Where You Can Get The Best Discounts If You're A Senior
Saving money is a beautiful thing, especially when you're able to receive a discount just for being you. That's exactly how senior discount programs work. Some companies reward longevity and encourage mature customers to shop with them by offering an age-based way to save — a senior discount. It's a great idea to get in the habit of shopping at places with programs like these. Some companies make senior discounts available to customers as young as 50, while others require customers to be at least 55, 60, 62, or 65 to qualify.
The list below highlights businesses offering senior discounts that don't require you to be a member of an age-related membership organization. This list will help you get started, but don't stop here. Many companies that offer these discounts are small, locally-owned businesses. Wherever you shop, it's always a good idea to inquire about the possibility of qualifying for a senior discount. Even if there isn't a special rate just for seniors, you may discover that the business offers discount opportunities (maybe a loyalty program or email coupons) that you can use.
Kohl's
If you're in the market for apparel or household items and are at least 60 years old, you're sure to be excited to learn about the senior discount program at Kohl's department store. Every Wednesday, Kohl's provides a 15% senior discount to customers who are 60 or older on purchases throughout the store. The senior discount applies to everyone; you don't have to have a Kohl's credit card to participate. To maximize savings, you can even combine the senior discount with Kohl's cash rewards you may have earned from previous purchases. The value of any Kohl's cash rewards you present at the time of checkout will be deducted from your total before the 15% senior discount is applied.
There are a few restrictions. Kohl's does not allow customers to combine any other percentage-based discounts with the senior discount. The senior discount can be used only with current-day in-store purchases. So, you can't use the senior discount to request a price adjustment on a previous purchase or to apply toward payments on a Kohl's credit card.
Ross Dress for Less
Kohl's isn't the only department store that sets aside a special day to reward seniors with a great discount program. The senior discount program at Ross Dress for Less is called 55+ Tuesday. As the name implies, the program is open to customers who are 55 years of age or older and the designated day is Tuesday. Ross Dress for Less provides a 10% discount to shoppers who are 55 or older every Tuesday, making that the perfect day for qualifying customers to scour the store for bargains.
To get the 55+ Tuesday discount at Ross Dress for Less, all you have to do is shop on the correct day of the week and notify the person who rings up your purchase that you qualify for 55+ Tuesday. You may be required to present your driver's license (or another appropriate ID document) to verify that you're eligible for the store's senior discount program. You don't have to participate in their rewards program to qualify, but doing so can qualify you for other special offers at the store.
Michael's
Michael's has one of the most customer-friendly senior discount programs available, as it's open to customers 55 and older and can be used any day of the week, both in-store and online. Michael's shoppers who are at least 55 years of age can save 10% on purchases from the retailer, with the discount automatically applied at checkout. The senior discount program at Michael's is a great program for people who enjoy crafting of any kind, as well as floral arranging and home decor.
To participate, you'll need to join the free Michael's rewards program and sync your account to your senior status (which you can do in the store or online). The next time you're in the store, simply provide your rewards number (you can sign up at the register if you still need to join) and your driver's license. Alternatively, log into your account via the Michael's website and go to your account dashboard. Click "More on My Rewards," then look for "Special Discounts." From there, choose Senior Discount (55+) and provide the requested information. Regardless of which option you use, they'll verify your senior status and sync it to your membership. From then on, your discount will automatically be applied every time you shop at Michael's using your rewards number.
Walgreens
Senior discounts aren't limited to department stores and crafting/home decor supplies. Some pharmacies also express their appreciation with age-specific savings programs. At Walgreens, customers who are 55 years of age or older and who also belong to the pharmacy chain's free myWalgreens program, can enjoy extra-special savings on purchases during a designated timeframe every month.
On the first Tuesday of every month (unless the date gets moved due to a holiday), Walgreens hosts Seniors Day, where myWalgreens members who meet the age requirement can save 20% off most regular-priced items in the store. To take advantage of the discount, you'll just need to use your myWalgreens card at checkout and ask for the Seniors Day discount. You may also be required to provide proof of your age. A corresponding discount is also available for online purchases, usually for the entire week that Seniors Day falls within. Check the Seniors Day page on Walgreens' website for the exact dates and the discount code.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid has an interesting senior discount program that can help shoppers who are 65 or older save money on purchases from the retailer. Unlike most store-based senior discount programs, RiteAid doesn't provide a specific percentage discount. Instead, their senior discount is rewards-based, with special benefits available only to seniors.
