Take advantage of these genius senior discounts today!

One of the best parts of entering your golden years is the chance to save a lot of your hard-earned cash. By the time you’ve reached age 55 and beyond, you not only have some of your most fun and creative years ahead of you, but it turns out that you can also benefit from some serious discounts.

From groceries to entertainment, car repairs, home goods, and even cruises, you can enjoy life without reaching too deeply into your hard-earned savings. And even though you may think 55 is a bit too young to be considered a “senior,” you can sign up for an AARP membership when you turn 50.

Trust me: Having that membership can be key to unlocking senior discounts. So let’s talk about it. Here are 5 senior discounts you can score after turning 55!

Transportation

Airlines tend to be expensive, no matter how old you are, though there is one solid senior discount for those over 55.

You’ll want to know when to book a flight for the cheapest prices. And if you’re driving, you’re in luck! Senior discounts are better when it comes to rental cars.

Rental cars

-Hertz: Travelers 50 and up can save up to 20% off base rates. From the Hertz home page, go to “Deals” at the top, then choose “Featured Offers” and click on “Travelers 50 and Over Save More.” It’ll take you to the booking page with the right discount code already filled in.
-Thrifty: Save 5% on mileage and time charges on rentals of any car type. Other charges, like insurance, aren’t eligible for discounts, though.
-Sixt: If you’re 50 plus, you can get a 5% discount on prepaid rentals. Go to this Senior Car Rental Discount page and click the “Book Discount” button.
-Avis: AARP members get up to 30% off base rates and can also get a 3% credit to apply to rentals within 12 months. Also, you get an upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings and an additional driver at no added cost.

Airlines

Through British Airways, you can get the following deals as an AARP member:
-$65 off for travel in standard or premium economy class
-$200 off for travel in business class
-If you’re flying basic economy, unfortunately, you’re not eligible for any deals. But the silver lining is that even if you can’t get a senior discount, you can still get some freebies.

Hotels

Hotels are among the best categories for getting senior discounts after the age of 55, with several chains offering excellent rates. Even better, many hotels will allow seniors to book more than one room at a discounted rate so you can help your travel pals or even adult children get a better deal, too.

You generally have to book directly with the hotel to get the discount, though it’s always worth comparing prices at third-party outlets like Hotels.com.

If you find something more affordable than the hotel advertises for its senior rate, call the hotel and see if they’ll match it. And don’t forget to ask about a room upgrade while you’re at it!

-Omni: This chain offers special rates for those 55 and older at all 60 of its hotels and resorts across the US. Don’t forget to select “Senior Rates” from the drop-down menu when booking. If you prepay your room, you can save even more.
-Best Western: Guests 55 and over get discounted room rates at any location in over 100 countries. You’ll also get Wi-Fi and a complimentary breakfast. To get the rate, choose “Senior/AARP” from the drop-down menu when booking.
-Extended Stay America: Choose “Senior Discount” from the special rates drop-down menu when searching for a hotel online. If you sign up for the hotel chain’s loyalty program, you can also get discounts at restaurants, retail stores, car rental companies, and many others.
-Caesar’s: If you’re at least 50, you can get up to 30% off your room at hotels and resorts in 12 different states, though you’ll need to verify your age and identity online when booking.

Restaurants

When you find out which restaurants offer senior discounts starting at age 55, you can dine there at any time of day.

You don’t have to eat dinner at 4 p.m. Just remember that many restaurant chains are franchised, meaning policies may differ by location.

-IHOP: The pancake house has a 55-plus menu, which offers smaller portions of its most popular menu options at lower prices and meets many common dietary restrictions.
-Denny’s: While the diner chain doesn’t offer a specific senior discount, it has a separate menu for the 55-and-older set. You won’t find the belly-busting Grand Slamwich listed there, but rather entrees aimed at smaller appetites, with smaller prices. The chain also offers AARP members 15% off regular menu prices.
-Outback Steakhouse: A meal from this restaurant will cost you 10% less if you’re an AARP member over age 55.
-Chili’s: Many locations offer a 10% discount for diners 55 and older, any day of the week, though certain menu items might be excluded.
-Hardee’s: This chain has no official policy, but some stores offer discounts to seniors 55 and older. Standard deals include 10% off and/or 33-cent drinks.
-DQ: Many stores offer 10% off to seniors over 55. But it’s not official corporate policy, and you have to ask for it.

Retailers

Some retailers offer senior discounts for their 55-plus customers on certain days of the week, while others cut seniors’ prices daily.

You might have to show ID to prove you’re eligible for their discounts. Learning how to coupon will also help you accumulate more savings.

-Walgreens: The first Tuesday of the month is Seniors Day at Walgreens. You’ll have to sign up for MyWalgreens first, but once you have an account, you can get 20% off all regularly priced items, with some exceptions like tobacco, alcohol, and stamps. Just tell your cashier that you’re participating. If you shop online, you have the whole week to place your order and get your 20% discount; use the code SENIOR20 at checkout. However, you can use the code only once that week.
-Goodwill: Policies vary by area and store, but most offer a weekly senior discount day, with discounts ranging from 10% to 25% off.
-Ross Dress for Less: The Ross senior discount lets you shop on Tuesdays for 10% off all your purchases. Just notify the checkout clerk that you’re eligible for a 55-plus senior discount. You might need to show ID.
-Michael’s: Beginning at age 55, you can sign up for senior discounts in your Michael’s Rewards account and get 10% off online and in-store purchases, including sale items.
-Pep Boys: Get 10% off in-store purchases at this auto-parts chain. Just show your ID to confirm you’re 55 or older.

Grocery stores

There are many ways to save money on groceries, like using your supermarket’s app to find in-store coupons. It also helps to know your area’s most affordable grocery stores before discounts are applied.

If you’re specifically looking for senior discounts, though, you’ll have the best luck at these stores:

Fred Meyer: This Kroger-owned chain in the Northwest offers a 10% senior discount to 55-plus consumers on select items, including private-brand groceries and nutrition; home goods, including toys, sporting goods, auto, and garden; clothing, shoes, and accessories; and most electronics.
Bashas’: This Arizona chain offers 10% off every Wednesday to customers 55 and older. You’ll need to use your Thank You Card and show ID to get the discount.
-Hy-Vee: With almost 300 stores in eight Midwestern states, Hy-Vee senior discounts vary by site. Some hold a weekly discount day, with 5% to 10% off for seniors.
-Fry’s: Lucky Arizonans also have this Kroger-based chain offering a monthly senior discount day. On the first Wednesday of the month, customers 55 and up can take 10% off most items. Just not on things like prescriptions, tobacco, alcohol, money orders, and gas.

Did I miss any senior discounts? Let me know and I’ll be sure to include them next time!. Meanwhile, if you found this article useful, check out: 14 Must-Have Costco Summer Essentials You’re Missing Out On