AAA membership gives you discounts at most major car rental chains, but the savings vary by location, rental length, and which company you book through

AAA members receive negotiated rates at Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, among others. The discount is not a flat percentage — it depends on the base rate for that specific car, date, and location. A one-day rental in a major city might save you 10 to 15 percent, while a week-long rental in a smaller market could save less or more. The discount applies only when you book using your AAA membership number and sometimes a specific discount code provided by AAA.

The rental company sets the discounted rate in advance. You do not negotiate it at the counter. When you enter your AAA number during booking, the system shows you the AAA rate alongside the standard rate. If the AAA rate is not lower than what you would pay without membership, the system typically shows the standard rate instead. This means you should always compare the AAA rate to the non-member rate before confirming your reservation.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts are available at major chains including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National, but the percentage off varies by location and rental dates.
  • You must enter your AAA membership number and sometimes a discount code during online booking to see the discounted rate.
  • The discount is built into the quoted price — you do not claim it at the rental counter or need to show anything beyond your membership card.
  • Comparing the AAA rate to the standard rate before booking is the only way to know whether you are actually saving money on that specific rental.
  • Some AAA memberships include additional protections like primary rental car coverage, which may reduce what you pay out of pocket if the car is damaged.

Which rental companies honor AAA discounts

The major chains that participate in AAA discounts are Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Alamo. Smaller or regional companies may also offer AAA rates, but you will need to check their website or call to confirm. The discount is not universal — a company that offers AAA rates in one state might not in another, and some locations within a chain may have different policies.

Enterprise and National are owned by the same parent company and often have the same or very similar AAA rates. Avis and Budget are also under common ownership. Hertz operates independently. Each company sets its own discount percentage and terms, so the savings at Avis might differ from the savings at Hertz for the same rental dates and vehicle class.

How to find and book an AAA car rental discount

The most direct route is to visit the rental company's website and enter your AAA membership number in the discount or promo code field during booking. Most companies have a dedicated AAA booking page or a field labeled "AAA member" or "discount code." You can also call the rental company's phone line and provide your membership number to an agent, who will quote you the AAA rate.

AAA's own website often has links to partner rental companies with pre-filled discount codes. Logging into your AAA account and clicking the "Travel" or "Discounts" section will show available rental partners and sometimes direct booking links. These links sometimes auto-populate your membership number, saving you a step. However, you should still compare the quoted price to what you would pay without the discount, because the system does not always show the lowest available rate.

When you book online, the AAA rate should appear before you complete payment. If it does not, you may have entered your membership number incorrectly, or the company may not offer AAA rates for that specific rental. Call the company's customer service line with your membership number to confirm whether a discount is available for your dates and location.

What the discount actually covers and what it does not

The AAA discount applies to the base rental rate — the daily or weekly charge for the vehicle itself. It does not cover taxes, airport fees, fuel charges, or insurance. If you rent at an airport, the airport concession fee (usually 10 to 15 percent of the rental cost) still applies on top of the discounted rate. If you decline the rental company's insurance and purchase your own through AAA or your credit card, that cost is separate from the rental rate.

Some AAA memberships include primary rental car coverage, which means AAA's insurance covers damage to the rental vehicle before the rental company's insurance does. This can reduce your out-of-pocket cost if the car is damaged, but it does not reduce the rental rate itself. Check your specific AAA membership level to see whether rental car coverage is included — not all tiers offer it.

Fuel, tolls, and parking charges are never discounted. If you rent a car with a full tank and return it empty, you pay the rental company's fuel surcharge, which is typically higher than the local gas station price. Some rental companies offer a pre-purchase fuel option at a discounted per-gallon rate, but this is separate from the AAA discount and is available to all customers, not just members.

Comparing AAA rates to other discount options

AAA discounts are often competitive, but they are not always the lowest available rate. Credit card companies, travel websites like Kayak or Autoslash, and the rental companies themselves sometimes offer promotional rates that beat the AAA discount. Before booking through AAA, search the rental company's website directly and check one or two travel comparison sites to see the standard rates. Then compare those to the AAA rate you received.

