Summary of Senior Discounts for Budget Travel
Senior discounts for budget travel exist across a wide spectrum of opportunities, but many aren’t obvious — they’ll require some looking.
1. Senior Pass From the U.S. National Park Service
Let’s start with a visit to a U.S. national park, already a good buy for travelers of all ages.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older can purchase either a lifetime Senior Pass or an annual pass to U.S. national parks.
There are a few things for which the pass will not pay: fees charged by park concessions are not covered, nor are some recreation permits you might need in certain parks. However, those with questions about the Senior Pass will generally find that even when exemptions are noted, this pass usually pays for itself after one visit to a park that charges admission.
2. Rail Discounts
Rail Europe offers senior discounts for travelers age 60 and older “for certain passes and specific trains,” and generally only on first-class tickets. Therefore, in some cases, you might find it cheaper to forgo the senior discount in favor of a second-class seat. Still, it pays to check into whatever senior discounts might be available for your itinerary and class preference.
Amtrak offers a 15 percent discount on their lowest fares for anyone at least age 62. If the itinerary crosses the Canadian border and involves a VIA RailCanada train, the age restriction falls to 60. Look for the senior fare option on all of VIA’s ticket options.
Another Canadian rail line, Ontario Northland, routinely discounts any trip by 10 percent for those at least 60 years of age.
3. Airline Discounts
With corporate belt-tightening in recent years, senior discounts on airfares have declined. However, airlines still offer some consideration to senior passengers, although the extent of the savings can vary quite a bit. The best advice is to shop first on price and be sure to type in your age status when making the reservation.
Southwest offers fully refundable Senior Fares for travelers at least 65 years old. Some seating limitations or other restrictions might apply.
Air France offers discounts for those age 60 and older when flying “within metropolitan France.” The tickets can be changed or refunded with no penalty.
4. Travel Discounts through AARP
Travel is not the top concern of most seniors; health care and financial stability likely outrank visiting the world’s best destinations. However, travel finds its way onto the list of priorities, and it shouldn’t be surprising that groups formed to lobby for senior adults would also work to offer some travel discounts. The best-known example is AARP, which has long been open to anyone at least 50 years old.
AARP membership can be purchased for one year, three years, or five years. Travel discounts are offered at more than 40 hotel chains and six car rental firms, including discounts on tours, cruises, roadside assistance plans, and even vacation rentals.
5. National Discounts
Some discounts are initiated by governments. For example, Europe offers a number of discounts for seniors. In Great Britain, seniors receive reduced admission prices for major attractions such as Windsor Castle, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey, among others.
In Spain, a recent promotion called Golden Days Parador offered a 30 percent discount on a standard double room at the government-owned Paradores, although certain blackout dates applied. The government defines Paradores as “hotels for luxury accommodation in Castles, Palaces, Fortresses, Convents, Monasteries, and other historic buildings, alongside modern Spanish hotels built in traditional style.”
6. Hotel Discounts
If you want to find senior discounts for major hotel chains, you might have to dig a little. Many chains offer discounts in connection with membership in organizations such as AARP, but others extend lower rates to everyone in the age category. For instance, Motel 6 will discount room rates 10 percent for guests who are at least 60 years of age.
Marriott extends a 15 percent discount to travelers age 62 or older at 3,600 locations worldwide, seven days a week. However, this offer is subject to availability and capped at a maximum of two rooms per stay.
7. Restaurant Discounts
Many parts of the United States feature regional discount cards that seniors can present at participating businesses for immediate discounts. In Ohio, for instance, the Golden Buckeye Card is available to all state residents at least 60 years old, and it is honored by approximately 20,000 businesses, including restaurants.
National restaurant chains frequently discount senior tabs as well. For example, the International House of Pancakes, Burger King, Wendy’s, Shoney’s, and Chili’s all offer 10 percent discounts to seniors in the 55-60 age range, while Taco Bell provides free beverages to seniors at participating locations.
Obviously, the terms of these offers will vary by location, and some franchisees might not participate. However, don’t hesitate to ask if any senior discounts are available; if the answer is “no,” you’ve lost nothing.
8. Car Rental Discounts
When renting a car, start your search based on price, then check for any age-based discounts. This approach is advisable because prices at major companies often vary more than the senior discount offers.
Similar to hotels, some companies will base their discounts on AARP membership. Most of the major companies will discount rates by 20-25 percent for AARP travelers who present their valid membership cards at check-in, while others will only require age eligibility.
