20 Best AAA Car Rental Discounts

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AAA.com • Hertz • Dollar • Thrifty • Verified

Every confirmed AAA member car rental benefit, stacking strategy, fee waiver, and insider booking tip — with honest explanations of what saves real money versus what sounds better than it is.

💡 10 Key Things Every AAA Member Should Know About Car Rental Discounts

AAA membership unlocks a tier of car rental savings that most members never fully use. The official partner brands are Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty — all under the same Hertz Holdings parent company — which means AAA’s discount network is focused but deep. Members can save up to 25% off base rates, get additional drivers free, waive young-renter fees, skip airport rental counters entirely, and earn free rental days through Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — all stacked on top of each other in a single booking. What trips most people up is not knowing which benefits require the CDP code, which require the Gold+ enrollment number, and which must be reserved through AAA.com specifically rather than the rental company’s own site. This guide walks through all 20 verified discounts and benefits, explains how to stack them correctly, and tells you where AAA’s discount network falls short so you always get the best price.

1
What car rental companies actually partner with AAA for discounts? Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty are AAA’s three official car rental partners. AAA does not have direct discount agreements with Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, or Sixt.
All three AAA-affiliated brands — Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty — are owned by Hertz Holdings, meaning they share a common ownership structure. AAA has negotiated member-exclusive rates and benefits across all three simultaneously. Hertz is the flagship partner with the deepest discount (up to 20–25%), the most benefit layers, and the widest domestic and international footprint. Dollar offers up to 15% off base rates. Thrifty offers up to 10% off. Understanding this structure matters because if Hertz is fully booked or overpriced on your dates, switching to Dollar or Thrifty while using your same AAA CDP code still gets you a member discount at the same counter network.
2
How much does the AAA car rental discount actually save on a typical rental? The base discount saves $10–$40 on a typical 3–5 day rental. But stacking free additional drivers ($15/day saved), waived young-renter fees ($25/day), and free child seats ($13.99/day) can add $40–$100 more in fee waivers.
The base rate percentage discount is just the beginning. On a $250 five-day rental, a 20% Hertz discount saves $50 on the base rate alone. But for a family or multi-driver trip, the real savings come from the add-on waivers. A free additional driver on a one-week rental saves $105 ($15/day × 7 days). A free child seat saves $97.93 ($13.99/day × 7 days). For renters ages 20–24, waiving the young-renter fee saves up to $25/day — $175 on a week-long rental. Stack those together and the total AAA benefit on a single one-week family trip can easily exceed $350 in combined savings compared to booking the same car directly without AAA membership.
3
What is the AAA CDP code and why does it matter so much? The CDP (Club Discount Program) code is a unique number on the back of your physical or digital AAA membership card that must be entered at booking — without it, no AAA car rental benefits apply, even if you show your card at the counter.
The AAA CDP code is the single most critical piece of information in the entire AAA car rental discount system. It is not enough to identify yourself as a member at pickup — the CDP code must be entered at the time of reservation, not after. The national AAA CDP for Hertz is CDP# 14 for most clubs; some regional clubs (such as AAA Mountain West) use CDP# 005. The code is printed on the back of your physical membership card and also available in the AAA mobile app and your online member portal. When booking directly on Hertz.com rather than through AAA Travel, select “Add a Discount Code” and enter your AAA Club’s CDP number. If you book through AAA.com or the AAA app, the code is automatically applied after you log in or enter your member number. Missing this step voids all AAA-specific pricing and fee waivers.
4
Can AAA members add a second driver for free — and is the free additional driver really unlimited? Yes — Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty all waive the additional driver fee for AAA members. At Hertz, up to four qualified additional drivers can be added free, but each must be a AAA member with their own credit card.
The standard Hertz additional driver fee is $15 per day per driver, which on a 7-day rental totals $105 per extra driver. Waiving this fee is one of the highest-dollar-value AAA benefits on any extended rental. The important catch: each additional driver must be a AAA member and must have a credit card in their own name at the time of rental. A spouse, adult child, or travel companion who is not a AAA member does not qualify for the free driver benefit — they will pay the standard daily fee. Adding a family member to your AAA membership (associate membership) is one solution. Dollar and Thrifty also waive the additional driver fee for AAA members, though the specific terms may differ slightly by location. Always confirm at booking, not at the counter, that the additional driver waiver is applied.
5
What is Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and why do AAA members get it free? Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is Hertz’s free loyalty program that lets you skip the airport counter, go straight to your car, and earn points toward free rental days. AAA members enroll for free and receive a free rental day after their first paid Gold rental.
Enrolling in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards through AAA is one of the most practically useful benefits the membership offers, especially for frequent travelers or seniors who want to avoid long counter lines at busy airports. Once enrolled, Gold+ members skip the counter at over 50 of the world’s busiest airports — instead, their name appears on an electronic board showing their assigned car and parking spot. They walk directly to the vehicle, show their driver’s license at the exit gate, and drive away. Return is equally simple via e-return. AAA Basic and Plus Members receive 675 bonus points (enough for one free rental day) after their first paid Gold rental. AAA Premier Members receive 1,100 bonus points (enough for two free weekend rental days). Enrollment at AAA.com/HertzGold is separate from the AAA CDP code — you need both for full benefits.
6
Does the AAA discount apply to electric vehicle (EV) rentals? Yes — AAA members receive the same discount percentages on Hertz EV rentals where available. The discount applies to Teslas, Polestars, and other EVs in Hertz’s growing electric fleet at select locations.
Hertz expanded its EV rental fleet significantly in recent years and AAA’s discount agreement covers electric vehicles at the same rates as traditional cars. Booking an EV through AAA.com/CarRental or the AAA app automatically applies the member pricing to eligible EV models. EVs are available at select Hertz airport and city locations — not universally — and availability varies significantly by market. This is worth noting for members who want to test an EV before purchasing one, or who prefer zero-emission transportation during a trip. The fee waivers (additional drivers, child seats) also apply to EV rentals under the same AAA terms.
7
Can I combine a promo code with my AAA discount for an even better price? Yes, in many cases. When booking directly on Hertz.com using your AAA CDP code, a separate “PC” promo code field is also available — and Hertz regularly stacks specific promo codes on top of AAA pricing for additional savings.
The stacking opportunity is real and underused. When booking a Hertz rental, enter your AAA CDP code in the Club Code field, then look for a separate “Promo Code” or “PC” entry field on the same reservation form. AAA publishes special promo codes (such as PC#211982 for the $50 off monthly rental benefit) that layer on top of the base AAA CDP discount. Third-party comparison services like CarRentalSavers.com/aaa also maintain an active database of Hertz coupon codes specifically tested to stack with AAA member pricing. Check that site before every booking — the right combination of AAA CDP plus a seasonal promo code can produce the deepest available rate, especially for weekly or longer rentals.
8
Does AAA cover rental car insurance — or does membership replace the rental company’s damage waiver? No. AAA membership alone does not provide rental car insurance. However, AAA auto insurance (purchased separately) does extend to rental cars, and the AAA Visa credit card provides supplemental collision coverage when used to pay for the rental.
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of AAA car rental benefits. The AAA membership card at the rental counter gets you discounted rates and fee waivers — it does not provide collision damage coverage for the vehicle. Your existing personal auto insurance policy typically extends to rental cars in the U.S.; if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, that coverage generally applies to a rental as well, subject to your deductible. AAA auto insurance policyholders benefit from this extension automatically. Additionally, charging the rental to an AAA Visa Signature credit card and declining the rental company’s collision damage waiver provides supplemental collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle — effectively giving AAA insurance customers layered protection at no extra daily cost.
9
When is AAA’s discount NOT the best price — and how do I find a cheaper rate? AAA only partners with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, and Avis are not AAA partners, and their independently negotiated rates or sale prices sometimes beat the AAA-discounted Hertz rate. Always compare before booking.
AutoSlash, a car rental comparison site, has documented clearly that AAA’s discount pool is limited to three brands under one parent company — meaning a broader search regularly finds lower prices, particularly at Enterprise, National, or Alamo. The practical strategy: start at AAA.com/CarRental to see your member rate at Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty, then compare that price at AutoSlash.com or Kayak’s car rental section against all brands. If Hertz with the AAA discount is still the lowest price — which it often is — book through AAA to also collect all the fee waivers. If Enterprise or Alamo comes in significantly lower, book there. The AAA membership savings on a single week-long rental frequently exceed the annual AAA dues of $60–$100, which means the membership often pays for itself in car rentals alone.
10
Where is the single easiest place to book a car rental and automatically apply every AAA benefit at once? AAA.com/CarRental or the AAA mobile app — log in with your member credentials before searching and all CDP codes, fee waivers, and Gold+ benefits are applied automatically without entering any codes manually.
Booking through AAA’s own travel portal at AAA.com/CarRental is the simplest and most reliable way to ensure every applicable discount and benefit is applied to your reservation. Log in first — your membership number authenticates all of the following automatically: the AAA base rate discount, the additional driver waiver, the child seat waiver, the young-renter fee waiver (if applicable), and the Hertz Gold+ number (if you’ve already enrolled). The 24-hour advance reservation requirement applies, so plan ahead. The AAA mobile app offers the same functionality on a smartphone and is particularly convenient for booking or modifying reservations while traveling. Phone bookings through AAA travel agents (1-800-222-4357) also apply all member benefits when you provide your membership number.

