AARP members can get discounts at thousands of hotels, but the discount amount and how you claim it varies by chain and booking method

AARP negotiates rates with major hotel chains — including Choice Hotels, Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and others — that are typically 5 to 10 percent below the standard room rate. Some chains offer deeper discounts during slower seasons. The discount is not automatic; you have to identify yourself as an AARP member when you book or check in, and you must show your membership card at the front desk.

The actual savings depend on the hotel's current occupancy and pricing. A 10 percent discount on a $120 room saves you $12 a night. On a $200 room, it saves you $20. The discount does not stack with other promotions — the hotel will offer you either the AARP rate or a sale rate, whichever is lower at that moment. Some chains also offer AARP members bonus points or free breakfast in addition to the room discount.

You do not need to book through AARP's website to get the discount. You can call the hotel directly, book through the chain's website, use a travel site like Expedia or Booking.com, or call a travel agent — as long as you mention your AARP membership and have your card number ready.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts typically range from 5 to 10 percent off the room rate and are available at thousands of hotels nationwide, though the exact discount varies by chain and season.
  • You must identify yourself as an AARP member when you book and show your membership card at check-in; the discount does not explore automatically.
  • The discount does not combine with other promotions, so the hotel will offer whichever rate is lower on the day you book.
  • You can book through any method — the hotel directly, the chain's website, a travel site, or a travel agent — as long as you mention your AARP membership.
  • Some hotels add bonus perks like free breakfast or extra loyalty points to the room discount for AARP members.

Which hotel chains offer AARP discounts

The major chains with AARP agreements include Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion), Marriott (Marriott, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton), Hilton (Hilton, DoubleTree, Hampton), Wyndham (Days Inn, La Quinta, Ramada), and Best Western. Smaller regional chains and independent hotels sometimes offer AARP discounts too, but you have to ask.

AARP's website lists participating hotels by location and chain, though the list is not exhaustive. The easiest way to learn about a specific hotel honors AARP rates is to call the front desk directly and ask, or to mention your membership when you book online and see what rate appears.

Cruise lines and rental car companies also negotiate AARP discounts, but those are separate programs with their own terms. This article covers hotel rooms only.

How to book a room at the AARP rate

Call the hotel's front desk or reservations line and say you are an AARP member. Have your membership number ready — the agent will ask for it. Ask what the AARP rate is for your dates and room type. If you are booking online, look for a field that asks for a membership or discount code; enter your AARP membership number there. Some chains have a dedicated AARP booking page on their website.

If you book through a third-party site like Expedia or Kayak, the AARP discount may not show up in the search results. In that case, book the room at the standard rate, then call the hotel after you have a confirmation number and ask them to adjust your rate to the AARP price. Bring your membership card to check-in so the front desk can verify your status.

Timing matters: book as early as you can, because AARP rates are often limited to a certain number of rooms per night. Once those rooms sell out, the discount is no longer available for that date, even if other rooms remain.

What the discount covers and what it does not

The AARP discount applies to the room rate only. It does not cover taxes, resort fees, parking, or incidentals like minibar charges or late-night room service. Some hotels charge a resort fee ($15 to $40 per night) that is separate from the room rate and is not discounted. Always ask about resort fees and parking charges before you book, because they can add significantly to your final bill.

If the hotel is running a sale or promotion that offers a lower rate than the AARP discount, you will get the sale rate instead. AARP rates do not stack with other discounts. Some hotels offer AARP members free breakfast or late checkout as a bonus, but this varies by property and season.

AARP membership requirements

You must be an AARP member to receive the discount. AARP membership is open to people age 50 and older. Your membership card is your proof of status. If you do not have your card with you at check-in, the hotel may not honor the rate, so bring it or have a photo of it on your phone.

If you are not yet an AARP member but plan to travel soon, you can join online or by phone. Membership costs vary depending on the membership tier and any current promotions. New members often receive a discount on their first year's membership.

Comparing AARP rates to other booking methods

AARP discounts are competitive but not always the lowest rate available. On any given night, a hotel might offer a lower rate through a flash sale, a loyalty program, or a third-party booking site. Before you book at the AARP rate, check what the same room costs on the hotel's website, on Kayak or Google Hotels, and through your credit card's travel portal if you have one. A few minutes of comparison can save you more than the AARP discount would.

If you are a frequent guest at a particular chain, your loyalty program status might earn you a better rate or more valuable perks (like free room upgrades or late checkout) than AARP membership offers. Loyalty members also accumulate points toward free nights, which AARP discounts do not provide.

The real value of AARP discounts is consistency: you know you will get 5 to 10 percent off at thousands of hotels without having to hunt for a sale or meet a spending threshold. For occasional travelers, that predictability is worth more than chasing the lowest possible rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be staying alone to get the AARP discount?

No. The discount applies to the room rate regardless of how many people stay in it. One person or four people in the same room pay the same discounted rate. Some hotels limit the number of guests per room type, but that is a separate policy from the AARP discount.

Can I use an AARP discount if someone else's name is on the reservation?

The person checking in must be an AARP member and must show their card. If your spouse or adult child made the reservation under their name but you are the AARP member, you will need to be present at check-in with your card. Call the hotel ahead of time to explain the situation and ask how they prefer to handle it.

What if the hotel says they do not have AARP rates available for my dates?

AARP rates are limited to a certain number of rooms per night, and they sell out during peak travel seasons. If the discount is not available for your dates, ask the front desk when they expect availability to open up, or try different dates nearby. You can also call back a few days before your trip to see if rooms have opened up.

Do AARP discounts work for group bookings or corporate travel?

AARP discounts are for individual bookings only. Group rates and corporate rates are separate programs with their own pricing. If you are booking for a group, contact the hotel's group sales department directly rather than using the AARP rate.

Can I combine an AARP discount with my hotel loyalty points or credit card benefits?

You can earn loyalty points on a room booked at the AARP rate, but you cannot combine the AARP discount with another discount. If your credit card offers a hotel discount or cash back, you will have to choose between that benefit and the AARP rate — the hotel will explore whichever is lower.