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David Chen 9 min read

The Complete List of Senior Discounts in 2026

10% 20% 15% Senior Savings Senior Discounts Available

We love this page. Seriously. Our team spent weeks calling restaurants, checking with retail chains, and verifying hotel discount programs to build the most accurate list of senior discounts we could find. Some of the savings are small — five percent off groceries on a Thursday — but they add up. A reader in Tampa told us she saves over $200 a month just by stacking the grocery, restaurant, and cell phone discounts she found through our list.

Here’s the thing: most of these discounts won’t be offered to you. You have to ask. That’s the number one tip we’d give anyone reading this page. Walk up to the counter, smile, and say “Do you have a senior discount?” You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes. Need a second opinion? Email us at hello@seniorslist.com — our team has been through this with hundreds of families.

Quick answer: The five biggest savings on this page are: Amazon Prime (50%+ off for qualifying households), Avis/Budget car rentals (up to 35% off for AARP members), American Airlines (up to 50% off select fares for 65+), Papa John’s (20% off online for AARP), and Jack in the Box (20% off for 55+). Most discounts require you to ask — they won’t be applied automatically.

Senior Discounts in 2026

Discount availability has narrowed in recent years as some companies have phased out their programs, but the deals that remain are worth knowing about. This page covers restaurants, groceries, retail, travel, medical alerts, and cell phones — organized by category with eligibility details for each.

Three things to keep in mind: age requirements vary (some start at 50, others at 65), many grocery and retail discounts only apply on certain days of the week, and you almost always need to ask at checkout.


These are the discounts our readers use most often, spanning retail, pharmacy, and automotive services. Several require military status or AARP membership rather than just age, so check the eligibility column carefully.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Amazon PrimeOver 50% off Prime MembershipMust receive SSI, SNAP, or qualifying government assistance
CVS.com20% off + free shipping on online ordersActive duty or retired military; WeSalute+ subscriber required
Home Depot10% off (max $400/year)Active duty or retired military with honorable status, or spouse
Goodwill15–30% offVaries by age and location
Kohl’s15% offActive duty, veteran, or immediate family; Mondays, in-store only
Lowe’s10% off + free standard shippingActive duty or retired military, or spouse
Ross Dress for Less10% offMust be 55+; Tuesdays only
Michaels10% offMust be 55+ with a Michaels Rewards account
Rite AidExclusive offers + loyalty pointsMust be 65+; first Wednesday of each month
Valvoline15% off oil changes; $15 off premium changesAARP members
WalgreensUp to 20% off eligible itemsmyWalgreens members; select days per month

Restaurant Discounts

Restaurant chains offer some of the most accessible senior discounts — many start at age 55 and don’t require a membership card. AARP members get the best deals at sit-down chains like Denny’s (15% off) and Outback Steakhouse (10% off).

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Bonefish Grill10% off food and non-alcoholic beveragesAARP members; excludes delivery and catering
Bubba Gump Shrimp10% off food and non-alcoholic beveragesAARP members
Captain D’s SeafoodDiscounted senior menu; meals from $4.49 on Senior Day62+ for menu; 55+ general; 62+ for Senior Day (Sun/Wed)
Carrabba’s Italian Grill10% off food and non-alcoholic beveragesAARP members; excludes delivery and catering
Chart House10% off food and non-alcoholic beveragesAARP members
Chili’sUp to 10% off (varies by location; no formal corporate policy)Must be 55+
Denny’s15% off (max $10); discounted senior menuAARP members for 15% off; 55+ for menu
El Pollo Loco10% offMust be 60+
Fazoli’sDiscounted senior menuMust be 62+
IHOPDiscounted senior menuMust be 55+
Landry’s Seafood10% off food and non-alcoholic beveragesAARP members
McCormick & Schmick’s10% off food and beverages (no alcohol)AARP members
McDonald’sVaries by locationSenior, military, or veteran; confirm locally
Outback Steakhouse10% off food and beverages (no alcohol)AARP members or veterans
Papa John’s Pizza20% off online ordersAARP members
Village Inn10% offMust be 55+

Grocery Store Discounts

Grocery discounts are smaller (5-10%) but add up fast if you shop on the right day. Most are limited to one specific day per week, so plan accordingly.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Fred Meyer10% offMust be 55+; first Tuesday of each month
Fry’s Food Stores10% offMust be 55+; first Wednesday of each month
Gristedes Supermarket10% offMust be 65+; every Tuesday
Harris Teeter5% offMust be 60+; every Thursday (excludes fuel, pharmacy, gift cards)
Hy-Vee5% offMust be 55+; Thursdays only
New Seasons10% offMust be 65+; every Wednesday
Piggly-Wiggly5% offMust be 60+; excludes alcohol and tobacco

Retail Store Discounts

Retail discounts are less common than they used to be, but thrift stores and a few clothing chains still offer meaningful savings — typically 10-25% off on a designated senior day.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Belk5% offMust be 62+ or retired military; Tuesdays only
Clarks10% offMust be 55+
Goodwill25% off one day per weekMust be 55+; day varies by location
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores10% off (varies by location)Age varies; confirm locally

Prescription Discounts

The AARP Prescription Discount Card (powered by OptumRx) saves members up to 61% on prescriptions at participating pharmacies. It’s included with any AARP membership ($16/year) and works even if you have insurance — use whichever price is lower at checkout.


