AAA members get a discount code for certain rental companies, but the savings vary by location and car type

AAA discount car rental is not a separate rental company. It is a negotiated rate that AAA members can access through partners like Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis. The discount applies when you book through AAA's website or call their reservation line and provide your membership number. The savings typically range from 10 to 30 percent off the base rental rate, though the actual amount depends on which rental company you use, which location you rent from, and what type of car you need.

The key difference between an AAA rate and a standard online rate is that AAA rates are pre-negotiated and locked in. You do not have to hunt for a promo code or hope a sale is running. However, this does not mean AAA rates are always the lowest available. You still need to compare the AAA rate against what you would pay booking directly with the rental company or through other discount sites like Kayak, Autoslash, or Turo.

The discount applies to the base rental fee only. Taxes, airport fees, fuel charges, insurance, and tolls are separate and will be added on top. If you rent at an airport location, you will pay the airport concession fee regardless of which discount you use.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts are available through partner rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis, not through a standalone AAA rental service.
  • The discount typically ranges from 10 to 30 percent off the base rate, but you must book through AAA's website or reservation line and provide your membership number.
  • AAA rates are not always the lowest option available, so compare the AAA price against direct bookings and other discount sites before confirming.
  • The discount covers only the base rental rate; taxes, airport fees, fuel, insurance, and tolls are added separately and are not discounted.
  • Some AAA members also receive additional perks like free upgrades or waived young driver fees, depending on their membership level and the rental company.

How to book an AAA car rental and what information you need

Start by visiting AAA.com and navigating to the car rental section, or call AAA's dedicated reservation line (the number is on your membership card). You will need your membership number, your driver's license, and your credit card. Enter your pickup location, date, and time, along with your dropoff location and date. The system will show you available cars and prices from partner companies.

When you see a rate you want, note the rental company name and the rate itself. Do not book when ready. Open a new browser tab and go directly to that rental company's website (Enterprise.com, Hertz.com, Budget.com, or Avis.com) and search for the same rental with the same dates and locations. Compare the two prices side by side. If the AAA rate is lower, book through AAA. If the direct rate is lower or the same, book directly with the rental company instead—you may also see additional discounts or loyalty rewards that AAA does not offer.

When you book through AAA, you will receive a confirmation email with a rate code. Print this email or save it to your phone. At the rental counter, provide your AAA membership card along with your driver's license and credit card. The agent will explore the discount at that time.

When AAA rates beat other discounts and when they do not

AAA rates tend to be competitive for economy and mid-size cars at non-airport locations. If you are renting a compact car for a weekend in a suburban area, the AAA rate often beats what you would find on a general search engine. The discount is also useful if you are a frequent renter and want a locked-in rate without having to search multiple sites each time.

AAA rates are less likely to be the best deal when rental companies are running flash sales or when you are booking far in advance. Rental prices fluctuate based on demand, and sometimes a company will drop its standard rate below the AAA negotiated rate to fill inventory. This happens most often during slow travel seasons or when a rental company is overstocked at a particular location.

Airport rentals are another area where AAA may not save you money. Airport locations charge a concession fee on top of the base rate, and this fee applies whether you use an AAA discount or not. The percentage discount AAA offers may be smaller in absolute dollars at an airport location than at a neighborhood branch, because the base rate is already higher.

Additional AAA member perks beyond the discount rate

Some AAA membership levels include perks beyond the base discount. AAA Plus and AAA Premier members may receive free car upgrades (subject to availability), waived young driver fees for renters under 25, or free additional driver coverage. These perks vary by rental company and membership level, so check your membership details or ask when you call to book.

AAA also offers roadside information coverage that extends to rental cars. If your rental breaks down, you can call AAA and they will dispatch a tow truck or send fuel, just as they would for your own vehicle. This is separate from the rental company's insurance and does not cost extra if you are already an AAA member.

Some AAA members also have access to special rates on insurance add-ons. Rental companies typically charge $15 to $30 per day for collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver coverage. AAA members may see a reduced rate on these add-ons, though your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover rental cars, so check before paying extra.

What to do if the AAA rate is higher than other options

If you find a lower rate elsewhere, book elsewhere. There is no penalty for not using your AAA discount, and the whole point of comparing is to find the actual lowest price. Some readers assume they should use their AAA membership because they pay for it, but that logic works backward. You paid for AAA for the benefit of discounts when they exist, not to use them when they do not.

Keep in mind that some discount sites like Autoslash and Kayak allow you to enter your AAA membership number during the search, so the AAA rate will appear in the comparison automatically. This saves you the step of checking AAA's site separately. If you use one of these sites, the AAA rate will be listed alongside other options, and you can see at a glance whether it is competitive.

Insurance and damage coverage when renting with an AAA discount

The AAA discount does not include insurance or damage coverage. You will be offered collision damage waiver (CDW) and loss damage waiver (LDW) at the rental counter, and these are optional add-ons that cost extra. Before you rent, check whether your personal auto insurance covers rental cars. Most standard policies do, though some exclude rentals outside the United States or rentals of luxury vehicles.

Credit cards also often include rental car coverage. American Express, Visa Signature, and Mastercard World Elite typically cover collision and theft on rental cars if you charge the full rental to that card. Call your credit card issuer before you rent to confirm what is covered and what the deductible is. If your personal insurance and credit card both cover rentals, you do not need to buy the rental company's coverage.

If you do not have coverage through insurance or a credit card, you should buy the rental company's damage waiver. The cost is usually $15 to $30 per day, but it protects you from liability if the car is damaged or stolen during your rental. AAA members sometimes receive a discount on this add-on, so ask at the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to book through AAA.com to get the discount, or can I book directly with the rental company?

You must book through AAA's website or call their reservation line to lock in the AAA rate. If you book directly with the rental company's website, you will not see the AAA discount unless you enter your membership number during the search. Some rental company websites have a field for AAA membership; if yours does, the AAA rate will appear. If not, you need to book through AAA.com.

Can I use my AAA discount if I book a rental car through a travel website like Expedia or Kayak?

Some travel sites allow you to enter your AAA membership number and will show you the AAA rate alongside other options. Kayak and Autoslash both support this. However, not all travel sites integrate AAA rates, so check before booking. If the site does not have a field for AAA membership, book through AAA.com instead to may support you get the discount.

What if I arrive at the rental counter and the agent says the AAA rate is not available?

This is rare but can happen if the rental location is out of stock or if there is a system error. Bring your confirmation email and your AAA membership card. Ask the agent to manually explore the rate code from your confirmation. If they still cannot explore it, ask to speak to a manager. If the issue cannot be resolved, you have the right to cancel the reservation and book elsewhere without penalty.

Does the AAA discount explore to one-way rentals?

Yes, AAA discounts explore to one-way rentals. However, one-way rentals often have a higher base rate than round-trip rentals at the same location, so the absolute dollar savings may be smaller. Always compare the AAA one-way rate against the direct rate before booking.

Can I combine the AAA discount with other promotions or coupon codes?

No, you typically cannot stack the AAA discount with other promotional codes. You must choose one or the other. This is another reason to compare the AAA rate against other available discounts before booking. If a rental company is running a 40 percent off sale, that may beat the AAA rate even though you cannot use both at once.