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So many places offer discounts to seniors, but sometimes the details can be a bit hard to pin down. The best rule of thumb is to always ask if a senior discount is offered! Some places will even match a discount even if they don’t offer one themselves. This article is packed with some of the best discounts available at a variety of different venues, but never forget to ask.
What you Need to Know About Senior Discounts
One of the basic questions is who qualifies as a senior anyway? Surprisingly, it varies depending who you ask. Senior discounts might start at 50, 55, 60, 62, 0r 65. Go figure! Some places make you show your ID, others will take your word for it, and some ask for a membership card like AARP.
Most senior discounts are 5 – 10% off which doesn’t sound like a lot. If you combine this with other frugal living strategies, coupons, money-saving tips, it could add up to big savings during your retirement.
Grocery Stores Senior Discounts
Your grocery bill is one of the expenses that could be costing you excess money during your retirement. I have listed some other major ones in this post. Fortunately, grocery stores are one place that seem to offer senior discounts. Their terms vary a lot, though, so I recommend you check your favorite local grocery store for specifics!
Gristedes Supermarket:
Gristedes Supermarket – 10% off every Tuesday for shoppers over 65
Albertsons:
Albertsons – 10% off first Wednesday of the month for shoppers 55 and older; call to see if your store participates.
Bi-Lo Grocery Store:
Bi-Lo Senior Discounts – get 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Publix:
Publix – 5% at various times, but policies differ by state; call to verify
Shoprite:
Shoprite – their website indicates each store is independently owned and operated, so it’s best to call for the discount amount and participation dates
Harris Teeter:
Harris Teeter– 5% every Thursday to shoppers 60 and older.
Tops Markets:
Tops Markets – Young at Heart Day offers a 6% discount to Seniors 60 and older on the first Tuesday of the month (you have to enroll for this at the service desk)
Restaurant Senior Discounts
Almost every restaurant has a senior discount of some kind, from a percentage off to a special menu just for seniors (these are smaller portioned, too). When in doubt, the available discount is around 10% off, but you should always ask! Since there are just too many to name, I will try to highlight the very best deals you can find. One last tip: You may need to show your AARP card to get some of these discounts.
Carabba’s Italian Grill:
Carrabba’s Italian Grill get 10% off with your AARP card (excludes alcohol, gift cards, tax, and gratuity).
Denny’s:
Denny’s get 15% off with your AARP card.
Dunkin’:
Dunkin’ offers AARP members receive a free donut with the purchase of a large or XL beverage (at participating restaurants)
Outback Steakhouse:
Outback Steakhouse get 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages with your AARP card.
Burger King:
Burger King get 10% off to patrons 60 and older.
Chick-fil-A:
Chick-fil-A offers a free refillable senior drink, not including coffee.
Chilis:
Chilis – no uniform discount policy for seniors; call your location for details.
Friendly’s:
Friendly’s get 10% off meal for diners 60 and older.
Uno’s Pizzaria & Grill:
Uno Pizzaria & Grill: “Double Nickel Club” 25% off on Wednesday (55+)
Waffle House:
Waffle House get 10% off food and beverages for seniors 62+.
Travel Senior Discounts
The discounts on car rentals are actually really good with all the major companies offering a discount. Just remember that you need a valid credit card to rent a rental card.
Hertz:
With Hertz, travelers 50 and over get 20% off base rates plus additional program benefits.
Avis:
You can get 30% off at Avis with an AARP card.
Alamo:
Alamo offers a “Senior Circle,” but the discount is not specified on their website.
Amtrak:
Amtrak Provides passengers 65 and older 10% off most fares, but read their terms and conditions for more information
Greyhound:
Greyhound seems to have taken their discount fare information off their US site, but their Canadian site still reflects 20% off base fares for passengers 62 and older.
Carnival:
Carnival cruise lines offer discounts for those over 55, but they can vary from trip to trip.