Travel Discounts for Seniors

Travel offers some of the largest dollar-value savings on this page. AARP members can save hundreds on car rentals and flights, and the America the Beautiful Senior Pass ($80 lifetime) is one of the best deals in government.

Airlines

Airline discounts are limited to select routes and fares — don’t expect them on every flight. But when available, senior fares can cut costs significantly, especially on American Airlines.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
American AirlinesUp to 50% off on select faresMust be 65+
British AirwaysUp to $200 off business class; $65 off economy and premium economyAARP members
Delta AirlinesDiscounted fares in select marketsVaries; not bookable on Delta’s website
United AirlinesDiscounted senior fares on select routesMust be 65+

Car Rentals

Car rentals are where AARP membership really pays for itself — a single booking at Avis or Budget can save more than a year’s membership fee.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
AvisUp to 35% off Pay Now; 30% off Pay LaterAARP members
Budget Rent-A-CarUp to 35% off Pay Now; 30% off Pay LaterAARP members
HertzUp to 20% off base ratesMust be 50+
Payless5% off + free upgrade + free additional driverAARP members

Hotels

Most major hotel chains offer senior rates starting at age 60-62. Discounts vary by location and availability, so always compare the senior rate against the standard online rate before booking.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
Best WesternVaries55+; not available at all locations
Choice Hotels (Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Cambria Suites)10% off60+ or AARP member; advance reservation required
IHG (Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza)VariesMust be 62+; Best Flex Rate or 3-day advance booking
MarriottVariesMust be 62+; up to 2 rooms per night; subject to availability
Motel 65% offMust be 60+
Wyndham brands (Days Inn, Howard Johnson, La Quinta, Super 8, Travelodge)VariesMust be 60+; Best Available Rate; participating locations only

Other Travel

CompanyDiscountEligibility
America the Beautiful Senior Pass (National Parks)$80 lifetime passMust be 62+
Amtrak10% off most rail faresMust be 65+

What to know about travel discounts: Airline and hotel senior rates often don’t appear in standard online searches. Call the airline or hotel directly and ask for the senior fare — it may not show up on their website. For car rentals, always enter your AARP number at booking; the discount applies automatically.


Medical Alert System Discounts

Most medical alert companies offer introductory deals rather than age-based discounts. AARP members get ongoing monthly savings at several providers.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
ADT Medical Alert Systems$5 off per monthAll ages; use promo code SAFETY
Aloe Care Health30-day free trialAll ages
Bay Alarm Medical$1 off monthly rateAARP or AMAC members
LifeFoneOne month freeAll ages; annual plan required
Lifeline15% off + free shipping + free activationAARP members
Medical GuardianOne month freeAll ages; annual plan required
MobileHelpOne free month + 50% off fall detectionAll ages; must call for deal

Cell Phone Plan Discounts

The major carriers offer dedicated 55+ plans that can save $20-40/month compared to standard pricing. Note that AT&T and Verizon’s senior plans are currently limited to Florida residents.

CompanyDiscountEligibility
AT&TStarting at $40/line (2 lines) or $60 (1 line)Must be 55+; Florida residents only
Consumer Cellular2 lines for $55/month + 30% off select accessoriesAARP members
T-Mobile$45 for 1 line or $60 for 2 lines per monthMust be 55+
Verizon$62 for 1 line or $84 for 2 lines per monthMust be 55+; Florida residents only

Tips for Getting the Most From Senior Discounts

Join AARP. At $16 per year (individual), an AARP membership unlocks discounts at hundreds of businesses and typically pays for itself within a single travel booking. Many of the restaurant, travel, and retail discounts in this list are AARP-member benefits.

Always ask. Most businesses do not volunteer senior discounts at checkout. Make it a habit to ask before completing any transaction at restaurants, retail stores, or hotels.

Confirm locally. Franchise and chain locations frequently set their own discount policies. A discount offered at one Chili’s or McDonald’s may not apply at another. Call ahead when the savings are significant.

Check day-of-week requirements. Many grocery and retail discounts apply only on specific days. Building these into your regular shopping schedule makes them easy to capture without extra trips.

4 FAQs Answered Mar 2026 Last Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

What age qualifies for senior discounts?
Eligibility age varies by company. Many programs start at 55, others at 60 or 62, and some at 65. AARP membership — which unlocks discounts at hundreds of businesses — is open to anyone 18 or older, though most AARP discounts are designed for those 50 and up.
Do you have to ask for a senior discount?
Yes. Most businesses do not automatically apply senior discounts at the register. You typically need to ask before the transaction is completed, show an ID or membership card, and confirm that the location participates — discount availability often varies by franchise location.
Is an AARP membership worth it for the discounts?
For most people, yes. At $16 per year (individual), an AARP membership can be recovered within a single car rental booking or a few restaurant visits. AARP members receive discounts at hundreds of businesses covering travel, dining, prescriptions, cell phone service, and more.
Do senior discounts still exist in 2026?
Many do, but some businesses have scaled back or eliminated their programs. Discounts are most consistently available at restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and cell phone carriers. Always confirm with the specific location before counting on a discount.
DC

David Chen

Senior Writer

David Chen specializes in health technology and insurance topics, helping seniors navigate complex decisions about medical devices and coverage options.

Health Technology Researcher B.S. in Health Sciences

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