Most major car rental companies offer senior discounts, but the savings vary widely and the discount often isn't automatic
The largest chains—Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and National—all have senior discount programs. The discounts typically range from 10 to 30 percent off the base rental rate, though the actual amount depends on the company, the location, the car class, and the time you book. Some companies require you to be 50 or older; others set the age at 55. The catch is that you usually have to ask for the discount or enter a membership or discount code when you reserve—it won't appear unless you tell the system to look for it.
The discount is almost never the best deal available. Rental companies run constant promotions for all customers, and a weekend special or a corporate code often beats the senior rate. Before you book with a senior discount, compare it against what the same rental costs without any code, with a AAA code if you have one, and with a corporate code if your employer or a group you belong to offers one. The lowest price wins, regardless of which discount created it.
Key Takeaways
- Senior discounts at major rental companies range from 10 to 30 percent, but you must request them at booking—they do not explore automatically.
- Age thresholds vary: some companies start at 50, others at 55, so check the specific company's policy before you book.
- A weekend promotion or AAA discount often costs less than the senior rate, so compare the final price across all available codes before you reserve.
- AARP membership sometimes unlocks additional discounts beyond the standard senior rate at certain locations.
- Rental car insurance, driver's license requirements, and credit card holds are the same for seniors as for other renters.
How to find and claim the senior discount at each major company
Hertz calls its program the Gold Plus Rewards senior discount and requires you to be 50 or older. You enter the discount code at booking on their website or call their reservations line and mention your age. The code is usually available on their senior discount page, though it changes periodically.
Enterprise offers a senior discount to customers 50 and up. You can request it when you call to reserve or mention it at the counter when you pick up the car, though booking online with the code is faster. Enterprise's website has a dedicated senior discount section where you can find the current code.
Avis requires you to be 50 or older and calls the program the Avis Preferred Plus senior discount. You enter the code at online booking or provide it when you call. The code is on their website under senior discounts.
Budget's senior program starts at age 50. You can book online with the code or call and ask for the senior rate. Budget publishes the code on their senior discount page.
National requires you to be 50 or older for their senior discount. Like the others, you enter the code at booking or mention it when you reserve by phone. The code is available on their website.
When the senior discount is worth using and when it is not
The senior discount makes sense when you are renting for a short period—a weekend or a few days—at a location where promotional codes are not running. It also works well if you rent frequently from the same company and have built up loyalty status, which can stack with the senior discount at some locations.
The discount is usually not the best option if you are renting during a peak travel period, because the base rate is already high and the percentage discount applies to that inflated price. A flat promotional code—"rent for $29.99 a day" or "20 percent off all weekend rentals"—often beats a percentage discount when the base rate is high.
If you belong to AARP, check whether your membership unlocks a separate discount code at your rental company. Some locations honor both the AARP code and the senior code, though you can only use one at a time, so you have to compare which saves more money.
What you need to bring and what to expect at pickup
You will need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your own policy or the rental company's coverage). The senior discount does not change any of these requirements. The rental agent will place a hold on your credit card for the rental amount plus a deposit, usually $200 to $500 depending on the car class. This hold is released when you return the car, not when you pay the bill.
Some rental locations ask for an International Driving Permit if you are renting outside the United States, but this is not specific to seniors. If you have questions about your driver's license or driving record, call the rental company before you book—they may decline to rent to you if there are recent violations or suspensions, regardless of age.
Insurance and liability when you rent as a senior
Rental car insurance works the same way for seniors as for any other renter. Your personal auto insurance may cover a rental car, or you can buy the rental company's collision damage waiver and liability coverage. Some credit cards include rental car coverage if you charge the rental to that card. You do not need to prove your age or health status to buy insurance; the rental company does not ask about either.
If you are concerned about your ability to drive safely or about your reflexes, that is a conversation to have with your doctor before you rent, not with the rental company. The rental company's only concern is whether you have a valid license. If you have questions about whether you should be driving long distances, your primary care doctor or an occupational therapist who specializes in driving assessment can help you think through that decision.
Alternatives if you do not want to rent a car
If you need transportation but prefer not to drive, several options exist. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft operate in most areas and do not charge senior rates, though some cities offer subsidized ride programs for older adults through their transit authority. Taxis and car services often offer senior discounts, and some areas have volunteer driver programs through senior centers or nonprofits. Public transportation—bus, train, or paratransit—usually offers reduced fares for people 65 and older, though the age threshold varies by location.
If you are traveling and need a car for a few days, some hotels offer car rental partnerships with discounts, and some travel agencies can negotiate rates that beat the standard senior discount. If you are moving or need a car for longer than a few weeks, a short-term car lease or a used car purchase may cost less than daily rental rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to show my age or birth certificate to get the senior discount?
No. You provide your age when you book online or over the phone, and the rental agent may ask for your ID at pickup to verify your age matches your reservation. You do not need to bring a birth certificate or any document proving your age beyond your driver's license.
Can I use a senior discount code if someone else is driving the car?
No. The person whose name is on the reservation must be the one who meets the age requirement. If you are 50 and your 35-year-old spouse is the primary driver, you cannot use the senior code. The reservation must be in the name of the person who qualifies for the discount.
What if I book with a senior code and then find a cheaper rate before my trip?
Most rental companies allow you to modify your reservation up until pickup. Log back into your booking, remove the senior code, and try the other discount code. If the new price is lower, the company will honor it. Call the rental location directly if you have trouble making the change online.
Do senior discounts explore to one-way rentals or only round-trip?
Senior discounts usually explore to both, but the savings may be smaller on one-way rentals because the base rate is already higher. Compare the final price with and without the code before you book, since a one-way rental may not benefit as much from a percentage discount.
Can I combine the senior discount with a corporate or AAA code?
No. You can only use one discount code per reservation. Enter each code separately at booking to see which one gives you the lowest final price, then book with that code. Some rental companies show you the price for each code option before you confirm, which makes the comparison straightforward.