Sources: AAA.com/CarRental (Hertz up to 20–25% off; Dollar up to 15%; Thrifty up to 10%; CDP# required at reservation; additional driver free up to 4 drivers must be AAA members; child seat free $13.99/day value; young-renter fee waived ages 20–24 up to $25/day; 24-hour advance reservation required; EV rentals included); Hertz.com/AAA (CDP#14 national; CDP#005 Mountain West; loss of use waived; up to $5,000 damage liability limit with LDW); CarRentalSavers.com/aaa (CDP stacking with promo codes; 30% off with AAA; free day on 3+ day rentals); AAA Hoosier Motor Club (675 Gold+ points after first paid Gold rental; AAA Basic/Plus; 1,100 points AAA Premier); AutoSlash.com May 2025 (AAA limited to Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty; Enterprise/Avis/Budget not AAA partners); WalletHub Dec 2025 (fee waivers up to $43/day; Dollar/Thrifty add. driver ~$13/day waived); AAA.com/membership (does not include rental car insurance; AAA auto insurance extends to rentals; AAA Visa supplemental collision coverage); AAA National discounts.aaa.com (Hertz Five Star status by 5/31/26; $50 monthly rental promo PC#211982)

🏆 20 Best AAA Car Rental Discounts — Ranked & Verified

⚠️ CDP Code Required — Without It, None of These Benefits Apply

Every AAA car rental discount and benefit listed below requires your AAA Club Discount Code (CDP#) to be entered at the time of reservation — not at pickup. Your CDP code is printed on the back of your physical or digital AAA card and available in the AAA mobile app. Booking through AAA.com or the AAA app applies it automatically when you are logged in. All discounts apply to the base rate (time and mileage charges only). Taxes, fees, and options are excluded. Verify current terms at AAA.com/CarRental before booking.

Best Core AAA Car Rental Discount

Hertz — Up to 20% Off Base Rate (Year-Round)

🚗 Hertz Car Rental — AAA Official Partner — U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico

💰 Save: Up to 20% off base rate • Applies to Pay Later rates • Valid at participating Hertz locations worldwide

✅ Up to 20% off base rate year-round

✅ Applies to all standard car classes

✅ Valid in U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico

✅ Up to 10% off international Hertz rentals

✅ Valid for daily, weekly, and weekend rentals

✅ No blackout dates on standard Pay Later rate

⚠️ CDP code required at reservation — not counter

⚠️ Discount varies by date, location, car class

The core Hertz-AAA partnership delivers up to 20% off base rates (time and mileage charges) year-round on domestic rentals, and up to 10% off at participating Hertz locations internationally — covering more than 80 countries. The actual percentage achieved in practice varies based on dates, car class, and location; for popular destinations during peak travel periods, the effective saving may be closer to 10–15% after rate algorithms are applied. That said, the AAA rate consistently produces one of the lowest available pay-later rates at Hertz locations in the contiguous United States. For members who prefer the reliability of booking through an established partner rather than hunting coupon codes, this is the most dependable everyday starting point.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental or Hertz.com (enter CDP code manually)
📞 AAA Travel phone booking: 1-800-222-4357
📌 CDP required in reservation — present AAA card at pickup for ID

Up to 20% Off 80+ Countries All Car Classes CDP Code Required

Deepest Hertz Discount — Prepay Required

Hertz — Up to 25% Off Pay Now Rate

🚗 Hertz Car Rental — Pay Now / Prepaid Rate — U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico

💰 Save: Up to 25% off base rate • Requires prepayment at booking • Non-refundable in most cases • Currently active at participating U.S. locations

✅ Up to 25% off — higher than standard AAA rate

✅ Extra 5% over standard Pay Later AAA discount

✅ Applies to daily, weekly, and weekend rentals

✅ Same fee waivers (driver, child seat) still apply

⚠️ Must prepay at time of booking — not pay later

⚠️ Non-refundable if you cancel — plan travel carefully

⚠️ Subject to blackout periods and availability

⚠️ Cannot combine with other promotions or discount rates

When you are confident about your travel dates and location, selecting the Hertz Pay Now rate with your AAA CDP code unlocks up to 25% off the base rate — 5 percentage points better than the standard Pay Later AAA discount. For a $300 base-rate rental, the difference between 20% off ($60 saved) and 25% off ($75 saved) is $15 — meaningful but not dramatic for a single rental. Where Pay Now rates truly outperform is on longer rentals: a $600 base-rate weekly rental saves $150 at 25% versus $120 at 20%. The non-refundable nature is the meaningful risk — if your plans change, you forfeit the prepaid amount, so this rate is best reserved for firmly confirmed travel. Always check cancellation terms carefully before prepaying.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental — select Pay Now option at checkout
📌 Confirm cancellation policy before prepaying — most Pay Now rates are non-refundable

Up to 25% Off Pay Now Required Best for Confirmed Trips Non-Refundable Risk

Highest Hidden Value on Multi-Day Rentals

Free Additional Driver — Up to 4 Drivers at Hertz

👨‍👩‍👧 Hertz, Dollar & Thrifty — Per Rental Agreement

💰 Save: $15/day per driver at Hertz (up to 4 drivers) • ~$13/day at Dollar & Thrifty • Each additional driver must be a AAA member

✅ Hertz: up to 4 additional drivers free

✅ Dollar and Thrifty: free additional driver

✅ Saves $15/day per driver (Hertz standard rate)

✅ On a 7-day trip: saves $105 per extra driver

✅ All drivers processed at rental counter at pickup

⚠️ Each driver must be a AAA member

⚠️ Each additional driver needs their own credit card

⚠️ Must be listed on rental agreement — add at counter

The free additional driver benefit is the single most underrated AAA car rental saving available to families and travel groups. The standard Hertz additional driver fee is $15 per day, meaning a second driver on a 7-day rental normally costs $105. AAA waives this entirely — but only when the additional driver is also an active AAA member and can present their own credit card at the rental counter. For couples who share driving on road trips, this benefit alone can justify the cost of both partners carrying AAA memberships. A family road trip with two AAA-member adults and a 7-day Hertz rental saves $105 in additional driver fees — equal to the annual cost of a AAA Classic membership. Hertz allows up to four additional drivers under this benefit; Dollar and Thrifty also waive the additional driver fee for one AAA-member driver.

