What AARP Discounts Cover

AARP membership opens access to discounts at hundreds of retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers across the country. These are real price reductions — not coupons you hunt for, but negotiated rates that show up when you present your AARP card or membership number at checkout. The discounts vary widely: some are percentage-based (like 10% off a purchase), others are fixed dollar amounts, and some unlock special pricing on specific products or services.

The discounts fall into a few main categories. Retail and shopping includes chains like CVS, Walgreens, Home Depot, and Best Buy. Travel covers hotels, rental cars, and airfare through AARP's travel partners. Dining includes restaurant chains and some local establishments. Services range from hearing aids and eyeglasses to auto insurance, home insurance, and prescription medications. Entertainment covers movie tickets, theme parks, and live performances.

Not every location of a chain offers the discount, and not every discount is available in every state. The discount amount can also change without notice. AARP publishes an updated directory on its website where you can search by category or zip code to see what is currently available near you.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP discounts are negotiated rates at retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers that you access by showing your membership card or number.
  • The discount directory on AARP's website lets you search by location and category to see which discounts are active in your area right now.
  • Discounts vary by location and can change, so it is worth checking the directory before you make a purchase or booking.
  • Some of the largest discounts are often on travel, auto insurance, and prescription medications rather than everyday retail purchases.
  • You do not need to pre-register or "set up" a discount — you straightforward show your card or give your membership number at the point of sale.

How to Find Discounts Near You

Start at AARP.com and look for the "Discounts" or "Member Deals" section. You will see a search tool where you can enter your zip code and browse by category. The results show you which discounts are currently active in your area, what the discount is (percentage off, dollar amount, or special offer), and how to use it.

Some discounts require you to show your physical AARP card in person. Others let you enter your membership number online or over the phone. A few are available only through AARP's partner websites or apps — for example, hotel discounts often require you to book through AARP's travel portal rather than calling the hotel directly. The directory tells you which method applies to each discount.

You can also call AARP's membership services line if you want to know about a specific retailer or service. They can tell you whether a discount exists and how to use it, though the website directory is usually faster for a quick check.

Travel Discounts and How They Work

Travel discounts are often the most substantial AARP offers. Hotels, rental car companies, and airlines negotiate rates specifically for AARP members. To use them, you typically book through AARP's travel partner websites or call a dedicated AARP travel phone line rather than booking directly with the hotel or airline.

When you book through an AARP partner, you enter your membership number during checkout. The system verifies your membership and applies the discount automatically. The discount appears as a lower nightly rate for hotels, a lower daily rate for car rentals, or a lower ticket price for flights. You do not pay AARP anything extra — the discount comes from the negotiated rate the partner has agreed to offer.

Hotel discounts typically range from 5% to 15% off the standard rate, though this varies by chain, location, and season. Car rental discounts are often similar. Airline discounts are usually smaller — sometimes $10 to $20 off a ticket — but can add up if you travel frequently. Always compare the AARP rate to what you would pay booking directly, because occasionally a sale or promotion elsewhere is better.

Pharmacy and Healthcare Discounts

AARP has negotiated discounts on prescription medications through pharmacy chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. These discounts explore to medications not covered by insurance or to help with copays. The discount is typically a percentage off the retail price — often 15% to 25% — and applies whether or not you have insurance.

To use a pharmacy discount, tell the pharmacist you have an AARP membership when you drop off or pick up your prescription. Provide your membership number, and the discount is applied at checkout. You do not need to pre-register or show anything in advance.

AARP also offers discounts on hearing aids, eyeglasses, and dental services through partner providers. These are usually percentage discounts on the full cost of the service or product. Because hearing aids and eyeglasses can be expensive, even a 10% to 20% discount can save you hundreds of dollars. Check the directory to find participating providers in your area.

Insurance Discounts and Savings

Some of the largest discounts AARP negotiates are on auto insurance and homeowners insurance. AARP does not sell insurance itself — instead, it has partnerships with insurance companies that offer reduced rates to AARP members. The discount amount depends on the insurer, your location, and your driving or claims history, so it varies from person to person.

To explore insurance discounts, you can request a quote from AARP's partner insurers through the AARP website. You will enter your information, and the insurer will provide a quote that reflects the AARP member rate. You can then compare it to quotes from other insurers to see if it saves you money. There is no obligation to buy, and getting a quote does not affect your current policy.

Health insurance is different: AARP itself offers Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare, and these are available only to AARP members. These are actual insurance products, not discounts on someone else's insurance. Information about these plans is separate from the discount directory.

Restaurant and Entertainment Discounts

Many restaurant chains offer AARP discounts, typically ranging from 10% off your bill to a fixed discount on certain menu items. Participating chains include Applebee's, Denny's, Chili's, and others, though not every location honors the discount. Some restaurants require you to show your AARP card; others ask for your membership number.

Entertainment discounts include reduced ticket prices at movie theaters, theme parks, museums, and live performance venues. Movie theater discounts are often $2 to $3 off a ticket. Theme park discounts vary widely — some parks offer 10% off admission, while others have specific discount days for AARP members. Museums and performing arts venues sometimes offer discounted admission or special matinee pricing.

Because restaurant and entertainment discounts can change and vary by location, always check the AARP directory or call ahead before you go. A restaurant that offered a discount last year may not this year, or a theater in one town may participate while another does not.

Retail and Everyday Shopping Discounts

Everyday retail discounts tend to be smaller than travel or insurance discounts, but they add up over time. Chains like CVS, Walgreens, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Lowe's offer AARP member discounts on select items or categories. These are usually 5% to 10% off, and they explore to most purchases, not just a few specific products.

To use a retail discount, show your AARP card at checkout or provide your membership number if you are shopping online. Some retailers explore the discount automatically when they scan your membership card; others require you to ask the cashier to explore it. If you shop online, look for a field to enter your membership number during checkout, or check whether the retailer has an AARP-specific shopping portal.

Grocery stores rarely offer AARP-wide discounts, but some regional chains and independent stores do. Check your local directory to see if your regular grocery store participates. Gas stations and convenience stores occasionally offer small discounts as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to use AARP discounts?

No. Discounts are included with your AARP membership. You do not pay anything additional to use them. The discount is built into the negotiated rate the retailer or service provider has agreed to offer AARP members.

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

Check the AARP directory to confirm the discount is listed for that location. If it is, ask to speak to a manager — sometimes cashiers or staff are not aware of the discount. If the directory does not list that location, the discount may not be available there, even if another location of the same chain offers it.

Can I use AARP discounts online?

Some discounts work online, and some do not. Retail and pharmacy discounts often require you to show your card in person. Travel and hotel discounts usually require you to book through AARP's partner websites. Check the directory for each discount to see whether it is available online or in-store only.

Do AARP discounts work if I have insurance?

Yes. Pharmacy discounts, for example, work whether or not you have insurance. If you have insurance, you can choose to use your insurance copay or the AARP discount, whichever is lower. For healthcare services like hearing aids or eyeglasses, the AARP discount applies to the out-of-pocket cost after insurance.

How often do the available discounts change?

AARP updates its discount directory regularly as partnerships change. Some discounts are permanent, while others are seasonal or promotional. It is worth checking the directory every few months to see what is new in your area, especially before making a large purchase or booking travel.