Does AAA Give You a Rental Car Discount?

Last Updated on October 7, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 1, 2026 How we fact-check

If you’re a AAA member, you may qualify for member-only savings on rental cars—especially with AAA’s major partners like Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty.

AAA’s partner discounts typically apply to the base rate (time and mileage) and can come with valuable extras—like a free additional driver, a free child safety seat, and discounted prepaid fuel—depending on the company, location, and reservation terms.

Below is a practical breakdown of AAA rental car discounts, what perks are actually worth money, and what to double-check before you pick up the keys.

AAA Discounts Usually Apply to the Base Rate: Taxes, airport fees, and add-ons can still drive the final price—so compare the all-in total.
The “Free” Perks Can Be the Real Value: A free additional driver, child seat, or waived young renter fee can beat a cheaper daily rate elsewhere.
Use the AAA Discount Code Correctly: Your AAA CDP typically must be on the reservation, and you’ll usually need to show your membership card at pickup.
Discounts Don’t Replace Insurance Decisions: Rental car discounts lower cost, but you still need to choose the right protection based on your policy, credit card benefits, and the rental contract.

Table Of Contents

AAA Rental Car Discounts at a Glance
Hertz AAA Discount and Member Benefits
Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for Added Perks
AAA Members Save with Dollar
AAA Members Save with Thrifty
How to Apply Your AAA Discount Code
Don’t Confuse Discounts with Rental Car Insurance
Other AAA Car Rental and Travel Perks
Final Word – AAA Rental Car Discount
FAQs on AAA Rental Car Discounts
Sources

AAA Rental Car Discounts at a Glance

AAA advertises ongoing partner savings with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. Exact discounts vary by date, location and vehicle class.

Rental Company	Typical AAA Member Discount	Common AAA Member Perks
Hertz	Up to 20% off the pay-later base rate (plus occasional limited-time promos)	Free additional AAA driver, free 1 child safety seat, 10% off prepaid fuel, young renter fee waived for ages 20–24 (where eligible)
Dollar	Up to 15% off the base rate	Free additional AAA driver, free 1 child safety seat, 10% off prepaid fuel
Thrifty	Up to 10% off the base rate	Free additional AAA driver, free 1 child safety seat, 10% off prepaid fuel

To see current AAA partner terms and availability, start with AAA’s official booking pages (they often list the active benefits and any limited-time promotions): AAA Exclusive Car Rental Deals.

Quick tip: Always compare the total price (taxes, airport fees, and add-ons) and not just the “base rate.” AAA discounts often apply only to the base rate.

Hertz AAA Discount and Member Benefits

Hertz is AAA’s most visible rental partner. AAA’s published benefits commonly include up to 20% off the base rate, plus perks that can matter a lot for families or group trips.

Discount on base rates: Hertz advertises “up to 20%” off the base rate for AAA members. Hertz’s terms say the discount applies to the pay-later rate, and you need to book at least 24 hours ahead.
Free additional driver: You can add up to four extra drivers free if they’re AAA members, have a credit card in their own name and meet Hertz’s rental rules. The Auto Club Group says Hertz otherwise charges $15 a day per extra driver.
Free child safety seat: One seat (infant/child/booster) subject to availability; reserving ahead is smart. That saves $13.99 a day, per the Auto Club Group.
Fuel savings: Commonly 10% off prepaid fuel options.
Young renter fee waived (ages 20–24): This can be one of the biggest dollar-value perks if you’re eligible. The Auto Club Group says Hertz normally charges $25 a day.

Hertz also publishes AAA-specific details and terms here: Hertz AAA Member Benefits.

If you’re interested in Hertz’s rental insurance offerings, read our guide here.

Join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for Added Perks

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is Hertz’s free loyalty program. AAA members can enroll free through AAA and get one free rental day, added as points after the first paid Gold rental (taxes and fees aren’t included).

Skip the counter at participating locations (more than 50 airports, per the Auto Club Group)
Earn points toward free rental days and upgrades
AAA Premier members also get Hertz Five Star status and earn 25% more points

AAA’s Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment page is here: AAA + Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.

AAA Members Save with Dollar

AAA also partners with Dollar. AAA advertises up to 15% off Dollar’s base rate, plus similar add-on perks: a free additional AAA driver, one free child safety seat and 10% off prepaid fuel.

Dollar benefits are especially valuable when you would otherwise pay for add-ons—because “free” extras can beat a slightly cheaper daily rate from a competitor once fees are included.

If you’re interested in Dollar’s rental insurance offerings, read our guide here.

AAA Members Save with Thrifty

AAA advertises up to 10% off Thrifty’s base rates, with common perks like a free additional AAA driver, one free child seat (subject to availability), and discounted prepaid fuel.

If you’re deciding whether to buy protection from the rental company, it helps to understand what they sell. Here’s a Thrifty-specific breakdown: Thrifty rental car insurance costs and options.

