What you get with AARP membership discounts

AARP membership comes with discounts at specific retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers — but the offers change and vary by location. You do not automatically receive every discount listed; instead, you show your AARP card or membership number at checkout or when booking. The discounts are real negotiated rates, not coupons or codes you hunt for online.

The most commonly used discounts tend to be at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, rental car companies like Hertz and Avis, and hotel chains like Choice Hotels and Wyndham. Restaurants including Denny's, Applebee's, and Outback Steakhouse offer percentage discounts on meals. Some discounts explore to groceries, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and prescription medications — categories that matter most to your budget.

Membership also includes access to AARP's website tools: a discount finder that shows what is available in your zip code, a travel planner that bundles hotel and car rental rates, and a pharmacy price comparison tool. These tools do not require you to use them — you can walk into a store with your card instead — but they let you see what savings exist before you shop.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts are offered by specific chains and local businesses, and you show your membership card or number to receive them at the time of purchase.
  • The discounts available to you depend on your location and change throughout the year, so checking the AARP website or calling 1-888-687-2277 tells you what is current in your area.
  • Major discounts typically appear at drugstores, rental cars, hotels, and restaurants, though smaller local businesses sometimes offer them too.
  • AARP membership costs $16 per year for the first year and $24 per year after that, and the membership card itself is your proof of discount may be able to access.

How to find discounts near you

The fastest way to see what discounts are available is to visit the AARP website's discount finder at aarp.org/discounts. Enter your zip code and the type of discount you are looking for — groceries, restaurants, hotels, or a specific store name. The tool shows you current offers, the discount amount, and whether you need to present your card in person or use a code online.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, call AARP at 1-888-687-2277. A representative can tell you which discounts are active in your area and how to use them. This is especially useful if you are planning a trip and want to know which hotel chains or rental car companies offer the best rates before you book.

Local AARP chapters sometimes negotiate additional discounts with nearby businesses — restaurants, medical offices, or services — that do not appear on the national list. Calling your local chapter or checking their website can uncover these regional offers.

Discounts at pharmacies and health services

CVS and Walgreens both offer AARP member discounts on most over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and health supplies. The discount is typically 10 to 15 percent and applies automatically when you show your card at checkout. You do not need a coupon or code — the cashier scans your membership number.

Some AARP members also receive discounts on prescription medications through mail-order pharmacies or through AARP's own pharmacy partner. These discounts vary depending on your insurance and the specific medication, so it is worth asking your pharmacist whether an AARP rate is available when you fill a prescription.

Hearing aid retailers and eyeglass chains including LensCrafters and Pearle Vision offer AARP discounts on exams, frames, and lenses. Dental discount plans are also available through AARP, though these work differently — you pay an annual membership fee to a dental network and receive reduced rates at participating dentists rather than a percentage off at checkout.

Travel discounts on hotels and rental cars

Hotel chains including Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn), Wyndham, and Best Western offer 10 to 20 percent discounts to AARP members. You book directly through the hotel's website or by phone and mention your AARP membership, or you book through AARP's travel portal, which bundles the discount with other offers. The discount applies to the room rate only, not taxes or resort fees.

Rental car companies Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise all have AARP rates that are typically 10 to 30 percent below standard rates. You reserve through the company's website using your AARP membership number, or you call their AARP reservation line. The discount is may provide at pickup as long as you provide your membership number when you book.

Cruise lines including Disney Cruise Line and some Royal Caribbean sailings offer AARP member rates. These discounts are less consistent than hotel or car rental rates and change by sailing date and destination, so checking directly with the cruise line or through AARP's travel site is necessary to see current offers.

Restaurant and entertainment discounts

Casual dining chains including Denny's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and Red Robin offer discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent off meals when you show your AARP card. The discount typically applies to your food bill but not alcohol or tax. Some restaurants limit the discount to specific times of day or days of the week, so ask your server or check the AARP discount finder before you order.

Movie theaters, including some AMC and Regal locations, offer discounted ticket prices to AARP members. The discount is usually $2 to $3 off a regular ticket. Not every theater participates, so call ahead or check the AARP website to confirm your local cinema honors the discount.

Entertainment venues including some zoos, museums, and theme parks offer reduced admission to AARP members. These discounts vary widely by location and season. The AARP discount finder will show you what is available in your area, or you can call the venue directly and ask whether they offer an AARP rate.

Membership cost and how to join

AARP membership costs $16 for your first year and $24 per year after that. You can join online at aarp.org, by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or by mail. You must be 50 years old or older to join. When you join, you receive a membership card in the mail within two to three weeks, and you can start using your membership number for discounts when ready online or by phone.

AARP membership also includes a magazine, access to online resources about health and financial planning, and discounts on AARP's own products like insurance and investment services. The discounts described in this guide are separate from those products and do not require you to purchase them.

If you are not sure whether the discounts are worth the annual cost, you can check the AARP website's discount finder for your zip code before you join. This shows you what discounts are available in your area and helps you decide whether the savings match your spending habits.

What discounts do not include

AARP discounts are negotiated rates at participating businesses only. They do not stack with other coupons or promotions at most retailers — you typically choose either the AARP discount or a store coupon, not both. Some businesses exclude sale items or clearance merchandise from the AARP discount.

Online shopping at major retailers like Amazon does not include AARP discounts, though some AARP-affiliated shopping portals offer cash back on online purchases. These are separate programs and require you to shop through the AARP portal rather than going directly to the retailer's website.

Discounts at local businesses are not may provide. A restaurant or service provider may have offered an AARP discount in the past but stopped, or may not advertise it. Always ask whether an AARP discount is available before you assume one exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my AARP card in person, or can I use a code online?

It depends on the business. Some retailers let you enter a code at checkout on their website; others require you to show your physical card in the store. The AARP discount finder tells you which method applies to each offer. If you do not see the option online, call the store or visit in person with your card.

Can I use AARP discounts if I have a different membership card, like a AAA card?

No. You must show your AARP membership card or provide your AARP membership number. Most businesses do not combine discounts from different membership programs, so you choose one or the other.

What if a store says they do not honor AARP discounts?

Some franchises or individual locations may not participate even though the chain is listed as offering AARP rates. Ask the manager whether they accept AARP discounts, or contact AARP at 1-888-687-2277 to report the issue. You can also check the AARP website to see whether that specific location is listed as a participating retailer.

Do AARP discounts explore to sale or clearance items?

Usually not. Most retailers exclude sale merchandise from AARP discounts, though some allow the discount on clearance items. Ask the cashier or check the specific offer on the AARP website before you assume the discount applies to a marked-down price.

Can I cancel my membership if I do not use the discounts?

Yes. AARP offers a 30-day money-back may provide if you are not satisfied with your membership. After that, you can cancel anytime by calling 1-888-687-2277 or logging into your account online. You will not be charged for the following year if you cancel before your renewal date.