If you’re over 50, you know how quickly travel costs can stack up — especially car rentals. One of the most common questions travelers ask is: does Enterprise offer an AARP discount? And which rental companies actually give AARP members a real break? This guide covers everything you need to know to get the best deal.
Does Enterprise Offer an AARP Discount?
No — Enterprise does not have a dedicated AARP discount program. There is no member code or automatic price reduction at checkout just for having an AARP card. Enterprise has no direct AARP partnership and no age-based senior discount program either.
That said, AARP members can still book Enterprise through the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia, where Expedia’s competitive pricing may sometimes beat the direct rate — but there’s no guaranteed AARP-exclusive saving at Enterprise. If you’re set on Enterprise, your best bet is comparing rates across platforms and checking for general promotional codes.
Which Car Rental Companies Offer AARP Discounts?
Only three car rental companies have direct, official AARP partnerships with guaranteed member discounts:
Avis — Up to 35% Off
Avis is one of the strongest AARP partners. Members save up to 35% off base rates when paying at booking (Pay Now), or up to 30% off when paying at the counter (Pay Later). Additional perks include a free one-class upgrade (subject to availability on compact through full-size bookings), one additional driver fee waived, unlimited mileage on most rentals, and a 3% credit toward future rentals. You can book directly through Avis or through the AARP Travel Center.
Budget — Up to 35% Off
Budget offers the same discount structure as Avis: 35% off when you pay at booking, or 30% off when paying at pickup. Perks mirror those at Avis — free upgrade, free additional driver, and a 3% future rental credit. Budget Truck Rental (separate from Budget Car Rental) offers AARP members 10–20% off local or one-way truck rentals.
Payless — 5% Off
Payless offers a more modest 5% off leisure weekly, daily, weekend, and monthly base rates for AARP members. It’s not as dramatic as Avis or Budget, but Payless often has lower base rates to begin with — so it’s worth comparing.
💡 Important: The AARP discount applies only to the base rate — not to taxes, airport surcharges, fees, or add-on insurance. Always check the full price at checkout, not just the advertised rate.
What About Hertz?
This is where a lot of guides get it wrong. Hertz does not have a direct AARP discount. Hertz rentals are bookable through the AARP Travel Center portal for comparison pricing, but there is no AARP-exclusive rate at Hertz.
However, Hertz does have its own independent 50 Plus Program — up to 20% off for drivers age 50 and older — which you can book directly through Hertz. If you prefer Hertz, compare the 50+ direct rate, the AARP Travel Center portal rate, and any seasonal Hertz promotions to find the best deal.
AARP Car Rental Discounts: Company Comparison
| Company | AARP Discount | Max Savings | Key Perks | Loyalty Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis | ✔ Yes (direct) | Up to 35% | Free upgrade, free extra driver, 3% future credit | Avis Preferred |
| Budget | ✔ Yes (direct) | Up to 35% | Free upgrade, free extra driver, 3% future credit | Budget Fastbreak |
| Payless | ✔ Yes (direct) | 5% | Often lower base rates to start | — |
| Enterprise | ✘ No | — | Weekend rates, loyalty points, promo codes | Enterprise Plus |
| Hertz | ⚠ No AARP deal | Up to 20%* | *Via Hertz 50+ Program (independent of AARP) | Gold Plus Rewards |
| National | ✘ No | — | Bookable via AARP Travel Center (no exclusive rate) | Emerald Club |
| Alamo | ✘ No | — | Bookable via AARP Travel Center (no exclusive rate) | Alamo Insiders |
| Thrifty | ⚠ No AARP deal | 5%* | *Via Thrifty Silver Club for age 50+ (independent of AARP) | Blue Chip Rewards |
How to Book an AARP Car Rental Discount
There are two ways to access your AARP car rental savings:
Option 1: Book Through the AARP Travel Center (Powered by Expedia)
| 1 | Go to the AARP Travel Center at expedia-aarp.com/Cars and log in with your AARP membership credentials. |
| 2 | Enter your rental dates, pickup location, and vehicle preferences. |
| 3 | Look for the red “AARP Member Exclusive” badge on results — this confirms the AARP discount is applied. Only Avis, Budget, and Payless will show this badge. |
| 4 | Compare the full price including taxes and fees before booking — not just the base rate. |
| 5 | Complete your reservation. You can also call the AARP Travel Center at 1-800-675-4318. |
Option 2: Book Directly with Avis or Budget
To access the higher 35% Pay Now discount, you need to book directly through Avis or Budget rather than through the AARP Travel Center (which caps the discount at 30%). Visit the Avis or Budget website directly and enter your AARP member number at checkout, or call Avis at 1-800-331-1800 or Budget at 1-800-733-9092.
How to Save on Enterprise Without an AARP Discount
Even without an official AARP deal, there are still solid ways to save at Enterprise:
- Enterprise Plus: Enterprise’s free loyalty program earns points toward free rentals. Worth joining even as a casual renter.
- Weekend Rates: Often significantly cheaper than standard daily rates for short trips.
- Promo Codes: Enterprise regularly runs general-use codes for online bookings — a quick search before checkout can surface current deals.
- Third-Party Sites: Kayak, Priceline, and Hotwire sometimes list Enterprise rates lower than the direct site.
- Off-Airport Locations: Enterprise branches away from airports typically have lower rates and fewer surcharges than airport pickup locations.
- Call Your Local Branch: Local managers sometimes have unadvertised deals or flexibility on pricing, especially for longer rentals.
- AARP Travel Center: You can still book Enterprise through the portal — while there’s no exclusive AARP rate, Expedia’s negotiated pricing may beat the direct rate.
Pay Now vs. Pay Later: Which AARP Discount Is Better?