The first step to participating in Rite Aid's version of a senior discount program is to sign up for their free Rite Aid Rewards 65+ program (it's free). Once you become a member, you'll earn rewards on every purchase you make at the store (assuming you use your rewards number at checkout), which you can apply against future purchases. On the first Wednesday of every month, participating customers will earn 5X reward points, making this designated day the ideal time to boost the value of the store's seniors-only rewards program. The first Wednesday rewards bonus applies only to in-store purchases. Online purchases are not eligible.
Local thrift stores
Thrift shopping is a great way to stretch your budget, and it can also be a lot of fun. Many local and regional thrift stores offer senior discounts on certain days of the week, which can bring their already low prices down even more. Discounts can vary widely. For example, America's Thrift Stores, a regional operation with locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi, offers a 10% discount to customers aged 55+ every Monday. American Thrift Stores offers customers aged 50+ a full 50% off items marked with certain tag colors every Wednesday. This store has locations in Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
The best way to find out what's available in your area is to make a list of thrift stores you like to frequent and to contact them directly to find out what (if any) senior discounts they may offer. You may be able to find the information on their website, via their social media pages, or simply by asking in the store.
Goodwill Thrift Stores
No matter where you go in the U.S., there is probably a Goodwill Retail Store within driving distance. With so many Goodwill stores, it's natural to wonder if they offer a senior discount. The answer isn't as clear-cut as a simple yes or no. Even though Goodwill stores all carry the same name, they're not a national chain. Instead, each store is operated by a locally controlled and operated nonprofit Goodwill organization that sets its own discount policies.
Most Goodwill stores have a senior discount day, but some do not. Goodwill stores that do have this type of program don't all follow the same guidelines. Most Goodwills that have a senior discount program designate a certain day of the week as senior day and offer qualified customers a percentage discount, usually between 10 and 30%. For example, stores operated by Goodwill of Middle Tennessee offer seniors 60+ a 20% discount every Wednesday. Contact your local store to find out what may be available in your area.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile's Senior Unlmited 55+ discount plans might qualify you to save money on your cell phone bill. Rather than a set percentage discount, the company has special plans just for customers who are 55 or older. With their seniors-only program, as long as you are 55 or older and purchase 2 or more lines, you can get an unlimited cell phone plan for a really great price.
T-Mobile's base unlimited plan in the senior discount program is just $27.50 per month. All of its senior plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, and there are higher-level plans for customers who prefer even stronger streaming and hotspot capabilities. The higher-level plans also include no-cost access to some popular streaming services, so you may even be able to eliminate the cost of subscribing to services you're already using from your overall budget when you go this route for cell phone service.
Denny's
Denny's Diner is a great place to get a tasty breakfast or another quick meal. It's a particularly sweet spot for people who are 55 or older due to the restaurant's selection of 55+ menu items. The exact choices may vary by location, but the 55+ Menu at Denny's typically includes several unique breakfast combinations and a few lunch/dinner options. The combinations may be tweaked a bit, providing seniors with some meal versions that aren't available on the regular menu. And, even better, items on the senior menu are specially priced, with a built-in senior discount.
Reviewers on TripAdvisor and Yelp call out Denny's favorably for having a special, affordably priced menu just for seniors. Whether you're looking for a place to enjoy a diner-style meal at home or a pit stop to fill up while you're on the road, you can always expect to find special senior pricing on the menu at Denny's.
IHOP
Denny's isn't the only diner-style restaurant with a menu dedicated to mature customers. If you're 55 or older, you can also expect special pricing on a great selection of menu items at IHOP. Like Denny's, IHOP has a designated menu reserved for customers who are 55 and older, with many tasty and affordable meals from which to choose. Its 55+ menu includes seniors-only breakfast combinations as well as great deals on sandwiches, salads, and plated meals complete with entrees and sides.
Known for being open 24 hours a day, IHOP is a great place to stop for a meal any time of day or night, whether you're in your hometown or on a road trip. TripAdvisor customers in several states have rated the 55+ selections at IHOP positively, so that bodes well for a consistent dining experience no matter where you are when you stop in for a bite.
Local dining discounts
Senior discounts are fairly common at restaurants and fast food establishments, though they usually vary by location. It's very common for local or small regional restaurants to offer a senior menu or early bird dining discounts created with seniors in mind. Some may offer a percentage discount or a free item (such as a cup of coffee or ice cream cone) with purchase. Some chains have similar programs, but options usually vary by location. That's because most chain restaurants are franchise operations that allow local owners to set individualized discount policies rather than mandating participation in a companywide program.
