This $12 annual membership can save you hundreds on flights and hotels
You might say I'm an old soul.
I've been this way for as long as I can remember. I've never longed for a wild night out — instead, I'd much rather stay in and sit on my couch, catching up on my never-ending Netflix queue. I'll take a night of watching movies with my grandparents (hi, Gram and Jerry!) over a bar or club any day.
And now, my new American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) membership is really just the icing on the cake — and it's not just because it solidifies my status as an aspiring retiree. As an AARP member, I have access to pretty significant travel savings. And no, you don't need to be over 50 years old to get it. Let me explain.
For just $12, if you enroll in automatic renewal (or $9 per year when you commit to a five-year term with the Labor Day special), you can get an AARP membership that comes with a host of great travel benefits. And travelers of all ages and employment can sign up, so there's really no reason not to have this on your radar.
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Travel benefits
If I need to rent a car when I travel, I'll have access to savings from Avis, Budget and Zipcar, just to name a few. With Avis and Budget, for example, I can save a whopping 30% off base rates and get upgrades on certain vehicle types, as well as an additional driver at no cost.
If I'm considering a cruise in the future, I can choose from the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia, Collette River Cruises or Grand European Travel. With Grand European Travel, for example, I can save $100 per person on over 30 different itineraries. The operator sets sail to popular destinations such as Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Morocco and Egypt.
Where the program really shines, however, is with its hotel benefits. There are over 60 participating hotel brands, including a few of Hilton's luxury brands (Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Curio Collection), that confer discounts and even elite-like benefits to AARP members. At Conrad and Waldorf Astoria hotels, I can take advantage of a 10% discount off the best available rate and a 2 p.m. late checkout, when available.
If anything, this means I have a really good excuse to go back to one of my favorite hotels in the world: the Conrad Tokyo. Room rates usually go for around $545 a night, but with my 10% discount, I can pay $490.50 per night ... and put that $55 in savings toward sushi, ramen and udon.
I can also utilize this benefit at budget properties such as Homewood Suites, Embassy Suites and Wyndham. You'll have to book your stay directly with the hotel, but for a Hilton Diamond member like me, getting 10% off plus elite benefits is a major win in my book.
For Marriott and Hyatt loyalists, the program does fall flat. Neither brand has properties that participate in the program. Instead, the bulk of the AARP collection comprises hotels from Hilton, Choice, Wyndham and Radisson, among other lesser-known brands.
One of the most prominent AARP benefits is the ability to save up to $200 per year on round-trip, trans-Atlantic British Airways flights. Travelers can save $65 on World Traveller and World Traveller Plus fares, and as much as $200 when flying business class.
While British Airways might be the buzziest of the bunch, there are a handful of other airline and vacation package perks that could be a better fit for your travel plans. Tour company Collette, for example, offers $50 to $100 off select tours of seven days or more — and that includes everything from river cruises and rail itineraries to traditional land tours.
Just keep in mind that these benefits and partners can change. Xanterra Travel Collection — manages lodges in some of the most popular U.S. national parks — is no longer participating.
Related: Tips for taking a vacation on a budget
Other perks
Though we're obviously here for the fun travel deals and discounts, an AARP membership comes with many other benefits. You can save 20% on a Medjet membership; get 10% discounts at major restaurant chains including Carrabba's Italian Grill, Outback Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill; and even save money on cellphone plans, home security plans and Audible memberships.
If you're under 50, just keep in mind that you'll have an "associate" membership, not the full AARP membership. That means you won't get access to age-restricted insurance products or other benefits limited by the vendors.
You don't need to be a mathematician to know that it doesn't take much for the membership to pay for itself. For just $1 month, I could save approximately $50 at my favorite hotel in the world, between $65 and $200 on flights to London and even earn 50 points for every dollar spent on Walgreens-branded health and wellness products, to say nothing of the discounts on car rentals and restaurants.
Depending on your travel style, interests and budget, you can easily maximize an AARP membership. Just one trip could make the membership worthwhile for years.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.