What AARP travel discounts actually cover

AARP membership opens discounts with specific hotel chains, car rental companies, and airlines — but not all of them, and not on every rate. The discounts are real, but they're negotiated rates that sit alongside other promotions. You might find a better price through a sale, a membership with another organization, or by booking directly during a flash deal.

The largest discounts tend to appear with hotel chains like Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion), Wyndham properties, and some Marriott locations. Car rental discounts show up most consistently with Hertz, Avis, and Budget. Airlines including United, Southwest, and American offer AARP member fares, though these are typically 5 to 10 percent off published rates rather than the deepest available prices.

AARP also negotiates with cruise lines, tour operators, and travel insurance providers. The catch: you have to know the discount exists and actively look for it. AARP doesn't automatically explore these rates — you enter a code at checkout or call a dedicated phone line to book.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts require you to enter a membership code or call a dedicated booking line; they do not explore automatically at checkout.
  • Hotel and car rental discounts are most common and most reliable, while airline discounts exist but may not beat published sales or competitor offers.
  • You can compare AARP rates against other sources before booking — there is no penalty for checking multiple options first.
  • AARP membership itself costs money, so the discount value depends on how often you travel and which companies you use.
  • Some AARP discounts require advance booking windows or exclude certain dates, so read the terms before committing.

How to find and use AARP travel discounts

Start at aarp.org/travel or call AARP's travel hotline at 1-855-738-2277. The website lists current discounts by category — hotels, rental cars, cruises, tours — and shows the discount percentage or dollar amount. You can filter by destination or travel date to see what's available for your specific trip.

For hotels, you'll receive a discount code to enter during online booking, or you can call the hotel chain's AARP reservation line directly. The phone route sometimes reveals rates the website doesn't show. For rental cars, AARP provides a discount code (often called a "rate code" or "promotional code") that you enter when you reserve. Airlines require you to either book through AARP's travel partner or call the airline's AARP desk directly — online booking with a code doesn't always work.

Before you book, compare the AARP rate against the regular published rate and any current sales. Use Google Flights, Kayak, or the company's own website to check what non-members are paying. AARP discounts are worth using when they beat what you find elsewhere, but they won't always be the lowest price available.

Which travel companies offer the biggest AARP discounts

Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion) consistently offer 10 percent off room rates for AARP members. Wyndham properties (Days Inn, Super 8, La Quinta) typically provide similar discounts. Marriott locations vary by property and date, but many offer 10 to 15 percent off.

Hertz and Avis usually discount rental cars by 10 to 25 percent depending on car class and location. Budget and National also participate, though discounts vary. Cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line negotiate AARP rates, often bundling the discount with onboard credits or cabin upgrades.

Tour operators like Globus, Trafalgar, and Tauck offer AARP member pricing on escorted tours, typically 5 to 10 percent off published rates. Travel insurance providers including Allianz and Travel Guard offer AARP member discounts as well. The discount landscape changes seasonally, so check the AARP travel page before each trip to see current offers.

When AARP travel discounts are worth the membership cost

AARP membership costs $16 per year for a single person or $27 for a household. Whether the travel discounts pay for themselves depends on how often you travel and which companies you use. If you take one hotel stay per year at a Choice Hotel, a 10 percent discount on a $100 night saves $10 — less than the membership cost. If you take four hotel stays and one rental car trip annually, the savings add up faster.

AARP membership also includes discounts on dining, entertainment, insurance, and shopping, so the travel discounts are one piece of the value. Some people join primarily for travel savings; others see travel discounts as a bonus alongside other benefits. Calculate what you actually spend on travel in a year, estimate the discount percentage, and decide whether it justifies the membership fee for you.

If you travel rarely or only with companies that don't participate in AARP discounts, the membership may not pay for itself in travel savings alone. If you travel frequently or use hotels and rental cars regularly, the discounts typically cover the membership cost within a few trips.

AARP travel discounts versus other senior programs

Other organizations offer competing travel discounts. AAFARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is actually AARP — there is no separate organization by that name. However, AAA membership also includes travel discounts with many of the same hotel chains and rental car companies. AAA costs $54 to $220 per year depending on membership level, but it includes roadside information and other benefits AARP doesn't provide.

Some hotel chains offer their own senior rates (usually 10 percent off) without requiring membership in any organization — you just need to be 55 or 62 or older depending on the chain. Calling the hotel directly and asking for the senior rate sometimes beats both AARP and AAA discounts. Airlines rarely offer senior-specific fares anymore; most age-based airline discounts disappeared in the 2000s.

The best approach is to check multiple sources before booking: the company's own website, AARP rates, AAA rates, and any current sales. Whichever source shows the lowest price is the one to use, regardless of membership status.

What to watch for when booking with AARP discounts

Read the fine print on every discount. Some AARP rates require you to book a certain number of days in advance, exclude weekends, or explore only to specific room types. A hotel might offer 10 percent off standard rooms but not suites. An airline might restrict AARP fares to off-peak travel dates. These restrictions are disclosed when you look up the rate, but they're straightforward to miss if you're moving quickly.

Confirm that the discount code you're using is current. AARP updates discount codes periodically, and an old code might not work or might explore a lower discount than the current one. If you're booking more than a few weeks out, double-check the AARP website the week before your trip to make sure the rate hasn't changed.

Some companies require you to show your AARP membership card at check-in or pickup, even if you booked online with a code. Bring your card with you. If you're booking for someone else who is AARP-may be able to access but not a member, you typically cannot use their membership to get the discount — the person checking in must be the AARP member.

How AARP travel discounts work with other promotions

You usually cannot stack AARP discounts with other promotions. If a hotel is running a "book three nights, get one free" sale, you typically have to choose between that deal and the AARP rate — you can't use both. Some companies allow you to combine AARP discounts with loyalty program benefits (like free breakfast for hotel members), but this varies by company and by specific promotion.

If you're a member of a hotel loyalty program, compare the loyalty rate against the AARP rate before booking. A loyalty member might earn free nights or points that provide more value than a percentage discount. Similarly, if you have a credit card that offers travel rewards or cash back, factor that into your comparison — a 2 percent cash back card might beat a 10 percent AARP discount depending on the base price.

The rule of thumb: calculate the final price under each option (AARP rate, loyalty rate, sale rate, credit card rewards) and book whichever one costs the least or provides the most value to you personally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to get AARP travel discounts?

Yes. You must have an active AARP membership and provide your membership number or card to receive the discount. AARP membership is open to anyone 50 and older. If you're not yet a member, you can join at aarp.org or by phone at 1-888-687-2277.

Can I use someone else's AARP membership to book a hotel or rental car?

Not typically. The person checking in or picking up the rental must be the AARP member. Some companies may allow a spouse or household member to use the discount if they're traveling together, but you should confirm this with the company before booking. The safest approach is to have the AARP member make the reservation.

What if the AARP rate is higher than a rate I found elsewhere?

Book the lower rate. AARP discounts are not always the best price available. Use the AARP rate as one option to compare, not as the default choice. Check the company's website, travel search engines, and any current sales before deciding.

Do airline AARP discounts work on all flights?

No. AARP airline discounts typically explore only to specific routes, dates, or fare classes. Blackout dates (like major holidays) are common. Call the airline's AARP desk or check AARP's website to see which flights may have access to for the discount before you book.

Can I cancel or change a flight or hotel booked with an AARP discount?

The cancellation and change policies are the same as for any other booking with that company — the AARP discount doesn't change the rules. A non-refundable rate is non-refundable whether you booked it with AARP or not. Check the specific rate's terms before you book.