LGBTQ+ people can get half off airfares & other ridiculously great discounts if they’re 50+

LGBTQ+ people can get half off airfares & other ridiculously great discounts if they’re 50+
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If 50 is the new 40, then 60 is the new 50, and you’re probably looking good and not interested in acknowledging anything “senior” about yourself. But it also means that you’re eligible for a ridiculous number of discounts that you might be too embarrassed to admit you qualify for, but that could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars yearly.

Following is a discriminating list of the best discounts by category from among thousands available across the U.S. for people 50+, including travel, entertainment, restaurants, retail, food, prescriptions, and even cell service. Some come with memberships, and others can be bumped up by belonging to organizations like the American Automobile Association (AAA) or AARP. (All discounts, prices and fares are as of this writing and subject to change.)

Pull out your ID: it’s time to start saving money.

Travel

These are some of the most shockingly rich discounts available.

Flying: Discounts at American Airlines can save 50% off for fliers 62+ — the deepest are for non-peak periods (Tuesdays – Thursdays) — while Air India offers a 25% discount for economy class. British Airways currently takes $65 off standard and premium economy seats and up to $200 off business class seats with an AARP membership. Delta’s discounts start at 10% for 55+, while United, Alaska Airlines, and U.S. Airways offer various discounted fares for 65+. Continental Airlines waives the initiation fee for Continental’s Presidents Club and offers special fares for select destinations.

Driving: An AARP membership comes in convenient for car rental discounts. Alamo, Avis and Hertz provide 25% off with AARP, National Car Rental 30% off, and Budget slashes 50% off.

By bus or train: Amtrak offers a 15% discount for travelers 62+, and who doesn’t love a sleeper car and dinner for two with a moving view? Or make an inexpensive expedition even cheaper with 15% off bus fares on Greyhound, 62 and up.

Cruising: Cruise lines love older travelers, too. Royal Caribbean regularly offers up to 15% off for passengers 55+. Carnival, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise Lines offer discounts at specific times and to select destinations to passengers in the same age group.

If you’re an AARP member, you can use the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia, which lists current cruise deals; discounts up to 35% aren’t uncommon. You could also qualify for a reduced deposit or discount on additional passengers traveling with you.

Hotels: Almost all hotel chains provide discounts to older travelers. Offers typically start at 62+, like with some of our favorites, including Crowne Plaza, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott, Wyndham, and Intercontinental.

The discounts extend to mid-range and budget travel, like Choice Hotels’ Clarion, Comfort Inn, and Comfort Suites, with discounts of 10-30%, Holiday Inn at 20-40% off, and Best Western at 5-15% off with an AARP membership. Show your AARP card for 10% off at Hampton Inn & Suites, Howard Johnson, Sleep Inn, Super 8, and Red Roof Inn.

Camping: If you’re 62+, get a National Parks Lifetime Pass for $80, because why not? You’ll get access to over 2000 recreation sites from Yosemite to Yellowstone for about half the normal service, facility, and amenity charges. Air out your sleeping bags.

Entertainment

Now that movie theaters are back, if not yet booming, don’t be shy, and get the discount you’re entitled to at theaters: AMC Theaters, 10-15% for 60+; Cinemark/Century Theaters, up to 35% off, 62+; Marcus Theatres and Movie Taverns, $6 tickets before 5:30 p.m., 60+; Regal Cinemas, 50 cents-$4 off tickets, 60+; and Carmike Cinemas, 35% off, 65+.

Ticketmaster regularly discounts shows for concert-goers at up to 50% for AARP members if you’re up for a live performance.

Restaurants

Sure, you can indulge in a classic and thrifty Early Bird Special, but you don’t have to have dinner at 4 to enjoy the savings at these favorite restaurants nationwide.

