Retail Shopping Deals!  Remember Your Senior Discount!

What are Senior Discounts? One of the benefits to old age is receiving senior discounts. This can be great news for those who are on a tight budget and do not have much to spend …

What are Senior Discounts?

One of the benefits to old age is receiving senior discounts. This can be great news for those who are on a tight budget and do not have much to spend during their retirement years. After years of paying full price on items, older adults can now get a discount from many retail stores, grocery markets, or even when you travel. Planning a good budget for your finances to be used during the retirement years is essential for many older adults. Why? Because if you are already retired, you are now on a fixed income. There is no “extra money”. Unless, of course you have supplement job that you can do part time while retired. For individuals that want to learn how to budget better, try the AARP Budget Builder. It is free to use, no membership to use it, and is helpful for all ages. 

How old do you have to be to Receive a Senior Discount?

Although 65 is considered there year you claim Medicare, it does not necessarily mean you have to wait til then. Some places offer senior discounts to those as young as 50 years old. For example, AARP or the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), allows membership to adults at age the age of 50! Of course, the minimum age can vary by company or location. Keep in mind that not every place or company will offer senior discounts. Plus, some businesses may not advertise the discounts for seniors in their store windows or online. If you do go to a store and are not sure if they offer a senior discount, you can always ask. So, you may have to physically ask.

How senior discounts work

Most senior discounts provide benefits or reduced prices to older adults who are at a certain age, to be used at locally or online. This gives seniors huge saving from many companies or businesses that you normally shop at. It can also lesson the stress of funding their retirement.

Popular Types of Senior Discounts

There are all types of places that seniors can go, in order to receive these senior discounts. Here is a list of the top places from each group. Some offer large discounts, whereas others may just be small ones. Yet, each can save you money.

Retail Stores

There are dozens of retail stores that offer senior discounts. Some of them you can be as young as 50 while others you may have to be in your 60s. Remember, if the sore doesn’t mention it in a place where you can see it, don’t hesitate to ask. With all kinds of retail stores there are, it is too much to mention all of them. So we created a short list of the most popular choices of retail stores there are throughout the nation.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Banana RepublicDiscounts vary by locationMust be 50+
Bealls Department Store15% off every TuesdayMust be 50+
Big Lots Big rewards10% off purchases in-store and onlineMust create Big Lots account
Belk15% off on the first Tuesday of every monthMust be 62+
C.J. Banks/Christopher Banks10% off certain purchasesMust be 55+ or a veteran
Clarks10% offMust be 62+ or a veteran
DressbarnN/AN/A
Goodwill10% – 25% off one day a week; day varies by locationMust be 55+
HallmarkUp to 10% off (varies by location)Must be 55+
Kohl’s15% offMust be 60+
Lowe’s Veteran Program10% off purchases in-store and online everydayMust enroll online with valid ID
Michael’s10% offMust be 55+
Modell’s Sporting Goods10% offMust be 65+
Ross10% off every WednesdayMust be 55+
The Salvation Army Thrift StoresUp to 50% off on senior discount days (varies by location)Must be 55+
TJ Maxx10% off on Mondays (varies by location)Must be 55+
Walgreens20% off eligible in-store merchandise on the first Tuesday of each monthMust be 55+ and have a Balance Rewards card

Grocery store senior discounts

Although many grocery stores now offer savings to all their shoppers, there may be a few that still participate in senior discounts for extra savings or benefits over a certain age. Seniors should ask their local grocery store if they do. Here is a list of some grocery stores that offer savings to seniors. Some grocery stores offer free rewards cards, which is an added bonus for seniors.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Albertsons10% off Must be 55+,First Wednesday of the month at participating locations
Bi-Lo5% off every WednesdayMust be 60+
Brookshires5% off dailyMust be 60+, Plus, first 2 hours of store opening is reserved for seniors.
Compare Foods Supermarket10% off every WednesdayMust be 60+
Fred Meyer10% on the first Tuesday of each monthMust be 55+
Fry’s Food Stores10% on the first Wednesday of each monthMust be 55+
Gristedes Supermarket10% off every TuesdayMust be 65+
Harris Teeter5% off every Thursday (excluding fuel, pharmacy, tickets, and gift cards)Must be 60+
Hy-Vee5-10% off on weekly senior discount dayMust be 55+
KrogerSenior discount days discontinued as of 2021N/A
New Seasons10% off every WednesdayMust be 65+
Piggly-WigglyDiscounts for seniors vary by locationMust be 60+
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace5% off on WednesdaysMust be 65+

Dining Senior Discounts

For those who desire to get out of the house, here are a few dining discounts specifically for seniors to enjoy. The options are numerous; senior can choose from fast food joints to casual dining atmospheres to pricey fine dining. It just depends on what you are looking for. Those that have an AARP membership ard can even get more discounts.

Restaurant Senior Discounts

RESTAURANTDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Applebee’s10% to 15%60 and upAny day at participating locations
Arby’s10% and/or free drink with purchase60 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
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen10% or free small drink55 and upAny day at participating locations
Taco Bell5% and free drink65 and upAny day at participating locations
Wendy’s10% 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

Travel Discounts for Seniors

Some seniors love to spend their retirement years traveling to see family or friends they haven’t seen in a while. But traveling can become expensive without a discount. The good news is, many airlines will offer travel discounts to those who are over 60. Sometimes, you may need to show your ID or an AARP membership to get the senior discount. When getting a discount for traveling, it is not only helpful, but it can also relieve some stress on your wallet. Below are some of the most popular airlines or other traveling options offering senior discounts.

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
AmtrakOffers 10% off most rail fares on domestic trips65 and up
British Airways$65 – $200 off depending on seat class50 and upMust have AARP membership
Carnival Cruisediscount fares for certain sails55 and upcall for details
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

Hotel Senior Discounts

In combination with traveling by plane, train or bus, there are also senior discounts available to certain hotels for seniors. Taking advantage of these while visiting friends and family is a great idea during the holidays.

HOTELDISCOUNTELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP)AVAILABILITY
Best Western15%55 and upAt participating locations
Choice Hotels10% – 30% off60 and upMust have AARP card and book online, sometime advance reservations apply
Days InnVaries by location60 and upAt participating locations
Marriott Hotels15%62 and upMust select senior discount at time of reservation

Key Takeaways

There are many other types of discounts available for seniors. Some healthcare providers and Internet Service and Communications companies also offer discounts to seniors at a low cost. In fact, there are many cell phone plans that offer incentives and discounts for specifically older adults. Each person should compare each plan to see which one best fits into their budget. Over time, senior discounts can save a person a substantial amount, which is great when you are already retired. Most people can save any where between 10% to 80% off what they would normally pay for the item, product, or service. This includes discounts on restaurant meals, travel costs, and prescription drugs.