It’s official: You’re a grandma and have the best, most fulfilling job in the world – loving on and spoiling the cutest and most perfect little humans you have ever seen! (It’s tough, but someone has to do it, right?) In addition to being part of this special grandchild, you are also part of another exclusive club: senior citizen. What’s so great about being a senior? Aside from being all-knowing and smack dab in the middle of your golden years, you get some bonus perks that you may not realize: discounts and freebies galore! Here is the ultimate list of all things free and discounted for senior citizens – you’ve earned it!
Here are a few things to note before we begin:
- The listed discounts are for ages 55+ (unless otherwise noted).
- An AARP – America’s largest non-profit and non-partisan organization for seniors – membership may be required for select discounts. These discounts will be marked with an asterisk (*). (We also talk more about AARP and other senior memberships below!)
- Don’t be afraid to ask for your discount when visiting the following places.
- If you don’t see your favorite store or business on the list, inquire with them the next time you visit!
Senior Discounts for Grocery Stores
With grocery prices at an all-time high, Americans can use any help they can get to fill their refrigerators and pantries. If you are a senior, you can find some relief at the market, thanks to these discounts from these national grocers:
- Albertson’s: 10% off the first Wednesday of the month
- Compare Foods: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
- Concord Food Co-op: 15% off on Tuesdays and Sundays (62+)
- Fred Meyer: 5% off the first Tuesday of the month
- Fry’s Food Stores: 10% off the first Wednesday of the month
- Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (65+)
- Harris Teeter: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
- Hy-Vee: 5% off every Wednesday
- New Seasons: 10% off every Wednesday (65+)
- Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (65+, select locations only)
- Safeway: 10% off the first Wednesday of the month
- Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off every Wednesday (65+)
- Vons: 10% off the first Wednesday of the month
Don’t see your favorite grocery store on the list? While they may not offer seniors incentives, many offer coupons, and weekly in-app discounts!
Senior Discounts for Restaurants and Dining
Don’t feel like cooking tonight? No problem, as a delicious meal is just a short drive away! To make a delicious concept even more enticing, check out this list of delicious restaurants and cafes that will satisfy your appetite and your wallet:
- Applebee’s: 10-15% off (discount varies by location, 60+)
- Arby’s: 10% off your order (65+)
- Auntie Anne’s: 10% off*
- Babin’s Katy: 10% off*
- Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
- Bennigan’s: 10% off (60+)
- Bob’s Big Boy: Up to 15% off (discount varies by location, 60+)
- Bonefish Grill: 10% off*
- Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: 10% off*
- Burger King: 10% off (60+)
- Cadillac Bar: 10% off*
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 10% off*
- Chart House: 10% off*
- Chick fil a: 10% off or a free small drink
- Chili’s: 10% off
- Cinnabon: 10% off*`
- Claim Jumper: 10% off*
- Corner Bakery: 10% off*
- Culver’s Corner: 10% off (60+)
- Dairy Queen: 10% off
- Denny’s: 15% off*
- Dunkin Donuts: 10% off or a free donut
- Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off (60+)
- El Pollo Loco: 10% off (65+)
- Fish Tales: 10% off*
- Flying Dutchman: 10% off*
- Friendly’s Restaurant: 10% off
- Fuddrucker’s: 10% off anything on the senior menu
- Gandy Dancer: 10% off*
- Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
- Golden Corral: 10% off
- Grand Concourse: 10% off*
- Grotto: 10% off*
- Hardee’s: 10% off
- Jack in the Box: Up to 20% off (discount varies by location)
- Jamba: 10% off*
- Joe’s Crab Shack: 10% off*
- KFC: Free small drink with any meal
- Krispy Kreme: 10% off or a free donut (with the purchase of a coffee)
- Landry’s Seafood: 10% off*
- Macayo’s Mexican Restaurant: 20% off (valid with the senior discount card, see restaurant for details)
- McCormick & Schmick’s: 10% off*
- Mitchell’s Fish Market: 10% off*
- Oceanaire Seafood Room: 10% off*
- Outback Steakhouse: 10% off*
- Peohe’s: 10% off*
- Pollo Tropical: 10% off
- Rainforest Cafe: 10% off*
- Richie Roman’s Barbecue: 10% off
- River Crab Blue Water Inn: 10% off*
- Rusty Pelican: 10% off*
- Saltgrass Steakhouse: 10% off*
- Schlotzsky’s: 10% off*
- Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar: 20% off (valid with the senior discount card, see restaurant for details)
- Simms Steakhouse: 10% off*
- Sonic: 10% off or a free drink (60+)
- Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off*
- Taco Bell: 5% off or a free drink (65+)
- TCBY: 10% off
- Tea Room Cafe: 10% off
- T-Rex Cafe: 10% off*
- Top it Off Frozen Yogurt: 10% off (valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
- Waffle House: 10% off (valid Mondays, 60+)
- Whataburger: Free small coffee or drink with the purchase of an entree
- White Castle: 10% off (62+)
- Willie G’s Seafood and Steaks: 10% off*
- Yak and Yeti Restaurant: 10% off*
Many restaurants not listed here (and even some that are listed!) offer a senior menu with smaller portions and a smaller price. Yum!
