Finding Affordable Travel Deals for Seniors

Your senior years are a great time to travel — not just because you have more free time but also because there are a large number of discounts available to make your trips more affordable. Travel deals for seniors are typically available for people aged 65 and above, but you sometimes only need to be 55 years old to take advantage. They apply to all sorts of aspects of travel — from flights and other means of transport to hotels, admission prices, and tours.

Discounts on Accommodation

Many large hotel chains offer discounts for seniors, including:

At some other hotel chains, you need to be an AARP member to receive a discount.

Be aware that some hotels will offer discounts only on their highest rates, meaning you may be able to find a lower price if you book through a third party.

If you want to stay at an independent hotel, message or call the hotel before you book, as some small hotels offer senior discounts but may not advertise them.

Airline Ticket Deals

Some airlines offer senior discounts on certain routes:

Delta Air Lines — You’ll need to make a reservation by phone to receive the discount.
United Airlines — Find discounts by selecting “Seniors (65+)” in the “Travelers” field. United also has a program called Silver Wings Plus. Although it’s no longer accepting new members, you will still be able to benefit from discounted airfares through Mileage Plus if you joined the program before September 2005.
American Airlines — Savvy travelers have discovered that American Airlines has discounts on some of flights. To find them, you need to use the “Advanced / Multi-city search” option, which allows you to set your age to “Senior (65+).” This will show you if there’s a senior discount available for the flight you’re looking at.
Air France — A senior discount is available is you purchase a Senior Pass. This provides you with a discount on flights going to and from certain destinations (although not the U.S.), lower fees to change tickets, and a free checked bag.
IndiGo — Seniors receive a 6% discount on the base fare for flights within India.
Vistara — Discounts for seniors are 10% off economy, premium economy, and business class and 5% off economy lite when you make your booking India. The discount doesn’t apply to certain dates.
British Airways — AARP members receive a discount of $65 on economy and premium economy and $200 on business class for round trips beginning in the U.S.

Remember, you can also save on flights in the future by joining frequent flyer programs. If you intend to travel regularly during your retirement, it’s worth booking flights with frequent flyer programs in mind. This means booking flights with carriers you are likely to use in the future or that belong to alliances with other airlines you want to fly with. In addition, it may be worth taking out a credit card that allows you to accumulate airline points from your purchases.

Another strategy is to look for last-minute deals. If you’re able to travel with just a couple weeks’ notice, this may be a good option. Check flight comparison sites like Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights leaving from your city and going anywhere in the world.

Deals on Cruises

Many cruises have discounts for seniors. If you’re an AARP member, check the website for deals. For instance, Collette Cruise Tours offers a $100 discount per person on select trips. If you’re not an AARP member, you may still find discounts on some cruise lines, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Car Rental Discounts

Navigating car rentals as a senior may be challenging, especially after the age of 70. Some car rentals increase their rates for seniors or even have a maximum age. However, others offer lower rates for seniors. These companies include:

Plus, once again, AARP membership will bring you discounts, including with car rental companies like Avis, Budget (in participating locations), and Zipcar.

Other Transportation

Depending on your destination, it may be easier to travel by train or another type of public transportation. In some places, prices are much more affordable for seniors. For example, train companies like Amtrak (with a few exceptions), Grand Canyon Railway, and VIA Rail Canada all offer discounts for seniors. Trailways offers similar discounts for some of its bus routes. If you want to travel extensively in Europe, consider purchasing a Senior Pass for Eurail. In the UK, you can cut train prices by a third with a Senior Rail Card.

If you want to use public transportation in the city you’re visiting, make sure you research prices before you buy any tickets. Some cities offer special senior rates, which are often at least 50% off the regular adult fare. In some places, buses, subways, and trolleys are even free for seniors.

Lastly, you may be using your own car, such as if you’re taking a roadtrip around the U.S. Make sure you have adequate roadside assistance for eventualities like a flat tire, a dead battery, or lost keys. Ask insurance companies if they offer any senior discounts on roadside assistance plans.

If you’re an AARP member, you may like to take advantage of the 20% discount on Allstate plans. If you’re only using your car to drive to the airport, note that AARP members can also receive 12% off airport parking when they use ParkRideFly.

Group Tours

To make planning a trip easier, you may like to join a group tour. These are often less expensive than booking each aspect of the trip yourself. Plus, this will give you the chance to meet new people, which you may particularly enjoy if you’re a solo traveler. Search for packages just for seniors to travel with other people the same age and to find activities that are likely to appeal.

Reduced Admission Prices

All sorts of venues offer lower admission prices for seniors, including:

Museums
National parks
Theaters
Concert halls
Golf courses
Casinos
Spas
Ski resorts (you may even be able to find free day passes)
Movie theaters

Note that you’ll need to order the Senior Pass from the U.S. National Parks Service in advance. You can purchase it for one year or for a lifetime. In either case, you’ll have access to all the sites and receive a 50% discount on camping fees.

Restaurant Deals

In addition to early-bird specials (which are known to be popular with seniors), there are deals for seniors all day long at some restaurant chains. These include discounts, free drinks or other items, and senior menus with smaller portions. Some restaurants with deals for seniors include:

IHOP
Applebee’s
Whataburger
Chili’s
Jack in the Box
Golden Corral

There are even more restaurants with discounts for AARP members.

Bear in mind, you’re most likely to find these kinds of discounts in the U.S. and they’re unlikely to be available at small establishments. This means they’re not particularly helpful if you want to try local cuisine.

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