Why Young Drivers Should Check AAA Before Renting With Hertz

I’m nothing if not competitive, which is probably why points and miles hooked me early on. As hard as I work to find the cheapest solution to most travel, there’s been a constant hurdle for me for the past few years: car rentals.

Because I’m under 25, young driver fees can add substantial fees to what should be a cheap, easy weekend away or a few days on the road.

After searching for a solution, I’ve found that paying for an AAA membership can shave decent cash off a rental car fee. Here’s why young drivers should consider AAA to save on rentals, and why it’s sometimes even better than rental company status perks.

Why Rental Cars Are More Expensive for Young Drivers

Most rental car companies charge extra fees for drivers under 25, mainly because of risk and insurance costs. Even companies like Turo, which is basically Airbnb for rental cars, have to charge these fees.

Hertz is one of the more flexible major rental car companies for younger renters. In most U.S. and Canadian locations, Hertz allows renters starting at age 20. In Michigan, New York, and Quebec, the minimum age is 18, and in Alabama and Nebraska, it’s 19.

Hertz has a young renter fee of $19 per day for most renters under 25, though that amount can vary by location and vehicle type. That fee adds up quickly. That $19 fee would add up to a hefty $133 on a 7-day rental.

And that’s before taxes, mandatory fees, gas, parking, tolls, or any insurance add-ons. That’s where AAA becomes attractive.

How AAA Can Help Young Drivers Save With Hertz

AAA members can access several Hertz benefits, including savings of up to 20% off base rental rates, waived additional driver fees for qualified AAA members, free use of 1 child safety seat, 10% off prepaid fuel, and a waived young renter fee for AAA members ages 20 to 24 who meet standard rental requirements.

For young renters, that last benefit is the crown jewel.

To use the young renter fee waiver, you must include the AAA Club discount code in the reservation. You must also be an AAA member, have a credit card in your own name, and meet Hertz’s standard rental qualifications.

Benefits are available at participating Hertz locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and Hertz notes that a 24-hour advance registration is required. In other words, this is not a “my parents have AAA, so I’m good” situation. You generally need to be a member themselves and show proof at the rental counter. I’ve personally had to do this all but once.

AAA vs. Hertz President’s Circle

Don’t get me wrong. Hertz President’s Circle status is still a valuable car perk. I actually receive Hertz President’s Circle just by holding the Platinum Card^® from American Express, which requires a quick enrollment via the Amex app.

Hertz lists President’s Circle benefits as 50% more points toward free rental days, skip-the-counter access, free additional drivers, access to the largest selection of exclusive vehicles, guaranteed vehicle upgrades, and a dedicated customer service line.

Normally, President’s Circle requires 15 rentals or $3,000 in qualifying Hertz spending in a calendar year. Eligible Amex Platinum cardholders can receive these benefits when enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, including upgrades, a 4-hour grace period on returns, free rental days, and a free additional driver at participating locations.

That is all genuinely useful. But Hertz President’s Circle does not automatically mean you’re getting the cheapest possible rental rate. It also doesn’t solve the young driver fee issue for drivers under 25. That’s why I’d mentally separate these benefits:

• Hertz President’s Circle is best for convenience, upgrades, and a better rental experience.
• AAA is best for lowering the cash cost, especially when a young driver fee is involved.

And in some cases, you may be able to use both, as long as your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number and AAA discount code are properly attached to the reservation.

I Saved Over $300 on a Weekend Hertz Rental

My husband and I are attending a wedding about 4 hours from our home in Brooklyn, so we decided to rent a car for the weekend. After logging in to my Hertz account and checking availability, the total for a compact SUV was just shy of $600, even with Hertz’s President’s Circle.

I knew I wanted to check with AAA to see how the waived young driver fee would affect the total cost, but I honestly didn’t expect such a stark price difference. Booking through AAA’s portal, along with the waived fee, saved us over $300.

