Some people refer to those 55 or older as senior citizens. Yet there are a lot of other people, government agencies, and benefits program that suggest that you have to be 60, 62, or even 65 before you can become a member of this elite group of silver haired citizens. Ultimately, the question of when one becomes a senior citizen is often debatable. But there’s one thing that isn’t debatable, senior citizen discounts. As soon as we hit a certain age, some of us expect our senior status to offer us some major perks. But you’d be surprised to learn that there are many discounts out there that seniors are totally missing out on.Places like Best Western, Marriott, Motel 6, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn, and Clarion will give some great senior citizen discounts on room rates. At Best Western alone, you could get 10 percent off if you’re at least 55 years of age. Marriott’s even better as they shave off as much as 15 percent off from the final bill. But Quality Inn, which cuts up to 30 percent for people 60 and over, and Hyatt, whose rates can go down by as much as 50 percent are definitely the way to go.
Places like Kohl’s, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, Ross, Stein Mart, and even Banana Republic, which often caters to a younger clientele, offer great styles and great senior citizen discounts. Banana Republic gives 10 percent off to anyone over 50. On Wednesdays, Kohl’s rewards you 15 percent off your purchase if you’re 60 years of age and up. You can also get 20 percent off on clearance items at Stein Mart on the first Monday of every month, but you have to 55 and up. And let’s face it, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshall’s already have prices marked down. So an extra 10 percent if you’re 62 and up is awesome!
So your senior status can get you ten percent off at places like Piccadilly Cafeteria, and the waiters and waitresses are friendly and willing to help seniors carry their trays and offer refills. At Piccadilly, you can get a 10 percent discount using your “Prime Time For Seniors” card. As a bonus, you’ll feel like a teenager again when they ask to see your ID to prove your age. We’re willing to bet you never thought that would happen again.
Favorites like Applebee’s Bar & Grill will take 15 percent off your ticket if you’re at least 60. At Boston Market, you can smack your lips after feasting on some delicious rotisserie chicken and get 10 percent off if you’re 65. In the mood for some nachos with cheese and salsa? Well at Denny’s, you can enjoy a hefty 20 percent discount with your AARP card. But if you’re craving a nice steak or a Bloomin’ Onion then use your AARP card to get 15 percent off at Outback Steakhouse.
If you are 55 or older, you can get 10 percent off your meal, or a free small drink. At Wendy’s, you get a 10 percent discount too if you’re 55. Although McDonald’s only offers coffee or soft drinks at a lower price if you’re 55, it’s still better than chopped liver. If McD’s isn’t your strong suit, then have it your way at Burger King. Seniors 60 or older get a 10 percent discount there. At Arby’s, anyone 55 or older can get a 10 percent discount, which is nothing compared to the 20 percent discount you’ll get at Jack in the Box. Of course, senior people also enjoy desserts. So go to Ben & Jerry’s and get 10 percent off if you’re 55 or up. Oh and at Krispy Kreme, you only need to be 50 to get 10 percent off any donut selection you’d like.
Stores like Albertson’s always have some kind of incentive for their senior customers like 10 percent off of the grocery bill if you’re 55 and up, but only on the first Wednesday of each month. Kroger follows the same philosophy, while Publix offers 5 percent every Wednesday to seniors 55 and up. Just keep in mind that these discounts vary by chain. So ask before you shop.
AMC offers 30 percent off on admission for customers that are 60 and older. While Regal Cinema offers a 35 percent discount to their seniors so long as they’re 60 and up.
If your heart and back can take it, then go on a roller coaster ride at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL and get $14 off a one-day pass, if you’re 50 and older. If you prefer water parks, then try Six Flags, which offers discounts for their seniors. If you’d prefer something a little more laid back, then go to SeaWorld in Orlando, where they offer a $3 discount for anyone 50 and up. Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., offers people 50 and older $13 off a one-day pass, while SeaWorld in Orlando cuts $3 for the same if you’re 50 or over. Various Six Flags parks in the country also offer discounts, so just check the Internet or call before you go.
As you go on a road trip across America and visit national parks, remember you’re a senior now, which means you can purchase a lifetime pass for just $10. With the pass, you can get discounts on camping and admission costs. You can also get up to 50 percent off on additional services offered at parks like Yellowstone. The only requirement is that you have to be at least 62.
