What you actually get for the membership fee

AARP membership costs $16 per year for the first year, then $12 per year after that. For that money, you receive a magazine, access to their website, and the ability to join group discount programs. You do not get automatic discounts at stores or restaurants—instead, you get the right to show an AARP card at places that have chosen to partner with AARP. Not every business participates, and discounts vary widely.

The real value depends on which discounts you actually use. If you never eat at a restaurant that offers an AARP discount, or never rent a car, or never stay at a hotel in their network, the membership fee is money spent on a magazine you may not read. If you use several discounts regularly, the fee can pay for itself in a month or two.

AARP also offers group rates on car insurance, travel insurance, and supplemental health insurance. These are not automatic discounts—you still get a quote and pay the full premium. The group rate may be lower than what you would find shopping on your own, or it may not be. You have to compare.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 the first year and $12 per year after, and the value depends entirely on which discounts you actually use.
  • Discounts are only available at businesses that have partnered with AARP, so you need to check whether your regular restaurants, hotels, or rental car companies participate.
  • Group insurance rates through AARP may be lower than shopping on your own, but you should compare quotes before assuming you are getting a deal.
  • AARP's magazine and website content are included, but many people find the same information free elsewhere online.
  • The membership is month-to-month in terms of value—if you stop using discounts, you can cancel without penalty.

Where AARP discounts actually show up

Hotels and rental car companies are the most common places to find working AARP discounts. Major chains like Choice Hotels, Marriott, Hertz, and Budget often honor AARP rates, though the discount is usually 5 to 10 percent and sometimes requires booking through AARP's website rather than calling the hotel directly. You have to check the specific location—a franchise owner may not participate even if the chain does.

Restaurants rarely offer AARP discounts anymore. A few regional chains and independent restaurants still do, but the days of automatic senior discounts at chain restaurants have largely passed. Before you assume a restaurant participates, call ahead or ask at the register.

Movie theaters, museums, and entertainment venues sometimes offer discounts, but many have their own senior pricing that is separate from AARP. Again, you need to verify. Some pharmacies and eyeglasses retailers offer small discounts, usually 10 to 15 percent on certain items.

AARP also negotiates group rates on car insurance, homeowners insurance, and travel insurance. These are not discounts you show a card to receive—instead, you call an AARP-affiliated insurance company, get a quote, and see whether it beats what you found shopping on your own. Many people do find lower rates this way, but some do not.

How to figure out if membership pays for itself

Start by listing the places where you spend money regularly: your favorite hotel chain, your rental car company, restaurants you visit, movie theaters, pharmacies. Then visit AARP.com and search their discount directory for each one. Write down which ones participate and what the discount is.

Next, estimate how often you use each service and what the discount would save you per year. If you rent a car twice a year and save $20 each time, that is $40 per year. If you stay in a hotel four times a year and save $15 per night for two nights, that is $120 per year. Add them up.

If your total savings come to more than $16 in the first year, the membership pays for itself. If they come to more than $12 in years after that, it remains worth keeping. If your estimated savings are less than that, you are paying for the magazine and website access, which you may or may not value.

Be honest about whether you will actually use the discounts. Many people buy AARP membership with good intentions and then never remember to ask for the discount or never book through the AARP website when they should. If you are the type to forget, the membership is less likely to pay off.

Insurance rates and what to compare

AARP offers group rates on several types of insurance through partner companies. For car insurance, AARP partners with The Hartford and Nationwide. For homeowners insurance, they work with several regional carriers. For travel insurance and supplemental health insurance, they have other partners.

The group rate is sometimes lower than what you would find shopping on your own, but not always. Insurance companies price based on your age, driving record, home value, and location—the AARP group rate is just one factor. You might get a better rate from a different company entirely, or you might get the same rate without AARP.

Before signing up for AARP to get an insurance quote, get quotes from at least two other companies first. Then call the AARP-affiliated insurer and compare. If the AARP rate is genuinely lower, great—but do not assume it will be. Many people find that AARP insurance rates are competitive but not exceptional.

What AARP membership does not include

AARP membership does not include Medicare coverage, prescription drug discounts, or health insurance. AARP publishes information about Medicare and offers some supplemental insurance, but the membership itself is not health coverage.

AARP does not negotiate Medicare rates or help you enroll in Medicare—that is handled by Medicare directly. AARP does publish guides about Medicare and offers a helpline, but these are informational services, not enrollment services.

AARP membership also does not include legal services, financial planning, or tax preparation, though AARP publishes information on these topics and sometimes offers group rates on paid services. Again, you are paying for the membership card and the discounts attached to it, not for professional services.

When AARP membership makes the most sense

AARP membership is most worth it if you travel frequently, rent cars regularly, or stay in hotels often. Business travelers and people who take multiple vacations per year often save enough on hotel and car rental discounts to justify the cost many times over.

It is also worth considering if you are shopping for car insurance and willing to get a quote from an AARP-affiliated company. If you find a lower rate, the membership pays for itself when ready.

AARP membership is least worth it if you do not travel, do not rent cars, do not eat out much, and already have car insurance you are happy with. In that case, you are paying for a magazine and website access that you can find free elsewhere.

The membership is not a long-term commitment—you can cancel at any time, and AARP does not require you to stay a member for a minimum period. If you join for a year and find you are not using the discounts, you can straightforward let it lapse.

How to cancel if you change your mind

You can cancel your AARP membership by calling 1-888-687-2277 or by logging into your account on AARP.com and managing your membership settings. You do not need a reason to cancel, and you will not be charged for the following year if you cancel before your renewal date.

If you were charged for a renewal and then decided you did not want the membership, AARP offers a 30-day money-back may provide. Contact them within 30 days of your renewal charge and request a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a certain age to join AARP?

You must be 50 or older to join AARP. If you are younger than 50, you are not may be able to access for membership. Some employers and organizations offer group discounts to younger family members of AARP members, but individual membership requires you to be 50 or older.

Can I get an AARP discount without showing my card?

Most discounts require you to show your AARP card or provide your membership number at the time of purchase. Some online discounts require you to book through AARP's website or use a special code. You cannot usually claim a discount after the fact by showing your card later.

Does AARP membership help with Medicare enrollment?

AARP publishes information about Medicare and offers a helpline to answer questions, but the membership itself does not help you enroll. You enroll in Medicare directly through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. AARP can explain your options, but Medicare handles the actual enrollment.

What if I find a better car insurance rate without AARP?

Then you should take the better rate. AARP membership is not required to get a good insurance deal, and many people find lower rates by shopping with multiple companies. Use AARP as one option among several, not as your only place to look.

Can I share my AARP membership with my spouse?

AARP membership is individual, but you can purchase a joint membership for two people in the same household for a slightly higher fee. Each person gets their own card and membership number. Check AARP.com for current joint membership pricing.