What you get with an AARP membership

AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes discounts on insurance products, travel, dining, and retail purchases. The membership also gives you access to AARP's magazine and website, where you can read articles about health, money, and caregiving. You get a membership card you can show at participating businesses to receive discounts on the spot.

The most commonly used benefits are discounts at hotels, rental car companies, and restaurants — places where you already spend money. AARP negotiates these rates directly with businesses, so the discount is real and when ready. You do not have to sign up for anything extra or provide personal information beyond what's on your membership card.

AARP also offers group rates on car and home insurance through partner companies. These are not AARP insurance products — AARP does not sell insurance itself. Instead, AARP has agreements with insurers like The Hartford and Allstate, and members can get quotes to compare against what they currently pay.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes when ready discounts at hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, and retail stores when you show your card.
  • AARP does not sell insurance but connects members with partner insurers who offer group rates on auto, home, and life insurance that you can compare to your current coverage.
  • Members receive AARP Magazine and access to the AARP website, where you can read articles about health, money, caregiving, and other topics relevant to people over 50.
  • AARP offers travel deals, prescription drug discounts through pharmacy partners, and access to legal document services like wills and powers of attorney.
  • You must be 50 or older to join, and membership is individual — your spouse needs their own membership to receive discounts.

Travel discounts and hotel rates

AARP has negotiated rates with major hotel chains including Choice Hotels, Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham. When you book directly through AARP's travel website or call the hotel's AARP reservation line, you receive a discount off the standard rate. The discount varies by hotel, location, and season — some offer 10 percent off, others offer more.

Rental car companies including Hertz, Avis, and Budget offer AARP member discounts. You enter your AARP membership number when you reserve the car, and the discount applies to the rental rate. These discounts are typically 5 to 25 percent depending on the company and the time of year you rent.

AARP also offers group rates on cruises and vacation packages through travel partners. These are pre-negotiated group rates, not personalized travel planning. You book the package yourself, but the price reflects the group discount AARP has arranged.

Insurance options and how they work

AARP partners with insurance companies to offer group rates on auto, home, and life insurance. You receive a quote based on your age, location, and driving or claims history — the same information any insurer would ask for. The group rate means you may pay less than you would if you called the insurer directly, but the discount varies widely based on your individual situation.

The Hartford is AARP's primary auto and home insurance partner. You can get a quote online or by phone without committing to anything. If the quote is higher than what you currently pay, you are not obligated to switch. Many people use AARP's quotes as a comparison point when shopping for insurance renewal.

Life insurance through AARP partners is term life or whole life coverage. You still need to pass medical underwriting, which means the insurer will ask about your health history and may require a medical exam. AARP does not may provide you will be approved — the underwriting process is the same as with any other insurer.

Prescription drug discounts and pharmacy savings

AARP members receive discounts on prescription medications through a pharmacy discount program. This is separate from Medicare Part D prescription coverage — it is a discount card you can use at pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. The discount applies to both brand-name and generic medications.

The discount amount depends on the medication and the pharmacy. You show your AARP discount card at the pharmacy counter, and the pharmacist applies the discount to your out-of-pocket cost. This works whether or not you have Medicare or other insurance — the discount is an additional savings on top of what your insurance covers.

AARP also offers a mail-order pharmacy service through a partner company. You can transfer prescriptions to the mail-order service and receive a 90-day supply, which may cost less than three 30-day refills at a retail pharmacy. This is optional — you can use any pharmacy you choose.

Magazine, website, and educational content

AARP Magazine is published six times per year and mailed to your home. The magazine includes articles about health, money, caregiving, travel, and entertainment. It also includes advertisements for products and services, many of which offer AARP member discounts.

The AARP website includes articles, videos, and tools on similar topics. You can read about Social Security, Medicare, retirement planning, caregiving, and health conditions. The site also has a section on scams and fraud prevention, with information about how to recognize and report common schemes targeting older adults.

AARP offers free webinars and online workshops on topics like Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, and financial planning. These are educational sessions, not personalized information — they teach you how the programs work and what questions to ask your own advisors.

Legal documents and estate planning services

AARP members can use LegalShield, a legal services partner, to create or update documents like wills, powers of attorney, and living wills. You work with an attorney through the LegalShield service to prepare these documents. The cost is lower than hiring an attorney directly because LegalShield negotiates rates with a network of lawyers.

This service is useful if you need basic estate planning documents and want to avoid the cost of a private attorney. If your situation is complex — for example, if you own a business, have significant assets, or have family disputes — you may still want to consult a private attorney who specializes in estate planning.

The documents you create are legal and binding. LegalShield does not file them for you — you are responsible for signing them in front of witnesses or a notary as required by your state, and for storing them safely.

Restaurant and retail discounts

AARP has discount agreements with restaurant chains including Denny's, Applebee's, Olive Garden, and Outback Steakhouse. The discount is typically 10 to 15 percent off your meal when you show your AARP card. Some restaurants limit the discount to certain times of day or exclude certain menu items, so ask before you order.

Retail stores offering AARP discounts include Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and various clothing and home goods retailers. The discount amount varies — some offer a flat percentage off, others offer specific deals on certain products. You show your card at checkout to receive the discount.

Not every location of a participating chain honors AARP discounts, and discounts can change. Before relying on a discount at a specific store, call ahead or check the AARP website to confirm the current offer.

Membership cost and how to join

AARP membership costs $16 per year for the first year, then $24 per year for renewal. You must be 50 years old or older to join. You can join online at AARP.org, by phone, or by mail. The process asks for your name, address, birth date, and email address.

Your membership is individual — if you are married or have a partner, they need their own membership to receive discounts. Some discounts, like hotel rates, may explore to a room for two people, but each person needs their own card to receive restaurant or retail discounts.

AARP offers a 30-day money-back may provide if you join and decide the membership is not worth it. You can cancel within 30 days and receive a refund of your membership fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use AARP discounts to make the membership worth it?

No. Many people join mainly for the magazine and website content, or to compare insurance quotes. If you use even one or two discounts per year — like a hotel stay or a restaurant meal — the $16 annual cost is usually covered. The discounts are optional; membership gives you access to them, but you do not have to use them.

Can I use AARP discounts if I have Medicare?

Yes. AARP membership and Medicare are separate. You can have both at the same time. AARP discounts work alongside Medicare — for example, you can use a pharmacy discount card in addition to your Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

What if a store says they do not honor AARP discounts?

Discount agreements change, and not every location of a chain participates. Check the AARP website or call the store ahead of time to confirm the discount is available. If a location should honor the discount but does not, you can report it to AARP, though AARP cannot force a business to honor a discount.

Is AARP insurance cheaper than what I pay now?

It depends on your age, location, and claims history. The only way to know is to get a quote and compare it to your current rate. Many people find that AARP quotes are competitive but not always the lowest — shopping around with other insurers is still a good idea.

Can I cancel my membership anytime?

Yes. You can cancel by phone, online, or mail. If you cancel within 30 days of joining, you receive a full refund. After 30 days, you can still cancel, but you do not receive a refund for the membership fee you already paid.