Is AARP membership worth it?
Worth it if you'll use the discounts.
The membership pays for itself fast with hotel, car rental, or dining deals, but if you don't travel or eat out much, it's just a card in your wallet.
Checked Sep 8
How often do you travel or eat out?
Why?
Discounts are the real value Hotel, car rental, and restaurant deals can save far more than the $16 annual fee.
Other perks are modest Insurance and pharmacy discounts exist but are often available elsewhere without the membership.
It's cheap to try At about $16 a year, you can test it for a year and cancel if you don't use it.
Specific discount amounts and partner deals change, so check current offers before you count on them.
If your situation is different
How often do you travel or eat out: Frequently. Yes, get it. One hotel stay or a few restaurant meals covers the $16 a year.
How often do you travel or eat out: Occasionally. Probably worth it. If you take one trip a year, the discounts likely pay for the membership.
How often do you travel or eat out: Rarely. Skip it. Without travel or dining, the other perks are thin.
Who is an AARP membership right for?
Right for
- People 50 and older who travel a few times a year
- Frequent hotel guests and car renters
- Diners who eat out weekly
- Anyone who wants cheap roadside assistance
Wrong for
- People under 50 who don't qualify
- Homebodies who rarely eat out or travel
- Those who already get discounts through work or AAA
- People who hate junk mail and phone calls
What does an AARP membership cost in 2026?
| Figure | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Annual membership fee | $16 a year, 2026 | The base fee is low enough that one hotel night or two restaurant meals can cover it. |
| Hotel discount | Up to 15% off at participating hotels | A single $100 hotel night saves $15, nearly the whole membership cost. |
| Car rental discount | Up to 30% off base rates at major agencies | One weekend rental can save more than the annual fee. |
| Dining discount | 10% to 15% off at participating restaurants | Two or three meals out a year easily recoup the $16. |
| Roadside assistance | $69 a year for the basic plan, 2026 | Cheaper than AAA's $64 to $100, and covers any car you're in. |
What's the biggest AARP membership mistake?
The biggest mistake is buying the membership for the insurance or pharmacy discounts. Those are usually available elsewhere at the same or better prices without paying AARP. The real value is in travel and dining, so if you don't use those, you're just donating $16.
How do you decide if an AARP membership is worth it?
- Count how many hotel nights, car rentals, and restaurant meals you'll have in the next year.
- Estimate the discount savings: 15% on hotels, 30% on rentals, 10% on dining.
- Add up the savings and compare to the $16 fee.
- If savings exceed $16, buy it; if not, skip it and save the card for later.
People also ask
What are the best current AARP discounts?
AARP's best deals: hotels, dining, and wireless. Membership pays off fastest on hotels (up to 30% off), restaurants (10% off), and phone plans (Verizon, AT&T).
Can I get AARP membership under 50?
Yes, anyone can join AARP at any age. You don't need to be 50. The membership is open to everyone, though some benefits and discounts are tied to age or state rules.
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