🌐 Book: Include CDP code at reservation; additional drivers added at pickup counter
📌 Each additional driver must present their AAA card and their own credit card at the counter

$15/Day Saved Per Driver Up to 4 Free Drivers Dollar & Thrifty Too Biggest Value on Road Trips

Best Benefit for Families with Young Children

Free Child, Infant & Booster Safety Seat

🧒 Hertz, Dollar & Thrifty — Per AAA Rental Agreement

💰 Save: $13.99/day at Hertz • On a 7-day rental: $97.93 saved • One seat per rental at participating locations

✅ One free child, infant, or booster seat per rental

✅ Saves $13.99/day — nearly $100 on a week rental

✅ Available at Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty locations

✅ Covers infant, convertible, and booster seat types

⚠️ Subject to availability — reserve in advance

⚠️ Must book through AAA with CDP code included

⚠️ Discount processed at rental counter — not online

⚠️ One seat per rental regardless of number of children

AAA members renting through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty receive the use of one child, infant, or booster safety seat at no charge per rental. Rental company child seat fees typically run $13.99 per day at Hertz — making this benefit worth nearly $100 on a standard 7-day vacation rental. The seat is reserved through your AAA-coded booking (request it during the online reservation process to improve availability odds), then provided and installed at the rental counter at pickup. Safety note: while the seat is free, always inspect any rental car child seat for damage, expiration date, and proper installation before driving. Many child safety advocates recommend bringing your own seat when traveling with infants for maximum safety certainty — but for travelers who cannot bring their own, this AAA benefit eliminates the daily fee.

🌐 Request seat during reservation at AAA.com/CarRental
📌 Seat provided at counter at pickup — subject to availability, so reserve early

$13.99/Day Saved $97.93 Saved on 7-Day Trip Infant, Convertible, Booster Reserve Early — Limited Supply

Best Benefit for Drivers Ages 20–24

Young Renter Fee Waived — Ages 20 to 24

🧑 Hertz — AAA Member Benefit — Participating U.S. Locations

💰 Save: Up to $25/day at Hertz ($29/day at some locations) • Young driver must be a AAA member • Valid at participating Hertz locations; excludes specialty vehicles

✅ Hertz normally charges $25–$29/day young renter fee

✅ AAA members ages 20–24 have this fee waived entirely

✅ Saves up to $175–$203 on a 7-day rental

✅ Driver must be an active AAA member

⚠️ Young renter must have credit card in own name

⚠️ Excludes specialty, luxury, and premium vehicle classes

⚠️ Valid at participating locations only — verify locally

⚠️ Dollar and Thrifty may have different young-renter policies

Most car rental companies charge a mandatory underage surcharge of $25–$29 per day for renters between the ages of 21 and 24 (and prohibit rentals to drivers under 21 entirely). AAA’s agreement with Hertz waives this fee entirely for AAA members ages 20–24 — a remarkable benefit given that the standard minimum rental age at most companies is 21. Renters as young as 20 can rent through Hertz with this AAA benefit. On a 7-day vacation rental, waiving a $25/day underage fee saves $175. For a college student or young family member who is an AAA member renting a car for a graduation trip, spring break, or holiday travel, this single benefit easily justifies the annual AAA membership cost multiple times over. The young renter must be an active AAA member — this is not transferable to a non-member in the rental party.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental — young driver’s AAA number applied in reservation
📌 Young renter must present their own AAA card and credit card at pickup

Up to $25/Day Saved Ages 20–24 Eligible $175+ Saved on 7-Day Trip Biggest Benefit for Young Drivers

Best Time-Saving Benefit for Frequent Travelers

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — Free Enrollment + Counter Skip

🏅 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — Free for All AAA Members — 50+ Major Airports

✅ Free to join (normally requires frequent renting to achieve Gold status) • Skip the counter at 50+ airports • Go straight to your car

✅ Skip the counter at 50+ major airports worldwide

✅ Car and parking spot shown on electronic board

✅ Show driver’s license at exit gate — drive away

✅ E-return — no paperwork at drop-off

✅ Earn points toward free rental days and upgrades

✅ Free enrollment via AAA.com/HertzGold

⚠️ Must enroll separately from AAA car rental CDP booking

⚠️ Counter-skip available at select locations only

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership normally requires frequent paid rentals to achieve — AAA members of any membership level receive it free by enrolling at AAA.com/HertzGold. The practical value is enormous for anyone who has stood in a long rental car line at a major airport. Gold+ members bypass the counter entirely: their name appears on an electronic departure board in the Gold Plus aisle showing their assigned car and lot number. They proceed directly to the vehicle, show their driver’s license to the exit attendant, and leave. Return is equally seamless via e-return. Beyond the time savings, Gold+ members earn points on all paid Hertz rentals — points that accumulate toward free rental days and vehicle upgrades. Enter your Gold+ number at every AAA-coded Hertz booking to ensure points are credited correctly.

🌐 Enroll free: AAA.com/HertzGold (Basic/Plus) or AAA.com/HertzPremier (Premier)
📌 Add your Gold+ number to every Hertz reservation for points + counter-skip

Skip Airport Counter Free Enrollment 50+ Airports Worldwide Earn Points for Free Days

Free Rental Day After First Paid Gold+ Rental

Hertz Gold Plus — Free Day After First Paid Rental

🏅 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — New AAA Enrollees — One-Time Benefit

💰 Save: 1 free rental day (Basic/Plus Members — 675 points) • 2 free weekend days (Premier Members — 1,100 points) • After first paid Gold rental

✅ AAA Basic/Plus: 675 bonus points = 1 free rental day

✅ AAA Premier: 1,100 bonus points = 2 free weekend days

✅ Points awarded after first paid Gold+ rental completes

✅ Free day excludes taxes, fees, and options

⚠️ New Gold+ enrollees only — existing members not eligible

⚠️ Must enroll through AAA portal, not Hertz direct

⚠️ Rental must be paid — not a promotional or free rental

⚠️ Points credited to Gold+ account post-rental

When a AAA member enrolls in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for the first time through the AAA portal (AAA.com/HertzGold), they receive bonus points credited to their Gold+ account after completing their first paid Gold rental. AAA Basic and Plus members receive 675 points, which Hertz values at one free rental day. AAA Premier members receive 1,100 points — enough for two free weekend rental days. These points are issued in the form of Gold+ Rewards points rather than a direct rental certificate, and they are redeemable for future rental days through the Hertz Gold+ portal. The free day excludes taxes, fees, and optional add-ons — a standard compact or economy class redemption on a off-peak day is the most efficient use. Combined with the AAA discount and fee waivers on the qualifying first paid rental, this is a genuinely strong welcome bonus for new enrollees.

🌐 Enroll: AAA.com/HertzGold • Complete first paid rental to trigger points
📌 Points appear in your Hertz Gold+ account within a few days of rental completion

1 Free Day (Basic/Plus) 2 Free Weekend Days (Premier) 675 or 1,100 Bonus Points New Enrollees Only

Instant Elite Status — No Rentals Required

Hertz Five Star Status — Instant for AAA Members

⭐ Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Five Star Tier — For AAA Basic/Plus Members Who Enroll by May 31

💰 Free instant Five Star tier status through December 31 this year • Normally requires 10 paid rentals or 2,000+ base points annually • Enroll by May 31

✅ Five Star status normally requires 10+ paid rentals/year

✅ AAA members get it instantly with new Gold+ enrollment

✅ Valid through December 31 of enrollment year

✅ Five Star includes: 25% points bonus on every rental

✅ Vehicle choice from Hertz’s best available cars

✅ Dedicated Five Star pickup area at many airports

⚠️ Must be a new Gold+ enrollee — not for existing members

⚠️ Must enroll by May 31 of current year; valid through Dec 31

Hertz’s Five Star tier sits above standard Gold+ and normally requires completing 10 paid rentals or earning 2,000 base points within a calendar year — equivalent to a fairly frequent renter’s annual volume. AAA Basic and Plus members who enroll in Hertz Gold+ for the first time by May 31 receive instant Five Star status valid through December 31 of the same year, with no rental requirement. Five Star status adds a 25% points bonus on every qualifying paid rental (meaning your points accumulate toward free days faster), preferred vehicle selection from a broader fleet, and in many locations a dedicated Five Star pickup area. For members planning one or more rental car trips during a calendar year, achieving Five Star on the first day of enrollment rather than earning it over months of rentals is a meaningful acceleration of the loyalty program’s value.

