If you’re 50 or older and about to book a rental car, there’s a good chance you’re leaving money on the table. AARP has direct discount partnerships with two major rental brands, and one other brand runs its own separate senior program that doesn’t even require AARP membership. The catch is that these discounts almost never apply automatically — you have to know which code to enter and where.

Here’s exactly how much AARP members and seniors can save on Avis, Budget, Hertz and other car rentals in 2026, and how to make sure the discount actually shows up on your total before you confirm the booking.

Do Seniors Get a Car Rental Discount? The Quick Answer

Yes, but it doesn’t work the same way across every brand. There are really three separate paths, and mixing them up is the most common reason people miss out on savings.

• AARP’s direct discount partnerships cover only two brands: Avis and Budget. If you’re an AARP member, this is the deal built specifically for you.
• Hertz runs its own 50+ program that has nothing to do with AARP. You don’t need to be a member of anything — you just need to confirm you’re 50 or older when you book.
• Other major brands — Enterprise, National, Dollar, Alamo, and Thrifty — don’t offer a direct AARP or senior-specific discount code. The only AARP-adjacent way to book them at a reduced rate is through the AARP Travel Center (powered by Expedia), which is a booking channel rather than a brand discount.

In other words: if you’re already loyal to Avis or Budget, use your AARP number. If you rent from Hertz, ask about the 50+ rate at booking. If you use a different brand, compare the AARP Travel Center price against the brand’s own site before you commit.

AARP + Avis/Budget: How Much You Actually Save

This is the most valuable of the three paths for AARP members, because the discount percentage is the highest available and it applies at both companies (Avis and Budget are owned by the same parent company and share the AARP partnership terms).

• Up to 35% off base rates when you select “Pay Now” at the time of booking (you’re charged upfront, and the discount is deepest).
• Up to 30% off base rates when you select “Pay Later” and settle the bill at the counter instead (slightly less savings, but more flexibility if your plans might change).

To actually get either rate, you need to enter your AARP discount number (sometimes called an AWD number) in the “Discount Code,” “Corporate Code,” or “AWD#” field on the Avis or Budget booking page — not in a generic promo-code box, and not after you’ve already confirmed the reservation. If that field is left blank, the system will simply quote you the standard public rate with no error message telling you that you missed a discount.

The Hertz 50+ Program Explained

Hertz takes a different approach. Instead of partnering with AARP, it runs its own age-based discount that any renter 50 or older can use.

• Up to 20% off the standard rate.
• No AARP membership required — you simply select the 50+ rate option (or enter your date of birth showing you qualify) during checkout.
• Because it’s a separate program, it’s worth comparing against the AARP/Avis/Budget deal for the same dates before you book either one — the higher AARP percentage doesn’t automatically mean the lower final price once base rates and location fees are factored in.

Comparison Table: Avis vs. Budget vs. Hertz vs. AARP Travel Center

Option	Discount	Requirement	Best Booking Channel	Pay Now vs. Pay Later	Typical Restrictions
Avis (AARP)	Up to 35% off	AARP membership + AWD number entered	avis.com direct	Both available (35% Pay Now, 30% Pay Later)	Blackout dates possible; base rate must be eligible fare class
Budget (AARP)	Up to 35% off	AARP membership + AWD number entered	budget.com direct	Both available (35% Pay Now, 30% Pay Later)	Same brand family as Avis; terms mirror Avis
Hertz 50+	Up to 20% off	Age 50 or older (no membership)	hertz.com direct	Varies by location; not always both options offered	Discount tied to base rate, not always the lowest total
AARP Travel Center	Varies by listing	AARP membership	AARP Travel Center (powered by Expedia)	Depends on the individual listing	Covers Enterprise, National, Dollar, Alamo, Thrifty; rate not guaranteed to beat direct brand price

How to Book the Discount Correctly (Step-by-Step Checklist)

Most missed discounts come down to one skipped field, not a lack of eligibility. Work through this checklist in order before you hit “confirm reservation”:

• Step 1: Decide direct-brand vs. AARP Travel Center. If you want Avis or Budget, book directly on their sites. If you’re set on Enterprise, National, Dollar, Alamo, or Thrifty, check the AARP Travel Center listing instead — those brands don’t have a direct AARP code.
• Step 2: Enter the AARP discount code (AWD number) or confirm your age. On Avis or Budget, look for a field labeled “AWD#,” “Discount Code,” or “Corporate Code” — this is where your AARP number goes. On Hertz, look for the 50+ rate option or a birth date field. This single step is the most commonly skipped one.
• Step 3: Compare the discounted total against a basic price-comparison site before confirming. A 35% discount off an inflated base rate can still land higher than a plain rate at a different location or company, so check the final total, not just the percentage.
• Step 4: Screenshot or print the confirmation showing the discount applied. Rental counters occasionally requote a reservation, especially if you switch from Pay Now to Pay Later at pickup — having proof of the original discounted total makes it easy to correct on the spot.

Worked Example: Savings on a 5-Day Rental

Numbers make this easier to picture than percentages alone. Here’s what a $300 base rate for a 5-day rental actually looks like once each discount is applied:

Booking Method	Discount Applied	Final Price	You Save
No discount applied	0%	$300	$0
Hertz 50+ program	20% off	$240	$60
Avis/Budget AARP — Pay Later	30% off	$210	$90
Avis/Budget AARP — Pay Now	35% off	$195	$105

That’s a $105 difference between booking with no discount at all and booking the Avis/Budget AARP Pay Now rate on the exact same $300 base rental — enough to cover a tank of gas and a meal on the road, just for entering one code correctly.

Other Ways to Stack Savings

The senior discount doesn’t have to be the only thing lowering your total. A few other angles are worth checking before you finalize a booking:

• Off-airport pickup locations often carry lower base rates before any discount is even applied, since airport counters typically add facility and concession fees. If a location a few miles away is convenient, it’s worth comparing.
• Loyalty program points or status can sometimes be combined with the senior rate, but not always — each brand has its own stacking rules, so check at checkout rather than assuming.
• Credit card rental insurance can let you skip the counter’s collision-damage waiver upsell, which is often priced per day and can add up to more than the discount itself over a multi-day rental.

FAQ

Do I need to be an AARP member to get the Hertz discount?

No. The Hertz 50+ program is separate from AARP and only requires that you’re 50 or older. AARP membership is only required for the Avis and Budget discount.

Can I combine the AARP discount with a coupon code?

It depends on the brand and the specific promotion. Some coupon codes are designed to stack with the AARP rate, while others replace it. Check the terms on the coupon itself, or try entering both at checkout and confirm the final total reflects the better combined rate before you pay.

Is the AARP Travel Center rate always the cheapest?

Not always. Since it’s a booking channel rather than a fixed brand discount, prices vary by listing and date. Always compare the AARP Travel Center total against the rental brand’s own direct site before booking.

Does the discount apply to one-way rentals?

Generally yes, the AARP and Hertz 50+ discounts can apply to one-way rentals, but one-way fees are calculated separately and are not discounted the same way as the base daily rate. Confirm the full breakdown before confirming your reservation.