There are many perks that come with graceful aging. Among them are membership organizations that can open up a new world of benefits, government programs to access retirement income and healthcare, and a plethora of senior discounts that become available in many categories across the country.

Taking advantage of these opportunities starting at age 50+ is a smart and fun move for seniors and their families looking to stretch their dollars, stay safe and healthy, or just enjoy the perks of fine dining and travel.

Let’s start with the largest membership organizations that can provide not only discounts, but very valuable supports and services:

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Founded in 1958, AARP today has 38 million members. Eligible age to join is 50 years and older. Cost to join $12 first year (25% discount). Numerous benefits and rewards programs for members include: insurance, health and wellness, pharmacy, Medicare programs, travel, entertainment and dining, publications, education and advocacy.
• American Automobile Association (AAA): Founded in 1902, AAA today has 58 million members. Membership levels of Classic ($51), Plus ($79), and Premier ($106) providing a wide range of benefits that include: all vehicle roadside assistance, towing, and other safety/emergency services, insurance, credit cards, identity theft monitoring, dining, entertainment, and travel services and discounts.

Also, make sure you understand the government benefits that come to you from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration:

• Social Security: Established in 1935 to provide a federal safety net for elderly (65+), unemployed and disadvantaged Americans. Social Security is funded by payroll tax, and pays out four categories of benefits: retirement, disability, dependents, and survivorship. As of 2019, the maximum monthly retirement benefit a person can receive is $2,861.
• Medicare: Created in 1965 to give people age 65 and older access to healthcare supports and services. Medicare provides a number of benefits including: hospital care, skilled nursing facility (LTC), hospice, lab tests, surgery, home health care, doctor care and outpatient services, prescriptions, and preventative services. Enrollment is required on an annual basis, and Medicare health plan options such as Medicare Advantage or Medical Savings Accounts are available to recipients.
• Medicaid: Created in 1965 as a joint federal-state program to give low-income persons and the disabled (and dependents) access to healthcare, and long-term care supports and services. Medicaid provides a variety of benefits to qualified applicants such as: doctor visits, hospital expenses, nursing home care, home health care, and long-term care costs, both in a nursing home and at-home care.
• Veterans Administration (VA): The VA was formally established in 1921. There are many forms of benefits for active duty and retired members of the U.S. Military including: pensions, G.I. Bill and education, insurance, home loans, small business programs, disability, and Aid & Attendance for long-term care.

Companies of all types offer discounts specifically for seniors at various ages. Since 2013, I have been updating and publishing this list of senior discounts that continues to benefit seniors every year.

Knowing which restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, hotels, theme parks, movie theaters and many others are giving senior discounts around the country is your ticket to savings and good living!

Remember always ASK for your discounts before you purchase!

RESTAURANTS:

• Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
• Arby’s: 10% off ( 55 +)
• Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
• Bennigan’s: discount varies by location (60+)
• Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
• Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: 10% off for AAA members
• Burger King: 10% off (60+)
• Carrabba’s: 10% off for AARP members
• Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
• Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
• Chuck E. Cheese’s: 100 Play Points for $20 / promo code #5629 for special offers for AAA members
• CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Denny’s: 10% off (55 +), 15% off for AARP members
• Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
• Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
• Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
• Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
• Gritty McDuff’s: 10% off for AAA members
• Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
• Hard Rock Café: 10% off for AAA members
• IHOP: 10% off (55+)
• Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
• KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
• Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
• Long John Silver’s: various discounts at locations (55+)
• McCormick and Schmick’s: 10% off for AARP members
• McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
• Medieval Times: 30% off admission for AAA members
• Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
• Outback Steakhouse: 10% off for AARP members
• Shoney’s: 10% off
• Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
• Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
• Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
• Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
• TCBY: 10% off (55+)
• Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
• Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
• Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
• Wendy’s: 10% off ( 55 +)
• Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
• White Castle: 10% off (62+)

RETAIL & APPAREL:

• Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
• Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
• Big Lots: 30% off
• Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
• C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
• Clarks : 10% off (62+)
• Dress Barn: 20% off (55+)
• Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
• Modell’s Sporting Goods: 30% off
• Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
• Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
• The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
• Stein Mart: 20% off red-dot clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)
• 1-800-Flowers.com: 20% off for AAA members

GROCERY:

• Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
• American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
• Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
• Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
• Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
• Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
• Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
• Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL:

Airlines:

• Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
• American Airlines: Discount tickets for international flights (65+) (call or check website before booking for discount)
• British Airlines: $200 off trans-Atlantic flights for AARP members (call or check website before booking for discount)
• Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call or check website before booking for discount)
• United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call or check website before booking for discount)
• U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call or check website before booking for discount)

Rail:

• Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:

• Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
• Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:

• Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
• Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
• Budget Rental Cars: up to 50% off for AARP members
• Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off or AAA members
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
• Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members, or $39 per day or 20% off for AAA members
• National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
• Thrifty: 8% off for AAA members

Overnight Accommodations:

• Best Western: 15% off (55+)
• Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Waldorf Astoria – NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
• Choice Hotels: 10% off (60+)
• Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
• Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off best rate (65+)
• Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
• Hilton Hotels: 15% off for AAA members
• Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
• InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
• LaQuinta: 10% off for AARP members
• Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
• Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
• Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
• Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
• Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
• Red Roof Inn: 10% off (59+)
• Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:

• AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +), or 4 E-tickets with 1 popcorn E-voucher for AAA members
• Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
• Blue Man Group: Discounted tickets at box office for AAA members
• Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
• Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
• Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
• Dollywood: Discounted tickets for AAA members
• Elvis Presley’s Graceland: $24 off admission, advance purchase only for AAA members
• U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
• Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
• Redbox: 25% off for AAA members (online only)
• SeaWorld: Discount admission tickets vary for AAA members
• Showcase Cinemas: $3 off E-tickets for AAA members
• Six Flags Theme Parks: 40% off admission passes for AAA members (online only)
• Universal Studios Orlando: Discount admission tickets vary for AAA members
• Walt Disney World Theme Parks: Discount admission tickets vary for AAA members

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:

• AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
• Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
• Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Ancestry.com: 30% off membership for AARP members
• Great Clips: $8 off haircuts (60+)
• Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)
• NAPA Auto Parts: 10% off for AAA members
• Guardian Emergency Response Systems: 20% off for AAA members

(Discounts are subject to change and expiration, always verify your discounts before completing transactions)

Chris Orestis is a nationally recognized senior care advocate and expert in retirement, long-term care and specialty senior living funding solutions. The author of two books, numerous published papers and articles, and a frequent industry speaker; he is the innovator that brought the LTC Life Settlement into the market over a decade ago.