🌐 Enroll by May 31: AAA.com/HertzGold
📌 Five Star status valid through December 31; must maintain Gold+ enrollment to keep benefits

Instant Five Star No Rentals Required 25% Points Bonus Vehicle Choice Upgrade

Best Budget-Brand AAA Partner Option

Dollar Car Rental — Up to 15% Off Base Rate

💵 Dollar Car Rental — AAA Official Partner — U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico

💰 Save: Up to 15% off base rate • Applies to Pay Later rates • Free additional AAA-member driver • Free child seat • 10% off prepaid fuel

✅ Up to 15% off base rate

✅ Free additional driver who is a AAA member

✅ Free child, infant, or booster seat

✅ 10% off prepaid fuel option at pickup

✅ Often lower base rate than Hertz before discount

✅ Same owned by Hertz Holdings — same counter network

⚠️ Smaller fleet and fewer locations than Hertz

⚠️ Young renter fee waiver terms may differ from Hertz

Dollar Car Rental is the mid-tier brand within the Hertz family and AAA’s second-ranked official partner. While the base discount (up to 15%) is lower than Hertz’s up to 20%, Dollar’s base rates are often lower to begin with — meaning the AAA-discounted Dollar rate can sometimes end up cheaper than the AAA-discounted Hertz rate for the same car class on the same dates. This is worth checking on every booking. Dollar includes the same free additional driver (AAA member required), free child seat, and 10% off prepaid fuel benefits as Hertz, making the full benefit package nearly identical. When Hertz is sold out of economy or compact cars on popular travel dates, Dollar is the next stop — same ownership group, same general counter location at many airports, and the same AAA CDP code system applies.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental — select Dollar option
📌 Check Dollar rates alongside Hertz rates — Dollar’s lower base rate sometimes wins after discount

Up to 15% Off Free Additional Driver Free Child Seat Compare to Hertz Every Time

Best Value Entry Point in the AAA Network

Thrifty Car Rental — Up to 10% Off Base Rate

💲 Thrifty Car Rental — AAA Official Partner — U.S. & Canada

💰 Save: Up to 10% off base rate • Free additional AAA-member driver • Free child seat • 10% off prepaid fuel option

✅ Up to 10% off base rate on all Thrifty rentals

✅ Free additional driver who is a AAA member

✅ Free child, infant, or booster seat

✅ 10% off prepaid fuel at pickup

✅ Thrifty often has the lowest base rate in AAA network

✅ Valid through June 30 (current offer period)

⚠️ 10% discount is the smallest in the AAA partner network

⚠️ Fewer airport locations than Hertz or Dollar

Thrifty is the value tier of the Hertz Holdings family, traditionally offering the lowest base rates of the three AAA-partnered brands before any discount. A 10% AAA discount on an already-low Thrifty base rate can sometimes produce the cheapest net price in the entire AAA rental network — particularly for economy and compact car classes during off-peak periods. Thrifty includes the same free additional driver (AAA member), free child seat, and 10% prepaid fuel saving as Dollar. On budget-conscious trips where the absolute lowest daily rate matters most and Gold+ counter-skip or loyalty points are not priorities, Thrifty with the AAA discount deserves a direct price comparison against Hertz and Dollar before every booking. Availability is thinner at some airport markets, but at major hubs Thrifty is reliably present.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental — select Thrifty option
📌 Always compare Thrifty, Dollar, and Hertz AAA rates simultaneously — lowest net rate wins

Up to 10% Off Often Lowest Base Rate Free Driver + Child Seat Budget-Conscious Best Bet

Best Fuel Saving on Long-Distance Rentals

10% Off Prepaid Fuel Purchase Option

⛽ Hertz, Dollar & Thrifty — At Pickup Counter — When You Prepay for Full Tank

💰 Save: 10% off fuel purchase when you prepay for a full tank at pickup counter • Applies to all three AAA partner brands

✅ 10% off the prepaid fuel option at Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty

✅ Prepay for full tank at pickup — return empty

✅ Good value when driving 300+ miles on road trips

✅ Eliminates refueling stop before return

⚠️ Only valid when prepaid fuel option is purchased at pickup

⚠️ Rental company fuel prices often higher than pump prices

⚠️ Poor value if you return car with significant fuel remaining

⚠️ Best for long trips where you’ll use most of a full tank

AAA members who purchase the prepaid fuel option at any Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty counter receive a 10% discount on the fuel cost. This benefit makes the most financial sense on road trips of 300 miles or more where the car is likely to be returned with very little fuel remaining. Rental company prepaid fuel prices per gallon are typically set at or near retail pump prices — and with the 10% AAA discount, the cost becomes lower than what most rental locations charge for refueling an unreturned tank on the standard plan. The math flips against you on short city rentals where you might return the car with half a tank unused: you would have paid for fuel you didn’t use. Use this benefit selectively — it is genuinely advantageous for multi-day highway trips, and not recommended for short urban rentals.

🌐 Request: Ask for prepaid fuel option at rental counter at pickup
📌 Only worth it for long road trips — return empty. Skip it for short city rentals.

10% Off Prepaid Fuel All 3 AAA Partner Brands Best for 300+ Mile Trips Skip on Short Rentals

Best Discount for Extended Month-Long Rentals

$50 Off Monthly Rental — Hertz AAA Promo Code

🗓️ Hertz Car Rental — Requires AAA CDP + PC#211982 — Minimum 28-Day Rental

💰 Save: $50 off the base rate of a monthly rental • Both AAA CDP# and PC#211982 must be included in reservation • Minimum 28-day rental required

✅ $50 off base rate of any 28-day or longer Hertz rental

✅ Stacks on top of the standard AAA base-rate discount

✅ Available at U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico locations

✅ Valid through December 31 (current promotion)

⚠️ Both AAA CDP# AND PC#211982 required in reservation

⚠️ Minimum 28-day rental required

⚠️ Excludes minivans, large SUVs, and Dream vehicles

⚠️ Only valid for Pay Later base rate

For members who need a car for a full month — relocation, extended travel, home vehicle repair, or seasonal use — this stackable promo delivers $50 off the base rate in addition to the standard AAA CDP discount. To activate it, both codes must be in the reservation simultaneously: your AAA CDP number (found on your card) and the promotional code PC#211982 (available at AAA.com or from your AAA travel agent). On a typical monthly Hertz rate that already benefits from the 20% AAA discount, the $50 additional reduction is incremental but real. This benefit is best exploited for travel or situations where vehicle availability is confirmed for the full 28-day minimum. Contact your AAA travel office or 1-800-222-4357 to ensure both codes are applied correctly if you are unsure how to enter them online.

