If you follow me on Instagram, you know that last month I took my mom to Iceland for our annual mother-daughter trip. It is a tradition we started almost 5 years ago so that we could have some interrupted mother-daughter time. I also wanted to give my mother an opportunity to be pampered because she does so much for so many other people. Now, you know that I like to save and reduce costs on travel where I can so I make sure that when I travel with my mom that I take advantage of Senior Discounts to help reduce costs and I wanted to share with you how you can do the same.

Senior discounts are available all over the place (as they should be) because many seniors live on a fixed income and living on a fixed-income will generally limit how much you can afford to spend over time as the cost-of-living increases.  As such, it makes sense that travel discounts would be no different than other types of Senior Discounts. Because of the discount potential, I make sure to register my mom’s name as part of the booking to take advantage of any relevant discount.

Non-Seniors Can Use Senior Discounts Too

But it gets better, did you know that that in some circumstances, you do not even need to be a senior to take advantage of a senior discount. Many discounts are still available to non-seniors if you are a member of a senior membership organization, such as the American Association of Retired People (AARP).  The great thing about AARP Membership is that you don’t need to be a senior citizen in order to be an AARP member so technically you can get senior discounts even if you have not reached your golden years. Please note that you may not be eligible for all AARP benefits if the benefits partner imposes an age restriction on the related benefit. A list of great travel discounts for Seniors (and non-Senior AARP members) are below.   You can check out the full list of AARP membership benefits here. Another senior organization that does not restrict membership to seniors is The Senior Council.

Lastly, even if a senior membership organization imposes an age restriction, many senior organizations will extend travel benefits to the spouse of a member if the member meets the minimum age requirements.

To help you get started on identifying and using Senior Discounts, below is a list of discounts you can use if you are traveling with a Senior or if you decide to use Senior Discounts by joining a Senior Membership Organization.

All discounts mentioned below are current as of March 2019

AIRLINES

• AARP Member Airline Benefits. 
• American Airlines: Various discounts for 65 and up (call to obtain the senior discount).   
• Southwest Airlines: Various discounts for ages 65 and up (call to obtain the senior discount). 
• United Airlines: Various discounts for ages 65 and up (call to obtain the senior discount). 

CAR RENTAL COMPANIES

• AARP Member Car Rental Benefits.  
• Budget Rent-A-Car Senior Discount: Everyday savings of 10-25% on all vehicles (domestic and international).
• Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (For ages 50 and up). Call to obtain a senior discount.
• Hertz Senior Discount: Hertz offers exclusive rental car deals for renters 50+. Use discount code CDP# 2007815. 
• Payless Senior Discount: Use Payless Promo Code KW47RY to save 5% on leisure daily, weekly, weekend and monthly car rental rates. 

Hotels

• AARP Member Hotel Benefits.
• Best Western Senior Discount: 10% or more discount for ages 55+.  Call reservations to obtain the Senior Rate.
• Choice Hotels (Cambria Suites, Clarion Hotels, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn): Senior Discount available for ages 60 and up. You’ll save up to 10% with advance reservations. Just select “Senior/AARP” from the special rate dropdown or request the Senior Rate* when you call 800-4CHOICE (800-424-6423). 
• Candlewood Suites:  Discounts vary for ages 62 and up. Call the reservations o obtain the Senior Rate.
• Crown Plaza:  Discounts vary for ages 62 and up. Call reservations to obtain the Senior Rate.
• Days Inn:  Discounts vary for ages 60 and up. You can also call 1-800-225-3297 and request the “senior rate” 
• Holiday Inn Senior Discounts:  Discounts vary (62+) or with valid membership ID of a seniors organization (such as AARP, Amerian Seniors Association, Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), Christian Association of Prime-Timers, The Senior’s Coalition).
• Howard Johnson Hotel Discounts:  Discounts off best available rate for ages 60 and up. Call 1-800-225-3297 and request the “senior rate” to obtain the Senior Rate. 
• Hyatt Senior Discounts:  Up to 50% off for ages 62 and up. 
• Knights Inn:  Up to 10% off for ages 60 and up.  Call reservations to obtain the senior rate.
• La Quinta Inn Senior Discount:  Discounts vary for ages 65 and up. Call reservations to obtain the senior rate.  
• Marriott Senior Discount:  15% off for ages 62 and up. Call reservations to obtain the Senior Rate.
• Travelodge Senior Discount:  Discounts vary for ages 60 and up. Call reservations to obtain the Senior Rate.
• Wyndham Hotels:  AMAC members receive 20% off 

CRUISES

Major cruise companies (such as a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, etc.) usually offer discounted fares to senior citizens (usually classified as 55 or older).  As such, you should make sure to call cruise lines to make sure you’re getting the best deal for the month in which you’re cruising.    You can also get access to AARP Member Cruise Benefits here. 

RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION

• AARP Member Rail Benefits.
• Amtrak Senior Discounts: Travelers ages 62 and up are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers ages 60 years and up. 
• BritRail:   Seniors, 60 years or older, visiting the UK can save with BritRail’s Senior Discount. The discount will provide 15% off the First Class adult fares on BritRail FlexiPass, BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail England FlexiPass and BritRail England Consecutive Pass. BritRail FlexiPass and BritRail Consecutive Pass allow for unlimited train travel in England, Scotland, and Wales, while a BritRail England FlexiPass or BritRail England Consecutive Pass.  Seniors can also bring the grandkids along thanks to BritRail’s Family Discount, as one child between the ages of 5 and 15 travels free when accompanying senior BritRail pass holders. Additional kids get up to 50% off the regular adult rate and children under 5 travel free and do not need a ticket.
• Eurail:  Senior discounts are offered for 15% to 20% off for ages 60 and up for select routes.   Visit http://www.eurorailways.com/senior/ for more information.

Senior discounts are a great way to save especially if you meet age requirements or get a membership that allows you to save without age restrictions. Have you ever taken advantage of Senior travel discounts? Let me know in the comments.