Travel Discounts for Seniors

Tom Merton/istockphoto

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Travel Discounts for Seniors
Tom Merton/istockphoto

Your Golden Ticket

Having more time for travel is one of the biggest perks of being retired, and this list of travel discounts can help seniors cut their vacation costs. Starting at age 50 (the minimum age for AARP membership), you can cash in on numerous deals by simply flashing an ID, although some apply only to AARP members and some are offered only by select chain franchisees. Senior discounts have gotten harder to find (sometimes literally, because they're hidden on websites or left off entirely). But whether you love RV trips or adventure travel, these discounts can make hitting the road a little cheaper.


Discounts and availability are subject to change.


Sponsored: Retire in comfort without compromise


Are you one of 64% of Americans who thinks their retirement savings may not be enough? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors in your area in five minutes to help answer that question.


See why 75 million people trust SmartAsset's tools and services each year to ensure they have enough money to retire comfortably.


Carnival Cruise
Sherry Smith/istockphoto
Expedia AARP Travel Center
Expedia

Expedia

This online travel giant runs the AARP Travel Center and offers 10% off hotels, 30% off base rates for car rentals, up to $300 onboard cruise credits, and free online or phone booking.

Haven't joined AARP yet? Members age 50 and over get access to a wide range of services and benefits, including online events, classes, and community forums, as well as advice on everything from financial planning to health and wellness. Sign up here.

Big Bend National Park, Texas
pchoui/istockphoto

National Parks

The bad news is that the $10 lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and residents 62 and over now costs $80, although there's an annual pass for $20. The upside is that you still get into every national park for the rest of your life for that price, and you get a 50% discount on amenities such as camping, swimming, and boat launches.

Alamo Rent A Car
slobo/istockphoto
Denny's
Skyhobo/istockphoto

Denny's

The ubiquitous eatery frequented by travelers across the country offers 15% off for AARP members and a special menu with lower prices for guests 55 and older at some locations.

Marriott
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Extended Stay America
Extended Stay America

Extended Stay America

If you need a suite with a kitchen for a while and are 55 or older, this chain will cut you a deal on a room — but not on an extended stay. Reserve for one to six days and you might get 5% off.

Allstate Roadside Assistance
Steve Debenport/istockphoto

Allstate Roadside Assistance

Starting at $62 a year — with up to $10 off the first-year membership fee — AARP members can get towed anywhere, get gas in their empty tank, have flat tires changed, get their battery jump started, and get back into their car if locked out.

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel

AARP members enjoy a 15% discount at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, including the RV park and a two-night "Canyon Explorer" package.

Carolina Trailways MC-9
Carolina Trailways MC-9 by Jim Nelson (CC BY-NC-SA)

Trailways

This Northeast bus company provides a 10% discount for those over age 65, although some restrictions may apply. Some seniors may qualify for its half-fare program.

How to Save on Car Rental
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
British Airways
Flightlevel80/istockphoto

British Airways

AARP members can save $65 on an economy ticket or $200 on a business-class seat for any flight to London, Europe, Asia, Middle East, or Africa booked by Jan. 31, 2023.

IHOP, Taos, New Mexico
J. Michael Jones/istockphoto

IHOP

No need for a coupon at IHOP, another traveler-friendly diner found all across the country. A special menu of pancakes, eggs, and French toast is already discounted for senior diners, starting at age 55.

Eurail
Eurail by Roderick Eime (CC BY-ND)
Budget Rental Cars
Marina113/istockphoto

Budget

If you're an AARP member, Budget offers a free rental car upgrade, a waived additional-driver fee, vehicle insurance, and 24-hour roadside assistance, as well as discounts of up to 30% off rental rates.

Hawaii Waikiki travel lei flower necklace concept
Maridav/istockphoto

Castle Resorts and Hotels

For vacationers 55 or over booking a trip to Hawaii, this Pacific hospitality chain will take up to 25% off its best available rates at 22 hotels and resorts across the Hawaiian islands.

Hertz
tupungato/istockphoto

Hertz

Drivers age 50 and older save up to 20% on base rates when renting a vehicle.

Super 8
Ken Wolter/shutterstock

Super 8

Participating Super 8 hotels discount rooms by 10% off the best available rate for AARP members and other seniors 60 and older. 

