AAA vs. Hertz Status: Which Saves More on Car Rentals?

If you’ve been around here for a while, then you know I love a good rental car perk.

Between my American Express Platinum Card® and the Hertz President’s Circle status (through Hertz Gold Plus) that comes with it, I usually expect upgrades, smoother pickups, and better availability.

But on a recent rental… AAA beat my President’s Circle rate, and we’re talking the same car, same dates, and same company.

It definitely made me do a double-take, so let’s chat through what to do in this scenario.

Hertz President’s Circle Strengths

Just to be clear, Hertz President’s Circle is still an excellent perk. When you have it, you can expect:

One-class upgrades when available
Better car selection during busy travel periods
Faster pickup (often skipping the counter entirely)
A free additional driver
And more!

🌟 Don’t Miss our full breakdown of the Amex Platinum Hertz Benefits: Status, Upgrades, and a 4-Hour Grace Period.

For convenience and experience, it’s tough to beat. But status doesn’t always mean the lowest price… and that’s where AAA comes in.

When AAA Can Be the Better Deal

AAA’s partnership with Hertz does two big things:

Discounts the base rate
Waives young driver fees for renters ages 20–24 in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico

In my case, the AAA rate undercut my President’s Circle pricing even before considering the under-25 savings. And this isn’t just useful for young renters…

Even with Allianz trip protection tacked on, I saved $50.44 on this weekend's rental alone. Now, yes, I realize an AAA membership is, at minimum, $79 for the year. So really, if this were my only time renting a car all year, Hertz could be the way to go.

But I know I have a few more rentals in 2026, so this will save me more in the long run.

Heads Up: Take a second look at your insurance rules! In most cases, you’ll need to decline protections (such as Allianz) to be covered by your credit card’s provided insurance.

Calling All Parents

If you’re helping your college-age kid rent a car, AAA can honestly save you hundreds. Here’s some quick, fun math for you (if there is such a thing!):

Most rental companies charge about $25 per day for drivers under 25.

3-day rental: about $75
5-day rental: about $125
7-day rental: about $175

Again, that’s money you’re paying purely because of age.

AAA memberships (pricing varies slightly by region) generally look like this:

Classic: about $79/year
Plus: about $117/year
Premier: about $144/year

Even at the lowest level, one single rental can pay for the entire membership if it waives a $125 to $175 young driver fee, and that’s before you factor in:

Free additional drivers (when applicable)
Ongoing rental discounts
Roadside assistance (which parents tend to appreciate 👀)

💡 End of the Day: If your kid rents a car once a year, AAA can already make sense. If they rent twice, it’s a no-brainer.

AAA vs. President’s Circle

Of course, everyone’s travel plans look different, so there are some factors to consider. Here’s a good new rule of thumb:

Busy travel weekend? President’s Circle for better car selection
Price-sensitive trip? AAA rate first
Under-25 driver involved? AAA every time
Helping a kid or student rent? AAA (+ a card with good rental coverage)

These two things are not mutually exclusive, but AAA should be part of your math comparison every time.

Don’t Forget About Credit Cards

No matter how you book, pay with a card that offers solid rental coverage so you’re not upsold at the counter.

Cards with primary rental coverage include:

And yes, the Platinum Card® has great status perks, but just remember its standard coverage is secondary unless you add Premium Protection. And also… it’s not cheap.

Just a Reminder: If you want full coverage from these cards, you’ll likely need to decline any insurance add-ons from the rental companies. For example, with the Sapphire Preferred, the terms state that you must “decline the Rental Agency’s collision damage waiver/loss damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or a similar provision, and accepting the Rental Agency’s CDW/LDW coverage will cancel out this benefit.” Again, always double-check the terms before booking.

Bottom Line

Hertz President’s Circle is fantastic for upgrades and ease. AAA is fantastic for price, especially when age-based fees are involved.

Your smartest move is going to be checking both before renting a car.

And if you’re a parent helping your kid rent a car, AAA might be the single easiest way to avoid an annoying, expensive fee that adds nothing to the experience.