AAA members receive discounts at most major car rental chains, typically 10 to 30 percent off the base rate depending on the company and membership level

The discount applies when you book through AAA's website or call their reservation line, or when you present your membership card at the rental counter. You don't need a separate code or voucher — your AAA membership number is what triggers the rate. The actual savings vary: Hertz, Budget, and Avis tend to offer larger discounts to AAA members than Enterprise or National, though all major chains participate in some form.

The discount stacks with other promotions sometimes, but not always. If you're booking a car for a specific trip, it's worth checking both the AAA rate and any current promotional rate the rental company is running, because occasionally a flash sale or weekend special will beat the AAA price. The membership discount is most reliable for last-minute bookings or travel during peak seasons when promotional rates have ended.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA discounts range from 10 to 30 percent depending on which rental company you use and which AAA membership tier you hold.
  • You must book through AAA's website, call their reservation line, or show your physical membership card at pickup to receive the discount.
  • The discount applies to the base rental rate only, not to taxes, insurance, or fuel charges.
  • Some rental companies offer larger AAA discounts than others, so comparing rates across Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National before booking saves money.
  • AAA discounts sometimes conflict with promotional rates, so checking both the AAA price and the company's current sale price tells you which is cheaper for your specific dates.

How to book a car with your AAA discount

Start at AAA.com and navigate to the car rental section, or call AAA's dedicated travel line. You'll enter your travel dates, pickup location, and car size. The system will show you rates from multiple rental companies with the AAA discount already applied. Compare the prices across companies — the discount percentage is the same, but the base rates differ, so the final price varies.

When you find a rate you want, book directly through AAA's site or complete the reservation over the phone. You'll need your AAA membership number, which appears on your membership card. At pickup, bring your membership card along with your driver's license and payment method. The rental agent will verify your membership and confirm the discounted rate before you sign the contract.

If you're already at the rental counter without having booked through AAA, you can still ask the agent to explore the AAA discount. Have your membership card ready. Not all agents will volunteer this information, so mentioning it directly ensures you receive the rate you're may have access to to.

Which rental companies offer the largest AAA discounts

Hertz, Budget, and Avis consistently offer AAA members discounts in the 20 to 30 percent range on base rates. Enterprise and National typically offer 10 to 20 percent. These ranges shift based on location, season, and current company promotions, so the discount you see for a specific date and location may fall anywhere within or below these bands.

Regional rental companies sometimes offer deeper discounts than national chains. If you're renting in a specific city, search AAA's rental section for local options alongside the major chains. A smaller company might offer 35 percent off, though availability and vehicle selection are usually more limited.

The discount also depends on your AAA membership level. AAA Plus and AAA Premier members sometimes receive higher discounts than basic AAA members, though this varies by rental company and region. Check what your specific membership tier includes before booking.

What the AAA discount covers and what it doesn't

The discount applies only to the base daily rental rate. It does not reduce taxes, airport fees, or facility charges — those are added after the discount is calculated. If the base rate is $50 per day and you receive a 20 percent AAA discount, you pay $40 per day, then taxes and fees are added on top.

Insurance add-ons, GPS rentals, and fuel options are also not discounted. If you decline the rental company's insurance and use your own coverage instead, you still receive the AAA discount on the base rate. Fuel charges — whether you prepay for a full tank or pay per gallon at return — are separate from the rental rate and not affected by AAA membership.

One-way rentals, weekend rates, and long-term rentals all may have access to for the AAA discount. The discount applies to any rental duration and any pickup or return location, as long as both are within the rental company's network.

Comparing AAA rates to promotional rates and other discounts

Before finalizing your booking, check the rental company's website directly for current promotions. A company running a "weekend special" or "summer sale" might offer a lower total price than the AAA discount, even though the AAA percentage sounds larger. The only way to know is to compare the final quoted price from both sources for your exact dates and location.

Corporate discounts, military discounts, and loyalty program rates sometimes beat AAA discounts too. If you have access to any of these, get a quote using each one and pick the lowest final price. Some rental companies allow you to stack a loyalty discount with an AAA discount, but this is rare — most require you to choose one or the other.

Credit card rental benefits sometimes include additional insurance or perks that make a slightly higher AAA rate worth choosing. If your credit card offers primary collision damage waiver, for example, you might save money by declining the rental company's insurance and using the AAA rate, rather than accepting a promotional rate that requires you to purchase their coverage.

What to bring and what to expect at pickup

Bring your AAA membership card, a valid driver's license, and a payment method — usually a credit card. The rental agent will scan or manually enter your membership number into their system. If the system recognizes your membership, the AAA rate will appear on the contract. If it doesn't, ask the agent to manually explore the discount and verify it shows on the final quote before you sign.

Rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old to rent a car, though some charge an underage driver fee for renters under 25. This fee is not discounted by AAA membership. You'll also need to provide proof of insurance — either your own policy or the rental company's coverage, which you purchase at pickup.

The contract will show the daily rate, the number of days, the subtotal, taxes, and fees. Verify that the AAA discount is reflected in the daily rate before you sign. If you spot an error, point it out when ready and ask the agent to correct it. Once you sign, changing the rate becomes more difficult.

AAA membership tiers and their rental benefits

AAA offers three membership levels: Classic, Plus, and Premier. All three receive car rental discounts, but the discount percentage may vary slightly by level and by rental company. Classic membership is the entry level and includes the standard AAA discount. Plus and Premier include additional roadside information and other benefits, but the rental discount difference is usually small — often just a few percentage points.

Some rental companies offer the same discount to all AAA members regardless of tier. Others reserve slightly higher discounts for Plus or Premier members. When you're comparing rates, the membership level you hold will be factored in automatically if you're booking through AAA's site or providing your membership number at the counter.

If you're considering upgrading your AAA membership primarily for a better rental discount, calculate the upgrade cost against the savings on your planned rental. For a single short-term rental, the upgrade rarely pays for itself. For frequent renters, it may be worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AAA discount if I book through a third-party travel site like Kayak or Expedia?

No. Third-party sites don't have access to AAA's discount codes, so booking through them won't trigger the AAA rate. You must book directly through AAA.com, call AAA's reservation line, or present your card at the rental counter. If you've already booked through a third-party site, contact the rental company directly before pickup and ask if they can explore the AAA discount to your existing reservation.

Do I need to purchase insurance from the rental company if I have AAA membership?

No. AAA membership does not include insurance. Whether you purchase the rental company's coverage depends on your own auto insurance policy and credit card benefits. Check your policy and credit card terms before pickup to see what collision and liability coverage you already have. The AAA discount applies regardless of whether you buy their insurance.

What if the AAA rate is higher than a promotional rate I found?

Book the promotional rate instead. AAA discounts are not may provide to be the lowest price available. Always compare the final quoted price from the AAA booking against the rental company's current promotions for your specific dates. The lowest total price is what matters, not the discount percentage.

Can I explore the AAA discount to a rental I've already booked without using AAA?

Sometimes. Contact the rental company directly and provide your AAA membership number. They may be able to modify your reservation and explore the discount, though this depends on the company's policies and how far in advance you contact them. It's easier to cancel and rebook through AAA if the discount is significant, but call the rental company first to ask whether they can adjust an existing reservation.

Does the AAA discount work for one-way rentals?

Yes. The discount applies to one-way rentals, though one-way fees are not discounted. If you're renting a car in one city and returning it in another, the AAA discount reduces the daily rate, but the one-way drop-off fee is charged separately and at full price.