There are many businesses that offer discounts exclusively based on their customers’ age, and you might not realize that some of these are available long before you turn 65. What age a customer is considered a senior citizen is not universal for all companies that offer such discounts. But in this article, we will list a veritable cornucopia of businesses that offer senior discounts and touch on some of the details involved in qualifying for those.

What Exactly is a Senior Discount?

Because most older adults tend to have a more limited budget available to them, these discounts are a great way to spend less while still being able to enjoy the full benefits of your purchasing power. You should understand that while many companies offer these discounts, there is no legal obligation to offer a discount to senior citizens. If it isn’t predominantly listed, either in-store or on the company’s website, you should always ask before you make a purchase based on the assumption that they offer such a discount.

While Medicare officially lists the age of 65 as being the qualifying age of a senior, there are many discounts and perks that you can take advantage of much earlier than that. Both the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) and the AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) allow for enrollment as young as the age of 50, which can give you a headstart on cashing in on some of the senior discounts out there. For most of these discounts, however, the minimum age varies from company to company (or sometimes even location to location) but usually falls anywhere between 50 and 65.

What Kinds of Businesses Offer Senior Discounts?

From groceries and retail to health care and insurance, there are many different types of businesses that offer discounts to seniors. Almost any company you can think of offers some form of discount for their older adult customers. If you aren’t sure whether or not a business offers such a discount, it never hurts to ask. Get the biggest bang for your buck and rack up the savings by checking out the discounts listed below, some of which aren’t even discounts that are reserved exclusively for seniors.

Retail Companies

Many larger chain retail stores offer some form of senior discounts, though not all do. While not every retail store provides a specific discount for seniors, many out there do offer ways to save money with rewards card programs and other perks that seniors can certainly take advantage of.

• Amazon Prime (online; available every day) – must be a qualifying recipient of government assistance (such as SSI or SNAP). Discount: 50% off Prime membership.

• Bealls Coast2Coast Rewards (in-store; Tuesdays) – no age requirement. Discount: 10% off your purchase.

• Big Lots Big Rewards (in-store/online; every day) – must create a Big Lots account. Discount: cash-back rewards, VIP shopping day discounts, and a birthday surprise.

• CVS ExtraCare (in-store/online; every day) – CVS ExtraCare card member. Discount: earn 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards every time you use your ExtraCare card.

• CVS Veterans Advantage (online; every day) – VetRewards member. Discount: 20% off your purchase.

• Home Depot (in-store/online; every day) – no age requirement. Discount: price match guarantee.

• Goodwill Senior Savings Day (in-store; Tuesdays) – 60+ years. Discount: 10% off your purchase.

• JOANN Senior Discount Day (in-store; check per location) – 55+, must present a state ID. Discount: 20% off your purchase.

• Kohl’s (in-store; Wednesdays) – 60+, must present a state ID. Discount: 15% off your purchase.

• Lowe’s Veteran Program (in-store/online; every day) – military veterans enroll online; valid photo ID at checkout. Discount: 10% off your purchase.

• Michaels (in-store/online; every day) – 55+, must create a Michaels Rewards account. Discount: 10% off your purchase.

• Red, White, and Blue Thrift Stores Senior Citizen Day (in-store; Wednesdays) – 55+ years. Discount: 50% off your purchase.

• Rite Aid Wellness (in-store; 1st Wednesday each month) – 65+ years; must be a Wellness65+ member. Discount: earn 5x points, free pharmacist consultation to review medications, immunization needs, blood pressure screening, and Medicare Part D questions.

• Ross Dress for Less 55+ Program (in-store; Tuesdays) – 55+; must provide a photo ID. Discount: 10% off your purchase.

• Savers (in-store; Tuesdays) – 55+ years. Discount: percentage varies by location.

• Tanger Outlets (in-store; every day) – AARP members. Discount: free coupon book containing up to $1,000 in savings.

• Walgreens Seniors Day (in-store/online; check per location) – 55+ years or AARP member; must create a MyWalgreens account. Discount: 20% off eligible items or cash rewards.

Grocery Stores

Eating the right food is an imperative part of maintaining your health, but groceries are a large and recurring expense. Some stores offer things such as coupons, rewards cards, and seasonal buying for certain items in addition to senior-specific discounts or shopping days to help offset this cost.

• ACME Markets (every day) – Just for U reward card member. Discount: weekly coupons and deals; earn points and redeem rewards for gas or groceries.

• Albertsons (every day) – Just for U reward card member. Discount: weekly coupons and deals; earn points and redeem rewards for gas or groceries.

• Food Lion (every day) – Shop & Earn MVP Monthly Rewards card member. Discount: personalized savings and ways to earn monthly rewards.

