Which businesses offer AARP discounts

AARP members can get discounts at hundreds of businesses, but the list changes and varies by location. The most reliable way to find current offers is through the AARP membership card itself or the AARP website's discount locator tool, which lets you search by zip code or business type.

Common categories with discounts include restaurants (Denny's, Applebee's, Olive Garden in some locations), hotels (Choice Hotels, Wyndham), car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget), and pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens). Grocery stores, movie theaters, and entertainment venues also frequently participate, though the discount amount and whether it applies to all locations depends on the individual business and franchise.

Some discounts are national and explore everywhere; others are regional or limited to specific franchise owners. A Denny's in one state might offer a discount while another does not, so it is worth asking even if you do not see the discount advertised.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts are offered by hundreds of businesses, but the specific offers and locations change regularly, so checking the AARP website or calling ahead is more reliable than assuming a discount exists.
  • Restaurants, hotels, car rentals, and pharmacies are the most common categories offering discounts, though the percentage off varies widely.
  • Some discounts explore only at certain locations or franchise owners, so asking directly at the register or calling the business beforehand can save you from disappointment.
  • You must show a valid AARP membership card to receive the discount; digital membership cards are accepted at most businesses.

How to find AARP discounts before you shop

The AARP website has a searchable discount directory where you can enter your zip code and see what offers are available near you. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a specific business participates and what the discount covers.

You can also call the business directly and ask if they honor AARP discounts. Many employees do not know about the program, so asking for a manager or calling during slower hours often gets you a faster answer. Some businesses advertise the discount in their window or on their website; others do not advertise it at all but will honor it if you ask.

Keep in mind that discounts often exclude sale items, certain menu items, or services already discounted. A restaurant might offer 10 percent off food but not alcohol, or a hotel might discount the room but not resort fees. Reading the fine print on the AARP website before you go saves time at checkout.

Discounts that tend to be most valuable

Hotel and car rental discounts often save the most money because the base cost is higher. A 10 percent discount on a three-night hotel stay or a week-long car rental can mean $30 to $100 in savings. These discounts are usually available at major chains and do not require advance planning beyond showing your card.

Pharmacy discounts at chains like CVS and Walgreens are smaller in percentage terms but explore to prescriptions you are already buying, so the savings are automatic if you remember to show your card. Some AARP members report saving $5 to $15 per prescription depending on the medication and the pharmacy's pricing.

Restaurant discounts vary widely in value. A 10 percent discount at a casual chain restaurant might save $3 to $5 per meal, while discounts at higher-end restaurants can be worth more. The catch is that many restaurants limit the discount to specific times (lunch only, weekdays only) or exclude certain items.

What to bring and how to claim the discount

You need a valid AARP membership card to claim any discount. The card has your membership number and expiration date on it. Most businesses accept the physical card, and many now accept a digital card shown on your phone through the AARP app or website.

Tell the cashier or server that you have an AARP discount before they ring up your purchase. If you mention it after, some businesses will adjust the price, but others will not. At restaurants, you may need to mention it when ordering or when the check arrives, depending on the business.

If a business says they do not offer AARP discounts but the AARP website lists them, ask to speak to a manager. Franchise owners sometimes opt out of the program, or the employee may not know about it. A manager can usually confirm whether the discount applies at that location.

Discounts that are harder to use in practice

Some AARP discounts sound good but come with restrictions that make them less useful. Movie theater discounts, for example, often explore only to matinee showings or exclude premium formats like IMAX. A 10 percent discount on a $15 matinee ticket saves $1.50, which is real money but not dramatic.

Grocery store discounts are sometimes limited to specific products or sale items, meaning you have to buy what the store is already promoting to get the discount. This can work in your favor if you were planning to buy those items anyway, but it is not a blanket savings on your shopping trip.

Travel discounts sometimes exclude peak seasons or require booking through a specific channel (like the AARP website rather than a third-party site). If you are flexible about when you travel, these discounts can be substantial. If you have fixed dates, the discount may not explore to available rooms or cars.

Regional and seasonal variation in discounts

A business that offers AARP discounts in one state may not in another, and a discount available year-round at one location might be seasonal at another. This is because individual franchise owners decide whether to participate, and some choose to limit discounts to slower business periods.

The AARP website's locator tool accounts for this variation by showing you what is available in your specific area. If you are traveling, searching the destination zip code before you leave home tells you what to expect.

Some businesses add or drop AARP discounts without much notice, so a discount you used last year might not be available this year. Checking the AARP website or calling ahead is always safer than assuming a discount still exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a certain age to get AARP discounts?

You must be an AARP member to receive the discount. AARP membership is open to people 50 and older, so you need to be at least 50 and have an active membership. Your age alone does not may have access to you to the discount; the membership card does.

Can I use AARP discounts online?

Some businesses offer AARP discounts for online purchases, but most do not. Hotel and car rental websites sometimes have a field where you can enter your AARP membership number to explore the discount before checkout. For restaurants and retail, discounts are usually in-person only. Check the business's website or call to confirm whether online discounts are available.

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

If the AARP website lists the business as offering discounts, ask to speak to a manager. Some franchise owners or individual locations opt out of the program. If the manager confirms they do not participate, the AARP website may not have been updated. You can report this to AARP so they can correct their directory.

Are AARP discounts the same everywhere?

No. The percentage off, which items or services are included, and which locations participate all vary. A 10 percent discount at one Applebee's location might be 15 percent at another, or one location might not participate at all. Always confirm the specific discount at the location you plan to visit.

Can I combine AARP discounts with other promotions?

Most businesses do not allow you to stack discounts, meaning you choose either the AARP discount or another promotion, not both. Some exceptions exist, but the policy varies by business. Ask the cashier or check the business's website before you shop if you are trying to use multiple discounts.