Some credit cards offer rental car discounts or cash back on car rentals, which can stack with or exceed the AAA discount. For example, if a credit card offers 5 percent cash back on travel, and the AAA discount saves you 12 percent, you might come out ahead using the credit card. However, if the credit card's terms require you to book through a specific portal, the AAA discount may not be available through that portal.

Autoslash and similar tools let you enter your AAA number and compare rates across multiple companies at once. This is faster than visiting each company's website individually. However, these tools do not always capture every promotional code or special offer, so calling the rental company directly is still worth doing for longer rentals or peak travel dates.

AAA membership levels and rental car benefits

AAA offers several membership tiers — typically Classic, Plus, and Premier — and the rental car benefits vary by tier. All tiers receive discounts at partner rental companies. However, only Plus and Premier memberships include primary rental car coverage, which protects you if the rental vehicle is damaged. Classic membership does not include this coverage.

The rental car discount itself is the same across all membership levels. The difference is in the additional protections and services. If you rent cars frequently, the higher membership tier may be worth the extra cost because of the included insurance coverage. If you rent rarely and already have coverage through your personal auto insurance or credit card, the Classic tier discount may be sufficient.

AAA membership also includes other travel discounts at hotels, airlines, and attractions, so the rental car discount is one benefit among many. When deciding whether to renew or upgrade your membership, consider the full range of benefits, not just the car rental savings.

Common issues and how to resolve them

The most common problem is that the AAA discount does not appear during booking. This usually happens because the membership number was entered incorrectly, the discount code expired, or the rental company does not offer AAA rates for that specific location or date. If this happens, call the rental company's customer service line with your membership card in hand and ask an agent to quote you the AAA rate over the phone. The agent can also tell you whether the discount is available for your specific rental.

Another issue is that the AAA rate shown online is higher than the standard rate. This can occur if the rental company has a promotional offer running that beats the AAA discount. In this case, book at the promotional rate instead — you are not required to use the AAA discount if a better rate is available. Some customers mistakenly believe they must use the AAA discount, but the discount is optional.

If you have already booked a rental without the AAA discount, you can sometimes modify the reservation to add it. Call the rental company and provide your AAA membership number. They may be able to rebook you at the AAA rate if the discount is now available or if it was available at the time of your original booking but was not applied. There is no penalty for modifying a reservation to add a discount code.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Bring your physical AAA membership card or have your membership number ready. The rental agent will verify your membership before finalizing the reservation. If you booked online with your membership number, the discount is already locked in, but you still need to present your card to confirm your identity and membership status.

Can I use an AAA discount if someone else is renting the car?

No. The person renting the car must be the AAA member. The membership is non-transferable for discount purposes. If a family member or friend is renting the car, they would need their own AAA membership to receive the discount. Some rental companies allow the member to call ahead and authorize the discount for a specific reservation, but the renter must still present the member's card at pickup.

Does the AAA discount work for one-way rentals?

Yes, but the discount amount may be different for one-way rentals than for round-trip rentals. One-way rentals typically have higher base rates, and the AAA discount percentage may vary. Always check the AAA rate for your specific rental type before booking. Some rental companies charge a drop-off fee in addition to the daily rate, and this fee is not discounted.

What if the rental company says the AAA discount is not available for my dates?

This can happen during peak travel seasons or at high-demand locations. The rental company sets the discount availability, and they may limit it during busy periods. Ask the agent whether the discount will become available if you shift your rental dates by a day or two. You can also check back online a few days later — availability sometimes changes as reservations are modified.

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

Usually not. Most rental companies require you to choose one discount or promotional code per reservation. If you have multiple codes available, compare the final price under each one and book with whichever gives you the lowest rate. Some companies allow stacking of certain discounts, but this is rare — ask the rental company directly if you have multiple codes to use.