Renting a Car for the Holidays? Here’s How to Have a Hassle-Free Experience

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Joey Skladany
Joey Skladany
September 15, 2025·4 min read
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Whether you’re headed over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house or escaping civilization with a cabin stay in the snowcapped mountains, there’s no wrong way to celebrate the holidays. But you’re going to need a vehicle to get you there safely and comfortably. That’s especially the case not only if don’t own a car but if you want to avoid racking up miles on your own car or need more space to accommodate additional passengers—and haul more stuff, like suitcases and holiday gifts.

AAA members looking to rent a car for the holidays are in luck thanks to AAA’s partnership with one of the world’s largest car rental companies: Hertz. Just for being a AAA member, you receive a range of exclusive perks, from deep discounts, waived fees, access to an expansive fleet of vehicle options and more—taking some of the stress out of an often hectic and hurried season.

Here’s what to expect as you begin to solidify your holiday plans.

hertz parking lot

Exclusive discounts on all rentals

AAA members enjoy savings of up to a handsome 20 percent off the base rate of all vehicle rentals in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This includes savings on spacious SUVs, sporty trucks, efficient EVs, and even that luxury vehicle you’ve always dreamed of driving. Bottom line: You’ll save enough hard-earned cash perhaps to spend on more gifts to put underneath the tree and maybe even to spend more time at your holiday destination.

older and younger women in car

Waived fees on select options

Should you, as a AAA member, choose to add second driver on the rental agreement, Hertz will waive the daily fee. Adding an additional driver is ideal for longer trips that demand taking turns behind the wheel, making your journey not only more inexpensive but also safer on the roadways.

Traveling with a younger driver? Hertz waives the Young Renter Fee (for drivers ages 20 to 24) for AAA members, providing a savings of $25 per day. Qualified young renters can choose from a wide range of vehicle classes

Traveling with kids? AAA members receive the free use of a child safety seat, allowing families added savings, convenience, and—most important—security.

Member Benefit
Planning to rent a car for your road trip? AAA members enjoy saving up to 20% off the base rate when booking their rental car through Hertz, plus are eligible for free additional drivers and child seats.
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Savings on fuel

Hertz also makes refueling easy and affordable for AAA members. You’ll not only receive 10 percent off the cost of a tank of gas when purchasing prepaid fuel, but you can also save time and hassle by skipping a stop at the gas station before returning your rental. This means you won’t pay a penny more than what you spent at the pump. 

Insurance peace of mind

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, which is why insurance is a road trip necessity. But often, insurance charges can add up to the daily rental cost quickly. To ease the burden, Hertz provides AAA members with a waived loss of use charge. Translation: If your Hertz rental car is stolen or damaged and there’s no violation of the rental agreement, you won’t be held financially responsible for the income the company would lose as a result of the car being out of commission.

hertz in orlando, fl airport

Free Hertz Gold Rewards membership

The star treatment for Hertz loyalists extends to AAA members through a complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (HGPR) membership. Perks include a fast, seamless and rewarding car rental experience, with the ability to skip the counter and go straight to your car at select airports worldwide, earn points redeemable toward free rental days and free vehicle upgrades with elite tier status and more. Gold Plus Rewards members also get direct access to the best cars in an extensive fleet (pro tip: book early for the best of the best selection).

Want more? AAA members who are new HGPR members and enroll at AAA.com/HertzGold receive points equivalent to one free rental day after their first Gold rental. That’s right: a free rental day!

. . . . .

Your holiday travels don’t have to be stressful. Avoid the busy airports—and the sky-high airfare that often arrives at the holidays—by taking a good old-fashioned American road trip. Thanks to AAA’s partnership with Hertz, you can get anywhere from Grandma’s house to that cozy cabin with reliable, comfortable, and—with your AAA membership benefits at the ready—more affordable wheels than ever this holiday season.

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