An AARP membership costs just $15 for your first year, but the savings can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually. With nearly 38 million members, AARP leverages its massive membership base to negotiate meaningful discounts across travel, dining, shopping, and healthcare.

Whether you’re planning your next vacation, dining out regularly, or managing everyday expenses, your AARP membership can stretch your retirement dollars further than you might expect.

Travel Savings That Pay for Themselves

AARP’s travel benefits alone can justify the membership cost within a single trip. The organization partners with major travel companies to offer substantial savings across all aspects of your journey.

Hotels and Car Rentals

Through the AARP Travel Center, members save up to 10% at over 7,000 hotels worldwide, including major chains like Choice Hotels, Wyndham, and Best Western. For car rentals, AARP members save up to 30% on select rentals from Avis, Budget, and Payless. When you pay upfront during reservation, savings can reach 35% on base rates.

Look for the red “AARP Member Discount” badge when booking online, and consider vacation packages that bundle flights, hotels, and car rentals together – you’ll receive a $50 gift card to select merchants for comprehensive bookings.

Flight and Cruise Benefits

British Airways offers 5-10% discounts on roundtrip transatlantic flights for AARP members, while Disney Cruises provides up to $300 in onboard credit. These partnerships can result in substantial savings on major travel expenses.

Dining Discounts That Add Up

With the average American spending $3,639 annually on dining out, AARP restaurant discounts can result in significant savings. Members typically save 10-15% at participating restaurants, with some offers reaching 25%.

Popular Chain Partners

• Denny’s: 15% off pickup and dine-in orders (maximum $10 discount)
• Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Landry’s Inc. restaurants: 10% off dine-in and phone orders at brands including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• Jamba: 10% off when you link your AARP number to Jamba Rewards

Beyond national chains, AARP members can find discounts at over 7,000 local restaurants nationwide. It’s always worth asking, “Do you offer an AARP discount?” when dining out.

Shopping and Health Benefits

AARP shopping benefits help you save on essential services and everyday purchases.

Vision and Prescription Savings

• Target Optical: Save $10 on frames, lenses, or complete pairs, plus 50% off additional complete pairs
• LensCrafters: 50% off prescription lenses with frame purchase
• Prescription medications: Free discount card through AARP Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx, accepted at over 66,000 pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart

Technology and Services

• Consumer Cellular: Two unlimited lines for $55 per month
• Walmart+: Savings on annual membership for grocery delivery and other perks

Maximizing Your AARP Benefits

Use Smart Shopping Strategies

Download the free AARP Perks browser extension, which automatically searches for discounts while you shop online. Stack your savings by using AARP discounts as the foundation, then pay with rewards credit cards to earn additional points or cash back.

Explore Hidden Discounts

Not every business advertises their AARP discount heavily. Local shops, smaller restaurant chains, and independent service providers often offer deals that aren’t listed on the main AARP website. Make it a habit to ask about AARP discounts wherever you go.

Take Advantage of AARP Rewards

The free AARP Rewards program lets you earn points for reading articles and engaging with AARP content. As a member, you earn 50% more points than non-members, which can be redeemed for gift cards and local deals.

Beyond the Discounts

Your membership includes valuable extras like free subscriptions to AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin, financial planning tools, retirement calculators, and access to free online games and movie screenings through the Movies for Grownups program.

Adults ages 50 and above anticipate spending an average of $6,659 on vacations in 2025. With AARP’s travel discounts alone, you could save hundreds of dollars on a single trip. Add in year-round dining savings, prescription discounts, and vision care benefits, and your $15 membership investment pays for itself many times over.

Key Takeaways

• AARP membership costs just $15 for the first year but can save hundreds annually on travel, dining, and everyday expenses
• Travel discounts reach up to 30% on hotels and car rentals, plus flight and cruise savings
• Restaurant savings of 10-25% at thousands of national chains and local establishments
• Vision care discounts up to 50% and prescription savings at over 66,000 pharmacies
• Free browser extension and rewards program provide additional savings opportunities
• Always ask about AARP discounts – many businesses offer them without heavy advertising