AARP membership includes discounts at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, and service providers
AARP members get price reductions at major chains like Walgreens, CVS, Applebee's, and Best Buy, plus discounts on car rentals, hotels, and travel. The discounts vary by retailer — some are percentage-based, others are fixed dollar amounts, and a few explore only to specific products or services. You show your AARP card in person or enter a code online to claim most of them.
The actual savings depend on what you buy and where. A 10 percent discount at a drugstore on items you already purchase can add up over a year. A discount on a rental car you use once every few years may save you $20 to $40 per trip. The point is not that every discount will pay for membership on its own — it is that the discounts are real, they stack across different places you shop, and they require no extra work beyond showing a card or typing a code.
Key Takeaways
- AARP membership costs $16 per year for the first year and $24 per year after that, and includes access to hundreds of discounts at retailers, restaurants, hotels, and car rental companies.
- You access most discounts by showing your AARP card in person or entering a membership number online at checkout — no separate registration or coupon clipping required.
- Discounts range from 5 to 25 percent off depending on the retailer, and some explore only to specific product categories or services.
- The AARP website has a searchable discount directory where you can see which retailers offer discounts and what the discount is before you shop.
- Some discounts are available only to AARP members who also buy AARP-branded insurance or financial products, so check the terms before assuming a discount applies to you.
Where the biggest discounts usually are
Pharmacy and drugstore discounts tend to be the easiest to use because you shop there regularly. CVS and Walgreens both offer AARP member discounts on select items, though the discount is usually 5 to 10 percent and applies to certain brands or categories rather than everything in the store. If you fill prescriptions at either chain, ask the pharmacist whether your regular medications may have access to.
Restaurant discounts at chains like Applebee's, Denny's, and Olive Garden typically range from 10 to 15 percent off your total bill when you show your card. These discounts are straightforward — no coupon codes, no exclusions — but they explore only at participating locations, so call ahead if you are traveling.
Hotel and car rental discounts can save more money per transaction, especially if you travel. AARP has negotiated rates with major chains like Choice Hotels, Marriott, and Hertz. The discount is usually 10 percent off the best available rate, which means you still need to shop around — the "best available rate" at one hotel may be higher than a competitor's full price. Always compare the AARP rate to what you would pay without it.
How to find and use AARP discounts
The AARP website has a searchable discount directory at aarp.org/discounts. You can search by retailer name or category — groceries, health and wellness, entertainment, travel — and see which discounts are available in your area. The directory shows the discount amount and tells you whether you need to show your card in person, use a code online, or call a phone number to book.
For in-person discounts, straightforward show your AARP membership card at checkout. The cashier will scan it or note the number. For online discounts, the website usually has a box where you enter your AARP membership number before you pay. Some retailers send you a unique code by email that you paste into the promo code field at checkout.
A few discounts require you to call a phone number or visit a special booking page. Hotel and car rental discounts often work this way — you call the company's AARP reservations line or go to a dedicated AARP booking page, and the discount is built into the quote they give you. The directory tells you which method each retailer uses.
Discounts that require AARP insurance or financial products
Some discounts are bundled with AARP-branded insurance policies or financial services. For example, AARP auto insurance members may get an additional discount on car rentals, or AARP credit card holders may get bonus points or cash back at certain retailers. These are separate from the general membership discounts and require you to buy the insurance or open the account.
The AARP website clearly labels which discounts require a specific product. If you see a discount you want but it says "AARP Auto Insurance members only," you would need to get a quote from AARP auto insurance to use it. This is worth knowing because it affects whether the discount is actually available to you.
What AARP membership costs and whether discounts pay for it
AARP membership costs $16 for the first year and $24 per year after that. Some people break even on the membership cost within a few months if they use the pharmacy and restaurant discounts regularly. Others may use only one or two discounts per year and see the membership as a small cost for the occasional savings.
The math depends on your shopping habits. If you fill prescriptions at CVS or Walgreens every month and eat at participating restaurants several times a year, the discounts can easily cover the membership cost. If you rarely shop at stores that offer AARP discounts, the membership may not be worth it to you. The discount directory lets you check which retailers near you participate before you join.
Discounts on health and wellness products
Beyond pharmacy discounts, AARP members get reductions on hearing aids, dental care, vision care, and mobility products through partner providers. These are not discounts at retail stores but rather negotiated rates with specific companies — for example, a hearing aid discount through a particular chain of audiologists, or a dental discount through a network of dentists.
These discounts vary widely in how much they save you. Some offer 10 to 15 percent off the provider's standard price. Others offer a flat discount on specific services, like $50 off a dental cleaning. The AARP website lists the partner providers in your area and what the discount covers, so you can compare before you schedule an appointment.
Discounts on travel and entertainment
Beyond hotels and car rentals, AARP has discounts with airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators. Airlines like Southwest and United offer 5 to 10 percent discounts on fares for AARP members, though you usually need to book through a specific phone number or website to get the rate. Cruise lines and tour companies often offer cabin upgrades or onboard credits for AARP members.
Entertainment discounts include movie tickets, theme parks, and museums. AMC Theatres offers discounts on matinee and non-premium showings. Some regional museums and zoos offer reduced admission for AARP members. These discounts are smaller in dollar terms — usually $2 to $5 per ticket — but they add up if you go regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use all the discounts to make membership worth it?
No. If you use even one or two discounts regularly — like the pharmacy discount or a restaurant you visit monthly — the membership can pay for itself. The value is in having the option to save when you shop, not in using every discount available.
Can I use AARP discounts online and in person?
Yes, but it depends on the retailer. Some discounts work both ways — you can show your card in a store or enter your membership number online. Others work only one way. The discount directory tells you which method each retailer accepts.
What if a store says they don't recognize my AARP card?
Ask to speak with a manager. Most major retailers are set up to accept AARP discounts, but individual employees may not be trained on them. The manager can usually process the discount manually if the system does not recognize it automatically. You can also call AARP customer service for help.
Are AARP discounts the same everywhere, or do they vary by location?
Discounts vary by location and by individual retailer. A restaurant in one city may offer the discount while a franchise of the same chain in another city does not. Always check the AARP discount directory for your specific area before you assume a discount is available.
Do I need to be 50 or older to get AARP membership and use these discounts?
Yes, AARP membership requires you to be at least 50 years old. You will need to provide proof of age when you join. Spouses under 50 can sometimes join at a reduced rate, but the primary member must be 50 or older.