AARP: More Than a Membership — Ways to Save, Travel and Get More From Everyday Life
For many people, a membership is only worthwhile when the benefits are actually useful in everyday life. With AARP, those benefits extend well beyond its well-known magazine and include savings on travel, restaurants, shopping, technology, health and other services.
AARP says anyone 18 or older can become a member, even though the organisation focuses on people over 50. Membership currently starts at $15 for the first year with automatic renewal, after which it renews at $20 per year or the then-current rate.
With hundreds of discounts and programs available, the real value comes from knowing which benefits are most relevant to you.
What Is AARP?
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation that provides resources, information, advocacy and member benefits designed to help people as they age.
Its website covers a broad range of subjects, including health, money, travel, work, entertainment, caregiving, technology and lifestyle.
Membership adds access to exclusive discounts, services, publications and rewards.
One useful feature is that a second household member can receive a free membership when added to the account.
AARP Membership Pricing
AARP currently offers several membership terms:
| Membership | Current Price |
|---|---|
| 1 year with automatic renewal | $15 first year |
| 3 years | $55 |
| 5 years | $79 |
| Lifetime | $250 |
The standard annual membership rate is currently $20, while the $15 first-year offer requires automatic renewal. AARP states that members can cancel at any time.
The 3-year and 5-year options can be useful if you already know you’ll use AARP benefits regularly.
Save on Travel
Travel is one of the areas where an AARP membership can potentially pay for itself.
AARP members have access to savings on hotels, rental cars, cruises and other travel options. The AARP Travel Center, powered by Expedia, currently advertises savings on selected hotels and rental cars, while participating car-rental companies offer additional member benefits.
Current examples include:
- Up to 30% off select car rentals through AARP Travel Center
- Up to 35% off base rates with Avis
- Up to 35% off base rates with Budget
- 10%–20% off Budget Truck Rental
- Savings on selected hotels and cruises
The actual discount depends on the provider, dates, destination and booking conditions, so it’s worth comparing the member rate with other available prices before booking.
Restaurant Discounts
Eating out is another everyday expense where small savings can add up.
AARP currently lists dining benefits at more than 7,000 locations nationwide, with participating restaurants offering discounts of up to 15% depending on the establishment.
Current participating offers include restaurants such as:
- Denny’s
- Papa John’s
- Outback Steakhouse
- Cinnabon
- Jamba
- McAlister’s Deli
- Rainforest Cafe
- Bonefish Grill
Discount percentages and redemption requirements vary by restaurant.
If you regularly dine at participating locations, even a modest discount can make the annual membership cost easier to justify.
Shopping and Everyday Savings
AARP’s benefits aren’t limited to travel and restaurants.
Its current benefits directory includes savings across shopping, groceries, technology, home services, entertainment and other everyday categories.
AARP also offers its Perks browser extension, which can help members find eligible AARP discounts while shopping online.
This is useful because you don’t necessarily have to remember every available benefit before making a purchase. Checking the AARP benefits directory before buying can help you identify potential savings.
Technology Benefits
Technology is another area where AARP provides resources and member discounts.
The AARP website offers technology guides, educational resources and benefits from participating technology companies.
For example, current member offers include 5% off Consumer Cellular monthly fees and 30% off accessories, as well as discounts on selected Norton protection plans and other technology-related services.
AARP also has the AARP Now app, which provides access to a digital membership card, benefits, local events and other content.
Health and Wellness Resources
AARP also provides a wide range of health and wellness resources.
Current member benefits include discounts and programs covering areas such as fitness, nutrition, vision, hearing and prescription savings. For example, AARP currently lists an AARP Vision Plan from VSP with an average annual member savings of $350, along with participating optical retailers.
There are also benefits such as Active&Fit Direct, prescription savings through Optum Rx and other wellness programs.
Because healthcare costs and eligibility can vary, it’s important to review the specific terms of each individual benefit rather than assuming every service is included in the basic membership.
AARP Rewards
AARP membership also provides access to AARP Rewards, a loyalty program where members can earn points through eligible activities and redeem them for rewards.
AARP says members earn 50% more points for completing learning activities than nonmembers.
Rewards can include options related to retail, dining and travel, giving members another way to get value from the platform.
AARP The Magazine
Membership also includes a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
The publication covers topics including health, technology, recipes, entertainment, books, movies and lifestyle, alongside interviews and other features.
For people who enjoy print or digital magazine content, this adds another benefit beyond discounts.
Is AARP Membership Worth It?
The answer depends largely on how you shop and spend.
If you regularly travel, eat at participating restaurants or use some of the services included in AARP’s benefits directory, the membership can potentially pay for itself through savings.
For example, if a single eligible travel booking saves you more than the annual membership fee, you’ve already recovered the cost.
However, it’s important to compare the AARP member price with the best publicly available price. A discount percentage doesn’t necessarily mean the final price is the lowest available.
Final Verdict
AARP is more than a membership discount card.
Its current offering combines savings, publications, rewards, travel benefits, health and wellness programs, technology resources and information across many areas of everyday life.
The $15 first-year membership offer makes it relatively inexpensive to try, while the free second household membership adds additional value.
For frequent travellers, diners and shoppers, the discounts may be the biggest attraction. For others, the magazine, rewards, educational resources and broader AARP content may be just as valuable.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is simple: look through the current benefits, identify the ones you would genuinely use and compare the potential savings against the membership price.
