The golden years bring wisdom, knowledge – and a new world of senior citizen discounts! If you’re looking to make the most of the special offers available to the 55+ crowd, read on for a quick-round up of the top places you can save as a senior.
Museums
Most museums offer reduced or free admission to visitors aged 60 and above. At the Museum of Science, seniors can enjoy a $4 discount on general admission and a $1 discount at the planetarium. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has a $2 discount for senior citizens 65 and up. While the Boston Children’s Museum doesn’t have any specific discounts for seniors, it does offer $1 admission to everyone on Fridays from 5-9 p.m.
Restaurants
From independent establishments to nation-wide chains, plenty of restaurants seek out senior dining dollars by offering a host of discounts. Senior citizens are often eligible for a 10% discount at fast food restaurants like Burger King, Arby’s and Dairy Queen (although this varies by location), and IHOP has a special senior menu for diners age 55 and up. There are many, many more senior discounts available, though it’s always a good idea to contact restaurants ahead of time to verify special offers.
Car Rentals
Senior citizens can save big when it comes to car rentals, especially if they belong to the AARP. Avis offers savings of up to 30% on base rates for AARP members, while Budget’s AARP discounts go up to 35%. Meanwhile, Hertz offers a discount of up to 20% on base rates for renters aged 50 and up. AARP membership can also get seniors a free additional driver on most rentals.
Phone Plans
Come cell phone providers offer tailored phone plans for seniors or discounts on service. T-Mobile has a variety of options for seniors aged 55 and up, including an Essentials 55+ plan for under $30 and a premium unlimited plan for $45. Verizon and AT&T have similar options, although these may be limited depending on your primary state of residence.
Shopping
Kohl’s has a senior day discount every Wednesday, with 15% off most items for shoppers who are 60 and above. Michaels Rewards members can use their senior discount of 10% any day of the week, both in-store and online, as long as they are 55 and up. And, at Dress Barn, senior citizens who are at least 62 years old get a 10% discount on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, depending on location.
Entertainment
Most movie theaters, including AMC, Cinemark, Regal and Showcase offer senior pricing on movie tickets for the 60-and-up crowd. Some days of the week may also be set aside for senior discounts, so check in with your local cinema. For senior citizens who prefer the outdoors, the annual National Parks pass is available to people 62 and above for a discounted $20, or seniors can opt to spend $80 for a lifetime pass.
Travel
Taking a vacation is easier on the pocketbook with a number of hotels, tour organizers and other travel providers offering a discount to senior citizens. United Airlines offers senior fares to select destinations, so if you’re 65 or older, be sure to tick the box when making a booking. Hotel chains with senior discounts (which range from 10% off to as much as 50% off) include Best Western, Crown Plaza, Hyatt, and many more.