Terry Turner, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Terry Turner

    Terry Turner

    Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator

    Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Savannah Pittle
    Savannah Pittle, senior financial editor for RetireGuide

    Savannah Pittle

    Senior Financial Editor

    Savannah Pittle is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.

    Read More
  • Financially Reviewed By
    Eric Estevez
    Eric Estevez, Independent Licensed Life Insurance Agent

    Eric Estevez

    Owner of HLC Insurance Broker, LLC

    Eric Estevez is a duly licensed independent insurance broker and a former financial institution auditor with more than a decade of professional experience. He has specialized in federal, state and local compliance for both large and small businesses.

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  • Published: May 1, 2020
  • Updated: October 20, 2023
  • 10 min read time
  • This page features 3 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

A qualified expert reviewed the content on this page to ensure it is factually accurate, meets current industry standards and helps readers achieve a better understanding of retirement topics.

Cite Us
How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Turner, T. (2023, October 20). Senior Benefits & Discounts. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/guides/senior-benefits-discounts/

MLA Turner, Terry. "Senior Benefits & Discounts." RetireGuide.com, 20 Oct 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/guides/senior-benefits-discounts/.

Chicago Turner, Terry. "Senior Benefits & Discounts." RetireGuide.com. Last modified October 20, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/guides/senior-benefits-discounts/.

Key Takeaways
  • Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money — 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs.
  • You can take advantage of many senior discounts when you are as young as 50.
  • Many senior discounts require that you have a membership or show proof of age.
  • You should not be afraid to ask a business if it offers discounts and whether you qualify for one.

There’s a long list of discounts to save you money in retirement.

State and federal agencies have programs that may help you meet your expenses that Social Security and Medicare may not.

Businesses and organizations also provide discounts that make shopping, dining and travel more affordable.

Stores With Senior Discounts

Dozens of retail stores offer senior discounts — some for people as young as 50. It’s a good idea to ask a store manager or cashier if the place where you shop offers a discount.

The list is too long to name all of the retail stores that offer senior discounts, but here are some examples from popular stores.

Clothing Store Senior Discounts
RETAIL STOREDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Banana Republic10%50 and upAny day at participating locations
Belk15%55 and upFirst Tuesday of the month
Kohl's15%60 and upWednesdays only
Ross Stores10%55 and upTuesdays only
TJ Maxx10%55 and upTuesdays only at participating locations

Grocery Shopping Discounts for Seniors

It appears that grocery stores are phasing out senior discounts in favor of overall savings, according to some groups that follow these trends.

Not every store in the chain may participate in senior discounts. But you should ask your local store if they do and you can still find discounts at many checkout counters.

Examples of Senior Discounts at Grocery Stores
GROCERY STOREDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Kroger10%55 and upTuesdays only, Kroger Plus Card required, not available at all locations
Harris Teeter5%60 and upWednesdays only
Piggly Wiggly5%55 and upWednesdays only at participating stores
Albertsons10%55 and upFirst Wednesday of the month at participating locations
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Dining Discounts For Seniors

If you enjoy dining out, there are plenty of options, from fast food and casual dining to even more pricey restaurants, that offer discounts to seniors. Having an AARP membership will add even more restaurants to your discount list.

Restaurant Senior Discounts
RESTAURANTDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Applebee’s10% to 15%60 and upAny day at participating locations
Arby’s 10% and/or free drink with purchase 60 and upAny day
Ben & Jerry’s10%60 and upAny day at participating locations
Bonefish Grill10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
Boston MarketVaries by locationVaries by locationAny day at participating locations
Burger King10%60 and upAny day at participating locations
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
Carrabba’s Italian Grill10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
Chick-fil-A10%55 and upAny day at participating locations
Cici’s PizzaSelect menu items, varies by locationVaries by locationVaries by location
Denny’s15%, special senior menu includes discounted item50 and upAny day with AARP card
El Pollo Loco10%60 and upVaries by location
Fazoli’sSelect items62 and upMust be a member of Fazoli’s Club 62
Hardee’sUp to 10% on any order, special discounts on beverages55 and upAny day at participating locations
IHOP10%, special senior menu includes discounted items55 and upMust have photo ID
Joe’s Crab Shack10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
KFCFree small drink, some locations may offer up to 10% off food purchases55 and upAny day at participating locations
McCormic & Schmick’s10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
McDonald’sVaries by location55 and upVaries by location
Outback Steakhouse10%50 and upAny day with AARP card
Perkins RestaurantSenior menu includes discounts55 and upAny day at participating locations
Ponderosa Steakhouse10%62 and upAt participating locations, requires proof of age
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen10% or free small drink55 and upAny day at participating locations
Taco Bell5% and free drink65 and upAny day at participating locations
Wendy’s 10% or discounted drink55 and upAny day at participating locations
WhataburgerFree drink with meal purchase55 and upAny day at participating locations
White Castle10%62 and upAny day at participating locations

Be sure to ask about senior discounts at these and other restaurants before ordering.

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Travel Discounts For Seniors

Many retirees spend their extra free time traveling. Knowing what travel discounts are available can help extend those travels while putting less stress on your bank account.

Some discounts require AARP membership, but others may just require proof of age.

Senior discounts have become increasingly rare among airlines. These are some that are still available as of the time of writing.

Airline Senior Discounts
AIRLINEDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
American AirlinesVarying discounts, specific routes only65 and upCall American Airlines at 1-800-433-7300 to check availability
British Airways$65 - $200 off depending on seat class50 and upMust have AARP membership
Delta AirlinesDiscounts available on specific routes only65 and upCall Delta at 1-800-241-6522 to check availability
United AirlinesVarying discounts, select routes only65 and upSelect senior category when making reservation

Landing a senior discount on a flight can be tricky to do online. It’s best to call the airline and ask if they have any discounts available.

