About AARP

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a U.S. advocacy group focused on the interests of people age 50 and older. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its publication, AARP The Magazine, is one of the highest-circulation magazines in the United States, and the organization has enormous political influence in the U.S. As of 2018, it had 38 million members.

AARP offers plenty of practical benefits, such as restaurant discounts, travel discounts, cell phone bill discounts, and more. You just need to join AARP to use them. Membership actually has no age restriction—you only need to be 13 or older. If there are benefits you can use, it can definitely be worth joining. Of course, for benefits that require you to meet an age requirement at certain stores, there’s no need for us to get involved.

Sign Up

Right now, if you sign up for AARP through TopCashback, it only costs $12 per year (regular price is $16 per year), and you can also earn $12.6 in cash back. That basically makes the membership free.

You can even get a USB hub or a storage pouch for free.

You can see the reward came through at $12.6, so you netted an extra $0.6.

I’d recommend turning off auto renew after you finish. If you still need it next year, you could consider using a new email address and signing up again.

Also, BofA, Chase, and other credit cards may have AARP-related spending offers, like the one below. If you have it, you can even come out ahead.

Benefit Overview

AARP’s website lists a lot of member benefits. I browsed through them and picked out the ones that seemed useful.

Some of the more interesting ones are:

  • Bubba Gump Shrimp: AARP members get 10% off
  • Outback Steakhouse: AARP members get 15% off
  • Denny’s: 10% off for ages 55+, 20% off for AARP members, plus a senior menu
  • Reebok Outlet Stores: AARP members get 20% off
  • Hilton: AARP members get 10% off
  • Motel 6: AARP members get 10% off
  • La Quinta: AARP members get 10% off
  • Alamo Car Rental: AARP members can get up to 25% off
  • Avis Car Rental: AARP members can get up to 25% off
  • Hertz: AARP members can get 10%-25% off
  • Budget: AARP members can get up to 30% off
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car: AARP members get 5% off
  • Norwegian Cruise Lines: AARP members can get a $100 discount
  • Windstar Cruises: AARP members get 5% off
  • Expedia: guaranteed lowest prices for AARP members
  • Grand Canyon Railway: AARP members get 15% off
  • Yellowstone: AARP members get 10% off on in-park purchases
  • Regal Cinemas: 30% off for ages 60+, and AARP members get an additional $3 off popcorn and drink combos
  • Ticketmaster: AARP members get 25% off
  • Cirque du Soleil: AARP members get 20% off
  • Amazon: AARP members get 10% off books or audiobooks, and up to 50% off Kindle eBooks
  • UPS Store: AARP members get 15% off purchases
  • AT&T: AARP members get a 10% FAN discount

Marcus Savings Extra Bonus

Marcus and AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) have a partnership. If you have an AARP membership, you can get an extra 0.1% APY for two years. Marcus Savings currently has a pretty good rate, with a maximum of 3% APY.

Click Enroll Now and sign in to your Marcus account.

Then enter your AARP membership number on the screen and you’re set.

Then you’ll be able to see the APY offer, and you can see that it’s valid for two years. Gotta say, Marcus makes these promotions really clear.

AT&T Cell Phone Discount

If you’re an AT&T customer and you’re on the Unlimited Premium Plan, this membership can save you $10 per line. It can also waive up to $50 in activation and upgrade fees.

Exxon Extra Fuel Points

You can link your Exxon account and AARP account so that you earn more points when you spend. And if you’re a new Exxon Rewards user, you can get a $5 sign-up bonus.

Dining Benefits

I checked the dining benefits and they seem pretty useful, with a lot of merchants. Note that some merchants may require you to show your AARP membership card in store, and you may need to be 50 or older to use the discount. I’d recommend skipping those—it’s a little awkward.

The linked-account or delivery discounts below are worth trying.

Travel Benefits

There are also discounts on hotels, car rentals, and flights, but if you use an AARP discount, the hotel may ask to see your ID. I also wouldn’t recommend using this benefit if you’re under the age requirement.

AARP Credit Cards

AARP and Barclays have two co-branded credit cards. When you apply, you can enter your AARP number, and it will be printed on the card. However, you can also apply without providing an AARP membership number, so membership probably isn’t required.

Apply now

Full review

Barclays AARP Travel Credit Card

3% cash back on travel, 2% on dining; no annual fee!

  • Welcome bonus: $100 (Spend $500 within 90 days of card opening)
  • Rewards: 3% on airfare, hotels, and car rentals; 2% on dining, 1% on everything else
  • Redemption: Redeem directly for cash back
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Apply now>>

The drugstore 3% and medical 2% cash back offered by the Essential card are pretty unique.

Apply now

Full review

Barclays AARP Essential Credit Card

3% on gas and drugstores; no annual fee!

  • Welcome bonus: $100 (Spend $1,000 within 90 days after card activation)
  • Rewards: 3% on gas and drugstores; 2% on medical expenses, 1% on everything else
  • Redemption: Cash back
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Apply now>>

Conclusion

For a membership that costs $12 and can basically be had for free, it’s pretty nice to get some useful benefits. If there’s something you can use, consider signing up while TCB is offering cash back.