Flying into a city to see family, touring the coast for a week or moving a few pieces of furniture to a new home all have one thing in common: you need the right set of wheels for a few days. Rental prices swing widely by season and location, and fees for extra drivers or upgrades can push the bill up further. With car rental discounts over 50, members take money off the base rate and often get those extras included, which makes a real difference on longer trips.
What Members Get at the Counter
The savings fall into three groups. The large rental brands take a percentage off the base rate and add perks such as a free upgrade or a second driver. A car-sharing service lowers the cost of joining, which suits people who only need a car now and then. A truck rental program helps when the trip is a move rather than a vacation. All five options below can be booked online or by phone, with the member rate applied when you enter your details.
Five Ways to Rent for Less
Here is what each senior car rental discount includes.
Avis
- Up to 35% off base rates with the Pay Now option, or up to 30% off with Pay Later at the counter.
- A 3% credit to use on future rentals.
- A free upgrade on compact through full-size bookings, subject to availability.
- An additional driver at no extra cost, so you can share the driving on long days.
Budget
- The same structure of up to 35% off base rates when you pay now, or up to 30% when you pay later.
- Upgrade and additional driver perks for members.
- A wide network of airport and neighborhood locations, handy when you fly in to visit family and need a car the moment you land.
Payless Car Rental
- 5% off leisure daily, weekly, weekend and monthly base rates.
- A free upgrade for members.
- A sensible pick when you already have a low rate and want a little more space.
Zipcar Car Sharing
- $40 off an annual Zipcar membership.
- $40 in free driving credit for new members.
- Cars parked around the neighborhood, booked by the hour or the day through an app.
Budget Truck Rental
- 20% off Sunday through Thursday and 10% off on Friday and Saturday.
- A Physical Damage Waiver for $10 per day.
- Trucks in several sizes for moving house, clearing out a garage or helping family relocate.
Matching the Rental to the Trip
For a week-long road trip, Avis and Budget offer the deepest percentage, especially if you are happy to pay at the time of booking. The free extra driver is worth a lot on long days behind the wheel, and an upgrade to a roomier car makes the miles more comfortable. Payless works well when you are watching every dollar on a monthly rental, such as a long winter stay in a warmer state.
If you have given up your own car, or only need one for errands and appointments, Zipcar’s discounted membership and driving credit make occasional use easy. And when the trip is a move, booking a truck from Sunday to Thursday doubles the member saving compared with the weekend, so a little flexibility with dates pays off.
Quick Tips for Rental Day
- Enter your membership number when you reserve, so the discount is locked in before you arrive.
- Walk around the car with the agent and note any scratches before you leave the lot.
- Ask for the upgrade at the counter if it was not shown on your booking.
- Add the second driver at pickup, so both names are on the agreement.
- Check the fuel policy and return time to avoid extra charges on the way back.
Before You Drive Away
AARP is a nonprofit organization that helps people aged 50 and over make the most of their money, health and free time, and its members get discounts across travel, dining and everyday services. The car rental benefits above are among the most practical, since they apply to vacations, family visits and moves alike.
A few minutes spent choosing the right truck rental discount or car rental offer can save a meaningful amount over a single trip, and the perks make the journey smoother too.
Sign up before your next booking and drive off knowing the rate is working for you.
Bookmark 2MinuteRead for the next time a trip needs a little planning.