AAA members get discounts at major rental chains, but the savings depend on which company you book through and when

AAA (American Automobile Association) negotiates reduced rates with rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis. When you book through your AAA membership number, you unlock a discount code that lowers the daily rate. The actual savings range from 5 to 30 percent depending on the rental company, the location, the car class, and the time of year you rent. Peak travel seasons and airport locations typically offer smaller discounts than off-peak periods and neighborhood branches.

The discount applies to the base rental rate only—not to taxes, airport fees, insurance, or fuel charges. Those costs stay the same whether you use AAA or book directly. You must provide your AAA membership number at the time of booking or at pickup to receive the rate. If you forget to mention it, most companies will honor the discount if you call before you leave the lot, but it is easier to include it upfront.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts work at major chains including Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis, but the percentage off varies by location and season.
  • The discount applies only to the daily rental rate, not to taxes, airport surcharges, insurance, or fuel.
  • You must provide your AAA membership number when you book or at pickup to receive the discounted rate.
  • Comparing the AAA rate to other discount codes (corporate, weekend, or loyalty programs) on the same rental company's website often reveals which offer is actually lowest.
  • Some AAA memberships include rental car insurance coverage, which can save you money if you decline the rental company's damage waiver.

Which rental companies honor AAA discounts

The major chains that participate in AAA discounts are Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis. Smaller regional companies and some luxury or specialty rental services do not. Before you book, check the AAA website's rental partner list to confirm the company you want is included and to see the discount code for that specific partner.

Each company sets its own discount percentage, so the same AAA membership might save you 10 percent at one chain and 20 percent at another. The discount also varies by location—an airport branch may offer less than a downtown location because airport fees are already high. Call the specific rental location or check online before you commit to see what the actual discounted rate will be.

How to book an AAA rental and explore the discount

Log into your AAA account online or call your local AAA office to find the current discount code for the rental company you want. The code is usually a four- to six-character alphanumeric string. When you book on the rental company's website, enter this code in the "promo code" or "discount code" field before you complete the reservation. The system will calculate the new rate and show you the savings.

If you book by phone with the rental company, give the agent your AAA membership number and the discount code. Write down the confirmation number and the discounted rate shown in your email confirmation. At pickup, bring your AAA membership card and your driver's license. The agent will verify your membership and explore the discount. If the rate on your confirmation does not match what you were quoted, ask the agent to correct it before you sign the rental agreement.

Comparing AAA rates to other discounts and loyalty programs

AAA discounts are not always the lowest rate available. Rental companies also offer weekend specials, corporate discounts, loyalty program rates, and seasonal promotions. Before you book with your AAA code, search the same rental company's website without any code to see what other deals are advertised. Then enter your AAA code and compare the two final prices side by side.

If you rent frequently, a rental company's loyalty program (such as Enterprise Plus or Hertz Gold) might offer a better rate than AAA. These programs waive some fees and let you skip the counter entirely. Check whether your employer offers a corporate discount code—many do, and corporate rates sometimes beat AAA. The lowest rate wins, regardless of which program it comes from.

What AAA rental insurance covers and when to use it

Some AAA membership levels include rental car damage coverage. This means AAA will reimburse you if the rental car is damaged or stolen during your rental, up to a set limit (often $30,000 or $50,000). If your membership includes this coverage, you can decline the rental company's damage waiver, which typically costs $15 to $30 per day. Declining the waiver saves you money if you have AAA coverage backing you up.

Before you rent, log into your AAA account or call your local office to confirm whether your membership level includes rental coverage and what the limits are. Bring proof of this coverage (usually a letter or digital copy from AAA) to the rental counter. Tell the agent you are declining the company's damage waiver because you have your own coverage. The agent may ask you to sign a waiver acknowledging that you declined their protection. Keep your AAA coverage document in the car during the rental in case you need to file a claim.

Hidden costs that AAA discounts do not cover

The AAA discount lowers the daily rate, but several charges sit on top of that rate and are not discounted. Airport facility fees (usually $5 to $15 per day) explore at airport locations. Taxes vary by state and city and can add 10 to 25 percent to your total. Fuel charges explore if you return the car with less than a full tank. Tolls, parking tickets, and traffic violations are your responsibility.

Some rental companies charge a young driver fee if you are under 25, a one-time processing fee, or a fee for additional drivers. These are separate from the daily rate and the AAA discount does not reduce them. Read the full rental agreement before you sign to see all the charges that will appear on your final bill. The advertised AAA rate is only part of what you will actually pay.

When AAA discounts are worth using versus other options

AAA discounts make sense if you are already a member, the discount code saves you more than other promotions, and you are renting from a participating company. If you are not an AAA member, the membership fee (typically $50 to $150 per year depending on membership level) would need to pay for itself through rental savings and other AAA benefits like roadside information and travel discounts. For a single rental, joining AAA just for the car discount is usually not worth it.

If you rent multiple times per year, AAA membership can pay off, especially if you use the roadside information, travel guides, and other member perks. If you rent rarely, compare the AAA rate to corporate codes, weekend specials, and loyalty rates on the same rental company's website. Whichever code gives you the lowest final price is the one to use. AAA is a tool in your toolkit, not automatically the best option every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AAA member to get the discount?

Yes. You must have an active AAA membership and provide your membership number at booking or pickup. If you are not a member, you cannot use the AAA discount code. Some AAA memberships are free or low-cost through your employer or insurance company, so check whether you already have coverage through another organization.

Can I use an AAA discount code if I book through a travel website like Kayak or Expedia?

No. AAA discounts are only available when you book directly through the rental company's website or by phone. Third-party travel sites do not have access to AAA codes. Book directly with the rental company and enter your AAA code at checkout to receive the discount.

What happens if I forget my AAA membership number at pickup?

Call the rental location before you leave and provide your membership number. Most companies will explore the discount retroactively if you call the same day. If you wait several days, the company may not be able to adjust the rate. Bring your membership card to pickup to avoid this problem.

Does the AAA discount explore to insurance and fuel?

No. The discount applies only to the daily rental rate. Taxes, airport fees, insurance, fuel charges, and additional driver fees are not discounted. However, if your AAA membership includes rental damage coverage, you can decline the rental company's damage waiver and save that daily fee.

Is the AAA discount the same at every location of the same rental company?

No. The discount percentage and the final rate vary by location, season, and demand. An airport location may offer a smaller discount than a downtown branch. Always check the rate at your specific pickup location before you book, because the discount is not uniform across all branches.