The Best Senior Discounts for Food, Entertainment, Travel and More

Shops,restaurantsand travel providers will do nearly anything to entice customers to buy, and that often includes offering senior discounts to patrons who are 55 or older.

Sometimes you’ll need to mention you’re 55+ to obtain the best senior pricing. But those savings can trim the cost of larger purchases or help cover taxes or gratuities on smaller buys. Don’t be hesitant.

If you prefer to purchase online, keep in mind many discounts apply only at brick-and-mortar locations.

Below are retailers and businesses that extend deals to the “not-so-seniors” aged 55 and up. (When you hit 60, even more discount opportunities typically become available.)

Step One: Embrace Your AARP Membership

As you approach 50, you’ll likely start receiving invitations to join theAmerican Association of Retired Persons (AARP) — though amusingly you can join as young as 18. Membership brings a handy card with your name on it and potential savings of 10% to 20% on many services, plus occasional freebies and limited-time member promotions.

Many 55+ deals — especially for travel and prescription discounts — are tied to AARP membership. Hotels and car rental companies commonly extend price reductions to AARP members.

Step Two: Ask About Senior Discounts — Don’t Be Shy

Have you ever worked in retail and had to guess whether a shopper qualifies for a senior discount? It’s awkward whether you’re right or wrong!

With the Not-So-Senior discount, it’s trickier. Fifty-five no longer feels “old,” and many people at that age don’t appear to be eligible for age-based price breaks.

So ask whether a discount applies to the items or services you’re buying. It might only cover tax or tip, but every dollar helps.

Here are some discounts available to people who are 55. *Offers can change.

Want to Save Even More on Top of Senior Discounts?

Hunting down every available discount is one of the smartest moves for your budget. But don’t stop there. We gathered some favorite money-saving tactics so you can hang onto more cash even after using discounts.

Grocery Stores

This is one place where a Not-So-Senior discount is commonly offered.

Numerousgrocery chainsprovide discounts to shoppers 55 and older on specific days each week or month, so check your local store’s schedule.

Additionally, these promotions sometimes apply only at participating locations, so calling ahead might be smarter than asking in person.

Independent grocers may be likelier to give larger discounts to older customers.

Grocery Store Senior Discounts at a Glance

Retail

This category covers many businesses, and any retailer might offer a senior discount, particularly chain stores. The important factor is how each retailer defines “senior,” which determines whether someone in the 55–59 bracket can qualify.

Some retailers give 55+ discounts weekly, with the day varying by chain. If you shop at a particular store often, ask when its senior discount day is.

Another quirk is that many retail senior discounts aren’t widely advertised. They exist, but you typically have to request them.

Retail Senior Discounts at a Glance

Dining

Many of the restaurant discounts below apply only to dine-in service. Confirm with each eatery whether pickup and delivery orders qualify. Restaurants are also more apt than other businesses to limit discounts to ages 60+ or 65+.

Because many restaurants are franchised, discount availability can vary by location (if a chain lists a 55+ discount, the exact amount is often location-dependent).

Chains such as IHOP provide a special senior menu. Those menus include reduced-price items, though selections are often limited.

Dining Senior Discounts at a Glance

Health Care

Those on qualifying Medicare plans can enroll in SilverSneakers to gain free entry to thousands of gyms nationwide. Signing up for a prescription savings card such as GoodRx is another route to lower medication costs, though it’s not exclusive to seniors.

Major drugstores like CVS have moved away from senior-specific discounts in favor of general savings programs open to everyone. Walgreens, however, still provides certain senior perks if you join its savings club.

AARP partners with Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Kroger to deliver discounted prescriptions for members. Register for the prescription card and present it to your pharmacist to reduce drug costs.

Health Care Senior Discounts at a Glance

Travel

AARP dominates many travel-related discounts.Airlines and hotelsoften extend rates to AARP members that they don’t otherwise provide. Since anyone 18 and older can join, frequent travelers might find paying the annual fee worthwhile.

Generally, most airlines and hotels don’t grant senior prices until you reach your 60s.

AARP members also enjoy savings with several rental car companies.

Cruise lines frequently run special deals for older travelers. If you’re comparing cruise options to a destination, calling reservations directly is often the best way to find discounts.

Travel Senior Discounts at a Glance

Entertainment

Major cinema chains often offer reduced ticket prices for seniors. For live events, Ticketmaster provides discounted tickets and special promotions on certain shows for AARP members.

Entertainment Senior Discounts at a Glance

Technology

Cell carriers such as T-Mobile, Verizon and Consumer Cellular provide discounted plan options for older customers, lowering monthly costs. If you don’t need a lot of data, T-Mobile’s 55+ plan starts around $60 per month. Higher tiers include more data and may even bundle perks like a free Netflix subscription.

Technology Senior Discounts at a Glance