salehunter.net The open road is calling. Whether you’re planning an epic cross-country road trip, a weekend getaway to the coast, or simply need a reliable vehicle while yours is in the shop, a rental car is your ticket to freedom and flexibility. But let’s be honest, that freedom can come with a hefty price tag. Between daily rates, taxes, and a laundry list of fees, the final bill can often be a source of serious sticker shock. What if there was a simple way to slash that cost, packed with extra perks you probably don’t even know about? Enter the AAA car rental discount.
For millions of Americans, that little red, white, and blue AAA card in their wallet is primarily for roadside assistance peace of mind. A flat tire, a dead battery, an empty gas tank—AAA is the trusted hero in those stressful situations. But what many members fail to realize is that their membership is also a golden key to a treasure trove of discounts, and the savings on car rentals are among the most significant. This isn’t just a few dollars off; we’re talking substantial percentage discounts, waived fees, and value-added benefits that can save you hundreds of dollars on a single trip. This is your ultimate guide to understanding, maximizing, and unlocking the full power of your AAA car rental discount.
What Exactly IS the AAA Car Rental Discount?
At its core, the AAA car rental discount is a partnership program between the American Automobile Association (AAA) and several major car rental companies. Because AAA has a massive membership base (over 60 million members!), rental companies are eager to offer them exclusive deals to attract their business. It’s a classic win-win: the rental companies get a steady stream of reliable customers, and AAA members get access to preferred pricing and special treatment.
The primary partners in this program are Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. Each of these companies offers a unique set of benefits to AAA members, but they all share the common goal of making your rental experience cheaper and more convenient. The discount isn’t a temporary coupon or a one-time promo code; it’s a permanent, year-round benefit of your membership. It’s accessed by using a specific “CDP” code (Corporate Discount Program code) associated with AAA when you book your rental.
Think of the CDP code as your VIP pass. When you enter it during the booking process, the rental company’s system immediately recognizes you as a AAA member and applies all the associated discounts and benefits to your reservation automatically. You don’t have to haggle, negotiate, or hope for a special deal—it’s built right in.
The Big Three: A Deep Dive into Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty AAA Benefits
While the AAA partnership extends across these three brands, the specific perks can vary. Understanding what each company offers is key to choosing the right rental for your needs and getting the most bang for your buck.
1. Hertz: The Premium Partner
Hertz is often considered the flagship partner for AAA, offering the most comprehensive and valuable set of benefits. If you’re a AAA member, booking with Hertz should almost always be your first consideration.
- Substantial Discounts: AAA members can save up to 20% on the base rate of their rental. The exact discount can fluctuate based on location, vehicle type, and time of year, but it’s consistently one of the best publicly available rates.
- Waived Young Renter Fee: This is arguably one of the most valuable perks for younger travelers. Typically, rental companies charge a hefty daily fee (often $25-$30 per day) for drivers between the ages of 20 and 24. For AAA members, Hertz waives this entire fee for members aged 20-24. On a week-long rental, this benefit alone could save you over $200.
- Free Additional Driver: Planning on sharing the driving duties? Normally, adding a second driver costs an extra $13-$15 per day. With the AAA discount, one additional driver is included for free, as long as they are also a AAA member and meet the standard rental qualifications. This adds up quickly and promotes safer driving on long trips.
- Free Child Safety Seat: Traveling with little ones just got cheaper and easier. AAA members get the use of one child, infant, or booster seat for free with every rental. Considering these can cost upwards of $15 per day, this is a massive saving for families.
- Discount on Fuel: Hertz offers a 10% discount on prepaid fuel options for AAA members. This lets you return the car without worrying about filling it up, and you get it at a reduced rate.
- Exclusive Promotions: On top of the standard discounts, Hertz frequently runs AAA-exclusive promotions, like complimentary upgrades or extra savings on weekly rentals.
2. Dollar: The Value-Oriented Choice
Dollar Car Rental is known for its competitive pricing, and the AAA discount makes their deals even sweeter. While the perks might not be as extensive as Hertz’s, they provide solid, straightforward savings.
- Guaranteed Discount: AAA members save up to 10% on the base rate of their rental. It’s a reliable discount that you can count on.
- Free Additional Driver: Just like Hertz, Dollar extends the free additional driver benefit to AAA members, saving you that daily fee.
- Free Child Safety Seat: The free child seat perk is also available at Dollar, making it another great option for families on a budget.
- Frequent Renter Program: Your AAA rentals with Dollar can earn you points in their Dollar Express Rewards program, leading to free rental days in the future.
3. Thrifty: The Budget-Friendly Option
Thrifty Car Rental lives up to its name, offering some of the lowest prices in the market. The AAA partnership enhances this value, making it a go-to for the most budget-conscious travelers.
- Solid Savings: Members can save up to 8% on the base rate. While slightly lower than the others, when combined with Thrifty’s already low prices, the final cost is often unbeatable.
- Free Additional Driver: The valuable free additional driver benefit is also a staple of the Thrifty AAA program.
