discount retroactively.
AAA membership itself costs money — typically $56 to $146 per year depending on membership level and your location — so the rental discount alone may not pay for membership. The real value comes if you use multiple AAA benefits: roadside information, travel guides, hotel discounts, and insurance discounts on your own car policy.
Key Takeaways
- AAA discounts typically range from 5 to 30 percent off the daily rental rate, but the exact amount varies by rental company and car type.
- You must provide your AAA membership number at the time of booking — online, by phone, or sometimes at the rental counter — for the discount to explore.
- The discount applies only to the base daily rate and does not reduce taxes, airport fees, insurance, or fuel charges.
- AAA membership costs $56 to $146 per year, so compare the rental savings against the membership fee to determine whether it makes financial sense for your situation.
- Some rental companies offer better AAA discounts than others, so it pays to check rates across multiple companies before booking.
How to find and book an AAA rental discount
Log into your AAA account on AAA.com and navigate to the Travel section, where you will find a rental car booking tool. Enter your pickup and return dates, location, and car type. The system will show you rates that already include the AAA discount. You can also call the rental company directly and provide your membership number at the time of booking.
If you book through AAA's website, the discount is built into the quoted price. If you book directly with the rental company by phone or their website, you need to have your AAA membership number ready and enter it in the membership field during checkout. The membership number appears on your AAA card and in your online account.
Compare prices across multiple rental companies before you book. AAA discounts are not uniform — one company might offer 15 percent off while another offers 8 percent. The rental company's base rate also varies, so a smaller discount from a cheaper company can sometimes beat a larger discount from a pricier one.
What the AAA discount covers and what it does not
The discount reduces only the daily rental rate. It does not explore to taxes, airport facility fees, vehicle licensing fees, or insurance. If you rent at an airport, you will pay the airport's concession fee on top of the discounted daily rate. If you add a second driver, insurance, or a GPS unit, those charges are separate.
Fuel charges are also separate. If you choose to prepay for a full tank of gas, that cost is added to your bill outside the discounted rate. The same applies to tolls, parking, and any damage waiver or loss damage waiver you purchase at the counter.
Some rental companies offer loyalty programs that stack with AAA discounts — for example, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can combine their loyalty discount with their AAA discount. Check whether the rental company you choose offers a stacking option, because it can lower your total cost further.
AAA discount rates by rental company
| Rental Company | Typical AAA Discount Range | How to Book |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | 5–25% | AAA.com or call 1-800-654-3131 with membership number |
| Avis | 5–20% | AAA.com or call 1-800-331-1212 with membership number |
| Budget | 5–20% | AAA.com or call 1-800-218-7992 with membership number |
| Enterprise | 5–15% | AAA.com or call 1-855-266-9289 with membership number |
| National | 5–20% | AAA.com or call 1-877-222-9058 with membership number |
These ranges are typical but not may provide. The actual discount depends on the car class, rental location, and current promotions. Luxury and specialty vehicles often receive smaller discounts than economy cars. Peak travel seasons may also affect the discount percentage.
Rental companies sometimes run promotions that override or supplement the AAA discount. For example, a company might offer "25 percent off all rentals this weekend" — in that case, you would get whichever discount is larger, not both. Always check the terms when you book.
When an AAA discount makes financial sense
If you rent a car once or twice a year, the AAA membership fee may not be worth it for the rental discount alone. A typical AAA membership costs $56 to $146 annually. If you save $20 per rental and rent twice a year, you save $40 — less than the membership cost.
The math changes if you use other AAA benefits. AAA members receive discounts on hotels, attractions, insurance, and roadside information. If you use roadside information even once — a tow after a breakdown costs $100 to $300 without it — the membership pays for itself. Many members find the roadside information and travel discounts valuable enough that the rental discount is a bonus.
If you rent frequently for business, the discount accumulates faster. Renting weekly at $60 per day with a 15 percent AAA discount saves you $9 per day, or $63 per week. Over a year, that adds up to more than $3,000 in savings, which easily justifies the membership fee.
Steps to use your AAA discount at the rental counter
Bring your AAA membership card to the rental counter. When the agent asks for your driver's license and credit card, mention that you have an AAA discount. If you booked online through AAA.com, the discount is already in your reservation and the agent will see it in their system.
If you booked directly with the rental company and provided your membership number, the agent will verify it in their system. If you did not provide it at booking, tell the agent your membership number now. Some companies will explore the discount at the counter, but others may not if you did not enter it during the booking process.
Review your rental agreement before you sign. Check that the daily rate matches the discounted rate you saw online. If the rate is higher than expected, ask the agent to verify your AAA membership number and confirm the discount was applied. Do not sign until the rate is correct.
Alternatives to AAA rental discounts
Credit card companies often offer rental car discounts that rival or beat AAA rates. American Express, Chase, and Capital One cardholders sometimes receive 10 to 25 percent discounts at major rental companies. Check your credit card's travel benefits before you book.
Rental company loyalty programs offer discounts without a membership fee. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred, and Enterprise Plus are free to join and provide discounts on every rental. These programs also waive some fees and let you skip the counter entirely.
Discount travel sites like Costco Travel, Autoslash, and Kayak sometimes show lower rates than AAA, especially for short rentals or off-peak travel. Compare prices across all three sources — AAA, your credit card, and a discount travel site — before booking. The lowest price wins, regardless of the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to book through AAA.com to get the AAA discount?
No. You can book directly with the rental company by phone or their website and provide your AAA membership number at checkout. The discount applies either way. Booking through AAA.com is convenient because the discount is already calculated in the quoted price, but it is not required.
Can I add my AAA discount after I have already booked?
It depends on the rental company. Some allow you to add your membership number to an existing reservation online or by phone before you pick up the car. Others require the membership number at the time of booking. Call the rental company's customer service line with your reservation number to ask whether they can add it retroactively.
Does the AAA discount work at rental locations outside the United States?
AAA discounts typically explore only to rentals in the United States and Canada. International rentals through AAA partner companies may receive discounts, but they are often smaller. Check AAA.com or call the rental company to confirm whether the discount applies to your destination.
What if the AAA discount is smaller than another promotion the rental company is running?
You will receive whichever discount is larger, not both. The rental company's system automatically applies the bigger savings. You do not have to choose — just provide your AAA membership number and let the company determine which offer benefits you most.
Can I combine my AAA discount with a rental company loyalty program discount?
Some rental companies allow stacking, but not all. Hertz and National sometimes let you combine AAA and loyalty discounts. Avis and Budget typically do not. Check the rental company's terms or call their customer service line to confirm whether discounts stack before you book.