When booking with Avis or Budget through AARP, you’ll be offered two pricing options:
- Pay Now (35% off): You prepay at booking and lock in the higher discount. Best when your travel plans are firm. On a $400 weekly rental, that 5% gap between Pay Now and Pay Later is worth about $20.
- Pay Later (30% off): You pay at the counter when you pick up the car. Provides flexibility to cancel without penalty at most locations — useful if your plans might change.
If your dates are set, Pay Now wins on savings. If you’re traveling during a season when rates might drop, it can be worth checking both options closer to your rental date before committing.
Tips to Maximize Your AARP Car Rental Savings
- Always compare total price, not just base rate. Taxes, airport fees, and surcharges are not discounted — they can add 30–50% to the base rate at busy airport locations.
- Book early for peak seasons — holidays, summer, and spring break dates fill fast and rates climb.
- Consider off-airport pickup. Enterprise, Avis, and Budget all have city and neighborhood branches that are typically cheaper than airport counters.
- Check if your credit card covers rental insurance. Declining the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) can save $15–$30 per day if your card provides primary coverage.
- Bundle with a hotel or flight through the AARP Travel Center for potential package savings.
- Don’t forget Payless. It’s often overlooked, but lower base rates plus a 5% AARP discount can make it competitive — especially for budget-conscious travelers.
- AARP vs. AAA: If you have both memberships, compare rates — AAA offers up to 30% off at Hertz, which is better than Hertz’s 50+ program and gives you a real alternative to the AARP-only companies.
Browse AARP Car Rental Deals →
Frequently Asked Questions: AARP Car Rental Discounts
Does Enterprise car rental offer an AARP discount?
No. Enterprise has no direct AARP partnership and no age-based senior discount program. AARP members can book Enterprise through the AARP Travel Center portal, but there is no guaranteed AARP-exclusive discount. For the best Enterprise rates, compare across third-party booking sites and look for general promotional codes.
What car rental companies give AARP discounts?
The only three rental companies with official AARP partnerships are Avis (up to 35% off), Budget (up to 35% off), and Payless (5% off). Hertz and Thrifty offer separate senior discount programs for drivers 50 and older, but these are independent of AARP. Enterprise, National, Dollar, and Alamo have no dedicated AARP or senior discount programs.
How do I use my AARP discount on a car rental?
You can book through the AARP Travel Center at expedia-aarp.com/Cars (savings up to 30%) or book directly with Avis or Budget using your AARP member number for up to 35% off when paying at booking. Look for the red “AARP Member Exclusive” badge on the AARP Travel Center to confirm the discount is applied.
Can I stack an AARP car rental discount with other offers or coupons?
Generally no. AARP discounts typically cannot be combined with other promotional offers or coupons. In most cases the AARP rate is the better deal anyway, but it’s worth checking the total price against any available general promotions before booking.
Does the AARP discount apply to taxes and fees?
No. The AARP discount applies only to the base rate — the time and mileage charge. Airport surcharges, concession fees, vehicle license recovery fees, and taxes are added on top and are not discounted. Always review the full price breakdown before completing your booking.
Is it worth joining AARP just for car rental discounts?
AARP membership costs around $12–$16 per year. If you rent a car even once or twice a year, the savings at Avis or Budget alone can easily cover the membership cost — a 35% discount on a $300 rental saves $105. Factor in AARP’s hotel, flight, and restaurant discounts and the membership pays for itself many times over.
Does Hertz offer an AARP discount?
No — Hertz has no direct AARP partnership. However, Hertz does offer its own 50 Plus Program for drivers age 50 and older, with savings of up to 20% off. You can book this directly through Hertz. If you also have AAA membership, AAA offers up to 30% off Hertz rentals, which may be a better option.
Does Budget car rental offer an AARP discount?
Yes — Budget is one of AARP’s official partners. Members save up to 35% off base rates when paying at booking, or 30% when paying at the counter. Additional perks include a free one-class upgrade, one additional driver at no charge, and a 3% credit toward future rentals.
Are there AARP car rental discounts for international travel?
Avis and Budget AARP discounts apply at participating U.S. and Canada locations. Coverage for international destinations varies — check the specific terms on the Avis or Budget website when booking overseas travel, as some locations and countries are excluded.
Does the AARP discount cover an additional driver fee?
Yes — at both Avis and Budget, one additional driver fee is waived for AARP members. This is a meaningful perk since additional driver fees can run $10–$15 per day at most rental companies.
What is the AARP Travel Center?
The AARP Travel Center is AARP’s booking portal powered by Expedia, available at expedia-aarp.com/Cars. It lets AARP members compare and book car rentals, hotels, and flights with AARP member rates automatically applied where available. For car rentals, only Avis, Budget, and Payless show the red “AARP Member Exclusive” badge confirming the AARP discount. Other brands like Enterprise and Hertz are available to browse but do not carry exclusive AARP pricing.
Does Alamo car rental give AARP discounts?
No. Alamo does not have a direct AARP partnership or a senior discount program. Alamo rentals can be compared through the AARP Travel Center portal, but no exclusive AARP discount applies.
Bottom Line: Best AARP Car Rental Discounts
For genuine AARP savings on car rentals, Avis and Budget are the clear winners — both offer up to 35% off base rates when you pay at booking, plus valuable extras like a free upgrade and a free additional driver. Payless is worth checking too, especially if its base rates are lower in your area.
Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Alamo do not have direct AARP partnerships. Enterprise in particular has no senior discount of any kind. If Enterprise is your preference, use the AARP Travel Center to compare their rates alongside Expedia’s pricing, and look for general promo codes to bridge the gap.
As always: compare the full price — not just the headline discount. A 35% discount on a $500 base rate still beats a 20% discount on a $300 one. Do the math, confirm the discount is applied, and make sure the value is real before you book.