Are there any resources available to assist those aged 50 and above in locating senior discounts?

One of the great perks of growing older is the many discounts that become available. There are literally thousands of senior discounts on a wide variety of products and services including restaurants, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail, health, grocery stores and automotive services. These discounts, typically ranging between 5% to 25% off, can add up to save you hundreds of dollars each year. Here are some tips to help you locate senior discounts.

Always Ask

It is important to understand that most businesses do not advertise senior discounts. If you are comfortable disclosing your age, however, many businesses will offer a discount if asked. Therefore, you should ask about their availability. Be aware that some discounts are available as soon as you turn 50, but many others may not kick in until you turn 55, 60, 62 or 65.

Search Online

Because senior discounts frequently change and can vary depending on where you live and the time of year, the internet is the easiest way to locate them. There are websites targeted towards seniors that provide lists of discounts in different categories including restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, prescription medications and travel.

You may also look for discounts using a particular business name. Using a standard search engine, type in the business or organization you are interested in, followed by “senior discount.”

Join a Club

Another avenue to locate senior discounts is through membership organizations like AARP, which offers its members a wide variety of discounts through affiliate businesses. While anyone over 18 can join AARP, discounts are focused on those aged 50 and older. You can see details of what is available at AARP.org/ViewMyBenefits.

There are other organizations you may be able to join that also provide discounts including the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC.us), the American Automobile Association (AAA.com) or the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE.org).

Types of Discounts

Seniors can find discounts in a wide range of categories, from restaurants and retail stores to travel and entertainment. Below is a summary of different discounts that you can expect to find.

Restaurants: Senior discounts are common at restaurants and fast-food establishments including Chili’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Outback Steakhouse, McDonald’s and Sonic. The benefits range from free or discounted drinks to a discount on your total order.

Retailers: Many thrift stores such as Arc, Goodwill and Salvation Army as well as certain retailers like Kohl’s, Michaels, Ross, Petsmart and Walgreens offer a break to seniors on certain days of the week.

Supermarkets: Many locally-owned grocery stores offer senior discount programs. Some chains like BI-LO, Piggly-Wiggly, Fry’s, New Seasons, Fred Meyer and Hy-Vee offer discounts on certain days of the week.

Travel: American, Delta and United Airlines provide discounted senior fares for select destinations in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older. British Airlines offers AARP members $65 off economy seats. Amtrak provides a 10% discount to travelers 65 and older. Most car rental companies give discounts to travelers 50 and over or to AARP members. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival cruise lines offer senior rates to cruisers 55 and over on select cruises. Most hotels also offer senior discounts, usually in the range of a 10% to 20% discount.

Entertainment: Most movie theaters, museums, golf courses, ski slopes and other public entertainment venues provide reduced admission to seniors over 60 or 65. The National Park Service offers a lifetime senior pass for those 62 and older for $80.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” 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.