Zipcar ride hire car.
Josh Brown/istockphoto

Zipcar

Need a car only occasionally to get around for a few hours? Zipcar lets AARP members join for $40 for a year, which amounts to a 19% discount over the regular monthly rate after a $25 application fee. The company throws in $40 of free driving time, though.

Park Ride Fly
Singhanart/shutterstock

Park Ride Fly

The offsite airport parking service Park Ride Fly USA offers AARP members a 12% discount, available at locations nationwide.

Amtrak
EQRoy/shutterstock

Amtrak

Hop aboard! Amtrak offers 10% off most fares for travelers who are at least 65 years old.

Liberty Travel
Liberty Travel by Friscocali (CC BY-NC)

Liberty Travel

This travel agency offers travel packages that may bring breaks of up to $50 for people 62 and older.

The Fifth
RiverNorthPhotography/istockphoto

La Quinta Inns and Suites

La Quinta Inns and Suites offers AARP members up to 10% off the best available room rates.


Kingsmill Resort
Kingsmill Resort by Nat Johnson (CC BY)

Kingsmill Resort

Just outside the historic grounds and theme parks of Williamsburg, Virginia, this resort offers AARP members a discount of up to 10%.

Red Roof Inn, Manassas, VA.
Red Roof Inn, Manassas, VA. by Billy Hathorn (CC BY-SA)

Red Roof Inn

Seniors ages 59 and over get 10% off the cost of their room booking (so long as they can prove their age at check-in).

Avista Resort
©TripAdvisor
Best Western
360b/shutterstock

Best Western

Room rates drop 5% to 15% at Best Western for AARP members.

Motel 6
Jonathan Weiss/shutterstock

Motel 6

All seniors 60 and older get 8% off the best available nightly rate at this chain.

Comfort Suites, Brunswick, Georgia
TennesseePhotographer/istockphoto

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels, which includes Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, and Comfort Inn, shaves up to 10% off room rates for AARP members or travelers age 60 and older. Advance reservations required.

Trump Tower, Chicago
400tmax/istockphoto

Trump Hotels

The former president isn't against senior programs. His hotel chain cuts 10% off the best available room rates for seniors 65 and older.

Howard Johnson, Traverse City, Michigan
RiverNorthPhotography/istockphoto

Howard Johnson

Howard Johnson awards AARP members a 10% discount on the best available rate at participating branded hotels.

Greyhound
Vilches/istockphoto

Greyhound

Greyhound passengers age 62 and older with ID "can ask" for a fare 5% lower, we were told.

Hyatt Hotels
Kaesler Media/shutterstock

Hyatt

Hyatt offers guests age 62 and older discounts based on availability — but even at a hotel with plenty of rooms available at the time of your reservation, the savings might be no more than $20, we were told. That's right: dollars, not percent. 

Intercontinental Hotels Group
sshepard/istockphoto

Intercontinental Hotels Group

This sprawling hotel chain makes discounts on regular room rates at participating hotels "available" to anyone who is 62 or older or has a member ID card for a retired persons organization, but rates vary by location. In the past, the discounts have been as high as 15%.

American Airlines
Chris Parypa Photography/shutterstock

American Airlines

The airline is coy about senior fares, but a senior option can be found on its “Advanced/Multi-city search” page where it asks about passenger information.

Tybee Island, Georgia: Tybee Island Back River Historic District
Tybee Island, Georgia: Tybee Island Back River Historic District by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA)
United Airlines
IanC66/shutterstock

United Airlines

The airline offers special fares to those 65 and older, and also offers its Signature Service personal concierge and club lounge to those who need extra assistance.

Hilton, San Diego Bay Front
LPETTET/istockphoto

Hilton

There may be discounts of up to 10% off the best available rates when AARP members rent a room at Hilton Worldwide's many chains — they include Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Waldorf Astoria, Embassy Suites, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, among others.

Ramada Inn With Vacancy Sign Now Open
ehrlif/istockphoto

Ramada

Ramada hotel customers age 60 and older may find discounts depending on location, according to the chain's customer service department, although there are no set bargains online.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
jimfeng/istockphoto

Royal Caribbean

This cruise line occasionally offers special pricing to passengers 55 and over, but it reserves that pricing for specific trips.

Delta Airlines
Chris Parypa Photography/shutterstock

Delta Air Lines

The airline offers senior discounts, but only in certain markets and not online.

View from train Flamsbana
HildaWeges/istockphoto