Royal Caribbean:
Royal Caribbean also offers discounts for those over 55, but they can vary from trip to trip.
Airline Tickets:
Most airlines offer a senior discount, but they don’t publicly commit to the discount amount. You have to call to do the booking and ask for a discount at that time.
Hotel Senior Discounts
Most hotels have a senior discount of some kind, which either vary or run the standard 10% off, and most require an AARP card. Some of the more notable discounts include:
Hilton Family of Hotels:
Hilton Family offers 10% off best available rate with AARP card
Best Western Hotels:
Best Western offer a discount of 5 – 15% off with your AARP card.
Wyndam Hotels:
Wyndam Hotels give you a discount of up to 10% off with your AARP card
Holiday Inn Hotels:
Holiday Inn Hotels have a discount of between 10 and 30% off for those of 62 years of age or older, but it can vary depending on location
Cambria Suites:
Cambria Suites give you 10% off best available rate with AARP card
Clarion Inns:
Clarion Inns gives you 10% off best available rate with AARP card
Comfort Inn and Suites:
Comfort Inns and Suites give you 10% off best available rate with AARP card.
Econo Lodge:
Econo Lodge gives you 10% off best available rate with AARP card.
Quality Inn:
Quality Inn offers you 10% off best available rate with AARP card.
Entertainment Senior Discounts:
AMC Theaters:
AMC Theaters offers special pricing for seniors 60+ for tickets purchased online (discount not specified on website).
Regal Cinemas:
Regal Cinemas offers special pricing for seniors 60+ but the discount is not specified online. If you have AARP, they offer 20% off Regal ePremier Tickets purchased online (conditions apply).
Cinemark Theaters:
Cinemark Theaters has a promotion for Seniors Day where they honor discount pricing on a particular day for any movie, any showtime (excluding IMAX, XD, Xtreme, and Special Engagements). Call your local theater to find out their pricing and participation details.
SilverSneakers Memberships:
SilverSneakers membership through their health care plans. A SilverSneakers membership grants access to over 16,000 various gyms across the country or to special fitness classes in the community. Some gyms offer their own senior discounts as well. Some vary by community. Many seniors are eligible for a free.
Free National Parks:
National Parks across the US honor a lifetime pass, which costs only $80, and grants access to over 2,000 National Parks. Depending on the site, the pass could also entitle seniors to further discounts on things like camping and swimming.
Theme Parks:
If your travel plans include a theme park, call to ask if they offer senior pricing. When this post was originally published, Busch Gardens and Seaworld offered a discount off single-day tickets, but information regarding senior discounts is no longer on their websites. To save you a phone call, Disney and Universal are also not offering special pricing at this time.
Shopping Senior Discounts:
Finally, many places to shop offer senior discounts. Again, the standard seems to be 10% off, so I won’t list all the places which do that, but be sure to ask anywhere that you shop. Some of the better shopping discounts include:
Kohls:
Kohls offers 15% off in-store every Wednesday for those of 60 years of age or older
Goodwill:
Goodwill stores across the country offer Senior Discount days. My local store has 15% off on Wednesdays. Make sure you are signed up for their Reward program for even more discounts!
Lowes:
Lowe’s home improvement stores don’t offer a discount to senior citizens. However, there are other ways to save at Lowe’s, including both standing discounts and weekly offers. Lowe’s offers discounts for veterans, active-duty military, and those who work in the construction industry. It also has regular sales and rebates for all customers.
Salvation Army:
My local salvation army offers 55% off on Tuesdays for seniors over 55 years of age. They also offer 50% off every Wednesday to anyone of any age. Just check in and see what your local stores shopping day for seniors is.
Ross Dress for less:
Ross offers 10% off to shoppers 55 and older on Tuesdays when they sign up for the Every Tuesday Club.
Banana Republic:
Banana Republic Senior discounts get you 10% off for people who are 50+.
