Getting seasoned and even more fabulous does come with perks, so if you plan on traveling over the next few months, some companies will offer you discounts on their goods from food, to hotels, to car rentals, to modes of transportation. Some of you are on budgets, fixed incomes or just live on the fly, but whatever the situation, who doesn’t love a bargain? Below is a list of companies that will save you a few coins when you hit the road.
While some companies specify anyone over 50 is a senior, others say you must be 62, and still, others require you to be 65. This is why it is important to check the details on any discount, program, or offer to make sure you qualify.
Happy and safe travels!
Cruises
Best Price Cruises: search for cruises by destination, cruise line, ship, trip length, and departure date. The site has filters for all kinds of travel rates, including senior discounts.
Carnival Cruise Line: you can search discounted cruise fares for travelers 55 years old and up; there is a wide selection of search filters, including destination port, arrival port, length of cruise, type of cruise, and ship; having just one eligible senior in your cabin qualifies you for a special rate
Vacations to Go: has a special section for those 55 and up where cruise discounts are offered; check out the various cruise lines, regions and packages offered
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: offers reduced senior prices to those age 55 and up on selected sailings; having just one eligible senior in your cabin qualifies you for a special rate
Food:
Applebees: 15% discount with Golden Apple Card
Arby’s: 10% off for 55 and over
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off for 60 and over
Bob’s Big Boy: discounts depend on location for 60 and over
Boston Market: 10% off for 65 and over
Burger King: 10% off for 60 and over
Chick-fil-A: 20% off during breakfast hours and 10% off for ages 55 and over during lunch/dinner hours
Chili’s: 10% off for 55 and up
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% age 60 and over
Denny’s: senior menu with discounted prices
El Pollo Local: 10% off for 55 and over
IHOP: senior menu as well as 10% off for 55 and over
KFC: free drink with any meal for 55 and over
Sonic: 10% discount for 60 and over or free beverage
Golden Corral: discounted menu prices for 60 and over
Shoney’s: 10% off with Golden Age Club card for 60 and over
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverage for 65 and over at select locations
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday for 60 and over
Subway: 10% discount for 60 and over at select locations
Wendy’s: free drink (or 10% at some locations)
White Castle: 10% off for 62 and over
Air Travel:
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for 65 and over
Alaska Airlines: 10% off for 65 and over
United Airlines: various discounts for 65 and over
United: various discounts for 65 and over
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and over
Delta: senior discounts offered in certain markets
NOTE: Sometimes the best deal is not with the airline directly. Searching several travel booking sites can yield substantial deals that might beat a senior discounted fare. Check Kayak, Airfarewatchdog, CheapOair, Skyscanner or TravelZoo to see your options for a desired trip.
Hotels:
Best Western: up to 15% off for age 55 and over
Choice Hotels: 10% off for age 60 and over
Cambria Suites: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Clarion: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Comfort Inn: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Comfort Suites: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Econo Lodge: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Golden Tulip: discounts for age 62 and over
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Holiday Inn: 10-30% discounts for age 62 and over
Hyatt Hotels: 25-50% discounts for age 62 and over
InterContinental Hotels: various discounts for age 65 and over
Marriott: 15% off for age 62 and over
Motel 6: 10% off for age 60 and over
Quality Inn: 20-30% discounts for age 60 and over
Red Roof Inn: 10% off for age 59 and over
Bus and rail
Amtrak: 15% off for age 62 and over
Greyhound: 5% off for age 62 and over
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for those 50 and over
Car Rentals
Hertz: various discounts for those 50 and over
Dollar Rent-A-Car: various discounts for those 50 and over
Other companies: Avis, Budget, National and Alamo only offer discounts to AARP card holders
Are you afraid to fly alone? Traveling and disabled?
If you are afraid to fly by yourself? Do you have a disability and hate the thought of traveling without assistance? Suffer from travel anxiety? Flying Companions will provide a companion who will accompany you to your destination. But wait, there’s more! They can pick you up at your home or meet you at your place of departure. The companions will provide assistance with everything from check-in. to going through security, to baggage claims. If you’re in a wheelchair and need bathroom assistance, they can even provide this type of help as part of their overall service. www.Flyingcompanions.com
Travel Apps that come in handy
Android and iOS systems offer a number of apps for travelers that are a cinch to use:
Google Translate: offers about 90 language translations; it also includes Word Lens, a tool that allows you translate a foreign word in seconds just by pointing your phone at it; available for Windows, Android, and iOS
FourSquare: this nifty city guide helps you locate places to visit, eat, drink, and shop by providing more than 60 million local recommendations and reviews; available for Windows, Android, and iOS
XE Currency: converts more than 180 currencies using updated exchange rate calculations; works without Wi-Fi, so you can use it even without an internet connection