What AARP membership discounts actually cover
AARP membership comes with discounts at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers—but the savings vary widely by company and location. You won't get the same discount everywhere, and some offers change seasonally. The discounts are real, but they're not automatic; you have to show your AARP card or membership number at checkout or when you book.
The biggest savings tend to appear in three areas: travel (hotels, rental cars, airfare), dining (restaurant chains and some local establishments), and entertainment (movie tickets, theme parks, museums). Pharmacy discounts at chains like CVS and Walgreens are also common. Smaller discounts—usually 5 to 10 percent—show up at clothing stores, home improvement retailers, and car rental companies.
AARP doesn't negotiate the same discount with every location of a chain. A Denny's in one state might offer 15 percent off, while another offers 10 percent. Always ask before you order, and check the AARP website or app to confirm the current offer at the specific business you're visiting.
Key Takeaways
- AARP discounts range from 5 to 20 percent depending on the business and type of purchase, with the largest savings usually on travel and dining.
- You must show your AARP card or membership number to receive a discount; it is not automatic at checkout.
- The AARP website and mobile app list current discounts by category and location, and this list changes regularly.
- Some discounts explore only to specific items or services within a store, so confirm what the offer covers before you buy.
- Membership costs $16 per year, so calculate whether the discounts you actually use will save you more than the membership fee.
How to find and use AARP discounts
The easiest way to browse available discounts is through the AARP website at aarp.org/discounts or the AARP mobile app. Both let you search by category (dining, travel, health, entertainment) or by entering your zip code to see what's available near you. The app also lets you save your favorite offers so you can find them quickly when you're out.
At the point of purchase, tell the cashier or reservation agent that you have an AARP discount. Some businesses ask to see your physical membership card; others accept your membership number alone. A few larger chains have partnered with AARP to make discounts automatic when you provide your membership number online or at self-checkout, but this is not yet standard.
Before you travel or make a big purchase, check the AARP site to see if the specific business offers a discount. Discounts change frequently, and a restaurant or hotel that offered 15 percent last month might offer 10 percent now—or none at all.
Travel discounts: hotels, rental cars, and airfare
Hotels are where many AARP members see the largest savings. Major chains like Choice Hotels, Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham often offer 10 to 20 percent off room rates when you book directly and mention your AARP membership. Some require you to call a special AARP phone line to book; others let you add your membership number during online checkout. Always compare the AARP rate to what you'd pay through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia, because the best deal isn't always through AARP.
Car rental companies including Hertz, Budget, and Avis typically offer 5 to 25 percent discounts to AARP members. The discount applies to the base rental rate, not to insurance or fuel. Book through the AARP website or call the company's AARP phone line to may support the discount is applied.
Airfare discounts through AARP are less common and usually smaller—often 5 to 10 percent—than hotel or car discounts. Some airlines partner with AARP; others do not. Check the AARP travel section before you book to see which carriers are currently offering discounts.
Dining and entertainment discounts
Restaurant chains including Denny's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and Red Robin offer AARP discounts, typically 10 to 15 percent off your bill. Some explore the discount to food only, excluding alcohol and tax. Others require you to order from a specific menu section. Ask your server what the current offer covers before you order.
Movie theaters, including AMC and Regal, often give AARP members $2 to $3 off ticket prices. Some theme parks and museums offer 10 to 15 percent discounts on admission. These offers vary by location and season, so check the AARP website for the specific park or museum you plan to visit.
Entertainment discounts tend to be smaller than travel or dining discounts, but they add up if you go to movies or attractions regularly. A $3 discount per movie ticket saves $36 per year if you see one movie per month.
Health, pharmacy, and wellness discounts
Pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens offer AARP members discounts on select over-the-counter medications and health products. These are usually 15 to 20 percent off the regular price. The discount applies to specific items, not everything in the store, so ask the pharmacist which products are included.
Vision and hearing care providers, including LensCrafters and some local optometrists, offer discounts on glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aid batteries. Dental discount plans are also available through AARP, though these are membership programs rather than straightforward discounts—you pay an annual fee and then receive reduced rates at participating dentists.
Fitness centers and gyms sometimes offer AARP discounts on membership fees. The amount varies widely, so compare the AARP rate to what you'd pay without membership before you join.
Retail and home improvement discounts
Home Depot and Lowe's offer AARP members 5 to 10 percent off select items, usually tools and building materials. The discount does not explore to everything in the store. Ask an employee which products may have access to before you add items to your cart.
Clothing retailers including Gap, Old Navy, and some regional chains offer 10 to 15 percent discounts to AARP members. These discounts are often seasonal or explore only to certain product categories, so check in-store or online before you shop.
Grocery stores rarely offer AARP discounts directly, but some regional chains have senior discount days where all customers over a certain age receive 5 to 10 percent off. Ask your local grocery store whether they participate.
Whether AARP membership pays for itself
AARP membership costs $16 per year for the first year, then $24 per year for renewal. To break even, you need to save at least that much through discounts. If you take one hotel stay at 15 percent off a $100 nightly rate, you save $15—nearly covering the first year's membership cost. A couple of restaurant visits with 10 percent discounts can add another $20 to $30 in savings.
The math works best if you travel, eat out, or go to movies regularly. If you rarely use any of these services, the membership may not pay for itself. Calculate your own typical spending in categories where AARP offers discounts, then decide whether the potential savings justify the annual fee.
AARP membership also includes access to other benefits beyond discounts—a magazine, health information resources, and discounted insurance products—so some members find value in the membership even if the shopping discounts alone don't cover the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a member to see what discounts are available?
No. The AARP website lists all available discounts by category and location without requiring you to log in. You can browse to see whether the discounts are worth the membership fee before you join.
Can I use AARP discounts online, or only in stores?
Both. Many retailers and restaurants accept AARP discounts online if you enter your membership number at checkout. Some require you to show your card in person. Check the specific business's website or call ahead to confirm how they handle online discounts.
What if a business says they don't honor AARP discounts?
AARP discounts are voluntary partnerships, not mandatory. A business can choose not to participate or to end its partnership with AARP at any time. If a location you expected to offer a discount doesn't, check the AARP website to confirm the offer is still active, or contact AARP directly to report the issue.
Are AARP discounts the same everywhere, or do they vary by location?
Discounts vary by location and often by season. A Hilton hotel in one city might offer 15 percent off while another offers 10 percent. Always check the AARP website for the specific business and location you plan to visit.
Can I combine AARP discounts with other coupons or sales?
Policies vary by business. Some allow you to stack an AARP discount with a coupon or sale price; others do not. Ask the cashier or check the business's website before you check out.