AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia cost more than just using Expedia

[MisterRickH]

I searched the same flights for the same days on the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia and on Expedia directly and I was surprised that the AARP version of Expedia cost more money to book the flights than just using Expedia directly. I thought it was supposed to give us a discount not cost more. What gives?

[WilliamR199801]

I had the same experience both a local flight and foreign country flight. AARP lists this feature as a "Benefit" but it's not and misleading to include it as such. Instead, the AARP site should have a direct link to Expedia and not an AARP link to travel through Expedia which takes extra money out of AARP members for purchasing the same thing directly through Expedia. The real reason for doing that, follow the money trail.

[MariamaA859467]

Hi @WilliamR19980, members do not get discounts on flights booked through Expedia as AARP members only get discounts with companies who have a contract with AARP. The AARP Travel Center allows members to book with AARP providers as well as non-AARP providers just like the regular Expedia website. This is to provide members with the ability to comparison shop. However, AARP does partner with British Airways to provide flight discounts. With British Airways, AARP members save $65 off World Traveler (economy) and World Traveler Plus (premium economy) or $200 off Club World (business class) fares when you purchase round-trip transatlantic tickets on the British Airways website.

To see the full list of providers who offer discounts and benefits to AARP members, visit the Member Benefits page: https://www.aarp.org/MemberBenefits.

[AARPAngelaC]

Hi @MisterRickH, AARP members do not get discounts on flights booked through Expedia as AARP members only get discounts with companies who have a contract with AARP. The AARP Travel Center allows members to book with AARP providers as well as non-AARP providers just like the regular Expedia website. This is to provide members with the ability to comparison shop. AARP does however, partner with British Airways to provide flight discounts. With British Airways, AARP members save $65 off World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or $200 off Club World (business class) fares when you purchase round-trip transatlantic tickets on the British Airways website.

To see the full list of providers who offer discounts and benefits to AARP members, visit the Member Benefits page: https://www.aarp.org/MemberBenefits. When viewing the page, click on the name of the benefit (like Avis/Budget under the Rental Car section, for example) to learn more about what is included and to get started with using the benefit and/or discount. If a company is not listed on the AARP Member Benefits page, then they do not have a partnership with AARP. I hope this helps to clarify!

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[HiY635844]

  I noticed too that you find the same flights are cheaper going directly to Expedia.com vs in the AARP travel center.  The response above seems to imply that non-AARP providers should have the same price whether you go to Expedia directly or the AARP travel center, and the AARP provider would be cheaper in the AARP travel center.  That is not the case.  For some flights, AARP travel center is more expensive.  It does not make sense to me and is misleading.  Is there some benefits to using the AARP travel center that would offset the higher cost? Or if it is a glitch, it should be fixed.  

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hey @HiY635844, welcome to the Community! I hope I can clear this up. AARP members get discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, and more from well-known travel providers, including exclusive savings when booking through the AARP® Travel Center Powered by Expedia®. There aren't member discounts just for flights unless they are included in a travel package. The only actual airline that has partnered with AARP is British Airways. 
Discounts for AARP members include: 10% off at select hotels - Up to 30% off select car rentals - Up to $300 in extra onboard credits for select cruises - Up to $349 off vacation packages - 5% rebate (up to $350) on eligible group hotel bookings. 
To explore Member discounts, and book travel, please visit: https:/www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/travel/expedia-discounts/ or, call 1-800-675-4318.

Please let me know if you've had a problem, or if there's anything I can help with!  Jodee R. 

[k866979f]

This information is not entirely accurate. I found car rentals through the Expedia app for far less (by almost half) than those on Expedia through the AARP site. That's great if you have partners giving discounts on top of the line expensive cars but it's of no value to PAYING AARP members if you're not also including lower cost options. 

[HiY635844]

Hi. thanks for the response.  My comment was asking why it sometimes costs more if you book through the AARP travel center vs Expedia for an identical flight if both are powered by Expedia. It seems that AARP travel center powered by Expedia should be the same or lower. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@HiY635844  You're welcome! Did you have a problem with Expedia or the Travel Center? Did you find the exact same flight with 2 different prices? If so, we're sorry to hear that and want to help as soon as possible! Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. Thank you!  Jodee R.