How to Get Rental Car Discounts with Your AAA Membership

Article overview

Here's how you can save on your next car rental with AAA:

• How to get your discount: Learn the step-by-step process for applying your AAA discount, whether you book through the AAA website, the rental company's site or in person.

• The value of the discount: Discover the exclusive, members-only benefits you unlock when booking with Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty through AAA.

• Make the most of your journey: Find out how to leverage your AAA Membership to redirect rental savings toward your next big adventure.

Planning a road trip or needing a temporary set of wheels shouldn’t break the bank. For many, a AAA Membership is synonymous with 24/7 roadside assistance, but one of its most powerful advantages is the savings available on car rentals. 

As a AAA Member, you have access to exclusive rates and perks with Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar Car Rental. Whether you’re looking for a luxury sedan for a business trip or a roomy SUV for a family vacation, here is how you can maximize your membership benefits and secure a great discount car rental.

Step by step: How to get discounts on rental cars

Applying your AAA car rental discount is straightforward, whether you're booking online, by phone or in person. Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:

On the AAA website or mobile app

The easiest way to get your AAA car rental discount is to book directly through AAA. Your discount will be automatically applied.

1. Go to AAA.com/RentalCar or open the AAA Mobile app.

2. Select your preferred rental company: Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty.

3. Enter your travel details, such as dates and location.

4. Browse the available AAA rental cars and choose the one that suits your needs.

5. Validate your AAA Membership when prompted by entering your name and zip code or by adding your AAA Membership number.

On the Hertz, Thrifty or Dollar websites

If you prefer to book directly with the rental company, you can still apply your AAA discount manually.

1. Navigate to the Hertz, Thrifty or Dollar website.

2. Proceed with your booking as usual.

3. Find the field for a discount or promotion code during checkout.

4. Enter your AAA Club Discount Program (CDP) code. You can find this on your physical or digital AAA Membership card.

Over the phone or in person

When booking a AAA rental car at a physical location or over the phone, simply let the employee know you're a AAA Member. Have your membership number ready so they can apply your discount to the booking.

Why book your AAA car rental through AAA?

The benefits of using your AAA Membership for a rental go far beyond a simple percentage off the base rate. When you book with Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty through AAA, you unlock a suite of member-only extras that add up to massive savings:

• Discounted rates: Members can save up to 20% off base rates when booking Hertz, up to 15% when booking Dollar or up to 10% when booking Thrifty. 

• No charge for additional drivers: Usually, adding another driver incurs a daily fee. With AAA, this fee is typically waived, saving you roughly $13-$15 per day.

• Free child safety seats: Traveling with little ones? You can often get one child safety seat included for free (subject to availability).

• Young driver benefits: While most rental agencies charge an additional fee for drivers under 25, Hertz will waive these fees entirely for AAA Members aged 20-24 who meet standard renter requirements and have a valid driver’s license and credit card.

• Prepaid gas savings: Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty each let AAA Members save 10% if they purchase a full fuel tank at the time of rental.

• Hertz Gold+: With this program, AAA Members can skip the rental and return lines at more than 50 US airports, earn points toward free rental days and choose from a wider variety of vehicles. The best part? Hertz Gold+ is free to join for AAA Members!

Make the most of your journey

Your AAA Membership is designed to provide peace of mind, but it’s also a powerful tool for saving money. For those wondering how to get rental car discounts, leveraging the partnership with Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty is a fantastic start. You can redirect those rental savings toward better meals, longer stays or your next big adventure. 

Ready to start your engines? Visit the AAA website today to lock in your member-only rate for a AAA car rental.