If you’re like me, you hate being called a senior. Aside from a few physical kinks here and there, I still feel young. But age has its advantages and it’s good to know that plenty of perks are available to our age group, known as Senior Discounts. You may have been avoiding them because of the insinuation that it means you’re old but here’s why they’re cool.
I took an Amtrak trip from Los Angeles, to visit a friend in Orange County. When I went to book my train ticket online, I found out I was qualified for senior discounts. Yee Haw! It saved me a few bucks and I was thrilled.
The age eligibility for senior discounts varies depending on the company or service. The discounts for seniors on Amtrak is10% (65), Greyhound 5% (62+), and Trailways 10% (65).
The point is, to take advantage of perks whenever you can. The longer we live, the more money we need, and God knows I’ll be working for the rest of my life unless I win the lottery.
Organizations that offer perks and senior discounts for Baby Boomers and seniors
I’ve been a member of AARP since I turned 50. Membership in AARP gives you access to a wide variety of perks. It fights like crazy to make sure we don’t lose our Medicare and other services that are critical as we age.
AARP offers senior discounts on insurance, healthcare, travel, and other services.
For those of you who feel AARP is too liberal for your political tastes, you can join AMAC. (Association of Mature American Citizens) They offer senior discounts, although not as many as AARP.
Amazon Prime Discount
If you have an EBT card (SNAP) or are on Medicaid, you can get 1/2 off your Amazon Prime Membership. This gives you access to movies, television, discounts on its products, fast delivery, photo storage, and more. Use your EBT card to purchase food as well at Amazon Fresh stores.
Become an Amazon Prime Member here.
Military Veterans
Thank you for your service. You and your spouse can get a 10% discount at Home Depot. Veterans are privy to many discounts so if you have served your country, please check out this extensive list of perks.
Lower your smartphone bill
Chances are you’re paying way too much and you may have senior discounts available.
- AT&T has an Unlimited 55+ plan. Get 1 line for $60 or 2 for $80.
- Verizon Wireless – Verizon has a 55 plus plan that is $84 for 2 lines. It has excellent coverage.
- Consumer Cellular – If you are an AARP member over 50 you are eligible for exclusive savings on monthly smartphone service charges and discounts on accessories. Find out more here.
- T-Mobile has several plans for seniors where you can save 45% vs other plans.
Retail Stores:
- Goodwill – On Tuesdays, seniors get 15% off with valid ID.
- Kohls – On Wednesdays, people over 60 get a 15% discount.
- Ross Stores – has a 10% off day every Tuesday for anyone over 55. I went in there on a Tuesday and it was a zoo, but that 10% can make a difference.
Restaurants:
- Applebees – 10% – 15% off your bill. May require a Golden Apple Card.
- Burger King – 10% off your bill for seniors 55 +.
- Subway – 10% off for those who are 60+.
- Outback Steakhouse – 10% off with an AARP card.
Many other restaurants offer early bird and senior discounts. Just ask. Get discounts when you use Restaurants.com.
Entertainment
- AMC Theatres – Select theaters may offer senior discounts.
- Regal Entertainment – Save up to $3 for regular adult admission.
- Landmark Theatres – 20% off Senior admission plus 20% off concession on Mondays.
- US Museums – Many museums offer senior discounts. Don’t forget to ask.
Medical and Pharmacy:
- CVS – If you enroll in CVS ExtraCare Savings and Rewards program, you’ll receive coupons on your receipts and online.
- Walgreens – Senior savings for Walgreens members 55+
- Rite Aid Rewards – Seniors 65 can earn Rite Aid Rewards of 5x for in-store purchases the first Wednesday of the month and free consultation with your pharmacist.
Other:
- Ancestry offers a 30% discount with an AARP card.
Do you love to travel?
Travel is expensive so take advantage of every discount you can.
Travel companies with senior discounts include:
Airlines:
- American Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
- Southwest Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
- British Airlines (Via AARP)
- United Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
- U.S. Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
Cruises:
- Carnival Cruises (55+)
- Norwegian Cruises (55+)
- Celebrity Cruises (55+)
- Royal Caribbean Cruises (55+)
Hotels:
- Best Western Hotels (Via AARP)
- Clarion Hotels (60+ or VIA AARP)
- Comfort Suites (60+ or VIA AARP)
- Crown Plaza (62+)
- Days Inn (60+)
- Hampton Inn & Suites (VIA AARP)
- Hilton Hotels (VIA AARP)
- Howard Johnson Hotel (60+)
- Hyatt Hotels (62+)
- Knights Inn (60+)
- La Quinta Inn (65+)
- Motel 6 and Super 8 (VIA AARP)
- Marriott (62+)
- Sleep Inn (60+)
- Travelodge (VIA AARP)
- Wyndham Hotels
(VIA AARP)
Car Rental:
- Alamo Car Rental (Via AARP)
- Avis Car Rental (Via AARP)
- Budget Rent-a-Car (Via AARP)
- Hertz Rental Cars (20% off base rates for 50 and older)
- Payless (Via AARP), and more.
- Uber -Seniors 65+ can ride twice for free at the beginning of the month.
How it works with Uber:
- Open the Uber app
- Enter promo code UBERSENIOR in the Promotions tab
- On the first day of each month, the Senior icon will appear
- Request a ride from Senior
- Show a valid senior citizen ID to the driver-partner when you get on the ride
- Have a good trip!
Auto Discounts:
- Pep Boys – 10% if you are over 55.
- Jiffy Lube – 10% off if you are over 55
National Parks and Camping:
If you’re 62 or over you can get a senior pass for $80 for the National Parks and federal recreational lands and 50% off other park and forest services including camping.
If you are into fishing, find out what states offer free or discounted fishing licenses for seniors here.
The best thing you can do is ask
Whenever you go to a restaurant, attraction, hotel, or store, ask if they offer a senior discount. Make sure to join AARP for even more senior discounts. Enjoy the savings and have fun.
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I can’t wait until I am 65 and then reap all the discounts. My sister who has white hair, was assumed to be 65 before she was and offered discounts!
I hear you but what’s surprising is that there are some nice discounts before 65 and even as young as 50. Hey, why not?
I’ve resisted some of the discounts (not others) figuring I still work full time. But retirement is getting closer and closer.
I feel that as long as you qualify, why not?
The hard about asking for a senior discount is getting it through my thick skull that I am a bonafide senior! Denial, denial, denial.
Oh, believe me, I know how you feel. But we’re just like good wine. We get better as we age.
Thanks for this list–and the reminder to take advantage of these opportunities! Maybe I’m in denial, or just absent-minded, but I seldom remember to ask about a senior discount (I’m soon to be 64). If we set aside everything we’re eligible to save over the course of a year, I bet it would add up to a pretty penny!
You’re right about that. There are lots of good things about it. Travel, clothes, fun. The more you save, the more you can do.
I never understood why people were so hesitant to reveal their age when it came to taking advantage of senior discounts. I say bring them on!
True, although I have to say I was one of those people until recently. In denial, I guess. It’s so worth it, though.
My husband is 68 and I am going to be 64…………..so between us ———there are lots of nice discounts we should be taking advantage of! Thanks for the great list.
You’re welcome, Ellen. Enjoy as many as you can get!