• Fred Meyer (1st Tuesday each month) – 55+ years. Discount: 10% off select items.

• Harris Teeter (Thursdays) – 60+ years. Discount: 5% off your purchase.

• Kroger (every day) – Shopper’s card member. Discount: coupons and special promos; earn cash back, community rewards, and fuel points.

• New Seasons Markets (Wednesdays) – 65+ years. Discount: 10% off of most items.

• Publix (every day) – Club Publix reward card member. Discount: weekly coupons and deals.

• Safeway (every day) – Just for U reward card member. Discount: weekly coupons and deals; earn points and redeem rewards for gas or groceries.

Restaurants

There are many coffee shops, diners, and restaurants that offer senior discounts, though most of them are independently owned, so whether or not they offer discounts will vary by location. As always, ask if there is an early dinner discount or a specific senior menu that you can order from.

• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Bonefish Grill – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Bruster’s – 60+ years and a Bruster’s Kid at Heart card. Discount: $.25 per purchase.

• Carrabba’s Italian Grill – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Chart House – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Corner Bakery Cafe – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off of the check.

• Denny’s – AARP card member; 55+ years for senior menu. Discount: 15% off of the check; order from the 55+ menu.

• El Pollo Loco – 60+ years. Discount: 10% off of the check (up to $1).

• IHOP – 55+ years. Discount: order from the 55+ menu.

• Joe’s Crab Shack – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Landry’s Seafood – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Landry’s Inc. Restaurants – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Luby’s – no requirements. Discount: Senior Luann Special ($7.99; 3 PM to close).

• McCormick & Schmick’s – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• McDonald’s – 55+ years. Discount: discounted or free coffee (check per location).

• Perkins – 55+ years. Discount: order from 55+ menu (check per location).

• Outback Steakhouse – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Rainforest Cafe – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• Satlgress Steak House – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

• The Oceanaire Seafood Room – AARP card member. Discount: 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages.

Leisure Activities

Your golden years can present you with a lot of extra time to fill, especially if you are retired. If you find this to be the case and are looking for fun activities – such as exploring the great outdoors, listening to a new audiobook, or watching the latest release at the movie theater – then check out these discounts. Also be sure to check out your local historical sites, museums, parks, and zoos, as many of these places also offer senior discounts.

• AMC Theatres (every day) – 60+ years. Discount: discounted tickets (check per location).

• Ancestry (every day) – AARP member. Discount: 30% off World Explorer or All Access membership for your first year.

• Cinemark Theatres (Senior’s Day; check per location) – 62+ years. Discount: discounted tickets (Senior’s Day) and the Early Bird special.

• Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern (every Friday) – 60+ years. Discount: Young at Heart special ($6.00; before 5:30 PM start time)

• National Parks America the Beautiful Senior Pass (every day) – 62+ years; proof of age and residency or citizenship; $10 fee applies online or by mail. Discount: $20 annual park pass or $80 lifetime park pass (good for admittance to more than 2,000 sites).

• Regal Cinemas AARP Movie Tickets (every day) – AARP member. Discount: 20% off on Regal ePremiere tickets bought online.

• Regal Cinemas Senior Citizen Movie Tickets (every day) – 60+ years. Discount: discounted tickets (check per location).

• Regal Cinemas Concession (every day) – AARP member and Regal Crown Club member. Discount: $3 off popcorn and soda combo.

• SilverSneakers (every day) – 65+ years and member of select Medicare or other health plans. Discount: free healthy living and fitness classes (over 17,000 locations).

• Showcase Cinemas (Wednesdays) – 60+ years. Discount: admission (check per location); popcorn and soda ($4.50).

• Ticketmaster (every day) – AARP member. Discount: discounted tickets on select shows and events.

Cruises

Even if you absolutely adore the retirement community you have moved into, all of you enjoy a vacation. Cruises are a wonderful way to do precisely that and are incredibly inclusive – offering accessible options for guests with disabilities, medical conditions, or special needs.

• AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia – AARP member. Discount: Up to $100 extra onboard cruise credits (more than 15 cruise lines).

• Carnival Cruise Tours – 55+ years. Discount: exclusive savings for seniors.

• Colette Cruise Tours – AARP member. Discount: combine 2 cruise tours and save up to $300 per person on the second and subsequent tours.

• Grand European Travel – AARP member. Discount: check throughout the year.

• Royal Caribbean – 55+ years. Discount: exclusive pricing on selected sailings.

• Vacations by Rail – AARP member. Discount: save up to $500 on more than 40 rail and cruise vacations.

