If you are like us, pennies count while traveling. We want to go everywhere and see everything! We all know there are compromises on a retirement income but stretching your dollars can make the difference between heading out for an exciting trip and not going. For bargain travel, we need to know the top travel discounts for seniors.
This year, our friends at The Senior List® (www.theseniorlist.com) have once again published The 2019 Best Travel Discounts for Seniors. Their list contains verified senior discounts. While discount policies can change during the year, we use this list when planning our journeys.
*Please note: Some of the discounts you’ll see below are offered by franchise owners in local markets. This means that senior discounts may vary by location.
Click on the name of the business to be taken to their website. You will find the top travel discounts for seniors.
Senior Airline Discounts
Note: Always compare senior rates to the everyday rates. Check on the flexibility of the two types of rates. Sometimes, senior rates allow for more flexibility.
♦American Airlines: Various discounts for 65 and up (call to apply senior discount). verified
♦Southwest Airlines: Various discounts for ages 65 and up (call to apply senior discount). For details on fares and limitations, call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). As an additional benefit, senior fares are also fully refundable on Southwest. verified
♦British Airlines: AARP members can save up to $200 on flights. Click here to book travel. verified
♦United Airlines: Various discounts for ages 65 and up (call to apply senior discount). Contact United’s reservations department at 1-800-241-6522 to find out if a senior discount is applicable for a particular flight. verified
♦U.S. Airways: Has merged with American Airlines (see above). verified
♦Delta: Delta offers senior discounts on certain itineraries, but they aren’t available online, so travelers should call 1-800-221-1212 to check eligibility.
Senior Car Rental Discounts
♦Alamo Car Rental: Up to 25% off for AARP members. verified
♦Avis Senior Discounts: AARP members save $10-$25 off Avis Car Rental. verified
♦Budget Rent-A-Car Senior Discount: Everyday savings of 10-25% on all vehicles (domestic and international). Use Budget Customer Discount (BCD) # Y508537 to get the lowest rate(s) for AARP members (50+). verified
♦Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
♦Hertz Senior Discount: Hertz offers exclusive rental car deals for renters 50+. Use discount code CDP# 2007815. verified
♦Payless Senior Discount: AARP members enjoy discounts at Payless Car Rental, including everyday savings of 5% on leisure daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly rates. Use Payless Promo Code KW47RY verified
SENIOR HOTEL DISCOUNTS
♦Best Western Senior Discount: 10% or more for AARP or senior guests (55+). verified
⇔
♦Cambria Suites Senior Discount: (Choice Hotels) “Senior Rate”: If you are 60+ or an AARP member, you’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). (60+) verified
⇔
♦Candlewood Suites: Discounts vary (62+) verified
⇔
♦Clarion Hotels – (Choice Hotels) “Senior Rate”: If you are 60+ or an AARP member, you’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). (60+) verified
⇔
♦Comfort Inn Senior Discount: (Choice Hotels) “Senior Rate”: If you are 60+ or an AARP member, you’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). (60+) verified
⇔
♦Comfort Suites – (Choice Hotels) “Senior Rate”: If you are 60+ or an AARP member, you’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). (60+) verified
⇔
♦Crown Plaza: Discounts vary (62+) verified
⇔
♦Days Inn: Discounts vary (60+) You can also call 1-800-225-3297 and request the “senior rate.” verified
⇔
♦Hampton Inn & Suites – AARP members save 10% verified
⇔
♦Holiday Inn Senior Discounts: Discounts vary (62+) or with valid membership ID of a retired persons organization. verified
⇔
♦Howard Johnson Hotel Discounts: Discounts off the best available rate (60+) You can also call 1-800-225-3297 and request the “senior rate”. verified
⇔
♦Hyatt Senior Discounts: Up to 50% off (62+) verified
⇔
♦Knights Inn: Up to 10% off (60+) verified
⇔
♦La Quinta Inn Senior Discount: Discounts vary (65+) verified
⇔
♦Marriott Senior Discount: 15% off (62+) verified
⇔
♦Motel 6: 10% off (60+), AMAC members 10% off by using code CP545906. verified
⇔
♦Sleep Inn – (Choice Hotels) “Senior Rate”: If you are 60+ or an AARP member, you’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). (60+) verified
⇔
♦Super 8: Seniors save 10% off (up to 20% with AARP card) verified
⇔
♦Travelodge Senior Discount: Discounts vary (60+) verified
⇔
♦Wyndham Hotels: Up to 20% with AARP card, AMAC members 20% off verified
⇔
Senior Cruise Discounts
The cruise lines are always offering discounted fares for one reason or another. Make sure you call your favorite cruise line to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the month in which you’re cruising.
In most cases, the big cruise lines like Carnival Cruises, Norwegian, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean will offer discounts to those travelers that are 55 and older. (Be sure to ask).
Other Senior Travel Discounts
National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass: An $80.00 **Lifetime Pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies (62+).
Greyhound: 5% discount (62+) verified
Amtrak Senior Discounts: Amtrak travelers (62+) years of age and over are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers (60+). verified
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation systems usually offer senior discounts up to 50% in cities nationwide. Always ask. Also check to see if the trolleys, and buses have multi-day discounts.
If you don’t want to hail or call for a taxi, Lyft and Uber allow you to arrange for a ride online. One advantage of these services is that there is no need for cash. Payment and tips (if you like) are included online when you book your ride and each trip is a set amount.
That way, you don’t have to worry about a meter ticking away at railroad crossings or stop lights. Do your research, however. Some of these services have met with some controversy lately.
IPHONE APPS TO FIND SENIOR DISCOUNTS
New to us is the free iPhone App called Sciddy at www.Sciddy.com. This App notifies seniors of U.S. businesses that offer discounts to people 50 years of age and older. Discounts include food, entertainment, home services, travel, health, and many other benefits in cities across the country.
