The cons of getting older may be far more numerous than the pros, but there’s a really good one that we should take as much advantage of as possible… travel discounts. Many of us aspire to travel more during the golden years of retirement and beyond, and pricing perks are helpful to stretch those travel dollars even further!
The Senior List has a helpful rundown of several travel discounts for ages 65+, and we’ve taken their tips in addition to several others to compile this complete list of travel discounts for seniors.
PRO TIP: Membership with AARP offers some great travel discounts for seniors!
Be sure to double check these discounts before you book, since discount policies often change throughout the year for peak season, changes in offering and other reasons.
Airfare Discounts for Ages 65+
Most airlines offer fare discounts for seniors ages 65+, but some will give a break on pricing if you’re as young as 60!
Air France: Senior fare rates are available at 60 years of age or older, but only within France. Phone: 1-800-237-2747
Alaska Airlines: Fares for adults 62+ are 10% off for most routes, plus special promotional fares are offered frequently for passengers 65+ on some routes. Phone: 1-800-252-7522
American Airlines: Some Senior Fares are available for passengers 65 and up on select domestic flights (call to request this). Phone: 1-800-433-7300
British Airways: Save up to $200 off certain flights if you’re an AARP member, through Jan. 31st, 2020. Phone: 1-800-247-9297
Delta: Senior discounts are available on certain markets/itineraries, but they aren’t available at delta.com, so travelers should call to check eligibility and book a trip. Phone: 1-800-221-1212
Southwest Airlines: Various discounts are available for ages 65 and up on domestic and international flights, and they’re fully refundable. Phone: 1-800-435-9792).
United Airlines: Senior fares and discounts are available for passengers ages 65 and up to select travel destinations. Call to book and learn eligibility, or select the “Seniors (65+)” Travelers category when booking on United.com. Phone: 1-800-864-8331
U.S. Airways: Merged with American Airlines (see above).
[ Related: Seniors Love These Winter Travel Destinations ]
Car Rental Discounts for Seniors
It pays to be an AARP member for car rentals while traveling as a senior, with at least 10% off in most cases. Other car rental agencies offer their own special promotional rates for travelers who are 60+ (and some even extend the discount to travelers ages 50 and above)!
Alamo Car Rental: AARP members get up to 25% off with Alamo’s Senior Circle group. Phone: 1-800-651-1223
Avis: AARP members save $10-$25 off base rates, or save up to 30% off base rates when you make your reservation with the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number A359866. Phone: 1-800-331-1800
Budget Rent-A-Car: AARP members can save up to 30% off of base rates, plus upgrades. Use Budget Customer Discount (BCD) number Y508566 to shop the lowest rates. Phone: 1-800-733-9092
Dollar Rent-A-Car: Anyone can save 10% at Dollar Rent-A-Car with their AAA car rental code. Phone: 1-800-800-4000
Hertz Senior Discount: Travelers 50 and over get up to 20% off base rates, plus additional savings. Reference the Hertz Fifty Plus CDP# 2007815. Phone: 1-800-654-3131
Payless Senior Discount: AARP members enjoy 5% off discounts on leisure daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly rates, plus free upgrades. Reserve online with Promo Code A057400 or KW47RY. Phone: 1-800-729-5377
[ Related: For Road-Tripping Retirees, These Wellness Tips Are a Must ]
Discounts on Hotels for Ages 60+
AARP membership includes perks for travel accommodations as well as transportation! Discounts of around 10% are the most common, but some of these establishments offer more of a promotion if you’re 60 years old or more. Some even offer perks for those aged 55-60.
