Scoring Senior Discounts
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Nabbing senior discounts isn’t about being cheap — it’s being frugal. Who couldn’t use a little extra money these days? Besides, at your age, you’ve earned it.
Try the following tips for snagging more senior discounts.
Do your research
Before you head out for a day’s errands, dining and shopping, search online for the places you plan to go along with the keywords “senior discount.” You may be surprised at the number of businesses that offer a discount.
Schutt’s Apple Mill and Country Store in Webster offers a 10% discount for those 60-plus on Wednesdays.
Beyond restaurants and stores, consider service providers that may offer an age-related discount. For example, Amtrak offers a discount for seniors.
Most performing arts centers and other entertainment venues offer lower admission as well.
Long Acre Farms in Macedon knocks $5 off its “grandparent ticket” with a paid child’s admission. Rochester Museum and Science Center gives those 62 and older a $1 admission discount. Seneca Park Zoo also knocks off a buck for those 62-plus.
Ask
Yes, just ask.
“Eating out normally has senior discounts if you go during a certain day or time or some are every day, it’s discounted for seniors like IHOP, Texas Roadhouse and Applebee’s,” said Delise Whitfield, financial representative with Primerica Financial Services in Rochester.
You may be surprised at the number of businesses that provide a senior discount. Simply say, “I’m [your age] years old. Do you offer a senior discount?”
Know the details
Some places of business have a special day of the week or month that offer special deals. For example, Valvoline Instant Oil Change offers a 15% discount for AARP members on drive-thru oil changes and, in some cases, other preventive maintenance services.
One way to get in the know is to sign up for their promotional emails or texts or download their app. That way you won’t forget to go on your special day. Before you spend, understand the rules. Some businesses start “senior” at age 60; others do at 65.
You may score an even better deal if you’re a veteran, so compare the deals. Sometimes, the veteran discount applies to the family as well, so if your spouse has served, you can cash in on the deals. You should also be prepared to show proof of age, like a driver’s license or proof of veteran status such as discharge papers or a military ID.
Try other discount programs
If you’re not quite qualified to nab senior discounts yet, consider other means of generating deals, such as membership.
“See what AARP or what your insurance offers,” Whitfield said.
AARP and AAA admit adults of any age. Some credit cards offer discounts regardless of age. Check your membership agreement.
The days of cutting paper coupons — and keeping track of them and remembering to present them at the checkout—are drawing to a close. Many store apps include digital coupons you can “clip” with just a click or tap.
“Every store has a deal,” Whitfield said. “Crazycouponlady.com sends out different deals for stores every day. If there’s things you know you need on a regular basis, it will be really good deals.
If you sign up for store apps such as Walgreens and Dollar General, you can tap into those savings by simply entering your registered phone number at the checkout.
“If you’re a veteran, ask every single place if they have a veteran’s discount,” Whitfield said. “Sometimes it is up to 25% off. You can cut costs significantly.”
Don’t sweat it
If for some reason the place of business will not offer you the senior discount you heard about or spotted online, let it go. Sometimes, a local franchise does not honor the policy of the company and there’s nothing the person at the point of sale can do about it. You can always contact the management later to let them know that their staff did not know about the discount.