Senior Discounts for Phone, Computer, and Other Tech
Isn’t modern technology incredible? I don’t know about you, but I never thought I would see the day when a computer (AKA the smartphone) could fit into your pocket! While modern technology is a blessing, it can also be extremely pricey, which is where these senior discounts come into play:
- ADT Medical Alert Systems: $5/off per month with code SAFETY
- AT&T: Save $10 per line per month on an AT&T Unlimited Premium plan
- AT&T Unlimited 55+ Plan: Includes 2 lines for $80/month or 1 line for $60/month (valid for Florida residents only)
- Consumer Cellular: 10% off your monthly bill*
- GrandPad by Consumer Cellular: 5% off monthly fees*
- Lively: Save $60/year on their Preferred and Ultimate packages with the purchase of a Lively Mobile Plus or Lively Wearable2 medical alert device
- Mint Mobile: $15/month for unlimited talk and text
- Norton 360: Up to 25% off Antivirus Protection*
- Lifeline Medical Alert System: 15% off medical alert service*
- SimpliSafe: 15% off new home security systems*
- T-Mobile: 50% off with an Unlimited Essentials 55+ plan (equals $27.50/line)
- UPS Online Printing: 20% off online printing services*
- UPS Store: 5% off shipping and 15% off other services
- Verizon: $80/month for 2 lines
Senior Discounts for Car Rentals
You’re in your prime, which means you are constantly on the go and traveling! In this day and age, travel is expensive, so any bit of a discount helps, including these senior discounts that will get you in a rental car and on the road at a fraction of the price:
- Advantage Car Rental: 10% off (valid in the Greater Toronto area)
- Alamo Car Rental: 25% off*
- Auto Europe: 5% off when booked online
- Avis Rent A Car: Up to 30% off*
- Budget Car Rental: $10 off*
- Budget Truck Rental: 10-20% off on truck rentals*
- Dollar Rent-A-Car: Up to 10% off
- Hertz Car Rental: Up to 20% off
- Payless Car Rental: 5% off*
- Sixt rent a car: Up to 5% off
- Thrifty Car Rental: 5% off
- Zipcar: Join Zipcar for $50 (plus a one-time $25 application fee) and receive $40 in free driving credits
Senior Discounts for Hotel
Where will your discounted rental car take you? In my case, it will usually take me to a hotel for a restful night of sleep. Even better? When that hotel offers equal parts zzz’s and extra $$$ in your pocket:
- Ascend: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Best Western: Up to 15% off
- Cambria: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Candlewood Suites: Up to 10% off (62+)
- Clarion: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Conrad Hotels & Resorts: Up to 10% off*
- Comfort Inn: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Days Inn: Varies by location
- Econo Lodge: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Everhome Suites: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Hampton Inn & Suites: 10% off*
- Hilton: 10% off*
- Homestay Suites: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Howard Johnson: 10% off*
- IHG Hotels and Resorts: Varies by the hotel, percentage off Best Flex Rate (62+)
- Knights Inn: 10% off (60+)
- Marriott: 5-20% off (62+)
- Motel 6: 8% off (60+)
- Omni Hotels: 5-10% off (60+)
- Radisson: 10% off
- Red Roof Inn: 10% off*
- Sleep Inn: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Suburban Studios: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Super 8: 10% off* (60+)
- Travelodge: Up to 10% off (60+)
- Quality Inn: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts: Up to 10% off the best available rate*
- WoodSpring Suites: 10-30% off when booked online*
- Wyndham Hotels: 10% off* (60+)
Senior Discounts for Travel (Trains, Planes, and Cruises)
Whether you need to get across the country or want to take a more exotic vacation, planes, trains, and/or a cruise may be the best transportation for you. Where does one begin to find their perfect route? I recommend starting with one of these senior travel discounts:
- AARP Travel Center: Exclusive member-only deals on flights, cruises, and hotels*
- American Airlines: Up to $50 off base fare (65+)
- Amtrak: 10% off most rail fares (65+)
- British Airways: Up to $200 off on most fares (65+)*
- Capitol Corridor: 15% off most rail fares (65+)
- Carnival Cruise: Special discounts and upgrades for seniors
- Collette Cruise Tours: $50+ off per person*
- Delta Airlines: 10% off select trips
- Grand European Travel: Up to $100 per person on any guided vacation or river cruise
- Peter Pan Buses: 15% off (62+)
- Royal Caribbean: Up to 15% off
- United Airlines: Discounts available on select flights
- Vacations by Rail: 5% off*
Senior Discounts for Retail
Whether you’re shopping for gifts or need a new pair of boots, you can find them for less at more places than you think. Here are a few of our favorite senior discounts for in-person and online retailers. Happy shopping (and saving):
- 1-800-Baskets: 20% off your purchase*
- 1-800-Flowers: 20% off your purchase*
- Ace Hardware: 10% off every Thursday (65+)