Best Western Senior Discount: AARP members and guests ages 55+ can save up to 15% on room rates at most Best Western Hotels & Resorts (over 4,200 locations worldwide), plus complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Phone: 1-800-780-7234
Candlewood Suites: Guests ages 62+ can take advantage of discounts on the non-discounted room rate at any participating Candlewood Suites hotel in the U.S. with valid membership ID of a retired persons organization. Phone: 1-800-439-4745
Choice Hotels: This hotel group (includes Comfort Inn & Suites, Cambria Suites, Econo Lodge, Quality Inn, MainStay Suites, Rodeway Inn, Sleep Inn, etc.) offers a ‘Senior Rate’ for guests ages 60 and above or AARP members. Save up to 10% when you reserve! Select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate when you call to reserve. Phone: 1-877-424-6423
Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts: Participating Crowne Plaza locations offer discounted room rates for seniors ages 62+… just select the “Senior Discount” rate preference when you book and present a valid ID for membership in a retired persons organization when you check in. Phone: 1-800-439-4745
Days Inn: Get special savings on the best available rate at Days Inn locations, just for being 60+! Select the “Senior” or “AARP” options from the Special Rates menu when you book online, or request the “senior rate” when you call to book. Phone: 1-800-225-3297
Hampton by Hilton: AARP members can save up to 10% off the best available rate, but even if you’re not an AARP member and you’re just a regular person aged 65+, you can get the same deal. Phone: 1-800-426-7866
Holiday Inn: Discounts vary for seniors ages 62+ or with valid membership ID of a retired persons organization. Phone: 1-800-439-4745
Howard Johnson Hotels: If you are 60+ years of age, you can get extra savings on the best available rate at participating hotels. Select the “Senior” or “AARP” options from the Special Rates menu when you book online, or request the “senior rate” when you call to book. Phone: 1-800-225-3297
[ Related: Important Travel Tips for Seniors ]
Hyatt Senior Discounts: Guests ages 62+ can save up to 50 % on regular rates (with an average discount of 25 %) at participating Hyatt hotels in the US and Canada. Select the “Senior Rate” from the drop-down when booking online. Phone: 1-855-214-9288
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG): Offers various discounts at all hotels for guests ages 62+ or with valid membership ID of a retired persons organization. Phone: 1-800-439-4745
La Quinta: Both AARP members and guests ages 65+ can enjoy special rates and discounts up to 10%. When you book, request the AARP or Senior Rate and present your AARP card or ID at check-in to receive your discount. Phone: 1-800-753-3757
Marriott: Save at least 15% on your stay in Marriott hotels (including Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites, TownePlace Suites, etc.) if you are 62 years of age or older. Asl for the senior rate when you book by phone, or apply the “Senior Discount” or code S9R when you book online. Phone: 1-888-236-2427
Motel 6: Save up to 10% at over 1,400 Motel 6 locations if you are 60+. When booking online, choose the “Senior Rate” in the drop-down menu or mention your interest in this rate when you call to book your stay. Phone: 1-800-899-9841
Myrtle Beach Resort: Adults ages 55+ can enjoy a 10% discount on most weekly and daily rates for renting condominiums at Myrtle Beach Resort. Phone: 1-877-913-1333
Red Lion Hotels: Participating locations in the Red Lion Hotel group (includes Knights Inn) offer discounts of up to 10% for adults ages 55+ or AARP members. Select “AARP” or “Senior” in the Discounts pull down menu when making your reservation. Phone: 1-800-733-5466
Red Roof Inn: Offering 10% off year round, plus higher discounts for some dates, Red Roof Inn welcomes those ages 59+ with special discounts for staying. Phone 1-855-352-7611
Super 8: Guests ages 60 and older can enjoy special discounts on Super 8’s best available rate at participating locations. Select “Senior” from the drop-down rate menu when booking online, or mention the rate when booking by phone. Phone: 1-800-454-3213
Travelodge: Guests ages 60 and older can enjoy special discounts on Travelodge’s best available rate at participating locations. Select “Senior” from the drop-down rate menu when booking online, or mention the rate when booking by phone. Phone: 1-800-525-4055
Wyndham Hotels: AARP members save 10% or more off the Best Available Rate at Wyndham Hotels (including Days Inn and Travelodge Hotels). Please be prepared to present your AARP membership card at check-in. Phone: 1-800-407-9832
[ Related: How Travel Keeps Seniors Mentally and Physically Healthy ]
Cruise Discounts For Seniors
When planning travel via cruise ship (or involving a cruise for part of your trip), your best bet is to contact the cruise line directly. All of the top ones offer discounted fares for different reasons, and some or a few of them may apply to you, and in most cases, the larger cruise lines offer a discount to guests 55+ as a standard – but be sure to ask and double-check!
In order of The Senior List’s best cruise lines for your money this year…
- Celebrity Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International (confirmed discounts for guests 55+)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (confirmed discounts for AARP members)
Carnival Cruises also offers specific discounts for travelers ages 55 and up. Overall, CruiseDirect has great last-minute deals on cruises, with a best price guarantee.
Other Travel Discounts for Seniors
Many museums, attractions and activities that you’ll want to look into when you travel offer discounts for the 60+ or 62+ crowd, particularly around the continental U.S. Click here and scroll to the “Sightseeing & Recreation” section to find a good list.
Since 1994, the America the Beautiful Senior Pass for National Parks was just $10 for a lifetime pass. In 2017, the price increased to $80, but that’s still a steal since it allows individuals ages 62+ lifetime access to over 2,000 recreation sites and parks across the U.S. for the one-time $80 fee, and your traveling companions can also enter for free (up to 3 companion adults). Alternatively, you can buy an annual pass for $20, which is valid for one year from the date of issue.
If you’re traveling by train or bus instead of airplane, Greyhound offers a 5% discount for passengers ages 62+ and seniors 65+ can get 10% off most rail fares on Amtrak trains (the minimum age drops to 60 for cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada).
