How Baby Boomers Can Save Money with Senior Discounts

If you’re like me, you hate being called a senior. I’m in my sixties and aside from a few physical kinks now and then, I still feel young. But age has its advantages and there are plenty of perks available to our age group, known as Senior Discounts. You may have been avoiding them because of the insinuation that it means you’re old but here’s why they’re cool.

I took an Amtrak trip from the San Fernando Valley, to visit my podcast partner who lives in the Laguna Woods senior living community. It was featured on 60 Minutes 90+ Study and used to be known as Leisure World.  She’s the same age as I am but got “such a deal” to live there. When I went to book my train ticket online, I qualified for senior discounts. Yee Haw!  It saved me a few bucks and I was thrilled.

The age eligibility for senior discounts varies depending on the company or service.  Amtrak starts at 62, but the LA Metro line is 65.  Greyhound (62+) and Trailways (50+) also offer senior discounts.

Some movie theaters like AMC and Arclight offer senior discounts for 60+.

The point is, take advantage of perks whenever you can. The longer we live, the more money we need and God knows I’ll be working for the rest of my life unless I win the lottery.

Organizations that offer perks and senior discounts for Baby Boomers and seniors

I’ve been a member of AARP ever since I turned 50 and membership will give you access to a wide variety of perks.  Being an AARP member is more important than ever because it fights like a banshee to make sure we don’t lose Medicare and other services that are critical as we age.

AARP offers senior discounts on insurance, healthcare, travel, and a variety of other services, including shopping on Amazon.

For those of you who feel AARP is too liberal for your political tastes, you can join AMAC. (Association of Mature American Citizens) They offer senior discounts, although not as many as AARP.

Senior Discount app

You may also want to download the app Sciddy, which will give you an alert if you’re in the vicinity of a business that has senior discounts.

Companies friendly to Baby Boomers and Seniors

There are several “chain” restaurants that offer senior discounts and cheap early bird dinners. It’s better to eat dinner early, right? Craving a Krispy Kreme?  Pull out your driver’s license and enjoy your senior discount!

Ross Stores has a 10% off day every Tuesday for anyone over 55. I went in there on a Tuesday and it was a zoo, but that 10% can make a difference.

Walgreens offers 20% off every first Tuesday (55+ and AARP) with your Balance Awards card.

Ancestry offers a 30% discount with an AARP card.

Then there’s travel – my personal passion. Travel is expensive so make sure to take advantage of every discount you can.

Travel companies with senior discounts include:

Airlines:

• American Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
• Southwest Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
• British Airlines (Via AARP)
• United Airlines (call to apply – (65+)
• U.S. Airlines (call to apply – (65+)

Cruises:

• Carnival Cruises (55+)
• Norwegian Cruises (55+)
• Celebrity Cruises (55+)
• Royal Caribbean Cruises (55+)

Hotels:

• Best Western Hotels (Via AARP)
• Clarion Hotels (60+ or VIA AARP)
• Comfort Suites (60+ or VIA AARP)
• Crown Plaza (62+)
• Days Inn (60+)
• Hampton Inn & Suites (VIA AARP)
• Hilton Hotels (VIA AARP)
• Howard Johnson Hotel (60+)
• Hyatt Hotels (62+)
• Knights Inn (60+)
• La Quinta Inn (65+)
• Motel 6 and Super 8 (VIA AARP)
• Marriott (62+)
• Sleep Inn (60+)
• Travelodge (VIA AARP)
• Wyndham Hotels (VIA AARP)

Car Rental:

• Alamo Car Rental (Via AARP)
• Avis Car Rental (Via AARP)
• Budget Rent-a-Car (Via AARP)
• Hertz Rental Cars
• Payless (Via AARP),  and more.
• Uber -Seniors 65+ can ride twice for free at the beginning of the month.

How it works with Uber:

• Open the Uber app
• Enter promo code UBERSENIOR in the Promotions tab
• On the first day of each month, the Senior icon will appear
• Request a ride from Senior
• Show a valid senior citizen ID to the driver-partner when you get on the ride
• Have a good trip!

National Parks and Camping:

If you’re 62 or over you can get an interagency pass to get a $20 annual or $80-lifetime pass to the National Parks and 50% off other park and forest services including camping.

The best thing you can do is ask

Whenever you go to a restaurant, attraction, hotel, or store, ask if they offer a senior discount. Make sure to join AARP for access to their opportunities as they change often. Enjoy the savings and have fun.