- Bealls: 10% off your purchase
- Belk: 15% off the first Tuesday of the month
- Bi-Lo: 5% off every Wednesday
- Cheryl’s Cookies: 20% off your purchase*
- Christopher & Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
- Clark’s: 10% off (62+)
- Dirt Cheap: 10% off your purchase
- Goodwill: 10% off your purchase on senior savings day (see store for details)
- Hallmark: 10% off (60+)
- Harry & David: 20% off select gifts*
- JOANN: 20% off your purchase on senior savings day (see store for details, 60+)
- Kohl’s: 15% off every Wednesday
- Michaels: 10% off your purchase
- Red, White, and Blue Thrift Stores: 50% off your purchase on senior savings day (see store for details)
- Rite Aid: 20% off on wellness65+ Wednesdays (65+)
- Pep Boys: 10% off your purchase
- Ross Dress for Less: 10% off every Tuesday
- Salvation Army: Up to 50% off on senior savings day (see store for details)
- Savers: 30-40% off every Tuesday
- Schwan’s Home Delivery: $20 off your first delivery of $50 or more*
- Simply Chocolate: 20% off your purchase
- The Popcorn Factory: 20% off your purchase*
- TJ Maxx: 10% off on senior savings day (see store for details)
- Value Village: 30% off every Tuesday
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change: 15% off oil change*
- Walgreens: 20% off select items on senior savings day (see store for details)
- Wolferman’s Bakery: 20% off your purchase
Senior Discounts for Entertainment
Could you use a little extra entertainment in your life? As you can probably guess, many forms of entertainment are also heavily discounted when you’re a senior, including movies, books, and hobbies. Here are a few more stellar senior discounts that will keep you entertained year-round:
- AMC Theaters: Special senior pricing on most screenings (amount varies by location)
- Ancestry: 30% off an All Access or a World Explorer subscription*
- Audible: $2 off a monthly membership
- Book of the Month: $5 for the first book, plus a free gift*
- Cinemark: Senior Day special pricing (day and amount varies by location)
- Goodrich Quality Theater: Special senior pricing on most screenings (amount varies by location)
- Landmark Cinemas: 20% off the already discounted senior price plus 20% off concessions every Monday
- Marcus Theaters: $6 tickets for most shows before 5:30 p.m.
- Maya Cinemas: Special senior pricing on most screenings (amount varies by location)
- Movie Tavern: $6 tickets for most shows before 5:30 p.m.
- Regal Cinemas: 20% off tickets when purchased online, plus $3 off a popcorn and drink combo*
- Showcase Cinemas: Special senior pricing on most screenings, plus popcorn and soda for only $4.50
- State parks: Present your driver’s license when visiting your local state park for discounted admission
Another great way to save on entertainment is by checking out your local museums, galleries, and exhibits, as many offer special discounts and deals for seniors!
Do you want even more senior discounts and freebies? While most of the above are available without any membership, there are some fantastic programs available to seniors that will save you tons of money, including:
- AARP: This may seem obvious, but it is still worth noting, as the American Association of Retired Persons, which has memberships starting at just $1 for the first year, has amazing discounts for pretty much everything (hotel discounts, car maintenance, insurance, travel, restaurants, tickets, and MUCH more).
- GoodRx: You’ve seen the commercial but just what is GoodRx? While not exclusively for seniors, this is another membership we would hate for you to miss, as members can save up to 80% on the spot at 70,000+ pharmacies around the country! Did we mention it’s FREE?
- SilverSneakers: This is another FREE membership (through your Medicare Advantage program or other participating insurance providers) that strives to make your golden years your healthiest yet via free gym memberships and other your-health-in-mind incentives.
- AMAC: Short for the Association of Mature American Citizens, AMAC is much like AARP, as it offers various discounts, a la hotels, gift certificates, restaurants, and shopping. Memberships for the AMAC start at $16/year, with deep discounts for 5-year and lifetime memberships.
- National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass: Your eyes do not deceive you – there is indeed a lifetime membership to visit all of our national parks, and the cost is only $80! When you sign up, you (and everyone in your vehicle) will have access to a whopping 2,000 recreation sites managed by the National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, and Army Corps of Engineers.
I hope this list gives you an idea (or 10) on how to save on your next outing! There are so many senior discounts out there – and you deserve every one of them! Happy saving/shopping/dining/traveling from your friend, Devoted Grandma.
(Featured thumbnail courtesy of Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash)