Travel Discounts for Boomers & Seniors
Many hotels, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, travel vendors and travel services offer discounts to seniors. When planning your travels and on your vacation make sure to tell your actual age. Always ask if there is a discount available for a senior as there are many unadvertised discounts that you can only find out about by asking.
Airlines offer many unadvertised discounts. Sign up for any communication airlines are running: email, newsletter, frequent flier program, etc. You can also register for e-mail alerts about specials for your desired routes at www.airfarewatchdog.com.
Airlines offer many unadvertised discounts. Sign up for any communication airlines are running: email, newsletter, frequent flier program, etc. You can also register for e-mail alerts about specials for your desired routes at www.airfarewatchdog.com.
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Buy airline tickets on Tuesday
Tuesday is when most airline special pricing is in place. Some seats are discounted by 15% to 25% or more late Monday night and are available on-line Tuesday.
Cheapest time of the year to travel:
The first two weeks of December is when you are likely to find the best bargains often 20% less than most of the year.
Bring your AARP card as there are all kinds of discounts for AARP members. The AAA also has a discount for senior members so if you are a member bring this card along too and ask for the discounts you are entitled to.
Discounts generally run from 10% to 50%. Starwood Hotels which include Sheraton, W, Westin and Four Points offer 50% when available and Hilton has a Senior Travel Honors program but it requires a $55 annual membership fee. Always call to double check the availability of a senior discount when making a hotel reservation.
Bring your AARP card as there are all kinds of discounts for AARP members. The AAA also has a discount for senior members so if you are a member bring this card along too and ask for the discounts you are entitled to.
Discounts generally run from 10% to 50%. Starwood Hotels which include Sheraton, W, Westin and Four Points offer 50% when available and Hilton has a Senior Travel Honors program but it requires a $55 annual membership fee. Always call to double check the availability of a senior discount when making a hotel reservation.
Discover the Beauty of the West Coast
Rather than plan your own road trip, join a 3-Day Express Tour from LA to San Francisco and back.
This scenic tour heads up to the Big Sur and on to Santa Barbara, and then down to Yosemite (summer) or Hearst Castle (winter). Perfect for a quick trip. Departures weekly and is completely budgeted with no hidden fees.
You can find more information on this affordable trip here.
The top credit cards for hotel stays and airline flights based on the per-point value, according to NextAdvisor.
This scenic tour heads up to the Big Sur and on to Santa Barbara, and then down to Yosemite (summer) or Hearst Castle (winter). Perfect for a quick trip. Departures weekly and is completely budgeted with no hidden fees.
You can find more information on this affordable trip here.
The top credit cards for hotel stays and airline flights based on the per-point value, according to NextAdvisor.
Best Hotel Rewards
- Starwood Preferred Guest; worth $2.10 per $100 spent
- American Airlines AAdvantage; worth $1 per $100 spent
- Marriott Rewards; worth 0.80 cents per $100
- United Mileage Plus; worth 0.70 cents per $100
- Hilton HHonors; worth 0.50 cents per $100.
Best Flight Rewards
- Southwest Rapid Rewards; worth $1.70 per $100
- Starwood Preferred Guest; worth $1.20 per $100
- United Mileage Plus; worth $1.10 per $100
- Delta Skymiles; worth $1.00 per $100.
- *Continental One Pass; worth 0.90 cents per $100
- *American Airlines AAdvantage; worth 0.90 cents per $100
Hotel chains that have senior travel discounts up to 50%
Starwood Hotels
(Sheraton, Four Points, W Hotels, Westin Hotels and Resorts): Though they caution that the discount can be withheld during periods of peak business, and is not applicable to minimum-rate rooms, virtually all Sheratons give a 50 percent senior travel discount to those 60 and older. Phone toll free 800/325-3535. Web site: starwood.com/.
Marriott Hotels:
At more than 2000 Marriott Hotels in the United States, senior travelers (62 and older) save at least 15 percent off normal rates. This includes Marriott's Fairfield Inns and Courtyards by Marriott (two subsidiary chains), and Marriott's Residence Inns. Phone Marriott itself at 888/236-2427, Web site: marriott.com/.