- Free Child Safety Seat: Again, families win with a complimentary child seat, making travel safer and more affordable.
How to Book Your Car with the AAA Discount: A Step-by-Step Guide
Securing your AAA discount is incredibly simple. You don’t need to jump through hoops or spend hours on the phone. The key is to make sure the AAA CDP code is applied to your reservation from the very beginning.
Step 1: Start on the Right Website
The easiest and most reliable way to book is to start directly through the AAA website. Navigate to the “Travel” section and find the car rentals page. When you initiate a search from here, AAA automatically embeds its discount code into the booking links for Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. This ensures you’re seeing the correct, discounted rates from the start.
Step 2: Go Direct (But Don’t Forget the Code!)
Alternatively, you can go directly to the Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty websites. During the reservation process, you will see a field labeled something like “Add a Discount Code,” “Corporate Discount Program (CDP),” or “Promotional Code.” This is where you enter the AAA code.
- The universal AAA Club Discount Code (CDP) for Hertz is typically 1 or 2, depending on your specific club. However, it’s always best to check your local AAA club’s website for the most accurate number.
- For Dollar and Thrifty, you will often find a specific AAA booking portal or a checkbox to indicate you’re a member.
Step 3: Compare and Contrast
Don’t just book the first option you see. Even with the discount, rates can vary significantly based on demand, location, and car class. Open a few tabs and compare the final “all-in” price from Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty for the same dates and vehicle type. Sometimes, an 8% discount from Thrifty on a lower base rate can result in a cheaper rental than a 10% discount from Dollar on a higher base rate.
Step 4: Present Your Card at the Counter
This is a crucial final step. When you arrive to pick up your vehicle, you must present your valid AAA membership card. The rental agent will need to verify your membership to honor the discounted rate and associated benefits. If you forget your card, they have the right to revert your reservation to the standard, non-discounted rate, which could cost you a fortune. Tip: Take a picture of your card with your phone as a backup, though the physical card is always preferred.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your AAA Savings
Simply using the discount code is great, but with a little extra strategy, you can stretch your savings even further.
- Stack with Promotions: Always check the “Deals” or “Offers” section on the rental company’s website. Sometimes, you can stack the AAA CDP code with a promotional coupon (PC) code for additional savings, like a free weekend day or a complimentary vehicle upgrade.
- Pay Now vs. Pay Later: Many rental companies, including Hertz, offer a slightly lower rate if you prepay for your rental online. This can often be combined with your AAA discount for maximum savings. Just be sure of your plans, as prepaid rentals often have stricter cancellation policies.
- Join the Loyalty Programs: Sign up for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Dollar Express, and Thrifty Blue Chip. They are free to join and allow you to skip the counter at many airport locations, saving you precious time. Your AAA rentals will earn you points towards free rental days.
- Understand Insurance: Your AAA membership does not automatically include rental car insurance. Check with your personal auto insurance provider and the credit card you’re using to book the rental. Many premium credit cards offer primary or secondary collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage, which can save you from paying for the expensive insurance offered at the rental counter.
- Book an Economy Car: If you’re a Hertz Gold member (a benefit available to AAA members), you can often book a more affordable mid-size car and have a good chance of getting a complimentary upgrade to a larger vehicle based on availability at pickup.
The Hidden Value: Beyond the Percentage Discount
It’s easy to focus on the headline number—the 10% or 20% off. But the real power of the AAA discount often lies in the “soft” benefits, the fees it helps you avoid. Let’s break down the potential savings on a hypothetical one-week family road trip for a 23-year-old driver:
- Standard Rental Cost (without AAA):
- Base Rate: $50/day x 7 days = $350
- Young Renter Fee: $25/day x 7 days = $175
- Additional Driver Fee: $13/day x 7 days = $91
- Child Seat Rental: $13/day x 7 days = $91
- Total (before taxes): $707
- Hertz Rental Cost (with AAA):
- Base Rate ($350) with 15% AAA Discount = $297.50
- Young Renter Fee: $0 (Waived)
- Additional Driver Fee: $0 (Waived)
- Child Seat Rental: $0 (Waived)
- Total (before taxes): $297.50
In this common scenario, the AAA membership saved the renter a staggering $409.50 on a single rental. The actual percentage discount on the base rate was only about $52. The other $357 in savings came entirely from the waived fees. This is the hidden power of the program that many people overlook.
Is a AAA Membership Worth It Just for Car Rentals?
If you rent cars frequently, the answer is a resounding yes. A basic AAA Classic membership costs, on average, between $50 and $70 per year. As demonstrated above, you can easily save more than the entire cost of the membership on just one rental, especially if you are under 25 or travel with family. All the other benefits—roadside assistance, hotel discounts, travel planning services, and more—effectively become free bonuses.
Your AAA membership is more than just a safety net for car trouble; it’s a powerful financial tool. By understanding and utilizing the full suite of benefits offered by partners like Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty, you can transform an expensive travel necessity into a manageable and affordable part of your adventure. So next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just pack your bags—pack your AAA card and unlock the savings waiting for you.
