Top 10 Senior Citizen Discounts: The 10 Best Deals for Seniors
Senior citizen discounts are not only a great way to save money, but they can also be fun. There are so many different types of these deals available that it is hard to choose which one you want. Whether you're looking for discounted auto services, reduced rates on travel, or even lower prices at the grocery store - there is something out there for every senior adult.
The problem with senior citizen discounts is many people want to know how old you have to be to get them. This article will discuss the top 10 senior discounts and what age qualifies someone as a senior.
At What Age are You Considered a Senior Citizen?
Many people consider someone a senior citizen when they reach retirement age at 62 or older.
With Social Security, you can start getting benefits at 62. But you're entitled to full benefits once you reach the full retirement age, which increases depending on when you were born.
If you were born between 1943 and 1954, the full retirement age is 66, and it gradually increases each year. Anyone born after 1960 must be 67.
But for the purposes of senior citizen discounts, the age businesses consider you a senior citizen is usually 55. However, different businesses may consider the senior citizen age different, so always consult their policies on senior citizen discounts.
What Can Seniors Get a Discount On?
Senior citizens can get discounted rates on just about anything. You just want to make sure you ask about the senior discount policies to make sure they apply, as some businesses may only have a few participating locations.
Here's a list of the top 10 senior discounts you can get, but first, we want to mention AARP (American Association of Retired Persons).
AARP Discounts
AARP members get so many amazing benefits, and it's really inexpensive to join at just $12 a month if you sign up for the annual plan. The AARP website is also a great resource for senior citizens with articles on everything from cooking to organizing your home.
AARP members can save on health and wellness, travel, cruises, flights and vacation packages, hotels, rail fares, banking and investments, and more. So, if you're 55 or older, sign up to become an AARP member today to take advantage of all their senior discounts.
Restaurant Senior Discounts
Many eateries offer senior discounts on certain days of the week or at special times, which is great because many seniors don't want to cook. So, restaurant senior discounts are a favorite for many.
For example, IHOP offers seniors 55 and over get a 10 percent discount. Other restaurants that give senior discounts include:
• Bonefish Grill
• McCormick & Schmick's
• Applebee's
• Carrabba's Italian Grill
• Golden Corral
• Denny's
• Arby's
• McDonald's
• Dairy Queen
• Red Lobster
• Panera Bread
• And more.
You'll find plenty of restaurants that provide discounts for seniors. Exclusive senior discounts can be a certain percentage, a free item, or something else. Restaurant senior discounts are a favorite for many older adults.
Insurance
Insurance companies often give senior discounts on their policies, but the age of eligibility varies for many senior discounts. Some insurance companies only offer them to seniors 65 and older, while other insurers will provide a discount when you reach 55 or 60 years old.
You'll find insurance companies of all kinds offering senior discounts, from automobile insurance to health insurance to home insurance.
AARP Car Insurance Through The Hartford
Get a quote online by entering your AARP membership number.
This discount is for drivers 50 years and older.
AARP members can save on individual or family plans.
Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Medicare Plans
Get 10 percent off of a Fetch pet insurance plan.
AARP members can save on custom long-term care plans.
Senior Discounts on Travel
Many seniors love to travel once they retire from work and while they are in good health. There are so many senior discounts related to travel that we split them up into separate categories below.
But there are some specifically related to experiences like cruises. You can get some of the best senior discounts on cruises, and you will likely need proof of age to get the senior fares.
The AARP Travel Center on Expedia
A great resource that lets AARP members search for cruises.
Royal Caribbean offers exclusive senior discounts on adults 55 years and older.
Carnival Cruises offers special senior discounts for adults aged 55 and older.
AARP members can save 5 percent on over 40 cruise and rail vacations.
If you're looking to travel in Europe, AARP members can save $100 per person on certain luxury river cruises with Grand European Travel.
Most of the cruise discounts require advance reservations.
Hotels and Resorts
Of course, when traveling, you need a place to stay, and senior citizens can get tons of discounts on resorts and hotels.
If you're an AARP member, you can save 5 to 15 percent off the current rates. Plus, you can earn 10 percent more bonus points when you stay at all Best Western Hotels if you join the Best Western Rewards specifically for AARP members. You can also save at Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier.
All AARP members can enjoy 10 percent off the best available rate at Baymont by Wyndham. You can also get a 10 percent discount on most of the other Wyndham hotels like Days Inn by Wyndham, Dazzler by Wyndham, Dolce by Wyndham, and more.