Days Inns:
AARP members receive 15 percent off at participating Days Inns, and all Days Inns offer 10 percent off to senior travelers over 60 with proof of age. Reservations: 800/329-7466. Visit daysinn.com/ for more information and online reservations.
Howard Johnson's:
Twenty percent off for AARP members, at all the nation's Hojos. Phone toll free 800/IGOHOJO. Web site: hojo.com/.
Ramada Inn:
AARP members get 20 percent off normal rates. Phone toll free 800/2-RAMADA. Web site: ramada.com/.
Radisson Hotels:
Begun in September of 1997, the "Senior Travel Breaks" program allows persons 50 or older to stay at any Radisson Hotel Worldwide (there are 427 in 300 countries) at a discount of 15-40 percent off the regular rate. For more information, call 800/333-3333. Web site: radisson.com/.
Choice Hotels
(Clarion Hotels, Quality Inns, Sleep Inns, Friendship Inns, Rodeway Inns, Econo Lodges) offer 20-30 percent discounts to senior travelers over the age of 60, and 10% for people 50+. AARP members get 15 percent off. Reservations must be made through the chains toll free number (800/4-CHOICE), so check first with the local hotels to make sure the "discounted" price you're getting from the nationwide reservations center beats any local discounts (sometimes it won't). Web site: choicehotels.com/.
(Sheraton, Four Points, W Hotels, Westin Hotels and Resorts): Though they caution that the discount can be withheld during periods of peak business, and is not applicable to minimum-rate rooms, virtually all Sheratons give a 50 percent senior travel discount to those 60 and older. Phone toll free 800/325-3535. Web site: starwood.com/.
Marriott Hotels:
At more than 2000 Marriott Hotels in the United States, senior travelers (62 and older) save at least 15 percent off normal rates. This includes Marriott's Fairfield Inns and Courtyards by Marriott (two subsidiary chains), and Marriott's Residence Inns. Phone Marriott itself at 888/236-2427, Web site: marriott.com/.
Days Inns:
AARP members receive 15 percent off at participating Days Inns, and all Days Inns offer 10 percent off to senior travelers over 60 with proof of age. Reservations: 800/329-7466. Visit daysinn.com/ for more information and online reservations.
Howard Johnson's:
Twenty percent off for AARP members, at all the nation's Hojos. Phone toll free 800/IGOHOJO. Web site: hojo.com/.
Ramada Inn:
AARP members get 20 percent off normal rates. Phone toll free 800/2-RAMADA. Web site: ramada.com/.
Radisson Hotels:
Begun in September of 1997, the "Senior Travel Breaks" program allows persons 50 or older to stay at any Radisson Hotel Worldwide (there are 427 in 300 countries) at a discount of 15-40 percent off the regular rate. For more information, call 800/333-3333. Web site: radisson.com/.
Choice Hotels
(Clarion Hotels, Quality Inns, Sleep Inns, Friendship Inns, Rodeway Inns, Econo Lodges) offer 20-30 percent discounts to senior travelers over the age of 60, and 10% for people 50+. AARP members get 15 percent off. Reservations must be made through the chains toll free number (800/4-CHOICE), so check first with the local hotels to make sure the "discounted" price you're getting from the nationwide reservations center beats any local discounts (sometimes it won't). Web site: choicehotels.com/.
B&B Bargains for Seniors
Consider a bed-and-breakfast club paying only $10 to $20 a night, breakfast included, to stay in the homes of travelers like you. In return, you offer your spare room for others. Members of the Evergreen Club (800.962.2392) must be 50-plus
Travel Discounts for AARP members
Travel Savings
SAVE ON PARKING YOUR CAR www.Bestparking.com steers drivers toward the cheapest parking at off-airport lots near 79 North American airports. Rates are updated frequently, and sold-out lots are highlighted.
Senior Travel Discounts
- Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
- Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
- American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
- Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
- Best Western: 10% off (55+)
- Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
- Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Continental Airlines:no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
- Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
- Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
- Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
- Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
- Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members
- Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
- Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
- InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
- Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
- Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
- Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
- Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
- National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
- Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
- United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Always remember to check to make sure the discounts you plan to use are still in force and apply to your exact travel plans. The discounts above may have changed without our being notified.