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
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| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.