The Senior Travel Discount Map of America
Every deal travelers 50+ should know in 2026 — straight from AARP’s official benefits pages.
If you’re 50 or older and planning a trip this year, you’re sitting on more travel discounts than almost any other group of travelers in America. The catch? Most of them are tied to one $15 membership — and most travelers never bother to add up what they’re leaving on the table.
We pulled together the current 2026 discount roster from the hotels, car rental companies, airlines, and restaurant groups with active AARP partnerships. The savings range from a few bucks off lunch at Denny’s to $200 off a transatlantic British Airways ticket. We’ve organized it all by what you actually spend money on when you travel — so you can see at a glance what applies to your next trip.
AARP membership is $15 for your first full year — less than a tank of gas, and it unlocks every discount below.
Join for $15 →Hotels
5–12% off at thousands of properties
Hotels are where AARP discounts tend to pay for themselves in a single trip. Several major chains participate, and the discounts stack on top of standard reward-program perks. Here’s the current standing roster from AARP’s official benefits page:
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
10% OFFDays Inn, La Quinta, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Microtel, Wingate, Wyndham Grand, and more
10% off at participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts properties
Wide brand portfolio — over 20 hotel brands worldwide
Choice Hotels
10% OFFComfort, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Cambria, Clarion, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay, Radisson
10% off at participating Choice Hotels properties worldwide
Includes the full Radisson family — Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Park Inn, Park Plaza
Best Western Hotels & Resorts
5%+ OFFOver 4,000 properties worldwide
5% or more off the best available rate
Includes Best Western, Plus, Premier, BW Premier Collection, SureStay, Glo, Vib, Executive Residency
10% bonus points per stay with Best Western Rewards
Red Roof Inn
10% OFFRed Roof Inn, Red Roof PLUS+, HomeTowne Studios, The Red Collection
10% off the best available rate
Free bottle of water per room at check-in
Motel 6 & Studio 6
10–12% OFF10–12% off the best available rate
Late checkout available until 2 PM upon request
AARP Travel Center (via Expedia)
PORTALHotels, vacation rentals, condos, villas, and apartments
Access to bundled hotel discounts and vacation packages
Compare rates across additional brands not in AARP’s direct partner list
Insider Tip
Always ask for the AARP rate at check-in
Even at independent hotels not on AARP’s official partner list, many properties honor the rate informally — especially in tourist towns. It costs nothing to ask, and front-desk discounts are often applied just for showing the card.
Rental Cars
Up to 35% off — the biggest discount in the program
If you only ever use one AARP travel benefit, make it this one. Avis and Budget — both owned by Avis Budget Group — offer the deepest standing discount in the entire AARP travel portfolio. On a typical week-long mid-size rental, that can be more than $100 back in your pocket.
Avis & Budget
UP TO 35% OFFIdentical discount structure — both owned by Avis Budget Group
Up to 35% off base rates with Pay Now at booking
Plus other AARP member benefits (verify current perks at booking)
Payless Car Rental
5% OFF5% off base rates and other AARP member benefits
Budget Truck Rental
10–20% OFFIf you’re combining travel with a move
10–20% off truck rentals for AARP members
Zipcar
$40 OFFFor city travel, errands, or short hops
$40 off an annual Zipcar membership
AARP Travel Center (via Expedia)
UP TO 30% OFFUp to 30% off select car rentals through the portal
Useful for comparing rates and accessing additional brands
★ Real-World Math
7-day mid-size rental in Denver
That’s more than 8× the cost of an annual AARP membership — saved on one rental.
Ready to book?
“One rental car trip more than paid for my entire year of AARP membership.”
Flights
The best-kept secret is British Airways
Airline discounts are notoriously hard to come by. The standing AARP partnership with British Airways has been one of the rare exceptions — and it applies to transatlantic flights from the U.S. to Europe and beyond.
British Airways
UP TO $200 OFFRoundtrip transatlantic flights originating in the U.S.
Up to $65 off roundtrip economy and premium economy fares
Up to $200 off business and first class fares
Must book online through the AARP-British Airways link
Does not apply to basic economy or open-jaw itineraries
AARP Travel Center
BUNDLESFlight + hotel + car packages
Access to bundled discounts across flights, hotels, cars, and packages
Phone booking available at 1-800-675-4318
Worth Knowing
Confirm the BA discount is active when you book
The British Airways partnership has historically been extended year after year, but the program is reviewed periodically. Always check AARP’s current flight benefits page before counting on the discount for a planned booking.
Meals on the Road
10–15% off at major chains
Road-trippers, this one’s for you. Most of the chains travelers actually stop at along interstates and tourist routes honor an AARP discount — just present your card with the check, or give your number when ordering pickup. Get your card for $15 →
Denny’s
15% OFF15% off dine-in and pickup orders — the highest percentage discount in the program
Bloomin’ Brands Family
10% OFFOutback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill
10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Dine-in and curbside pickup (not delivery or catering)
Landry’s Restaurants
10% OFFBubba Gump Shrimp Co., Chart House
10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages, dine-in and to-go
Quick-Stop Chains
10–15% OFF15% off dine-in orders at Cicis Pizza
10% off at Cinnabon (with Cinnabon Rewards)
10% off at Auntie Anne’s (with Auntie Anne’s Rewards)
The Math on One Trip
A typical week-long road trip for two
Let’s run the numbers on a fairly normal one-week summer road trip for a couple traveling 50+:
★ Sample Trip Breakdown
7 nights + mid-size rental car + road-trip dining
Membership cost: $15 · Trip savings: $259 · That’s 17× return on a single trip.
Add a transatlantic British Airways flight at some point this year (up to $200 off in business class) or watch for limited-time promotions like Wyndham’s spring sale and Choice Hotels’ holiday-window discounts, and the membership pays for itself many times over before you’ve even left the driveway.
How to Actually Claim These
Three things to remember
The barrier isn’t qualifying — anyone 18 or older can join AARP, despite the “retired” in the name. The barrier is just knowing the discounts exist and remembering to ask.
Book direct, not through third parties
Most AARP discounts only apply when you book through the hotel or rental company’s own website, through the AARP Travel Center, or by calling. Booking through a third-party site like Expedia or Booking.com directly usually voids the discount.
Have your membership number ready
Save the digital card in the AARP Now app on your phone — it works just like the physical card at check-in or when ordering pickup.
The $15 first-year price requires auto-renewal
The standard rate is $20/year after that, and you can cancel anytime. The first-year price also includes a free second membership for someone in your household — meaning two travelers, one membership.
Start saving on your next trip
Get your first full year of AARP membership for just $15 with auto-renewal — plus a free gift, a free household membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
For your first full year
CLAIM YOUR MEMBERSHIP →Savings based on standard annual rate, currently $20. Cancel anytime.
Disclaimer: Discount percentages and program terms are sourced from official AARP benefits pages as of May 2026 and are subject to change. Specific terms, blackout dates, and limited-time promotions vary by partner. Always verify current terms at AARP.org or the partner’s website before booking. TravelingTodayMag may receive compensation when readers sign up for AARP membership through links on this page. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial or travel advice.
