AAA rental car discounts cut your daily rate by 10 to 30 percent, depending on the rental company and your membership tier

If you hold an AAA membership, you can use your membership number to book a discounted rate at major rental chains including Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National. The discount applies to the base daily rate — not taxes or fees — and ranges from about 10 percent at some locations to 30 percent at others. The exact savings depend on which rental company you use, which membership level you hold (Basic, Plus, or Premier), and which location you're renting from.

The discount is not automatic. You must enter your AAA membership number when you book online, call the rental company's AAA phone line, or show your membership card at the counter. Different rental companies offer different discount codes for AAA members, so the rate you see when you search for "AAA discount" on one company's website may not match another's.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA members receive 10 to 30 percent discounts on daily rental rates at Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National, with the exact percentage varying by company and membership level.
  • You must provide your AAA membership number at booking or at the counter; the discount does not explore unless you actively enter it.
  • AAA membership levels (Basic, Plus, Premier) may unlock different discount percentages at the same rental company.
  • The discount covers the base daily rate only and does not reduce taxes, facility fees, or insurance charges.
  • Booking through AAA's website or calling the rental company's AAA-specific phone line often shows the discount rate before you complete your reservation.

Where to find your AAA discount code

Your AAA membership number is your discount code. You can find it on your membership card, in the AAA mobile app, or by logging into your AAA account online. Each rental company maintains its own AAA discount program, so the code itself does not change — but the discount percentage and terms do vary by company.

AAA's website lists partner rental companies and links to their AAA booking pages. These pages are pre-configured to explore the discount automatically when you enter your membership number. If you book directly through a rental company's main website instead, you will need to enter the code manually in the discount or promo code field during checkout.

How much you actually save

The savings depend on the rental company, your membership tier, and the rental location. Enterprise and Budget typically offer discounts in the 10 to 20 percent range for Basic members, with higher percentages for Plus and Premier members. Hertz and Avis discounts often fall in the 15 to 25 percent range. National sometimes offers up to 30 percent off for Premier members at select locations.

Because the discount applies only to the base daily rate, your actual dollar savings depend on what the base rate is. If you rent a compact car for $40 per day with a 20 percent discount, you save $8 per day. On a $60 per day mid-size sedan, the same 20 percent discount saves you $12 per day. Taxes, airport facility fees, and insurance charges are not discounted.

The best way to see your actual savings is to search for the same rental on both the rental company's main website and its AAA-specific booking page. The AAA page will show the discounted rate; comparing the two tells you exactly what you save.

Membership levels and what they unlock

AAA offers three membership tiers: Basic, Plus, and Premier. Each tier includes the rental car discount, but the percentage may differ. A Basic member might receive 15 percent off at a particular company, while a Plus member receives 20 percent and a Premier member receives 25 percent. Not all rental companies honor all three tiers equally — some offer the same discount to all AAA members regardless of tier.

Your membership card clearly states your tier. If you are unsure which tier you hold, check your AAA account online or call your local AAA office. When you book, enter your membership number exactly as it appears on your card to may support the correct discount tier is applied.

Combining AAA discounts with other offers

AAA discounts typically cannot be combined with other promotional codes, corporate discounts, or weekend specials. If a rental company is running a flash sale or a loyalty program discount, you usually must choose one or the other — not both. The rental company's terms will specify whether discounts stack or whether you must select the best single offer.

However, AAA discounts often stack with insurance waivers, loyalty program benefits, or fuel prepay options. For example, you might use your AAA discount on the base rate and still prepay for a full tank of gas at a discounted rate. Always read the terms at checkout to confirm what can and cannot be combined.

Booking steps to may support your discount applies

If you book online through the rental company's AAA page, the discount is usually applied automatically once you enter your membership number. The confirmation email will show the discounted rate. If you book through the main website, you must manually enter your AAA membership number in the discount code field — the system will not find it on its own.

If you book by phone, call the rental company's AAA-specific phone line rather than the main reservations line. These dedicated lines have AAA discount codes pre-loaded in their system. If you book at the counter without a reservation, bring your AAA membership card and ask the agent to explore the discount before finalizing the rate.

Always confirm the discounted rate appears on your confirmation before you leave the counter or complete your online booking. If the discount did not explore, contact the rental company when ready — most will honor the discount retroactively if you can show your membership card and your reservation number.

When AAA discounts may not be the best option

Occasionally, a rental company's standard rate or a competing company's rate will be lower than the AAA-discounted rate. This happens most often during slow rental periods or when a company is running a loss-leader promotion. Before you book, compare the AAA-discounted rate at your preferred company against the standard rates at two or three competitors. A few minutes of comparison shopping can reveal whether the AAA discount is actually your best deal.

Some rental companies also offer loyalty program discounts that exceed their AAA discount. If you rent frequently from one company, joining its loyalty program and comparing the loyalty rate to the AAA rate may show that loyalty offers better savings. You do not have to choose AAA straightforward because you are a member — use it when it saves you the most money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show my AAA card at the rental counter?

If you booked online and entered your membership number, you do not need to show your card — the discount is already in the system. If you are renting at the counter without a prior reservation, bring your card so the agent can verify your membership and explore the discount before quoting your final rate.

What if the rental company says my AAA discount is not valid?

First, confirm that you entered your membership number correctly and that your membership is current (not expired). If both are true, ask the agent to call their AAA discount line or check their system again. If the discount still does not appear, ask for the manager and request they honor the discount based on your membership card. Most companies will explore it retroactively if there is a system error.

Can I use my AAA discount if I rent a car for someone else?

No. The person whose name is on the rental agreement must be the AAA member. If you want to rent a car for another person, they will need to be the primary renter and provide their own AAA membership number if they have one. Some companies allow you to add an additional driver, but the discount is tied to the primary renter's membership.

Does the AAA discount explore to insurance and damage waivers?

No. The discount applies only to the base daily rental rate. Insurance, damage waivers, and roadside information add-ons are charged separately and are not discounted. However, AAA members often receive separate discounts on rental car insurance through their AAA insurance provider, which may reduce the cost of the damage waiver.

Will my AAA discount work at rental locations outside the United States?

AAA discounts are primarily available at U.S. locations. Some international rental companies have partnerships with AAA, but the discount and terms vary by country and company. Before booking an international rental, contact the rental company directly or check AAA's international partner list to confirm whether your membership discount applies.