Between cancellations and crowded seating, airline travel may not be your first choice. But putting unnecessary mileage on your car isn’t ideal, either. What you really need is an affordable rental car.
Once you hit 50, you’re eligible for savings on select car rentals. So when planning your next trip, ask about a senior discount. Some companies even offer instant upgrades.
If you simply need transportation to and from the airport, that’s fine, too. The following list of car rental discounts has something for everyone. Whether you need a car for a couple of hours or a full-week vacation, these companies will help you get there for less.
1. Rent with Hertz
The Hertz Fifty Plus Program is available to travelers aged 50 and up. Program benefits include savings of up to 20%. If you join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, which is the company’s loyalty program, you also get faster checkouts and the option to redeem points for rental days.
Simply book your trip online at Hertz.com or by calling 800-654-3131. You’ll need to reference the Hertz Fifty Plus discount code 2007815.
2. Rent with Sixt
Drive around in a premium German-made car for a less-than-premium price when you rent from Sixt. Their fleet includes Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.
When you book through Sixt.com, a discount of up to 5% will automatically be applied to your prepaid or pay-on-arrival car rental. While Sixt has more than 2,200 branches worldwide, the senior discount is only available at a limited number of participating locations in the U.S.
3. Rent with Thrifty
Travelers aged 50 and up can save 5% on time and mileage charges for any car type when booking with Thrifty. The discount doesn’t apply to taxes, surcharges, recovery fees and optional products and services.
Vehicles must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance to get the deal, and renters can apply the discount for up to 28 days. Thrifty may also have blackout dates where the discount isn’t usable, however, it doesn’t list those dates on its site.
4. Join AARP
AARP members enjoy exclusive savings at select rental car companies.
To reserve these discounted rates, head to the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia. Book your next trip there and get up to 30% off Avis or Budget car rentals.
Payless Car Rental is another AARP partner. They offer 5% off at participating U.S. locations, plus free upgrades.
What if you only need a car for a few hours? You’re in luck. AARP members can save $20 on a Zipcar membership, and members new to Zipcar get $40 in driving credit. (There is a one-time $25 application fee, however.) Visit Zipcar.com/aarp to sign up. When signing up, enter or mention your AARP membership number.
5. Join AMAC
Join the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), and you’ll enjoy many great discounts, including member rates on car rentals.
AMAC has partnered with Car Rental 8 to provide discounts at major car rental companies. At Budget, for instance, AMAC members enjoy up to 35% off base rates for car rentals or up to 15% off truck rentals. For all current offers, book online or call 800-527-0700.
You may also be eligible for upgrades. Plus, AMAC offers price matching. If you find a better rate (excluding corporate, rebates, promo codes or employee offers) at the time of booking, AMAC will match that price.
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