Likewise, it’s best to call a hotel about senior discounts before booking a room. Those that offer discounts may not have them available at all hotels in the chain. Here’s a sample of some that offer senior discounts.

Hotel Senior Discounts
HOTELDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Marriott Hotels15%62 and upMust select senior discount at time of reservation, proof of age required at check in
Days InnVaries by location60 and upAt participating locations
Choice Hotels10% - 30% off60 and upMust have AARP card and book onlineCall Delta at 1-800-241-6522 to check availability
Best Western15%55 and upAt participating locations

Public transit systems typically offer senior discounts to get around major cities. If you want to get across the country instead of across town, Amtrak and major bus lines also offer discounts.

Bus & Train Fare Senior Discounts
BUS OR TRAIN LINEDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Amtrak10% on most fares65 and upCheck before buying ticket
Greyhound Bus Lines5%62 and upCheck before buying ticket
Trailways TransportationVaries50 and upCheck before buying ticket

Rental car companies sometimes offer discounts, but it’s wise to check with them before reserving a car. Some may also partner with AARP to provide discounts to members.

Rental Car Senior Discounts
RENTAL CAR COMPANYDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
HertzUp to 20%50 and upCheck before renting
AvisUp to 30%50 and upCheck before renting
BudgetUp to 30%50 and upAvailable to AARP members at participating locations, check before renting
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Discounts For Senior Activities

You can save money while spending time doing the activities you love — movies, hobbies and games all offer senior discounts.

Movie Theater Senior Discounts
THEATER OR SERVICEDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Amazon Prime$5.99/month subscriptionMust have a valid EBT card or be on MedicaidMust show proof of EBT or Medicaid
AMC TheatersVaries by location60 and upAt participating locations
Carmike CinemasUp to 35% ticket pricesVaries by locationAt participating locations
Cinemark Theaters“Early Bird” and “Senior’s Day” showings, discount amounts vary60 and upCheck with your local Cinemark Theater for days and times that apply
Regal Cinemas- Up to 20% off tickets with an AARP card
- Other discounts without an AARP card
- $3 off popcorn/soda combo with both AARP and Regal Crown Club cards
Varies by locationMust have AARP card and/or Regal Crown Club card for some discounts

Hobbies can be expensive, but you can get a break on hobby costs if you ask around.

Hobby Senior Discounts
COMPANYDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Audible$2 off each month of a monthly membership or $30 off annual membership50 and upMust have AARP card
Ancestry.com30% off first year’s All Access or World Explorer membership50 and upMust have AARP card
TicketmasterVarying discounts50 and upMust have AARP card

Health Discounts For Seniors

Drug stores, eyeglass retailers and other health services frequently offer senior discounts that can save you money whether you are on Medicare or still using your employer’s insurance.

The age to qualify for these discounts varies, but it’s wise to ask.

Most large, national pharmacy chains offer prescription discount programs you sign up for at any age.

Pharmacy Prescription Discounts
PHARMACY OR OTHER COMPANYDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
CostcoUp to 80%Must be a Costco member and sign up for the Costco Member Prescription ProgramMembership card required
CVSVarious discounts, coupons and other savingsMust be enrolled in CVS ExtraCare programMembership required
GoodRxUp to 80%Free in most cases, $10 in some casesMembership required
Optum PerksUp to 80%, plus coupons accepted by several leading pharmacy chainsMust apply for free pharmacy discount cardMembership required
RxSaverCoupons accepted by leading pharmaciesDownload app to your smartphoneMembership required
TargetAccepts all CVS discounts, coupons and other savingsMust be enrolled in CVS ExtraCare programMembership required
WalgreensUp to 80%Must be enrolled in the Walgreens Prescription Savings ClubMembership required
WalmartAccepts third-party prescription cards, $4 for 30-day supplies of wide range of generic drugsN/AN/A
WellRxUp to 80%Must sign up for Script Save CardMembership required

Senior discounts on fitness programs and memberships can help you keep in shape while keeping your wallet lined.

Fitness Senior Discounts
FITNESS CENTER OR SERVICEDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
CrossFitVaries by locationVaries by locationVaries by location
SilverSneakersVaries by location65 and upMust be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan
YMCAPriority registration and up to 50% off select programs and classesVaries by locationVaries by location

Local fitness centers may also offer senior discounts. Be sure to check with your local gym or fitness center about any discounts available.

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Benefits and Discounts for Senior Veterans

Especially since 9/11, dozens of companies have offered discounts to active duty military, and many of those also offer discounts to veterans long after they have served. You will need to show valid military ID in most cases.

You can find discounts on things such as restaurant meals, travel and auto parts. If you served, it’s smart to ask if a business offers a veteran’s discount before ordering or ringing up a purchase.

Senior Veteran Discounts
COMPANYDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Amtrak10% off lowest available fare on most trainsVeterans and family membersCertain restrictions apply
Home Depot10%Veterans, active duty military and their spousesMust apply online
Jiffy Lube15%Veterans and active duty militaryAt participating locations
LasikPlus20%Veterans and active duty militaryAll locations in the country
Verizon WirelessUp to $25 per month, 25% on select accessoriesAll military service personnel, veterans and their familiesMust register with discount program
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3 Cited Research Articles

  1. United.com. (2021). Tips and Discounts for Senior Travelers. Retrieved from https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs/seniors.html
  2. Hotelplanner.com. (2022). AARP® & Senior Hotel Discounts (brand analysis) - Save 20%. Retrieved from https://www.hotelplanner.com/Senior-Rates/AARP-Discounts
  3. Bond-Nelms, C. (2017, August 23). 56 Amazing Senior Discounts at Top Restaurants - AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/food/entertaining/info-2017/senior-discounts-restaurants-fd.html
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