🌐 Book at Hertz.com: Enter AAA CDP# + Promo Code PC#211982 simultaneously
📞 For help: AAA Travel 1-800-222-4357 — they can apply both codes for you

$50 Off Monthly Rental 28-Day Minimum Stacks on AAA Discount PC#211982 Required

Best Hertz Coupon to Stack With AAA Rate

Hertz Free Day Coupon — Requires 3-Day Minimum Rental

🎫 Hertz AAA Coupon — CarRentalSavers.com — Valid Through June 30

💰 Get a free rental day on rentals of 3 days or longer • Book through CarRentalSavers.com/aaa — coupon applied automatically • Valid at participating locations

✅ One free rental day when renting 3 or more days

✅ AAA CDP discount applied simultaneously

✅ Effectively a 33% discount on a 3-day rental

✅ Available via CarRentalSavers.com smart coupon engine

⚠️ Requires 3-day minimum; free day does not add fourth day

⚠️ Holiday blackouts and location restrictions apply

⚠️ Free day excludes taxes, fees, and optional add-ons

⚠️ Test with and without coupon — pay-now rate may beat it

CarRentalSavers.com maintains a “Smart Book” engine that automatically applies Hertz coupon codes alongside the AAA CDP discount, allowing members to see the net rate with different coupon combinations before booking. The free rental day on 3-day rentals is one of the most consistently available and valuable coupons in this system. On a 3-day rental, a free day is mathematically a 33% discount on that day’s base rate — which, combined with the AAA CDP discount on the other two days, can produce a total savings of 20–35% depending on the combination that performs best for your specific dates and location. The smart approach: enter your travel dates at CarRentalSavers.com/aaa, let the engine test multiple coupon + CDP combinations, and compare the results to the straight AAA rate at AAA.com/CarRental. Use whichever is cheaper.

🌐 Book via: carrentalsavers.com/aaa — coupons auto-tested with AAA discount
📌 Compare results to AAA.com/CarRental — use whichever net rate is lower

Free Day on 3+ Day Rental Stacks with AAA CDP 33% Effective Discount (3-Day) Smart Coupon Engine

Best AAA Benefit for International Travel

Hertz International Discount — 10–15% Off in 80+ Countries

🌍 Hertz International Locations — AAA CDP Code Required — Australia, Europe, NZ + 80 Countries

💰 Save: Up to 10% off base rate internationally • Valid in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK + 80 countries

✅ 10–15% off at Hertz locations in 80+ countries

✅ Valid in major European countries and Australia/NZ

✅ Free additional driver applies at most locations

✅ International driving permit available at AAA branches

⚠️ Free additional driver NOT valid in Ireland or N. Ireland

⚠️ AAA auto insurance does NOT cover rentals outside the U.S.

⚠️ Must purchase supplemental insurance for international rentals

⚠️ Mexican rentals require separate Mexican insurance regardless

AAA’s Hertz discount extends internationally to more than 80 countries at participating Hertz locations, typically providing 10–15% off the base rate on international rentals. This is a genuinely useful benefit for members traveling to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other destinations where Hertz has a strong presence. The same AAA CDP code is used at international locations — enter it when booking online through AAA.com/CarRental or Hertz.com. Two important notes for international rentals: first, AAA auto insurance coverage does not extend outside the United States, meaning members must purchase supplemental coverage from the rental company or a travel insurance policy; second, AAA branches in the U.S. can issue International Driving Permits (IDPs) for a small fee — many countries require an IDP alongside a U.S. driver’s license for legal car rental.

🌐 Book: AAA.com/CarRental — select international location with CDP code
📌 Get an International Driving Permit at any AAA branch before departure — often required abroad

80+ Countries 10–15% Off Internationally IDP Available at AAA Branches Buy Insurance for Int’l Trips

Best Emergency Benefit — AAA Premier Members Only

AAA Premier — Free Rental Day Reimbursement on Breakdown

🛡️ AAA Premier Membership — Non-Collision Tow Benefit — U.S. & Canada

💰 AAA Premier members only • Free full-size rental car for 1 day when your vehicle is inoperable due to a non-collision tow event • Reimbursed with receipt

✅ 1 free day rental (up to full-size) per membership year

✅ Triggered by non-collision tow of your personal vehicle

✅ Reimbursement paid with original receipt after trip

✅ Available in U.S. and Canada

⚠️ AAA Premier membership required (not available to Classic/Plus)

⚠️ Only applies to non-collision breakdown tow events

⚠️ Vehicle must be 100+ miles from home for Premier travel benefits

⚠️ Member responsible for additional days and optional charges

AAA Premier membership — the highest membership tier — includes a meaningful travel protection benefit that directly relates to car rental: when a Premier member’s personal vehicle becomes inoperable due to a non-collision breakdown event that requires a covered tow, AAA reimburses one full day of rental car expenses (up to full-size car class) per membership year. This benefit is designed to cover transportation while your vehicle is being repaired, and it applies within 100 or more miles from home on a planned leisure trip. While not a standard discount, it is one of the most valuable practical benefits that distinguishes Premier membership from Basic and Plus levels. AAA Premier membership costs approximately $30–40 more per year than Plus — and a single invocation of this benefit on a trip breakdown pays that premium back immediately.

📞 If breakdown occurs: Call 1-800-222-4357 immediately — AAA coordinates rental directly
🌐 Upgrade to Premier: aaa.com/membership • Reimbursement submitted with receipt post-trip

Premier Members Only 1 Free Day on Breakdown Full-Size Car Class Emergency Travel Protection

Best Card-Based Cash Back on Hertz Rentals

AAA Visa Card — Extra 1% Cash Back on Hertz Rentals

💳 AAA Cashback Visa / AAA Dollars Visa — Hertz Bonus Rewards — Through October 2026

💰 Earn an additional 1% cash back on all Hertz purchases when paid with eligible AAA Visa card • Stacks with base card rewards rate • No rental minimum

✅ Extra 1% cash back on all Hertz rentals

✅ Available: AAA Cashback, AAA Dollars Plus, AAA Dollars Visa

✅ Stacks on top of card’s base rewards rate

✅ No minimum rental or spend required

✅ Promotion runs through October 31 of current year

✅ Also stacks with AAA CDP discount on same rental

⚠️ Specific eligible AAA Visa cards only — verify yours qualifies

⚠️ Must enroll card in AAA Rewards program to receive bonus

Eligible AAA Visa cardholders earn an additional 1% cash back on all Hertz rental purchases through October 31 of the current calendar year, stacked on top of whatever base rewards rate their card already earns. For a $200 Hertz rental, that extra 1% generates $2 in additional cash back — modest on a single rental, but meaningful over a year of travel for regular renters. More importantly, this cash back stacks with the AAA CDP discount (which reduces the base rate), the free-driver and child-seat fee waivers, and any applicable promo code savings — making it a layer in a comprehensive stacking strategy. AAA also offers the AAA Travel Advantage Visa Signature, which provides supplemental rental car collision coverage when used to pay for a rental and the CDW is declined — a separate but complementary benefit.

🌐 Apply for AAA Visa: aaa.com/creditcard • Use card when paying Hertz rental
📌 Confirm your specific card qualifies for the bonus at aaa.com before relying on it

Extra 1% Cash Back All Hertz Rentals Stacks With CDP Discount Through October This Year

Most Overlooked Financial Protection Benefit

Hertz Loss of Use Fee Waived for AAA Members

🛡️ Hertz Car Rental — Damage Protection Benefit — U.S. Locations

💰 AAA members’ liability for damage to a Hertz rental car is limited to $5,000 (U.S.) • Loss of use fee waived • Provided no rental agreement terms are violated

✅ Loss of use fee waived for AAA members at Hertz

✅ Damage liability capped at $5,000 (vs. unlimited without)

✅ Provided rental agreement terms are not violated

✅ Applies at U.S. Hertz locations with AAA CDP code

✅ If LDW purchased, all financial responsibility is waived

⚠️ Does not eliminate all damage liability — $5,000 remains

⚠️ Voided if rental agreement terms are violated

⚠️ Personal auto insurance may cover the $5,000 exposure

One of the least-advertised AAA car rental benefits is the loss of use waiver at Hertz. Normally, when a rental car is involved in an accident or damaged, the rental company charges a “loss of use” fee for the days the vehicle cannot be rented while being repaired — a fee that can add hundreds of dollars on top of the repair cost. AAA members’ CDP code activates a waiver of this loss of use fee at Hertz, and also caps the member’s maximum liability for damage to the rental vehicle at $5,000 (U.S. locations only). If the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is separately purchased at the counter, all financial responsibility is entirely eliminated. Combined with AAA auto insurance (which extends to rental cars) or the AAA Visa Signature collision coverage benefit, AAA members have multiple overlapping layers of financial protection when renting through Hertz.