How to Apply Your AAA Discount Code

AAA rental benefits usually require you to book with your AAA Club Discount Code (CDP) and show your AAA membership card at pickup.

Step	What to Do	Why It Matters
1	Book through AAA’s rental pages or enter your AAA CDP during booking, at least 24 hours before pickup	Discounts usually won’t apply without the CDP on the reservation
2	Use the driver’s correct name and bring a matching ID and credit card	Many “free” perks require the additional driver (or young renter) to be a AAA member and meet rental qualifications
3	Show your AAA membership card at pickup	Proof of membership is commonly required for benefits
4	Confirm add-ons at the counter (driver, seat, fuel option)	Some perks are applied at the counter, not automatically online

Quick tip: If your trip includes a second driver or a child seat, price those add-ons before you book. AAA’s “free” perks can outperform a lower advertised daily rate elsewhere.

Don’t Confuse Discounts with Rental Car Insurance

AAA discounts lower the rental price and may waive certain fees. They do not automatically replace rental car insurance decisions (like liability, loss damage waiver/collision damage waiver, or personal accident coverage).

In general, the right insurance choice depends on what coverage you already have (personal auto, credit card benefits, and any travel protections), what the rental agreement makes you responsible for, and your comfort with deductibles and out-of-pocket risk.

Other AAA Car Rental and Travel Perks

AAA membership can come with more than discounts. Depending on your membership level and club, AAA may also offer travel planning tools and driving-related benefits like roadside assistance coverage and towing benefits (see: AAA towing costs and how towing benefits work).

If you’re traveling abroad and plan to drive, you may also need an International Driving Permit in certain countries. Here’s what to know: International Driving Permit and insurance basics.

Final Word – AAA Rental Car Discount

AAA member rental discounts can be genuinely valuable—especially when you use the perks that waive expensive add-ons like an extra driver, a child seat, or young renter fees. Just remember that discounts usually apply to the base rate, and benefits can vary by location, date, and reservation terms.

Before you book, compare the all-in price, confirm your AAA discount code is attached to the reservation, and think through rental car insurance separately from the discount itself. My advice is to price the same car twice, once with your AAA code and once without, and compare the totals after taxes and fees.

Disclosure: AAA rental discounts and benefits vary by club, location, and rental terms. Always review the rental agreement and your insurance policy for details.

FAQs on AAA Rental Car Discounts

How much do AAA members save on Hertz rentals?

Hertz advertises up to 20% off the pay-later base rate for AAA members, and Hertz/AAA sometimes run limited-time promotions that can be higher. AAA ran a two-day offer of up to 45% off in November 2025, for example. Your exact discount depends on dates, location, car class, and whether the AAA discount code is attached to your reservation.

Does AAA waive the under-25 (young renter) fee at Hertz?

Yes. Hertz waives the young renter fee for AAA members ages 20–24. The young renter must be a AAA member, have a credit card in their own name, meet Hertz’s rental qualifications and show proof of AAA membership at pickup.

Do AAA discounts include a free additional driver?

Yes, at Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty, but requirements apply. The additional driver must also be a AAA member. Hertz also requires a credit card in the driver’s own name and lets you add up to four AAA drivers free.

How do I apply my AAA discount to a rental car reservation?

In most cases, you’ll need to add your AAA Club Discount Code (CDP) during booking (or book through AAA’s rental portal) and present your AAA membership card at pickup. Some perks (like a free child seat or additional driver) may be applied at the counter.

Can I combine my AAA discount with other promo codes?

Sometimes. Certain promo codes can be used alongside AAA discounts, but it depends on the rental company’s rules and rate restrictions. If you’re comparing deals, price it both ways and confirm the final total before booking.

Does the AAA rental discount include rental car insurance?

No. AAA discounts generally reduce the rental price and may waive specific fees, but they don’t automatically provide the insurance protections sold at the rental counter. Decide separately whether you need the rental company’s coverage based on your personal auto insurance, credit card benefits, and the rental agreement.

Do AAA rental discounts work outside the U.S.?

Sometimes. AAA says Hertz gives members at least 5% off base rates on international rentals, and AAA Mountain West lists up to 10%. Hertz’s full AAA package (free driver, child seat, young renter waiver) is listed for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. AAA lists its Dollar and Thrifty benefits for participating locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Always confirm the discount applies in the country where you’re renting.

Does AAA sell rental car insurance?

AAA may help with rental-related protection in a few different ways, depending on your club and state. Your AAA auto insurance policy may include (or let you add) rental reimbursement coverage if your car is in the shop after a covered claim. AAA membership can also provide rental car discounts through partner programs. However, AAA typically doesn’t “sell” the same type of stand-alone collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) you’re offered at the rental counter—those waivers are usually provided by the rental company. If you’re renting, confirm what your auto policy covers, whether you have a credit card benefit, and what the rental company’s waiver includes before you pay for extras.

Sources

Checked October 1, 2026