Once you show your ID to the train attendant or bus driver, you can travel for a lot cheaper than those whipper snappers. Amtrak offers their seniors 62 and up a 15 percent discount, so long as you’re riding coach and not first class. If you prefer a Greyhound buses, you can get up to 5 percent if you’re 62 and up. But if your prefer to drive yourself somewhere, rental companies like Alamo and Avis can offer you a 25 percent discount with your AARP card. The Enterprise gets you only 5 percent so you might want to try National Rent A Car and save 30 percent. At Dollar Rent A Car, you can get 10 percent off if you’re 50 years young.
Which is why companies like Verizon Wireless and AT&T offer plans as low as $29.99 a month for seniors 65 and older. Plus you get 200 anytime minutes a month and 500 night and weekend minutes. But if you enjoy surfing the web, you’ll have to pay a little extra for internet costs.
Fortunately, Walgreens offers a nifty senior citizen discount once a month. All you have to do bring in your AARP Balance Rewards Card and be 55 years of age to get 20% off on prescription med. Now that’s a bargain.
Rite Aid is an excellent option if you find yourself on a budget and in need of prescription medicine. They offer a 10 percent off senior citizen discount every Tuesday and 10 percent off on prescription medicine. Not bad, right?
Seniors can get 10 percent off on their purchase every Tuesday. But expect to get carded by Ross at the register because this discount applies only to seniors 55 and up.
Arts and crafts can keep you mentally and physically active and challenged and Michael’s provides that along with a 10 percent discount every Tuesday. But you’ll need to show your AARP card at the register to get your senior citizen discount.
After all, plans can change at a moments notice when you’re retired and over 55, especially when health factors become an issue. So travelers 65 and older not only get to enjoy senior fares, but can also rest assured that if something happens that requires them to cancel their plans, the cost of the tickets are fully refundable.
Best of all, it’s very affordable, so you can snag clothing items and one-of-a-kind items for a bargain. But did you know that senior citizens can get a 10 percent discount one day a week? Just make sure to ask which day the discount takes effect as it may vary from location to location.
This is why Bally Total Fitness is offering up to $100 off their senior citizen memberships, but you’ll have to be 62 and up to enjoy this perk.
So contact your utility providers and/or municipal government about discounted rates for senior people. You could wind up qualify for some hefty discount based on age and financial need. Just ask seniors in Georgia, who get an $18 discount on their metered service courtesy of Georgia Power.
The IRS will offer Tax Counseling for the Elderly or TCE, which provide help in answering tax related questions by volunteers who have basic knowledge in income tax return preparation to help senior citizens out.
But they certainly don’t want to get into debt while doing so, which is why Amtrak is offering a 15 percent discount to travelers 62 years or older, because life should be lived to the fullest in your twilight years.
Fortunately, Great Clips offers $3 off on hair cuts if you’re 65 and older. But if you’re 60 and can’t wait 5 years for that discount, then head on over to SuperCuts, which gives $2 off on haircuts for seniors 60 and up.
Most colleges and universities offer continuing education programs for senior citizens that are 60 and over for a small fee. In some cases, you might be able to get in for free depending on the institute or the program. Just ask seniors attending the University of Utah. Anyone 62 or older can attend a class for just $25 per semester. In Ohio, universities take it one step further an offer seniors 60 and up classes for free, but only if there’s space available.
Show the popular fast food joint your senior status and get 10 percent off your purchase on these delicious mini-burgers, fries, and White Castle chicken rings. But don’t worry if you’re not 62 years of age or up yet. This discount will give you something to look forward to.
Dairy Queen offers 10 percent off for seniors 60 and older. So go out and enjoy a breakfast meal, the $5 buck lunch meal, or skip the salty stuff altogether and order yourself a sweet and tasty Blizzard.
The franchise made popular by the “Forrest Gump” film offers its senior citizens a 10 percent discount. But you’ll have to present your AARP membership card to take advantage of this offer, and unfortunately, alcoholic beverages aren’t included in the discount. Bummer!
That’s why LensCrafters offers mark downs on their “lenses and frame” combo, which includes prescription sunglasses, by as much as 30 percent for AARP members. But if you order Transition lenses with your frame, you could save up to 40 percent. On the other hand, Pearle Vision offers a senior citizen discount of 30 percent with an AARP membership card, and that includes lenses and frames. If contact lenses are your thing, you can get up to 20 percent off. What a steal!
