How to Search for Discounts in 2021
I just turned 60 and would like to find out the best way to go about locating discounts.
Among the best perks of growing older in the United States are that many discounts are available to older adults.
There are thousands of discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, grocery stores, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail and apparel, health and beauty, automotive services and much more. These discounts – typically ranging between 5% and 25% off – can add up to save hundreds of dollars each year.
If you do not mind admitting your age, here are some tips and tools to help you find discounts.
The first thing to know is that many businesses do not advertise their discounts, but many offer them when asked. Some discounts become available when you turn 50, but many cannot be claimed until later ages, such as 60 or 65.
Because discounts for older adults frequently change and can vary depending on where you live and the time of the year, the internet is an easy way to find information on current discounts.
A good place to start is to use your favorite search engine and type in "senior discounts" or "senior coupons." You may find websites with large lists of discounts in categories such as restaurant dining, grocery stores, retail stores, prescription medications, travel discounts and more.
You can also search for discounts by provider. Go to an online search engine and type in the business or organization you are curious about followed by "senior discount."
If you use a smartphone, there are also apps you can use that consolidate lists of discounts. These discounts are categorized by age and type.
There are some membership organizations that offer its older adult members a wide variety of discounts. The organization may specifically offer discounts to older adults based on the member's age and for use at the organization's affiliated businesses.
Here is an abbreviated rundown of some of the different types of discounts you can expect to find either through a membership organization or your online search engine.
Restaurants: Discounts for older adults are common at national chain restaurants and fast-food establishments. These discounts range from free or discounted items to discounts off your total order.
Retailers: Many large thrift stores and major retailers offer various savings to older adults. These stores may offer age-related discounts or discounts for certain days of the week, sometimes both.
Grocery Stores: Many locally owned and national chain grocery stores offer senior discount programs. These discounts may be offered on certain days of the week, but may vary by location.
Travel and Lodging: Many large airlines provide special fares in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older or may offer discounts to members of certain membership organizations. Some railway travel services offer percentage discounts to travelers over a certain age, such as 62. Many car rental companies offer discounts to customers over age 50 or to those who belong to certain organizations. Some of the large cruise lines offer discounted fares to cruisers age 55 and older. Many hotels offer senior discounts, usually ranging from 10% to 20%.
Entertainment: Many movie theaters, museums, golf courses, ski slopes and other public entertainment venues provide reduced admission to seniors over age 60 or 65. Some of these venues may offer annual passes at discounted rates for adults over a certain age.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Among the best perks of growing older in the United States are that many discounts are available to older adults.
There are thousands of discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, grocery stores, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail and apparel, health and beauty, automotive services and much more. These discounts – typically ranging between 5% and 25% off – can add up to save hundreds of dollars each year.
If you do not mind admitting your age, here are some tips and tools to help you find discounts.
Ask!
The first thing to know is that many businesses do not advertise their discounts, but many offer them when asked. Some discounts become available when you turn 50, but many cannot be claimed until later ages, such as 60 or 65.
Search Online
Because discounts for older adults frequently change and can vary depending on where you live and the time of the year, the internet is an easy way to find information on current discounts.
A good place to start is to use your favorite search engine and type in "senior discounts" or "senior coupons." You may find websites with large lists of discounts in categories such as restaurant dining, grocery stores, retail stores, prescription medications, travel discounts and more.
You can also search for discounts by provider. Go to an online search engine and type in the business or organization you are curious about followed by "senior discount."
If you use a smartphone, there are also apps you can use that consolidate lists of discounts. These discounts are categorized by age and type.
Join a Club
There are some membership organizations that offer its older adult members a wide variety of discounts. The organization may specifically offer discounts to older adults based on the member's age and for use at the organization's affiliated businesses.
Types of Discounts
Here is an abbreviated rundown of some of the different types of discounts you can expect to find either through a membership organization or your online search engine.
Restaurants: Discounts for older adults are common at national chain restaurants and fast-food establishments. These discounts range from free or discounted items to discounts off your total order.
Retailers: Many large thrift stores and major retailers offer various savings to older adults. These stores may offer age-related discounts or discounts for certain days of the week, sometimes both.
Grocery Stores: Many locally owned and national chain grocery stores offer senior discount programs. These discounts may be offered on certain days of the week, but may vary by location.
Travel and Lodging: Many large airlines provide special fares in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older or may offer discounts to members of certain membership organizations. Some railway travel services offer percentage discounts to travelers over a certain age, such as 62. Many car rental companies offer discounts to customers over age 50 or to those who belong to certain organizations. Some of the large cruise lines offer discounted fares to cruisers age 55 and older. Many hotels offer senior discounts, usually ranging from 10% to 20%.
Entertainment: Many movie theaters, museums, golf courses, ski slopes and other public entertainment venues provide reduced admission to seniors over age 60 or 65. Some of these venues may offer annual passes at discounted rates for adults over a certain age.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Published April 2, 2021
