If you’ve ever watched a $20-per-day car rental turn into $60-per-day at checkout, welcome to the club. 🫠
As someone under 25, I’m no stranger to young driver fees, and until recently, I thought there was no way around them.
Then I signed up for an AAA membership and paired it with my Hertz President’s Circle status (thanks to my American Express Platinum Card®), and suddenly, a whole new world opened up.
That combination is one of a few ways around those fees, so here’s the full lowdown.
AAA and Hertz: The Easiest Way to Avoid Young Driver Fees
The single best workaround in the U.S. is AAA’s partnership with Hertz. If you’re 20 to 24 and have an active AAA membership, Hertz will waive the young renter fee entirely at participating locations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
They do this with a discount code (called a CDP) that drops the “young renter fee” line to $0 at checkout.
On top of that, AAA bookings through Hertz also come with:
A free additional driver if they’re a AAA member too
Discounts on the base rate
One free child seat (if that applies to you)
A cap of $5,000 in vehicle damage liability
💡 My Take: I signed up for AAA mostly for this reason. Paired with the Hertz President’s Circle status I get from my Platinum Card®, it makes renting easier with no young renter fee, better car choices, and upgrade options.
How to Book a Hertz Rental With the AAA Waiver
Log in at AAA’s Hertz portal or add the AAA CDP to your Hertz profile/reservation.
Confirm the “young renter fee waived” language shows (or that the fee line item is $0).
Use a credit card with solid rental coverage (see my picks below).
Bring your AAA card to the counter — terms say you must present it.
Read the Fine Print
Minimum Ages: Hertz rents to age 20 and higher in most of the U.S. and Canada, to age 18 and higher in NY, MI, and Quebec, and to age 19 and higher in AL and NE.
Fee Amount: It’s normally $25 per day if you don’t have a waiver. That adds up fast — avoiding young driver fees can easily save $150 or more on a five-day rental.
Car Limits: If you’re under 25, you can’t book Hertz’s Dream/Prestige/Adrenaline collections (i.e., no Corvettes for you, my friend).
When You Go: Again, use your own AAA membership and AAA CDP on the reservation, along with a credit card in your own name and standard rental qualifications.
Renting a Car Abroad When You’re Under 25
AAA’s young driver fee waiver is great, but sadly, it doesn’t apply outside the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico. Hertz locations abroad set their own minimum ages and fees, and they’re usually stricter than in the U.S.
For example, in Ireland and the U.K., minimum ages are higher, and young driver surcharges can be pretty steep. AAA discounts may still apply overseas, but that’s different from a fee waiver.
The bottom line is… don’t count on AAA saving you internationally, and always double-check each country’s Hertz terms before you book.
Other Ways to Avoid or Reduce Young Driver Fees
The AAA and Hertz partnership isn’t your only option. Here are a few more:
USAA membership: If you qualify, USAA often waives the underage fee with partners like Hertz, Avis, and Budget. This usually starts at age 21.
Corporate and university contracts: Your employer or school might have a contract that waives young driver fees. Check your benefits page and, if allowed, book with your corporate ID.
Government and military travel: If you’re traveling on official duty, many government and military contracts waive young driver fees for renters 21 and older. Just be sure to book through the approved channel.
Affinity groups: Some associations (like the ADA) also have fee-waiver perks with Hertz. If you belong to a national association, check its travel perks page.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don’t assume peer-to-peer platforms are cheaper. Turo, Zipcar, and Getaround all tack on their own young driver fees. Trust me… I’ve tried.
Best Credit Cards for Car Rentals (Especially for Young Adults)
Avoiding the fee is only the beginning, friends. You also want solid rental coverage so you don’t buy overpriced insurance at the counter. Using the right credit card can help you avoid paying extra for insurance and sometimes even unlock elite rental status.
Primary Coverage Cards:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Primary coverage up to $60K, solid travel card without a crazy annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Primary coverage up to $75K, plus premium travel perks.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Primary coverage, easy to use, and strong travel credits.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — Primary coverage if your rental is for business.
Again, I used my Platinum Card® card here, which I realize is pretty pricey. But if you have it, you can get Hertz President’s Circle status and perks like a four-hour grace period on returns. But keep in mind that the included insurance is secondary, unless you pay extra for their Premium Car Rental Protection.
Pro Tips for Renting Under 25
Here’s your cheat sheet to avoid young driver rental fees and make the process painless:
Book Smart: Always add the AAA Hertz code (CDP) to see the under-25 fee drop to $0.
Card Check: Pay with a card that has primary coverage.
Know the Rules: Hertz waives the fee in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico only, and don’t assume it works abroad.
Bottom Line
I’m under 25, so I’m right there with you. The secret to avoiding the young driver fee is pretty simple… book Hertz with the AAA code, show your AAA card at the counter, and pay with a card that gives you primary coverage.
It’s not a super glamorous trick, but it works, and renting a car can be so, so expensive. This little tip could honestly save you hundreds (or maybe thousands) on your next trip.
