Little Known Senior Discounts: Read and Save

The saying may go that “youth is wasted on the young,” but seniors have plenty of opportunities to seize the day thanks to a multitude of deals just for them.

Read on to learn more about some little known discounts for the 65 and older age group which can lead to savvier spending and a trimmer bottom line.

Dinner and a Movie

Who doesn’t love a night on the town -- especially when it comes at a discounted price? Restaurants like Arby’s, Burger King, Boston Market, Chick-Fil-A, Chili’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Wendy’s, Rainforest Cafe, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Chart House and many others offer discounts to seniors. Meanwhile, anyone over the age of 55 is entitled to a free cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.

The age of eligibility varies between establishments, and discounts may be in effect only on certain days of the week so advance confirmation may be in order. In many cases, senior rates aren’t automatically applied, so be sure to request your discount at the time of purchase.

Seniors looking to make a full night of it can head to AMC Theaters on Tuesdays for Senior Day, featuring discounted tickets for adults ages 60 and over. Regal Cinemas also offers a senior rate on all ticket prices.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

While they may be less common than in the past, airfare discounts still exist for seniors who know where to look. While the specifics vary according to airline, many -- including Air France, American Airlines, Delta, Delta Shuttle, Southwest and United -- offer financial incentives to fly. Call the airline directly to inquire about policies and availability.

Train travelers over the age of 62 can catch a ride on Amtrak for 15 percent less, while senior Greyhound riders enjoy a 5 percent discount.  Cruise lovers can cash in on a 5 percent discount on a Norwegian Cruise Line; but be sure to plan ahead: reduced tickets must be booked a full nine months in advance.

Seniors who prefer to remain behind the wheel are eligible for numerous rental car discounts, including Budget, Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz and National. Discounts reach up to 25 percent off, but in many cases customers must be AARP members.

If your car needs service before you hit the road, head to Jiffy Lube, which offers a discount to ages 55+. National Parks-bound seniors gain free entrance to all parks simply by purchasing the America the Beautiful Senior Pass for $10.

Save and Sound

When it comes time to turn in for the night, hotels such as DoubleTree and its subsidiaries, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Clarion, Suburban, Econo Lodge, Ramada, Microtel, Super 8, Travelodge, Wingate by Windham and Rodeway Inn offer a daily 10 percent "Mature Travelers" rate. Other hotels which offer senior discounts -- up to a whopping 50 percent -- include Hampton Inn, Radisson, La Quinta, Marriott, Holiday Inn Express and Hyatt.

Retail Therapy

Many seniors love to shop, but they’ll love it even more with a senior discount. Kohl’s features a 15 percent discount for seniors every Wednesday, while Goodwill provides a 10 percent discount one day a week. (The specifics vary according to location, so call your local shop for details.) Tanger Outlets, meanwhile, offers a free coupon book to AARP members with discounts up to 20 percent off.

Tuesdays in particular are a great day for seniors: crafty AARP members should head to Michael's on Tuesdays to receive a weekly discount, while Ross offers 10 percent off on Tuesdays at participating locations.

Food shoppers aren't left out of the savings fun thanks to a couple Thursday deals: thrifty seniors with store cards can stock up and save at Harris Teeter, while Kroger's offers seniors 10 percent off of their total order.

Key Takeaways:

• Whether you’re looking for overnight accommodations or a new wardrobe, senior discounts abound if you know where to look.
• Discounts may vary according to location so confirm details in advance with your local store or service.
• It can’t hurt to ask! Stores may not advertise discounts, so be sure to inquire about senior discounts to get the best deals.