What AARP's Expedia partnership offers

AARP members receive discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages booked through Expedia's AARP-branded site. The discounts vary by property and date — some hotels offer 10 percent off, others offer more, and some dates have no discount at all. You do not pay a separate fee to access these rates; the discount appears when you search as an AARP member.

The partnership is straightforward: you go to the AARP Travel section on Expedia, search for what you need, and see prices marked as AARP rates alongside regular rates. You book directly through that site, and Expedia handles the transaction. AARP itself does not process bookings or handle customer service — Expedia does.

This is one of many travel discounts AARP negotiates with hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. It is not the only way to find discounted travel, and the discount on any given booking may be smaller than what you would find through a competitor site or a direct hotel booking.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP members access Expedia discounts through the AARP Travel section, which shows AARP rates alongside standard rates for the same property and date.
  • Discounts vary widely — some hotels offer 10 percent or more off, while others on the same site offer no discount at all.
  • You book and pay through Expedia; AARP does not process the transaction or provide customer service for your stay.
  • The AARP rate is not always the lowest available — comparing this price to other booking sites and direct hotel websites can reveal better deals.
  • You must be an AARP member to see AARP rates, and membership requires being 50 or older and paying an annual membership fee.

How to find and book AARP rates on Expedia

Start at aarp.org and look for the Travel section, or go directly to the AARP-branded Expedia page. You will see a search box for hotels, flights, cars, and packages. Enter your destination, travel dates, and number of travelers, then search.

The results page shows two prices side by side: the regular Expedia rate and the AARP member rate. If there is no AARP discount for that property on that date, only the regular rate appears. You can filter results by price, star rating, and amenities the same way you would on the regular Expedia site.

Click on a property to see the full details, cancellation policy, and reviews. When you are ready, click "Book" and proceed to checkout. You will need to sign in with your AARP membership number or create an account. Expedia will ask for your payment method and billing address, then confirm your reservation.

What discounts typically look like

AARP rates are usually 5 to 15 percent below the standard Expedia price for the same room on the same night, though this varies significantly. A three-star hotel in a mid-size city might offer 10 percent off; a luxury resort in peak season might offer nothing. Budget chains sometimes offer steeper discounts than upscale properties.

The discount applies to the room rate only, not to taxes, resort fees, or parking. If a hotel charges a $25 nightly resort fee, that fee is the same whether you book at the AARP rate or the regular rate. Read the fine print on the property details page to see what is and is not included.

Discounts also depend on how far ahead you book. Last-minute bookings sometimes have larger discounts; advance bookings sometimes have smaller ones. The AARP rate for the same hotel can be different on Monday than it is on Friday.

Comparing AARP rates to other options

Before you book through AARP's Expedia page, search the same hotel directly on the hotel's own website and on other booking sites like Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Google Hotels. Write down the rates you find, including taxes and fees.

Hotels often offer their lowest rates on their own websites, sometimes with perks like free breakfast or late checkout that do not appear on third-party sites. A hotel's direct rate might be lower than the AARP rate even though the AARP rate is discounted. Booking sites also run their own promotions — a flash sale on Booking.com might beat the AARP rate on a given night.

The AARP rate is most useful when you are already planning to book through Expedia and want to make sure you are seeing the member discount. It is less useful as your only comparison point.

AARP membership requirements and cost

You must be 50 years old or older to join AARP. Membership costs $16 per year for a single membership or $27 per year for a household membership that covers two people at the same address. AARP offers a one-month trial membership at a lower cost if you want to test the benefits before committing to a full year.

Your membership number is what you use to access AARP rates on Expedia and other partner sites. You receive it when you join and can find it on your membership card and in your AARP account online.

AARP membership includes other discounts beyond travel — on insurance, dining, entertainment, and retail — though the value of each discount varies. Travel discounts are one benefit among many, not the primary reason most people join.

What to do if you have a problem with your booking

If something goes wrong with your reservation — a booking does not appear in your confirmation email, a charge appears twice, or you need to change your dates — contact Expedia customer service, not AARP. Expedia processes all transactions and handles all customer service for bookings made through its site.

You can reach Expedia by phone, email, or live chat through the Expedia website. Have your confirmation number ready. If the issue involves a dispute with the hotel itself — the room was not as described, a promised amenity was missing — Expedia can help mediate, but the hotel is ultimately responsible for the stay.

AARP does not process refunds or handle disputes. If you need to cancel your booking, Expedia's cancellation policy for that property determines whether you get your money back. Read the cancellation terms before you book.

Other AARP travel discounts beyond Expedia

AARP negotiates discounts with many hotel chains directly, including Choice Hotels, Wyndham, and others. These discounts sometimes appear on those chains' websites when you enter your AARP membership number at checkout, and sometimes you book through AARP's site instead of the hotel's site.

AARP also offers discounts on rental cars through Hertz, Avis, and Budget; on cruises through various cruise lines; and on vacation packages through tour operators. Each partnership works slightly differently — some require you to book through AARP, others require you to enter a discount code at checkout on the company's own site.

The AARP website lists all current travel partnerships and how to access each one. Comparing these direct discounts to what you find on Expedia can help you find the best rate for your specific trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to book through AARP's Expedia page to get the discount?

Yes. The AARP rate only appears when you search through the AARP Travel section on Expedia. If you go to the regular Expedia site and search for the same hotel, you will see the standard rate, not the AARP rate. The AARP membership number is what unlocks the discount on that specific site.

Can I use an AARP discount code at checkout on Expedia's regular site?

No. AARP does not issue discount codes for Expedia. The only way to see AARP rates is to search through the AARP Travel page. If you search on the regular Expedia site, you will not see a place to enter an AARP code.

What if the AARP rate is higher than the regular Expedia rate?

This can happen on certain dates or properties. The AARP rate is negotiated with Expedia and the hotel, but it is not always lower than what Expedia shows to non-members. If you see a higher AARP rate, book the regular rate instead — there is no requirement to use the AARP rate.

Do AARP travel discounts work internationally?

Yes, AARP rates on Expedia cover hotels and rentals worldwide. However, the discount amount and availability vary by country and property. Some international properties offer no AARP discount at all. Search your destination to see what rates are available.

Can I combine an AARP discount with other promotions or loyalty programs?

Usually not. When you book through the AARP Expedia page, you are locked into the AARP rate and cannot layer on additional coupon codes or promotions. If you are a member of a hotel's loyalty program, you may need to choose between earning loyalty points and receiving the AARP discount — check the booking details to see which applies.