Hotel and Rental Car Companies

What if cruises aren’t your cup of tea? Well, there are plenty of special hotel and car rental deals waiting for you to capitalize on for your getaway. And if you don’t see a specific discount for seniors or AARP members on the site of the hotel or rental car company, be sure to contact customer service before your book. AARP has discounts for its members at over 50 different hotels and resorts.

• Avis Rent a Car – AARP member. Discount: save up to 30% off base rates; upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings.

• Budget Rent a Car – AARP member. Discount: save up to 35% off base rates; upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings.

• Budget Truck Rental – AARP member. Discount: save 10-20%.

• Best Western Hotels & Resorts – AARP member. Discount: save 5-15% (over 4,000 hotels worldwide).

• Cambria Hotels – AARP member. Discount: save up to 10% off best available rate.

• Choice Hotels – 60+ years or AARP member. Discount: 10% on advance reservations.

• Hertz – 50+ years. Discount: save up to 20% off base rates with Fifty Plus Program.

• IHG Hotels & Resorts – 62+ years. Discount: Senior Discount Rate program.

• Marriott – 62+ years. Discount: check per location.

• Payless Car Rental – AARP member. Discount: 5% on leisure daily, weekly, weekend, and monthly rates; free upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings.

• Thrifty Car Rental – 50+ years. 5% off for Silver Thrifty Club members.

• Wyndham Hotels – AARP member. Discount: 10% off best available rate.

• Zipcar – AARP member. Discount: $40 for annual Zipcar membership; $40 free driving credit.

Transportation

While most public transportation services, such as buses, ferries, subways, and trains offer a discounted fare for senior citizens, that isn’t always the case for private companies. Remember, if you cannot find a senior discount listed or promoted online, call customer services before booking. And you might consider signing up for airline miles or using a travel credit card to earn points.

• Amtrak – 65+ years. Discount: 10% off most rail fares on most trains.

• British Airways – AARP member. Discount: save $65 off World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy); save $200 off Club World (business class) round-trip transatlantic fares online (over 130 destinations).

• Delta Airlines – contact customer care or eligibility on specific flights. Discount: senior discounts for limited itineraries.

• Greyhound – 62+ years. Discount: check for specific destinations and dates.

• United Airlines – 65+ years. Discount: check for select destinations.

Internet & Cell Phone

With the understanding that senior citizens are one of the demographics with the largest growth among internet users, many providers are beginning to offer senior-specific discounts. There are also a number of cell phone carriers that now offer incentives and discounts for older adults as well.

• AT&T – 55+ years (Florida residents only). Discount: $60 per month (single line) or $80 per month (2 lines).

• Consumer Cellular – AARP member. Discount: $20 per month for 1 Gb of data (Unlimited Talk with Text and Data); 5% off monthly service and usage charges; 30% off accessories; Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

• Lively – AARP member. Discount: save $60 per year (AARP) on select Health & Safety Packages; Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

• T-Mobile – 55+ years. Discount: three Unlimited 55+ plans (unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data).

• Verizon – 55+ years (Florida residents only). Discount: $60 per month (single line) or $80 per month (2 lines); Unlimited Plan offered unlimited calls, texts, and data.

Major Life Expenses

This article would be remiss if we failed to include some of the many other benefits offered to seniors by the AARP. This program offers an abundance of saving opportunities to its members in addition to those listed above, on everything from hearing, optical, and pharmacy costs. Here are a few more businesses that work with the AARP to bring its members savings on these kinds of expenses. Be sure to contact them to see what discounts are available.

• CareLinx In-Home Care

• EyeMed MyVision Care

• EyeMed vision discounts

• HearUSA Hearing Shop

• HearUSA Hearing care program

• Kroger Co. Pharmacy

• LensCrafters

• Medico short-term care insurance

• Optum Bank health savings account

• OptumRx prescription discounts

• Target Optical

• Walgreens Pharmacy

• Walmart Pharmacy

Bottom Line: Ask and You May Receive

Many companies and businesses across the United States offer discounts aimed specifically at easing the cost for their services for their senior citizen customers. But while the AARP may consider the age of 65 to be what defines a senior, there are a lot of discounts available to you before you reach that point – some even as young as 50!

In this article, we have compiled a list of many of these discounts that are available in various markets, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Almost any industry that you can imagine has businesses operating within it that offer some form of discount for older adults. But again, keep in mind that no company is legally required to offer such a discount.

Even if the company that you are looking into doesn’t advertise a senior discount, however, it does not necessarily mean that they do not have such an offering available. Sometimes you simply have to ask. You just need to make sure that you do so before you buy, because it may be too late to apply it to your purchase.