Yes, these are incredible savings. But note that even with young driver fees waived, the price difference between AAA and Hertz can vary widely. I used the pay-now offer here, which helped knock that rate down further. But without that, even a third of my savings against a $75 membership is still a very good day.

That’s why it’s always worth checking multiple booking platforms before clicking the checkout button.

Let’s Do Some Math

AAA membership pricing varies by region and tier, but most basic memberships cost somewhere between $45 and $75 each year. Higher-tier memberships can cost more, depending on your AAA club and benefits.

For fun, let’s say a young driver pays $75 for a basic AAA membership. If Hertz had charged a $19-per-day young renter fee, the math would look something like:

That’s before taking any savings from AAA’s Hertz base rental discount into consideration. So, if you’re 20 to 24 and renting a car for a full week, an AAA membership could easily pay for itself on a single rental. If you do it twice in a year, the argument gets even stronger.

This can be especially helpful for college students, recent graduates, or young adults who occasionally need a car for weddings (IYKYK), road trips, moving, family visits, or just weekend getaways.

Who Is Eligible for the AAA Young Renter Fee Waiver?

Lock in, friends. This is the section where you’ll want to slow down and read the fine print. Based on Hertz and AAA terms, the young renter fee waiver generally applies when:

• The renter is an AAA member (with their own membership card and number).
• The renter is 20 to 24 years old.
• The rental is at a participating Hertz location in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico.
• The AAA Club discount code (CDP) is included in the reservation.
• The renter has a valid driver’s license in good standing.
• The renter has a valid credit card in their own name (important for several reasons!).
• The renter meets Hertz’s standard rental qualifications, which may include a credit check.
• The reservation is made at least 24 hours in advance.

There are also location-based age rules. Hertz says the minimum rental age is 20 in most U.S. and Canadian locations, 18 in Michigan, New York, and Quebec, and 19 in Alabama and Nebraska. Vehicle restrictions can still apply.

Parents should also make note of this strategy. If you’re a parent helping a college-age child rent a car, the young driver fee alone could add close to $100 to the total, and a weeklong rental could tack on even more. In that case, paying for an AAA membership may be cheaper. Plus, AAA membership includes roadside assistance, which is one of those things parents tend to appreciate more when their kid is on the road.

For parents and guardians, whether someone can be added to an existing membership is where AAA gets a little funky. Since AAA is made up of regional clubs, the rules vary. Some clubs limit associates to spouses and unmarried dependents who live in the same household, but others allow anyone living in the same household to be added. If you’re already a member, call your local AAA office and ask before adding another membership.

Don’t Forget About Rental Car Insurance

Whether you book with Hertz President’s Circle, AAA, or just your run-of-the-mill public rate, you should still care about rental car insurance.

Many travel rewards cards offer rental car coverage, but they’re all a little different. Some cards offer primary coverage, while others offer secondary. Some require you to deny the rental car company’s collision damage waiver for the card’s coverage to apply.

Cards that offer strong rental car coverage include the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.249 - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands, and streaming services.

It offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and strong travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance. If you travel a few times a year and spend on dining, the card is likely to be a good choice, but it’s hard to justify if you don’t dine out or travel often.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 application restrictions

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
• Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.249 - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
• Top rated mobile app

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Amex Platinum card can be great for Hertz status benefits, but its standard rental car coverage is generally secondary unless you enroll in Amex Premium Car Rental coverage for an additional fee. So, before you accept every single add-on at the rental car counter, check your card’s benefits to see where you’re already covered.

Final Thoughts

Hertz President’s Circle status is a great perk, especially if you get it through a card like the Amex Platinum card. I love anything that makes a rental car pickup less chaotic, and upgrades are always welcome. But for drivers ages 20 to 24, AAA may be more practical.

The young driver fee is one of those charges that adds nothing fun to a trip and simply makes the bill bigger. If a basic AAA membership can wipe out that fee on a few short rentals and potentially unlock discounts along the way, it’s worth checking before you book.