🌐 Active when: CDP code included in reservation at booking
📌 Consider LDW at counter for full protection — your personal auto insurance likely covers the $5,000 exposure

Loss of Use Fee Waived $5,000 Damage Cap Stacks With LDW U.S. Hertz Locations Only

Best Peace-of-Mind Benefit While Driving a Rental

AAA Roadside Assistance — Valid on Rental Cars

🛣️ AAA Membership Roadside Assistance — All Membership Levels — U.S. & Canada

✅ AAA roadside assistance covers you as a driver or passenger in any vehicle, including rental cars • Towing, jump-starts, lockouts, tire changes — all covered

✅ Valid in rental cars — same as personal vehicle

✅ Flat tire, battery jump, lockout, towing covered

✅ Classic: 5-mile tow per incident

✅ Plus: up to 100-mile tow (one call) + 3 additional calls

✅ Premier: 200-mile tow (one call) + additional coverage

✅ 24/7 availability — call 1-800-222-4357 from anywhere

⚠️ Covers you as person, not the specific vehicle

⚠️ Rental company may have its own separate roadside option

Many AAA members don’t realize their roadside assistance coverage follows them as a person, not just their personal vehicle. This means if you are driving a Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty rental car and experience a flat tire, dead battery, lockout, or breakdown, calling AAA at 1-800-222-4357 triggers your full membership roadside benefit — towing, battery service, tire change, fuel delivery, and lockout service — just as if you were in your own car. For Classic members, towing up to 5 miles is included; for Plus members, one tow of up to 100 miles; for Premier members, one tow of up to 200 miles. This is particularly valuable because rental companies often charge $99 or more for their own roadside assistance add-on. AAA membership makes that add-on entirely redundant for covered members, saving the daily fee on every rental.

📞 Call: 1-800-222-4357 for roadside assistance from any vehicle, including rentals
📌 Skip the rental company’s roadside add-on — your AAA membership already covers it

Works in Rental Cars Saves $99+ Rental Add-On Fee 24/7 / 1-800-222-4357 Skip Rental Co. Roadside Option

Best AAA Benefit for Moving or Large Vehicle Needs

Penske Truck Rental — 12% Off + Free Unlimited Mileage

🚚 Penske Truck Rental — AAA Discount Partner — One-Way & Local Rentals

💰 Save: 12% or more off Penske truck rental base rate • Free unlimited mileage on one-way rentals • Available to all AAA members • verify current terms at Penske.com

✅ 12%+ off Penske truck rental base rates

✅ Free unlimited mileage on one-way rentals

✅ Wide range of truck sizes — 12 to 26 ft

✅ Covered by AAA roadside assistance during rental

✅ One-way rentals available coast to coast

⚠️ Not a traditional car rental — trucks and moving vehicles only

⚠️ Mileage terms vary by rental type — confirm at booking

⚠️ AAA membership card required at pickup

Penske Truck Rental is an often-overlooked AAA discount partner that delivers significant savings for members who need a moving truck, cargo van, or large vehicle rental. AAA members receive 12% or more off the base rate plus free unlimited mileage on one-way moves — a genuinely valuable benefit given that mileage charges on truck rentals are one of the largest hidden cost items in a long-distance move. Penske trucks range from 12-foot cargo vans suitable for apartment moves to 26-foot trucks for full household relocations. AAA roadside assistance also extends to Penske truck rentals, providing 24/7 coverage during the move. For members relocating, helping a family member move, or needing a cargo vehicle for a business errand, this discount is a meaningful money-saver that exists completely separately from the Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty car rental network.

🌐 Book: penske.com — mention AAA membership or use AAA discount code at checkout
📞 Or call: 1-888-99-PENSKE (1-888-997-3675) and provide your AAA member number

12%+ Off Penske Free Unlimited Mileage One-Way Moves Included AAA Roadside Applies

Best AAA Benefit to Use With a Car Rental

The Parking Spot — Up to 20% Off Airport Parking

🅿️ The Parking Spot — AAA Member Offer — Off-Airport Parking Nationwide

💰 Save: Up to 20% off off-airport parking reservations • Use promo code 20offAAA26 • Valid for travel March 1 through August 31 • 30+ locations near major airports

✅ Up to 20% off parking — use code 20offAAA26

✅ Available at 30+ The Parking Spot locations nationwide

✅ Off-airport with free shuttle to terminal

✅ Covered / uncovered options at many locations

✅ Valid for travel through August 31 (current promotion)

⚠️ Must use code 20offAAA26 at theparkingspot.com

⚠️ Offer valid at participating locations only

⚠️ Check terminal shuttle frequency for your arrival time

While The Parking Spot is not a car rental itself, it is one of the most practical AAA discount benefits for travelers combining a car rental trip with air travel. Parking at major U.S. airports can cost $20–$50 per day. The Parking Spot’s off-airport facilities offer free shuttle service to and from terminals at significantly lower rates — and AAA’s 20% discount (with code 20offAAA26) reduces those rates further. On a 7-day vacation where the traveler flies out and picks up a rental at the destination airport, using The Parking Spot for departure parking and Hertz for arrival rental means AAA discounts are working on both ends of the trip. The Parking Spot operates in more than 30 major airport markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando, and more. Reserve ahead for guaranteed availability and the discounted rate.

🌐 Book: theparkingspot.com — enter code 20offAAA26 at checkout
📌 Reserve in advance — popular travel dates fill fast and the code may not apply to all rate types

Up to 20% Off Parking Code: 20offAAA26 30+ Airport Locations Stack With Hertz Rental

Sources: AAA.com/CarRental (Hertz up to 20%; Dollar up to 15%; Thrifty up to 10%; CDP required; free additional driver; free child seat $13.99/day; young renter fee waived 20–24; EV included; 80+ countries international; 24-hr advance reservation; present card at pickup); AAA National discounts.aaa.com (Hertz up to 25% Pay Now; $50 off monthly PC#211982; Five Star instant status enroll by May 31; valid through Dec 31; Parking Spot 20% off 20offAAA26 through Aug 31); Hertz.com/AAA (CDP#14 national; CDP#005 Mountain West; loss of use waived; $5,000 damage cap U.S.; Gold+ 750 activation points; Five Star 25% point bonus); AAA Hoosier (675 Gold+ bonus points Basic/Plus = 1 free day; 1,100 Premier = 2 free weekend days); CarRentalSavers.com/aaa (Hertz up to 30% with coupon stack; free day on 3+ days; $50 off weekly; $30 off weekly rental; coupon combinations tested automatically; valid through June 30); WalletHub Dec 2025 (fee waivers $43/day combined; Dollar/Thrifty driver ~$13/day; 1-800-222-4357 booking); AutoSlash May 2025 (AAA limited to Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty parent; Enterprise/Budget/Avis/National not AAA partners; compare before booking); NerdWallet Nov 2025 (Hertz up to 20% base rate; Dollar 10%; Thrifty 8%; child seat + driver free); AAA.com/membership (roadside assistance covers rental cars; Classic 5mi tow; Plus 100mi tow; Premier 200mi tow; 1-800-222-4357; does not include rental insurance); Premier membership PDF (1-day rental reimbursement on non-collision tow; up to full-size; 100+ miles from home); Groupon AAA coupons Mar 2026 (Penske 12%+ off + free unlimited mileage; $220 avg member savings on discounts annually); Hertz.com AAA Visa bonus (extra 1% cash back AAA Cashback/Dollars Plus/Dollars Visa through Oct 31; auto liability coverage AAA Visa Signature)

💸 AAA Car Rental Savings — Key Numbers at a Glance

💪 Maximum Hertz Discount

Up to 25%

The deepest Hertz rate available to AAA members is the Pay Now rate — up to 25% off the base rate. Standard Pay Later AAA pricing is up to 20%. The additional 5% requires prepayment and is non-refundable if plans change.

