What AARP Travel Offers and How It Works

AARP offers travel discounts through partnerships with hotels, car rental companies, airlines, and tour operators. These are negotiated rates available to AARP members — you don't get a separate membership or card for travel specifically. You show your AARP membership card or membership number when you book or check in, and the discount applies. The discounts vary by partner and change seasonally, so what's available in January may differ in July.

AARP does not operate its own hotels, rental car fleet, or airlines. Instead, it negotiates rates with existing companies. This means you're booking directly with the hotel or rental company, using their website or phone line, and mentioning your AARP membership to unlock the rate. Some partners require you to book through AARP's travel portal to get the discount; others honor it anywhere you book.

AARP also publishes a travel magazine and maintains a website with destination guides, trip planning articles, and links to partner discounts. This is informational content, not a booking service — you still make the actual reservation yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP travel discounts come from hotel chains, rental car companies, and airlines that have negotiated rates with AARP, not from AARP itself operating travel services.
  • You must be an AARP member to use these discounts, and you show your membership card or number at booking or check-in.
  • Some discounts require booking through AARP's travel portal, while others work when you book directly with the company and mention AARP membership.
  • Discount amounts and which partners participate change throughout the year, so checking AARP's current travel page before booking tells you what's actually available.
  • AARP travel content includes destination guides and trip planning articles, but you handle your own reservations — AARP does not book trips for you.

How to Find and Use AARP Travel Discounts

Start at AARP.com/travel. This page lists current hotel, car rental, and airline partners with their discount codes or booking instructions. Some partners show the discount percentage upfront; others show it only after you enter your membership number. Read the terms for each partner, because the booking method varies.

For hotels, you may see a code to enter at checkout, or you may need to call the hotel directly and mention AARP. Major chains like Choice Hotels, Wyndham, and Best Western have standing AARP rates. For car rentals, Hertz, Avis, and Budget all offer AARP discounts — again, check whether to book online with a code or call to get the rate.

Airlines including United, American, and Southwest offer AARP member fares, though these are usually modest discounts (often $10 to $20 off) and may not beat sales prices available to anyone. Check the AARP travel page for current airline partners and their booking instructions.

Always compare the AARP rate against other discounts you might have — AAA membership, senior rates from the company itself, or a sale price available to the general public. The AARP rate is not always the lowest, and it's your responsibility to shop around.

AARP Travel Tours and Group Trips

AARP partners with tour operators to offer group trips and escorted tours. These are pre-planned itineraries with a guide, transportation, and some meals included. AARP does not run these tours itself; it partners with companies like Collette, Globus, and Trafalgar, which handle the logistics.

These tours are marketed to AARP members and often include an AARP member discount on top of the tour price. You book directly with the tour operator, not through AARP. The operator handles your flights, hotels, meals, and guide — you show up at the departure point.

Tour prices vary widely depending on destination, length, and what's included. A week-long domestic tour might run $1,500 to $3,000 per person; international tours are typically higher. Read the fine print about what meals, activities, and transportation are included, because "all-inclusive" means different things to different operators.

Travel Insurance and Medical Coverage Abroad

AARP offers travel insurance products through partner insurance companies. These policies cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, emergency medical care while traveling, and evacuation if you become seriously ill or injured abroad. AARP does not underwrite the insurance itself — it markets policies from companies like Allianz and Generali.

Travel insurance is optional and costs extra. A week-long trip for someone in their 60s might cost $50 to $150 for basic coverage, depending on the trip cost and your age. Read the policy details carefully, because coverage limits, exclusions, and what counts as a "pre-existing condition" vary by policy.

If you have Medicare, understand that it does not cover medical care outside the United States except in very limited circumstances. Travel insurance that includes emergency medical coverage is important if you're traveling internationally. Check whether your homeowner's or credit card insurance covers travel; some cards include trip cancellation or lost luggage coverage automatically.

AARP Travel Resources and Planning Guides

AARP publishes destination guides, articles about traveling with chronic conditions, tips for traveling on a budget, and information about traveling solo or with grandchildren. These appear on AARP.com and in AARP Magazine. They are informational — they help you plan, but they don't book anything for you.

The website includes guides to popular destinations like national parks, European cities, and cruise ports. Articles cover topics like "traveling with arthritis," "flying with medications," and "budget travel for retirees." These are written by travel journalists and AARP staff, not generated by AI.

AARP also maintains a section on travel safety, including information about travel scams, health precautions in different countries, and what documents you need for international travel. This is educational content meant to help you plan safely, not a substitute for checking your passport expiration date or consulting your doctor before traveling.

Cruise Discounts and Partnerships

AARP has partnerships with cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian. These partnerships offer member discounts on cruise fares, onboard credits, or cabin upgrades. The discount amount varies by cruise line and sailing date.

To use a cruise discount, you typically book through the cruise line's website or call their reservations line and mention your AARP membership number. Some cruise lines require you to book through AARP's travel portal. Check the specific cruise line's terms before booking.

Cruise discounts are often modest — sometimes $50 to $200 off a week-long cruise, or a shipboard credit of $50 to $100. Compare against any sale prices the cruise line is running, because a general sale often beats the AARP rate. Also ask whether the cruise line offers a senior rate separate from AARP; some do, and you can use whichever is lower.

What AARP Travel Does Not Cover

AARP does not book your flights, hotels, or tours for you. You make the reservation yourself, either online or by phone, and provide your membership number to get the discount. If something goes wrong with your reservation — a hotel loses your booking, a flight is cancelled, a tour operator goes out of business — you work with the hotel, airline, or tour operator to resolve it, not with AARP.

AARP does not provide travel visas, passport services, or travel documents. You handle those through the U.S. State Department or the relevant country's embassy. AARP's website includes information about what documents you need, but it doesn't process them.

AARP travel discounts are not available to non-members. If you're not an AARP member, you don't get access to these rates. AARP membership itself costs money — currently $16 per year for a single membership — so factor that into whether the travel discounts save you money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be 50 to use AARP travel discounts?

Yes. AARP membership requires you to be 50 or older. If you're under 50, you cannot join AARP and therefore cannot use AARP travel discounts. Some hotels and rental car companies offer senior discounts to people 55 or 60 and up without AARP membership; check directly with the company.

Can I book an AARP tour if I'm traveling alone?

Yes. AARP-partnered tours accept solo travelers. Some tours charge a single supplement — an extra fee because you're occupying a room alone — but many do not. Check the tour operator's policy before booking. Group tours are often a good option for solo travelers because you have a guide and travel with other people.

What if the AARP discount is less than a sale price I found?

Use the sale price. AARP discounts are not may provide to be the lowest rate available. Always compare the AARP rate against other discounts, sales, and rates available to the general public. You're responsible for shopping around.

Does AARP travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Most AARP travel insurance policies exclude or limit coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Read the policy details before buying. Some policies waive the pre-existing condition exclusion if you buy within a certain number of days of your initial trip deposit, so timing matters.

Can I use my AARP discount if I book through a travel agent?

It depends on the partner. Some AARP discounts require you to book directly with the hotel, airline, or rental company. Others work when a travel agent books for you, as long as you provide your membership number. Ask the travel agent to confirm the discount applies before they finalize your reservation.