What AARP travel discounts actually cover

AARP membership includes discounts on hotels, rental cars, airfare, cruises, and vacation packages through partnerships with major travel companies. The discounts are not automatic — you have to find them, book through the right channel, and show your AARP card or membership number at checkout. The amount you save varies by company, time of year, and how far ahead you book.

Most discounts range from 5 to 15 percent off standard rates, though some promotions go higher. Hotels like Choice Hotels, Wyndham, and Best Western offer the deepest cuts. Car rental companies including Hertz, Budget, and Avis have standing AARP rates. Airlines and cruise lines run seasonal promotions that change monthly, so the same trip booked in March might cost less than the same trip in April.

The discounts explore only if you book through AARP's travel portal or use the specific AARP code or rate code the company provides. Booking the same hotel on a general travel site like Expedia will not trigger the AARP rate, even if you are a member.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP travel discounts require you to book through AARP's website or use a specific AARP code — booking elsewhere will not give you the discount even if you are a member.
  • Hotels, rental cars, and some airlines offer the most consistent discounts, typically 5 to 15 percent off, though cruise lines and vacation packages run seasonal promotions.
  • You must show your AARP card or membership number at the time of booking or check-in to receive the discount.
  • AARP's travel partners change their rates and promotions monthly, so the same booking may cost different amounts depending on when you search.

How to find AARP travel discounts online

Start at aarp.org/travel, which is AARP's main travel portal. From there you can search hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. The site shows you the AARP rate alongside the standard rate so you can see the savings before you commit.

For hotels, you can also call the hotel's main reservation line and ask for the AARP rate by name. Many hotel chains recognize AARP codes without requiring you to book online. Have your membership number ready. For rental cars, call the company directly or use their website and enter the AARP code (usually something like AARP or a five-digit number the company assigns).

Cruise lines and tour operators often advertise AARP discounts in direct mail or email if you are on their list. Check your email for promotions from cruise companies you have shown interest in. Airlines rarely advertise AARP rates prominently, but some offer them during off-peak travel periods — call the airline directly and ask whether an AARP discount is available for your dates.

Hotels and rental cars: where the biggest discounts are

Hotel chains offer the most reliable AARP discounts because they have standing agreements with AARP. Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion), Wyndham (Days Inn, La Quinta, Ramada), and Best Western consistently offer 10 to 15 percent off. Marriott, Hilton, and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) offer smaller discounts, usually 5 to 10 percent, and sometimes only during specific promotions.

To book a hotel at the AARP rate, go to aarp.org/travel, enter your destination and dates, and the AARP rate will appear in the results. If you prefer to call, have your membership number ready and ask specifically for the AARP rate — do not just ask for a senior discount, which may be different and sometimes smaller.

Rental car companies (Hertz, Budget, Avis, Enterprise, National) all have AARP codes. The discounts are usually 5 to 10 percent off the base rate, though they do not always explore to promotional rates. Book online using the AARP code, or call and provide it when you reserve. At pickup, show your AARP card.

Cruises, airlines, and vacation packages

Cruise lines run AARP promotions that change seasonally. Cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line periodically offer AARP members onboard credits (money to spend on the ship) or cabin discounts. These are not always advertised on the main website — you may need to call the cruise line directly and ask what AARP promotions are current.

Airlines do not advertise AARP discounts as heavily as they once did, and most major carriers no longer have standing senior rates. Southwest, however, still offers reduced fares for passengers 65 and older (not specifically AARP members, but the discount is available to AARP members who may have access to by age). Call the airline or check their website for senior fares.

Vacation packages and tour operators sometimes bundle AARP discounts with group travel. Companies like Globus, Tauck, and Collette offer AARP member discounts on escorted tours. These discounts are usually 5 to 10 percent and are advertised on their websites or through AARP's travel portal.

What you need to bring and show

At the time of booking, you will need your AARP membership number. This is a nine-digit number on your membership card. Some websites ask for it during checkout; others ask you to enter it at the hotel or rental car counter.

When you arrive at the hotel or rental car location, bring your physical AARP card or a digital copy on your phone. Staff will ask to see it to confirm you are an AARP member before they honor the rate. If you booked online and the rate was already applied, you may not need to show the card, but it is safer to have it with you.

For cruises and vacation packages, the company will usually ask for your membership number when you book and may mail you a confirmation that includes it. Bring that confirmation and your AARP card on the day of travel.

How AARP travel discounts compare to other senior discounts

AARP discounts are not always the lowest price available. Many hotels offer discounts to anyone 62 or older, regardless of AARP membership. Some offer discounts to AAA members that are equal to or better than AARP rates. Booking directly with a hotel and asking for a senior discount (without mentioning AARP) sometimes yields a better rate than the advertised AARP rate.

Before you book, compare the AARP rate to the senior rate and the AAA rate (if you have AAA membership). Use a general travel site like Google Hotels or Kayak to see what the lowest available rate is, then compare that to what AARP is showing. The AARP rate is often competitive but not always the best deal.

Rental car companies sometimes offer better rates to AAA members or through membership programs like Costco Travel. Check multiple sources before you commit, especially for longer rentals where a 5 percent difference adds up.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you must be at least 50 years old to join AARP and therefore to use AARP travel discounts. If you are under 50, you cannot access these discounts through AARP, though you may may have access to for other senior discounts at age 62 or 65 depending on the company.

Can I use an AARP discount if someone else booked the hotel for me?

It depends on how the booking was made. If the hotel was booked under your name using an AARP code or rate, you can show your card at check-in and the rate will explore. If someone else booked it under their name without using an AARP code, you cannot add the discount after the fact. The booking must be in your name and must have used the AARP rate at the time of reservation.

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

Book the lower rate. AARP discounts are not may provide to be the lowest available. Always compare the AARP rate to what you find on general travel sites and through other discount programs before you book. The lowest price wins, regardless of where it comes from.

Do AARP travel discounts work internationally?

Some do, some do not. Major hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton honor AARP rates at many international locations, but not all. Rental car companies vary by country. Before you book international travel, contact the hotel or rental company directly and ask whether they honor AARP rates at your specific destination.

Can I stack an AARP discount with other promotions?

Usually not. Most hotels and rental car companies require you to choose one discount — either the AARP rate or a promotional rate, but not both. Read the terms of any promotion before you book to see whether it can be combined with AARP membership discounts.