👥 Free Additional Driver Saving

$105/week

The standard Hertz additional driver fee is $15/day. Waived for AAA members on up to 4 additional drivers — provided each driver is also a AAA member. On a 7-day road trip with one extra driver: $105 saved.

🧒 Free Child Seat Saving

$97.93/week

Hertz child/infant/booster seat rental normally costs $13.99 per day. AAA members receive one seat free per rental at participating Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty locations. Reserve in advance — subject to availability.

🧑 Young Renter Fee Waived

$175+/week

Hertz charges $25/day underage surcharge for renters ages 21–24 (most companies prohibit under-21 rentals entirely). AAA members ages 20–24 have this fee waived entirely — saving $175 or more on a 7-day rental.

💡 How to Stack Every AAA Car Rental Benefit on One Booking

For maximum savings on a single Hertz rental, this is the exact stacking order to follow:

1. Book through AAA.com/CarRental while logged in — this automatically applies your CDP code and the base rate discount (up to 20% Pay Later, 25% Pay Now).
2. Add a promo code — if applicable, enter PC#211982 for a $50 reduction on monthly rentals. For 3–7 day rentals, check CarRentalSavers.com/aaa for stackable coupon codes that may improve the net rate further.
3. Enter your Hertz Gold+ number at checkout if you are already enrolled — this earns you points toward free days and activates counter-skip at eligible airports.
4. Request your free add-ons during booking — note the additional AAA-member driver and child seat on the reservation (both confirmed at the counter at pickup).
5. Pay with your AAA Visa card — earns the extra 1% cash back on the Hertz rental total and provides supplemental collision coverage when the rental company’s CDW is declined.

Sources: AAA.com/CarRental (Pay Now up to 25%; Pay Later up to 20%; additional driver $15/day standard; child seat $13.99/day standard; young renter fee $25/day standard; CDP code required at booking); AAA National discounts.aaa.com ($50 monthly promo PC#211982); CarRentalSavers.com/aaa (coupon stack testing engine); Hertz Gold+ (counter-skip 50+ airports; points accumulation); AAA Visa cards (1% cash back bonus; supplemental collision coverage)

📋 AAA Car Rental Benefits — Partner Brand Comparison

All three AAA-partner brands are owned by Hertz Holdings. Each offers different base discount levels and benefit details. CDP code required at reservation for all brands. Taxes and fees are excluded from all discounts. Confirm current terms at AAA.com/CarRental before booking.

Benefit	Hertz	Dollar	Thrifty
Base Rate Discount	Up to 20%	Up to 15%	Up to 10%
Pay Now Discount	Up to 25%	Varies	Varies
Free Additional Driver	Up to 4 (AAA members)	1 (AAA member)	1 (AAA member)
Free Child Safety Seat	Yes (1 per rental)	Yes (1 per rental)	Yes (1 per rental)
Young Renter Fee Waived (20–24)	Yes — $25/day saved	Check locally	Check locally
10% Off Prepaid Fuel	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gold Plus Loyalty Program	Free enrollment + counter-skip	N/A	N/A
Loss of Use Waiver	Yes (U.S.)	Varies	Varies
International Discount	10–15% in 80+ countries	U.S./Canada only	U.S./Canada only
EV Rentals at AAA Rate	Yes at select locations	Not confirmed	Not confirmed

Sources: AAA.com/CarRental (all three brand discount levels; benefit comparison); Hertz.com/AAA (Gold+; loss of use waiver; EV; international 80+ countries); Dollar AAA page (15% off; free driver/seat; fuel 10%); Thrifty.com/AAA (10% off; free driver; fuel 10%; U.S./Canada only); AutoSlash May 2025 (Hertz strongest; compare all brands before booking)

❓ AAA Car Rental Questions Answered Plainly

💡 Do I Need to Book Through AAA.com or Can I Book on Hertz.com Directly?

Both work — but they require different steps. Booking through AAA.com/CarRental or the AAA mobile app is the simplest path: log in first and your CDP code and member discounts are applied automatically. Booking directly on Hertz.com works too, but you must manually enter your AAA Club Discount Code (CDP#) in the “Add a Discount Code” field during the reservation process — the code is on the back of your AAA membership card or available in the AAA app. The critical rule is the same either way: the CDP code must be entered at the time of booking, not presented at the counter at pickup. Walking up to the counter with your AAA card and asking for a member discount without a pre-coded reservation will not get you the AAA rate or the fee waivers. Book ahead, verify the CDP code is applied, and bring your AAA card to the counter for identity confirmation only.

💡 Is AAA Car Rental Insurance the Same as the Damage Waiver at the Counter?

No — these are three completely different things, and understanding the difference prevents paying for duplicate coverage. AAA membership does not provide any rental car insurance. It provides discounts, fee waivers, and roadside assistance. AAA auto insurance (a separate policy you purchase through AAA) typically extends comprehensive and collision coverage to rental cars in the U.S., subject to your deductible. The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) offered by Hertz at the counter is not insurance — it is a waiver the rental company sells that eliminates your financial responsibility for damage or theft of the vehicle if you accept it. If you have AAA auto insurance with comprehensive and collision, you likely do not need to purchase the LDW at the counter. If you pay with an AAA Visa Signature card and decline the LDW, the credit card provides supplemental collision coverage. Always check with your personal insurance agent before declining rental counter coverage to confirm your specific policy’s rental car provisions.

💡 Can I Use My AAA Discount at Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, or Avis?

No — directly. AAA’s official car rental discount program exclusively covers Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty. Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, Avis, and Sixt do not have direct pricing agreements with AAA as of March 2026. This does not mean you should ignore those brands. AutoSlash.com (a comparison tool used by rental car industry experts) recommends always comparing the AAA-discounted Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty rate against public rates at Enterprise, National, and Alamo before booking — because those companies frequently run their own promotions that beat the AAA-discounted Hertz rate, particularly for weekly or long-term rentals. The correct approach: get your best AAA rate at Hertz via AAA.com/CarRental, then compare it at AutoSlash.com or Kayak.com/cars against all brands. Use your AAA discount when it wins; book elsewhere when it does not.

💡 What If Hertz Is Sold Out or Has No Good Cars Available on My Dates?

Check Dollar and Thrifty first — both share Hertz Holdings’ fleet network and many airport locations, meaning their inventory often draws from the same pool. After exhausting all three AAA-partner brands, use a third-party car rental aggregator (AutoSlash.com, Kayak, or Google Flights’ car rental tab) to check Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, and Avis without AAA pricing. For popular destinations during peak travel periods (July 4th, Thanksgiving, spring break), booking 3–4 weeks in advance is strongly recommended — rental car inventory at AAA-partner locations can become extremely limited within two weeks of high-demand dates. If you absolutely need a car and all options are expensive, check whether your destination city has neighborhood Enterprise or Budget locations (not airport-based) — off-airport pickup typically costs 20–40% less than the same brand at the terminal.

💡 How Do I Know If I’m Actually Getting the AAA Discount Rate Before I Commit?