Bealls:
Bealls Department Store: 15% off every Tuesday (55+)
Bealls Outlet:
Bealls Outlet Senior Discounts: 15% off every Monday (55+)
Belk:
Belk: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (62+)
Bon-Ton:
Bon-Ton Department Stores : 15% off on senior discount days; 20% if you use the store’s proprietary credit card (55+)
C.J. Banks/Christopher Banks:
C.J. Banks/Christopher Banks 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks:
Clarks 10% off (62+)
Dressbarn:
Dressbarn 10% off Tuesday and/or Wednesday (call ahead-varies by location – 55+)
Hallmark:
Hallmark 10% off one day a week (date varies by location; age may vary depending on the product)
Michael’s Senior Discounts:
Michael’s Senior Discounts 10% off every day (with AARP card – 55+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods:
Modell’s Sporting Goods 10% off every day (65+)
TJ Maxx Senior Discounts:
TJ Maxx Senior Discounts 10% on Mondays (FLORIDA only at this time – 55+)
Walgreens Discounts:
Walgreens Discounts 20% off once a month, “Balance Rewards” card required. (65+ and AARP)
Other Senior Discounts:
I was really hoping to find discounts related to utilities, and while they exist in some states, that’s not the case in New York.
National Grid:
It should be noted that National Grid does offer a reduced rate based on income, so if being a senior or retired has affected your income, you could qualify in that way.
SuperCuts:
Supercuts offers a senior discount day, just call ahead and see what
Great Clips:
GreatClips usually offers a senior discount that it will vary by location.
1-800 Flowers:
1-800-Flowers offers 20% off flowers and bouquets valued at $79.99 or more with an AARP membership.
Verizon Wireless:
Verizon Wireless has a plan specifically for those of 55 years of age or older. Plan details vary depending on the number of lines and usage needs, so check their website or your local retailer for details. This is a great option if you don’t have a cell now, don’t plan to use one a lot, or have been holding out because you don’t need unlimited minutes and don’t like the prices! However, if you use a cell phone regularly or want to have a data plan, this won’t cut it.
AT&T:
AT&T Offers a substantial senior plan. You have to set it up in store and you cannot set it up online.
AARP Cell Packages:
AARP offers some cellular packages. If you are looking for an alternative to Verizon Wireless of ATT, this is another great option.
Oasis:
Oasis offers classes and programs with computers, health care, and more.
Jiffy Lube:
Some Jiffy Lube service centers offer a senior citizens’ discount, but this discount varies from location to location. Please call ahead to your local Jiffy Lube to determine if a discount is available.
PepBoys:
Pep Boys provides a 10% for customers 55 or older with valid ID.
Midas:
Midas many locations offer 10% off parts and/or service. Please call ahead before bringing your car in for details.
Prescription Senior Discounts:
Last, but certainly not least, seniors can expect many discounts on prescriptions! There are far too many pharmacies to name, but some of the highlights include:
Rite Aid:
Rite Aid offer 20% off during Wellness65+ Wednesdays
AARP:
AARP – average 38% off prescriptions with AARP membership
CVS:
CVS participates in the SilverScript plan has a savings plan, but you pay an annual fee, and the list of what does or does not get a discount in lengthy as opposed to simple. Best to ask for help in store on this one!
Good RX:
You can sign up for a free trial like GoodRx.com and get discounted medications from your local stores! It is free to sign up and free to use!
Quick Tip: You can also utilize lists from places like AARP.
Since this post was originally published in 2016, many businesses have shuttered or have reduced their discount offerings, unfortunately. I understand the challenges of needing to save where you can, so be sure to look at my tips for setting up a successful grocery budget and my meal plans (did you know meal planning saves me thousands a year?), and how to save on cable.
I wish I could have listed more discounts for you here, but it was almost impossible to narrow it down! The main take away here is that you should always ask if a senior discount is available! They are often unadvertised offers. Happy savings!
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