If you're looking for a senior discount and like staying at Candlewood Suites, senior citizens 62 years and older can save on non-discounted room rates. These rates also apply to seniors that are members of an organization for retired people.
AARP members can save up to 10 percent on the best rates and get a late checkout of 2 PM if available. You can also get a senior discount at other Hilton hotels like Embassy Suites, Hampton, Hawthorne Suites, and more.
Extra Holidays has more than 500 resorts in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, and the Virgin Islands, and they give AARP members a 20 percent senior discount on their condos.
Transportation Services
You'll also find plenty of senior discounts on transportation services like rail fares, rental cars, and airfares with proof of age. Most rail fares like Amtrak start at 10 percent off for seniors 65 years old and up. Here are just a few of the discounts for seniors on transportation services.
Check with Delta Airlines as they have senior discounts for some itineraries.
AARP members save $65 off economy and premium economy seats or $200 off business class seats on round trip tickets to more than 130 travel destinations.
AARP members save up to 30 percent on Avis’ base rates, and you can get an upgrade on some car bookings.
Hertz has a 50 plus program where you can get 20 percent off their base rates for discounts for seniors.
You'll find many other transportation discounts for seniors on Auto Europe; Budget Rent a Car, Alamo Rent a Car, Thrifty, Trailways, United Airlines, and more.
Health and Wellness Senior Discounts
Senior citizens get many health and wellness discounts. This type of senior discount is perfect for older adults that need to monitor their health. Here are a few of the most popular health and wellness senior discounts.
All AARP members can get a free RX card to use on all medications approved by the FDA. This card provides a great senior discount on medicines seniors need. You can use this card at many other pharmacy locations, too, such as Kroger, OptumRx, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Walgreens, Walmart, and more.
AARP members get a senior discount of 30 percent off all orders, free frame adjustments, and free shipping at glasses.com.
By now, you're starting to see all the great senior discounts that AARP members get. You can get 3 percent off this in-home care service.
WW - The former Weight Watchers
Get a free healthy habit eBook, $10 off a shop purchase, and up to $120 on a WW membership.
Senior Discounts on Groceries
Unfortunately, many senior citizens live on a fixed income with tight budgets, so a senior discount on groceries is extremely helpful. Here are some of the stores that offer senior citizens discounts on groceries.
You may need to check to see if certain specific participating locations offer the senior discount, and you can start with your local store.
On the first Tuesday of the month, senior citizens 55 and older get an additional 10 percent off select products such as Fred Meyer, Kroger, Simple Truth, and some other brands, as well as electronics, home items, and apparel.
Adults 60 years old and over get senior discounts at Harris Teeter. Every Thursday, you get 5 percent off your purchase.
Every Monday, American Discount Foods has senior discounts for adults 62 years and older. You get 10 percent off your whole purchase with proof of age.
Many seniors like foods that are quick and easy to cook. Schwan's offers all AARP members $20 off their first order of $50 or more. After that, AARP members can get double points on all of their online orders.
Cellphones
Most seniors don't use nearly as much smartphone data as teenagers, so they often find senior discounts on cell phones helpful. Here are some of the cellphone senior discounts available. Be sure to check your local store for more information.
AARP members can save $10 a month per phone line on the AT&T Unlimited Elite, plus save $45 on upgrade and activation fees. You can also get 15 percent off select accessories.
Verizon offers exclusive senior discounts for adults 55+ with proof of age.
Consumer Cellular is one of the most popular cellphone companies for seniors. And AARP members can get an additional 5 percent off their already low prices.
National Park Admission
The National Parks America the Beautiful Pass is one of our favorite senior discounts. With proof of age, seniors can get an annual pass for $20 and a lifetime pass for $80.
Final Thoughts on Senior Citizen Discounts
As you can see, there are plenty of senior discounts for people 55 years old and up. You'll likely find many additional discounts as there are simply too many to list them all.
The best tip for saving money with a senior discount is to sign up to AARP as AARP members get so many exclusive benefits.
Also, Gift Card Granny makes gifting easy for senior citizens. If you’re a senior, you can order gift cards from many brands online. If you're looking for a great gift for the senior in your life, choose a store that offers retail senior discounts.
Senior citizen discounts are not only a great way to save money, but they can also be fun. There are so many different types of these deals available that it is hard to choose which one you want. Whether you're looking for discounted auto services, reduced rates on travel, or even lower prices at the grocery store - there is something out there for every senior adult.