Look for explicit confirmation before entering payment information. When booking through AAA.com/CarRental while logged in, the AAA rate should appear labeled as the member rate in the rate comparison. When booking on Hertz.com with a CDP code entered manually, the AAA discount should display in the rate breakdown before checkout — look for a line showing the CDP discount applied. If you do not see a discount line item, stop and verify your CDP code was entered correctly (your code is on the back of your physical or digital AAA card). Also check: are you logged into AAA.com, or just browsing as a guest? Guest browsing on AAA’s site will not apply your discount automatically. If booking by phone with a AAA travel agent, ask the agent to confirm the AAA rate is reflected on the reservation confirmation email you will receive — that email is your documented proof the discount was applied correctly.

💡 Is AAA Membership Worth It Just for Car Rental Discounts?

For many frequent travelers, yes — even without considering any other AAA benefit. AAA Classic membership costs approximately $59–$75 per year depending on your regional club. A single 7-day summer Hertz rental for a family of four, with the full AAA benefit stack applied, can save: $70–$100 in base rate discount + $105 in free additional driver fees + $97.93 in free child seat fees = $272–$302 in documented savings. That is three to five times the annual membership cost recovered in one trip. Add the roadside assistance coverage (which eliminates the need for a AAA-like add-on through another provider), the hotel discounts (AAA members saved $310 million collectively at AAA preferred hotels in 2021 alone, per AAA), and the savings on fuel, attractions, and dining from the broader AAA Discounts & Rewards network — and the $59–$75 annual investment pays for itself many times over for most households that travel at all.

Sources: AAA.com/CarRental (CDP booking process; log in required for auto-apply; present card at pickup); AutoSlash.com Aug 2025 (AAA limited to 3 brands; always compare; Enterprise/Alamo often compete or win); AAA.com/membership ($59–$75 annual dues range; Classic/Plus/Premier levels; roadside assistance; hotel savings $310M in 2021); Travelouts.com Feb 2025 (AAA auto insurance extends to U.S. rental cars; LDW distinction; AAA Visa Signature supplemental collision); AutoSlash.com May 2025 (limited brand pool; prepaid rates not supported through AAA; broader comparison recommended); AAA Mountain West CDP#005 (regional club code); AAA National CDP#14 (primary code used at booking)

📍 Find Car Rental Locations & AAA Offices Near You

Allow location access when prompted to find the nearest Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty locations, plus local AAA branch offices where members can get travel assistance, International Driving Permits, and in-person booking help.

Finding car rental locations near you…

✅ Five Steps to Get Every AAA Car Rental Discount on Your Next Trip

Step 1: Find your CDP code before you search for cars. It is on the back of your physical AAA card or in the AAA mobile app under “Membership.” Write it down or screenshot it. Without this code entered at the time of reservation, none of the discounts or fee waivers apply — not at booking, not at the counter.
Step 2: Book at AAA.com/CarRental while logged in. Log into your AAA account first, then search for cars. Your CDP code, fee waivers, and Gold+ number (if enrolled) are applied automatically. Compare Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty rates side by side in the same session before selecting one.
Step 3: Enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards if you haven’t already. Go to AAA.com/HertzGold. Enrollment is free, takes five minutes, and gives you counter-skip at 50+ airports, a free rental day after your first paid Gold rental, and instant Five Star status if you enroll by May 31. Enter your Gold+ number on every Hertz reservation to earn points.
Step 4: Compare AAA pricing against the full market before committing. Take your AAA rate and enter it at AutoSlash.com or Kayak.com/cars to see if Enterprise, National, or Alamo is cheaper on your specific dates. If they are, book there. If AAA’s Hertz rate wins, book through AAA and collect all the fee waivers too.
Step 5: Skip the rental company’s roadside assistance add-on. Your AAA membership covers towing, flat tires, jump-starts, and lockouts in any vehicle — including Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty rentals. The rental counter roadside assistance add-on ($5–$12/day) is completely redundant for AAA members. Declining it on a 7-day rental saves $35–$84 in fees.

🚨 Three Costly AAA Car Rental Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to enter the CDP code at reservation — then trying to get it applied at the counter. The rental counter cannot retroactively apply the AAA discount or fee waivers to a booking made without the CDP code. This is the most common and most expensive AAA car rental error. Always verify the discount appears in your booking confirmation before your travel date. If it is missing, cancel and rebook correctly while rates allow.
Assuming AAA always has the best price. AAA’s discount network covers only Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty — all owned by the same parent company. Enterprise, National, Alamo, Budget, and Avis are outside the AAA discount network and regularly offer competitive rates, especially for weekly rentals, loyalty member rates, and sale events. Using only AAA.com without comparing other brands means you may pay more than necessary. Take two minutes to compare on AutoSlash or Kayak before every booking.
Paying for the rental company’s roadside assistance, CDW, and other daily add-ons without checking whether your existing coverage already applies. Between your AAA roadside membership, your personal auto insurance policy’s rental extension, and the collision protection on an AAA Visa Signature card, most AAA members already have multiple layers of coverage that duplicate the rental company’s upsells. Review what you already have before accepting any daily fee add-on at the rental counter — the stack of daily fees ($8 roadside + $28 CDW + $15 additional driver) can easily double the cost of a rental that already carries an AAA discount.

© BudgetSeniors.com — This guide is independently researched and written. We are not affiliated with, compensated by, or endorsed by AAA, Hertz Holdings, Dollar Car Rental, Thrifty Car Rental, Penske, The Parking Spot, or any other company mentioned. All discount percentages, fee waiver amounts, and benefit details are verified from official AAA and partner websites as of March 2026. Car rental rates, discount availability, and promotional codes change frequently and vary by location, date, car class, and regional AAA club. Always verify current terms at AAA.com/CarRental before booking. AAA membership terms vary by regional club — contact your specific AAA club for exact benefits applicable to your membership level. For roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. For AAA Travel bookings: 1-800-222-4357. To find your nearest AAA branch: AAA.com/membership.

Primary sources: AAA.com/CarRental (Hertz 20–25%; Dollar 15%; Thrifty 10%; CDP required; all fee waivers; EV; international; 24-hr advance reservation; log in for auto-apply); AAA National discounts.aaa.com (Hertz up to 25% Pay Now active; $50 monthly promo PC#211982 valid Dec 31; Five Star instant status enroll by May 31; Parking Spot 20% off 20offAAA26 Mar 1–Aug 31; additional driver free up to 4); Hertz.com/AAA (CDP#14 national; CDP#005 Mountain West; loss of use waived; $5,000 damage cap U.S.; Gold+ enrollment free for AAA; 50+ airports counter-skip); AAA Hoosier Motor Club (675 bonus points Basic/Plus first Gold rental; 1,100 points Premier; counter-skip 50 airports + 4,000 worldwide locations); CarRentalSavers.com/aaa (Hertz up to 30% with coupon stack; 20% with coupons; free day 3-day minimum; $30 weekly promo; $50 monthly promo; coupon combinations tested; valid through June 30); WalletHub Dec 2025 (fee waivers up to $43/day; Dollar/Thrifty driver ~$13/day; AAA dues $59+/year); NerdWallet Nov 2025 (Hertz up to 20%; child seat free; driver free; ages 20–24 young renter waived); AutoSlash May 2025 (AAA limited to Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty; Enterprise/Budget/Avis not partners; prepaid rates not supported; compare before booking); Groupon AAA coupons Mar 2026 (Penske 12%+ off + free unlimited mileage one-way; $220 avg member savings annually; 70,000 partner discount locations); AAA Premier membership PDF readingberks (1-day rental reimbursement non-collision tow; up to full-size; 100+ miles from home; per membership year; reimbursement with receipt); AAA.com/membership (Classic 5mi tow; Plus 100mi; Premier 200mi; roadside applies to rental cars; does not include rental insurance; AAA Visa Signature supplemental collision); Travelouts.com Feb 2025 / AutoSlash Aug 2025 (AAA auto insurance extends to U.S. rental cars with comp/collision; LDW is waiver not insurance; AAA Visa Signature collision supplemental)

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