  • A&W, discount varies, 55+
  • Arby’s, 10%, 55+
  • Burger King, 10%, 60+
  • Chart House, 10% with AARP
  • Ben & Jerry’s, 10%, 60+
  • Bob’s Big Boy, 15%, 60+
  • Dairy Queen, 10%, 55+
  • Denny’s, senior menu, 15% with AARP
  • Dunkin’ Donuts, 10%, or a free donut! 55+
  • Einstein’s Bagels, 10%, 60+
  • El Pollo Loco, 10%, 60+
  • Fuddrucker’s, 10% off any senior platter, 55+
  • Hardee’s, 10%, 50+
  • IHOP, senior menu, 55+
  • Jack in the Box, 20%, 55+
  • KFC, free small drink with any meal, 55+
  • Krispy Kreme, 10%, or a free donut! with coffee purchase, 50+
  • Long John Silver’s, discounts vary, 55+
  • McCormick & Schmick’s, 10% with AARP
  • McDonald’s, discounts vary, 55+
  • Mrs. Fields, 10%, 60+
  • Outback Steakhouse, 10% with AARP
  • Ponderosa Steak Houses, senior menu, 60+
  • Rainforest Cafe, 10% with AARP
  • Sizzler, senior menu, 60+
  • Sonic, 10%, 60+
  • Steak ‘n Shake, 10%, AARP
  • Subway, 10%, 60+
  • Taco Bell, 5% (really, Taco Bell?), 65+
  • The Old Spaghetti Factory, senior menu, 55+
  • Waffle House, 10% Mondays, 60+
  • Wendy’s, discounts vary, 60+
  • Whataburger, free small coffee or soft drink, 55+
  • White Castle, 10%, 62+

Grocery Stores

Yes, inflation is coming down, but a trip to the supermarket can still be eye-popping — every little discount helps. Cash in on the savings at these national and regional grocery stores across America.

  • Albertson’s, 10% first Wednesday, 55+
  • Compare Foods Supermarket, 10% Wednesdays, 60+
  • DeCicco Family Markets 5% Wednesdays, 60+
  • Fry’s Supermarket, 10% Mondays, free membership, 55+
  • Great Valu Food Store, 5% Tuesdays, 60+
  • Gristedes, 10%, Tuesdays 60+
  • Harris Teeter, 5% Tuesdays 60+
  • Hy-Vee, 5%, weekday varies
  • Kroger, 10%, weekday varies
  • Morton Williams Supermarket, 5% Tuesdays, 60+
  • New Seasons, 10% Wednesdays, 65+
  • Piggly-Wiggly, discounts vary, 60+
  • Publix, 15% Wednesdays, 55+
  • Safeway, 10% first Wednesdays, 55+
  • Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace, 15%, 62+
  • Vons, 10%, first Wednesdays, 55+

Retail

Who wants to pay full retail for anything? While it doesn’t bring the total joy of wholesale, these discounts make a dent in that new outfit or craft project.

  • Banana Republic, 10%, 50+
  • Bealls Department Store, 15% Tuesdays, 50+
  • Belk, 15%, first Tuesdays, 62+
  • C.J. Banks/Christopher Banks, 10% select purchases, 55+
  • Clarks, 10%, 62+
  • Goodwill, 10-25% weekday varies, 55+
  • iParty, 10%, 55+
  • Michael’s, 10%, 55+
  • Modell’s Sporting Goods, 10%, 65+
  • Ross, 10% Wednesdays, 55+
  • Salvation Army Thrift Stores, up to 50%, days vary, 55+
  • TJ Maxx, 10% Mondays, 55+

Prescriptions

Meds are expensive at any age, but they can add up when addressing multiple issues as you get older. Good insurance is the first step, as are Medicare supplements. Add the discounts with these outlets and programs; the savings can really make a difference in your budget.

Costco: Up to 80% off prescription medications through the Costco Member Prescription Program.
CVS Pharmacy ExtraCare at CVS and Target: Personalized discounts, coupons, and savings on prescription medications.
Kmart Prescription Savings Club: Up to 65% on prescription medications and vaccines
Walgreens Prescription Savings Club: Up to 80% off prescription medications, vaccinations, and over-the-counter drugs.
Walmart: The world’s largest retailer accepts many third-party prescription discount cards and offers a wide range of generic medications for $4 for a 30-day supply.

An AARP membership gets you up to 61% off prescription medications with an AARP Prescription Discount Card by OptumRX.

Phone plans

Who knew you could cash in on discounts for phone service at such a young age? The savings start at 50 with an AARP membership for 30% off accessories at Consumer Cellular and 5% off service there and at Metro PCS. T-Mobile comes in with discounted unlimited plans for 55+ starting at $27.50 per line, with AT&T and Verizon providing the same at $40 per line. Get online and start saving!

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