Join a club
Another good avenue to senior discounts is through membership organizations like AARP, which offers its 50 and older members a wide variety of discounts through affiliate businesses (see discounts.aarp.org). Annual AARP membership fees are $16, or less if you join for multiple years.
If, however, you’re not a fan of AARP, there are other alternative organizations you can join that also provide discounts such as The Seniors Coalition or the American Seniors Association. Or, for federal workers, there’s the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.
Types of discounts
Here’s a brief rundown of some of the different types of discounts you can expect to find.
Supermarkets: Many locally-owned grocery stores offer senior discount programs, as do some chains like Kroger, Publix and Fry’s, which offer some discounts on certain days of the week but they vary by location. You’ll need to ask.
Retailers: Many thrift stores and certain retailers like Kohl’s, Bealls, Dressbarn and Ross Stores offer a break to seniors on a certain day each week.
Travel: Southwest Airlines provide by far the best senior fares in the U.S. to passengers 65 and older, while Amtrak offers a 15 percent discount and Greyhound offers 5 percent off to travelers over 62. And, most hotels in the U.S. offer senior discounts, usually ranging from 10 to 30.
Car services: If you’re renting a car, most car rental companies provide discounts to customers who belong to organizations like AARP. And some Jiffy Lube and Midas service centers offer discounts to seniors for auto repair and maintenance.
Restaurants: Senior savings are common at restaurants and fast food establishments, ranging from free coffee, to drinks, to discounts off your total order. Chains known for their senior discounts include McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Applebee’s, Arby’s, Chili’s and Friendly’s.
Entertainment: Most movie theaters, plays, ballets, symphonies, museums, zoos and aquariums provide reduced admission to seniors over 60 or 65. And seniors over 62 are eligible to get the “America the Beautiful – Senior Pass” for $10, which provides a lifetime of free access into all national parks and federal recreational lands.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.