The Senior Discount Too Many People Forget About When Traveling

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A 2025 travel survey from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that Americans 50 and older planned to drop an average of $6,847 on vacations that year. It is usually advisable to keep vacation spending within reasonable limits of your annual income, though this age group clearly puts travel high on its priority list. Nearly two-thirds intended to travel in 2024 — most within the U.S., though some looked abroad for milestone adventures. Hotel stays drove costs higher, as the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported average daily rates rose from 155.94 in 2023 to $159 in 2024, with total guest spending hitting a record $777.25 billion.

Despite rising travel expenses, senior travelers often miss out on hotel savings through widely available senior discounts that could meaningfully reduce costs. According to HotelPlanner's analysis, these age-based programs can lower room rates by 10% to 20%. However, hotel chains rarely promote senior discounts in their primary advertising, and most qualified guests don't use them because they simply don't know about them. Plus, people assume senior discounts start at 65, but many retailers and service providers actually begin offering them for people in their 50s.

According to the University of Massachusetts Amherst's 2011 hospitality research study on discount strategies, there is a particularly ironic pattern in discount-hunting habits. While younger consumers and women actively look for deals, older consumers are less likely to pursue promotional pricing, even when they clearly qualify for age-based savings.

Major hotel chains set distinct rules for senior discounts. Marriott International offers guests aged 62 and older 10% to 20% off its Best Flexible Rate across more than 30 brands, including Sheraton and Courtyard, though proof of age is required and the discount applies to just two rooms per night per person. Hilton Worldwide, by contrast, sets its senior eligibility at 65 but provides up to 6% off its Best Available Rate under 2025 terms, allowing you to book up to two rooms under this discount.

Some hotel brands begin offering senior discounts earlier than others. Extended Stay America opens eligibility at age 55, applying an undisclosed discount to all suites when "senior discount" is selected online or by phone. At select locations, Choice Hotels provides 10% off to travelers aged 60 and older or AARP cardholders, making membership benefits particularly worthwhile for regular travelers. IHG Hotels, covering Holiday Inn and Candlewood Suites, offers senior discounts from age 62, plus extra benefits for bookings made at least three days in advance.

Booking strategy matters significantly when pursuing these discounts. Rather than falling victim to common hotel pricing tricks, savvy travelers can secure better deals on a hotel through strategic booking approaches. U.S. News & World Report suggests calling the property after you've done an online search. Marriott, for instance, warns that its discounts are capacity-controlled and won't show up on all dates, so travelers with flexible schedules and early bookings have better success. Plus, every chain checks photo ID at the desk.