For example, McDonald's doesn't offer a corporate senior discount program, but many McDonald's locations offer a discount to customers who are seniors. You'll need to check at your local McDonald's to find out what discounts might be available. The same is true for Chilis, as well as for some other fast food or casual dining chains. Your best bet for uncovering age-based restaurant discount programs is to ask a staff member at the places you enjoy eating.
Pep Boys
Keeping a car running takes a chunk out of anyone's budget. Pep Boys, a chain retailer offering auto parts, tires, and vehicle service, offers a special program to help make vehicle maintenance a bit more affordable for mature customers. Pep Boys has a few special discount programs, including a 10% in-store discount for customers who are 55 and older. You don't have to participate in a store-based rewards program or shop on a certain day of the week. Instead, you'll simply need to provide identification that verifies your age.
Pepboys has locations over 900 locations in the majority of U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico, so many people are in an area where they can take advantage of the chain's senior discount program. If you don't live near a Pep Boys or you want to explore other options, consider asking about senior discounts at other vehicle service centers in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised to find a similar program at one of your favorite local service providers.
Great Clips
Great Clips is a chain hair salon known for affordable haircuts and other salon services, which makes them a good option for seniors who are on the lookout for a reasonably priced styling solution. Great Clips has locations in cities and towns across the United States. Most Great Clips locations offer a senior discount every day of the week to customers who are 65 or older, without requiring any kind of membership or participation in a customer loyalty program.
The exact senior discount amount may vary by location, as Great Clips salons are franchise operations. Many Great Clips salons offer senior haircuts for $2 off the standard adult haircut price, which reduces the cost to around the same price as a child's haircut, though some stores offer different programs. You'll need to ask at your local Great Clips studio to find out exactly how much you can save if you are at least 65 years old.
Best Western hotels
Many hotel chains offer special rates for seniors looking for overnight stays or a comfortable home base to enjoy during their travels. Some hotel brands require seniors to be AARP members to qualify for an age-related discount, but some — including Best Western — don't require this type of membership. Best Western's senior discount program is open to everyone 55 years of age or older who stays at a participating property. If you book your room using a senior rate, you'll simply be asked to verify that you are 55 or older at the time of check-in.
At Best Western, senior pricing is based on availability at the time of booking. You can get the senior rate whether you're reserving your room by phone or online. If you call in, simply request the senior rate by phone. If you're reserving online, simply select the 55+ rate option when checking pricing and availability.
Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels also offers special pricing for seniors, though their discount program is limited to customers aged 60 or older. Choice also offers discounts to AARP members, so younger seniors with this type of membership can also benefit from special pricing. Choice Hotels is a large chain, with many brands under its umbrella including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Radisson, Park, Ascend, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn, and more.
As with other hotels that offer senior discounts, special pricing for mature travelers staying at a Choice Hotels facility is based on availability at the time a customer reserves their room. When reserving a room by phone at a Choice Hotels property, you'll simply need to request the senior rate when booking. When reserving online, you'll need to select Senior/AARP to get the senior rate. Please note that you don't have to be an AARP member to qualify if you are 60 or older.
Marriott
Marriott also offers a senior discount, though eligibility for this company's program starts at age 62. The program is available at participating properties in the Marriott portfolio, which includes quite a few hotel brands. Many Marriott properties don't actually include the word Marriott in their name. In addition to hotels operated under the corporate brand name, other Marriott properties include Courtyard, Fairfield, Four Points, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Springhill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Sheraton, Westin, and several other labels.
Qualifying seniors may book up to two rooms per night at the senior rate, which must be requested when the reservation is made. You can ask for the senior rate when reserving by phone, and specify it when booking via the website or Marriott's Bonvoy app. From the website, go to "Lowest Regular Rate" then select "Senior Discount." If you're using the mobile app, go to "Special Rates," then "Senior Discount."
PetsHotel
Unless you plan to travel with your furry friends, you'll need a place to board your beloved animal companion(s) when you're taking advantage of senior discounts at your favorite hotels or are otherwise away from home. If you're 65 or older and you and your pet(s) are lucky enough to live near a PetSmart retail store that includes a PetsHotel, you can also get a senior discount to help offset the cost of pet boarding while you're out of town.
PetsHotel is an overnight pet boarding service that's available at some PetSmart locations. In addition to offering 24/7 care for your furry friends in a safety-certified environment with a variety of amenities, PetsHotel also offers a 10% discount for seniors 65+. What a great way to help make your travel budget go further, while also making sure that your beloved pets are well cared for in a comfortable and safe environment.