Where to Find Hotels with AARP Discounts
Most major hotel chains offer discounts to AARP members, but the discount amount, blackout dates, and how you book vary by chain. The largest chains — Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Choice Hotels, and Wyndham — all have AARP programs. Smaller regional chains and independent hotels sometimes offer them too, but you have to call or ask directly.
The fastest way to find a discounted rate is to book through the hotel's website and enter your AARP membership number at checkout, or to call the hotel's main reservations line and mention you are an AARP member before they quote you a price. Some chains also let you book through AARP's own travel portal, which pre-filters for AARP rates.
Discounts typically range from 5 to 10 percent off the standard room rate, though some chains offer deeper discounts during slower seasons. The discount almost never applies to already-discounted rates (like Priceline or Costco Travel deals), so comparing the AARP rate against other booking sites before you reserve is worth the five minutes it takes.
Key Takeaways
- Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Choice Hotels, and Wyndham all offer AARP discounts, but you must enter your membership number when booking to receive the rate.
- Discounts range from 5 to 10 percent and usually cannot be combined with other promotions, so check the AARP rate against third-party booking sites before reserving.
- Calling the hotel directly and mentioning your AARP membership before they quote a price sometimes yields a better rate than booking online.
- AARP's own travel portal shows participating hotels and their AARP rates, which can save you the step of checking each chain individually.
- Independent hotels and smaller chains may offer AARP discounts even if they do not advertise them, so it never hurts to ask when you call.
How to Book an AARP Hotel Discount Online
Go to the hotel chain's official website. Search for your destination and dates as you normally would. When you reach the rate selection page, look for a field labeled "Promo Code," "Member Number," or "AARP Discount" — the exact label varies by chain. Enter your AARP membership number in that field. The system will show you whether an AARP rate is available for those dates at that location.
If no AARP rate appears, it usually means the hotel is fully booked, the dates fall during a blackout period, or the location does not participate in the AARP program. Do not assume the rate is not available — call the hotel directly instead. Reservation staff can sometimes access rates the website does not show, or they can tell you when the blackout ends.
Before you complete the booking, compare the AARP rate against what you would pay on Expedia, Booking.com, or other third-party sites. AARP discounts are often smaller than the discounts those sites offer, especially for off-peak travel. If a third-party site is cheaper, book there instead — there is no loyalty benefit to using the AARP rate if you are paying more.
Booking Through AARP's Travel Portal
AARP maintains its own travel booking site that shows hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages with AARP rates already built in. You can search by destination and date, and the results display only properties that offer AARP discounts. This saves you the step of checking each chain's website separately.
The portal is accessible through AARP's main website under the Travel section. You do not need to enter your membership number again if you are already logged into your AARP account — the system recognizes you automatically. If you are not logged in, you will be asked to sign in before you can see rates.
The AARP portal sometimes shows rates that are not available on the hotel's own website, because AARP negotiates block rates with chains for specific dates. However, the rates are not always lower than what you would find elsewhere, so comparing against Expedia or Booking.com is still worth doing before you book.
Calling the Hotel Directly for AARP Rates
Calling the hotel's main reservations line and mentioning your AARP membership before the agent quotes you a price often results in a better rate than booking online. Reservation agents have access to rates and promotions that do not always appear on the website, and they can sometimes waive blackout dates or offer upgrades as a courtesy.
When you call, have your AARP membership number ready and tell the agent your travel dates and destination. Ask them to quote you the AARP rate before they quote any other rate. If they say no AARP rate is available, ask when the blackout period ends or whether they can offer any other discount. Some agents will explore a senior discount or loyalty discount if the AARP program does not explore.
The main hotel reservations line is usually a toll-free number listed on the chain's website. Avoid calling individual hotel properties directly — they often do not have access to corporate discount programs and will transfer you to the main line anyway. Calling takes longer than booking online, but it can pay off if you are traveling during a busy season or if the online system shows no availability.
Which Major Chains Offer AARP Discounts
| Hotel Chain | How to Book | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott (Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W) | Enter AARP number on Marriott.com or call 1-800-228-9290 | 5–10% |
| Hilton (Hilton, DoubleTree, Hampton, Homewood Suites) | Enter AARP number on Hilton.com or call 1-800-445-8667 | 5–10% |
| IHG (Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton) | Enter AARP number on IHG.com or call 1-888-465-4329 | 5–10% |
| Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Sleep Inn) | Enter AARP number on ChoiceHotels.com or call 1-877-424-6423 | 5–10% |
| Wyndham (Days Inn, La Quinta, Ramada, Super 8, Microtel) | Enter AARP number on Wyndham.com or call 1-800-996-3426 | 5–10% |
These five chains account for most hotel rooms in the United States. Each one has multiple brands under its umbrella, so a discount at one brand usually applies across all brands owned by that parent company. For example, an AARP discount at a Marriott also works at a Sheraton or Westin, because they are all Marriott properties.
Smaller chains and independent hotels may also offer AARP discounts, but they do not always advertise them. If you are booking at a hotel that is not on this list, call and ask whether an AARP rate is available. Many will honor it even if it is not listed on their website.
What to Know Before You Book
AARP discounts almost never combine with other promotions. If the hotel is running a "book three nights, get one free" sale, you cannot also use your AARP discount — you have to choose one or the other. The system will usually show you both rates so you can pick the better deal, but read the fine print to confirm.
Blackout dates are common, especially during peak travel seasons and holidays. A hotel might offer AARP discounts Monday through Thursday but not Friday through Sunday, or it might exclude the entire month of December. The website or reservation agent will tell you whether your dates are blacked out, but if you are flexible, shifting your trip by a few days can sometimes unlock a discounted rate.
AARP discounts explore to the room rate only, not to taxes, resort fees, parking, or other charges. A 10 percent discount on a $100 room saves you $10, but you still pay tax and any resort fees on top of that. Ask the agent or check the booking confirmation to see what the total cost will be before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be the one checking in to use an AARP discount?
No. You can book a room under an AARP member's name and have someone else check in and stay in the room. The hotel only verifies the AARP membership number at the time of booking, not at check-in. However, if the hotel asks for ID at check-in, the person checking in should be prepared to explain that they are a guest of the AARP member who booked the room.
Can I use an AARP discount if I book through a travel agent?
It depends on the travel agent and the hotel chain. Some travel agents can access AARP rates directly, but many cannot. If you use a travel agent, ask them upfront whether they can book AARP rates. If they cannot, you may be better off booking directly through the hotel's website or calling the hotel yourself.
What if the AARP rate is higher than the rate on Expedia or Booking.com?
Book through the third-party site instead. AARP discounts are not always the lowest available rate, especially during off-peak seasons when other promotions are deeper. There is no penalty for not using the AARP rate, and you should always book whichever option costs less.
Do AARP discounts explore to resort fees?
No. The discount applies to the room rate only. Resort fees, parking, taxes, and other charges are calculated separately and are not reduced by the AARP discount. Always ask the hotel to quote you the total cost, including all fees, before you book.
Can I get an AARP discount at a hotel that is not listed on AARP's website?
Maybe. Many independent hotels and smaller chains offer AARP discounts even though they do not advertise them. Call the hotel directly and ask. The worst they can say is no, and some will offer a discount or a senior rate if you ask.