David Smidt
David Smidt, founder and president of SeniorDiscounts.com, a Web site based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that tracks discounts available to people age 50 and older.
Save as much as 15% off clothing…20% off meals…60% off movie tickets…and up to 97% off ski lift tickets.
It’s no secret that some businesses, museums, parks and zoos offer discounts to seniors. But many shoppers are surprised to discover that they don’t necessarily need to be “senior citizens” to qualify—some of these discounts are available to people who are as young as 55.
The wide range of businesses offering senior discounts may come as a surprise, too. In addition to getting discounts at restaurants and retailers, you might get a discount on a round of golf, a plumber’s services or even a highway toll. But in most cases, you need to know to ask for senior discounts—few businesses offer them unless they’re specifically requested by the customer.
Fifteen opportunities to save…*
Among the senior discounts available at retail stores…
Ace Hardware. Many locations offer a 10% senior discount every day. Age requirement: 60.
CJ Banks and Christopher & Banks. Women’s apparel retailer Christopher & Banks and women’s plus-size apparel retailer CJ Banks offer a 10% senior discount on Wednesdays. Age requirement: 60.
Dressbarn. This budget-minded women’s wear chain offers senior discounts one day each week at most locations. Details vary by location, but the typical offer is a 10% discount on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Ask at your local Dressbarn for details. Age requirement: Varies by location, but sometimes as young as 55.
Goodwill. Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that sells mostly secondhand apparel, furniture, housewares, books and other merchandise for very reasonable prices. Most locations offer a 10%-to-20% senior discount on certain days of the week. Ask for details at your local Goodwill. Age requirement: Varies by location, but often 55.
Hallmark. Most locations offer a 10% senior discount on regularly priced merchandise. At some locations, this discount is available only one day each week. Age requirement: Varies by location, but often 55.
Kohl’s. The department store chain offers seniors a 15% discount on nonsale merchandise every Wednesday. Age requirement: 60.
Senior discounts are fairly common at mom-and-pop diners and family-style restaurants. Many fast-food chains including Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Church’s Chicken, Dairy Queen, Mrs. Fields Cookies, Subway, TCBY and Wendy’s offer seniors discounts or specials, too—often either 10% off or a bargain-priced beverage. These fast-food senior discounts tend to vary by location within each chain, so don’t assume that the discount you get at one Burger King or Subway will be the same at the one down the road.
Other senior discounts available at restaurant chains…
International House of Pancakes (IHOP). Many locations offer 10% senior discounts and/or special senior menus featuring discounted prices and smaller portions. Some locations also offer half-price dinners for seniors one night each week. Age requirement: Varies, but sometimes as young as 55.
Dunkin’ Donuts. Many locations offer seniors reduced prices on coffee and other beverages. Some offer 10% off the entire purchase. Age requirement: Varies by location, but sometimes as young as 55.
Elephant Bar Restaurants. Sign up for the Senior Explorer VIP Card, which provides 20% off future food purchases at this midpriced American and Asian chain. There are numerous restrictions, however—beverages are not included in the discount, nor are meals for dining partners under age 60, specials or meals on certain holidays. Age requirement: 60.
El Pollo Loco. This chain specializing in grilled chicken and Mexican entrées offers a 10% senior discount. Age requirement: Varies by location, but often 55.
Seniors sometimes qualify for discounts on popular pastimes, including the following…
Golfing. Many public and private golf courses offer senior discounts. These discounts occasionally are restricted to weekday hours when most nonretirees are working. Savings can be as much as 20% to 50%. Call courses in your area for details.
Skiing. Ski slopes often offer senior discounts on lift tickets and season passes. Discounts typically are available starting at age 60 or 65, but the savings might increase with age. By age 70 or 80, you might be able to ski virtually for free. Example: At Killington in Vermont, skiers age 65 and older can save $400 on an unlimited season pass, a 31% discount. They can save $12 to $13 on a one-day lift ticket, which is a discount of 13% to 15% (prices are even lower before October 19). Skiers age 80 and older can ski all season for just $39, a 97% discount. Killington.com
Here are three senior discounts on services that you might not expect to be discounted…
New Jersey E-ZPass. Drivers age 65 and older who sign up for a New Jersey E-ZPass account can fill out a special form to receive discounts on certain New Jersey highway and Delaware River crossing tolls. You don’t have to be a New Jersey resident to sign up for a New Jersey E-ZPass. The discount often is 10% and sometimes is restricted to off-peak hours. For details, visit EZPassNJ.com, select “E-ZPass Information,” then “Plan Descriptions.” Scroll down to the “Senior Citizens Discount Plan” section.
Pet-adoption organizations and veterinarians. Many municipal and private pet-adoption facilities offer discounted or free spaying or neutering for pets adopted by seniors. Some veterinarians offer senior discounts as well—that is, discounts for older pet owners, not for older pets. Call local vets’ offices to ask if such discounts are available.
Plumbers, heating/air-conditioning contractors and landscapers. An increasing number of local home-care professionals have begun offering senior discounts. Check your local Yellow Pages in search of ads mentioning senior discounts. Or enter the type of service provider you require, your city or region, and the phrase “senior discount” into an online search engine to see if anything comes up.
*Always confirm senior discount terms before making a purchase. These discounts might not be available on all merchandise or services. In some cases, they cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons. Other restrictions might apply as well, and discount terms might change without warning.
