Senior Discounts

[Bogie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodak My grocery does the same on Wednesdays. The problem is that their delivery truck for fruits and vegetables and other short shelf life items arrives on Thursdays. So, in my opinion, what they are doing is trying to use seniors to sell off stuff that is at the end of it's shelf life. It's not worth the 10% discount to buy old produce.

Remind me of a couple at an investment siminar when asked how risk averse he was. He said "at his age he didn't buy green bananas".

[LauAnn]

My fear is that all senior discounts will disappear now that more and more baby-boomers have reach 'senior' status.

[braumeister]

Heck, everybody will be wanting one.

[WhoDaresWins]

I am not sure, but I think senior discounts at retail establishments and museums around here are generally accepted to be 62 years of age or older. I will have no problems accepting them when I am eligible. Provided they still exist.
I met my cousin for a movie in Pittsburgh this past Saturday and the theater posted a senior discount of $6.00 versus the regular of $8.00. My cousin is 68, 12 years older than I, and she went first requesting the senior discount. When it was my turn, the cashier just looked at me inquiringly , so I told him "I'm close, just not quite there yet...give me a regular ticket".

[omni550]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDaresWins I am not sure, but I think senior discounts at retail establishments and museums around here are generally accepted to be 62 years of age or older. I will have no problems accepting them when I am eligible. Provided they still exist. I met my cousin for a movie in Pittsburgh this past Saturday and the theater posted a senior discount of $6.00 versus the regular of $8.00. My cousin is 68, 12 years older than I, and she went first requesting the senior discount. When it was my turn, the cashier just looked at me inquiringly , so I told him "I'm close, just not quite there yet...give me a regular ticket".

Recently, I traveled for several weeks with a friend who is 17 years older than me. Often a museum or other venue would list a senior price (usually 62+ or 65+) for which I did not qualify. My friend would ask the ticket seller if she could get the senior discount on both of our tickets if she was the one who purchased them. Each time, they told us "yes".

omni

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDaresWins I am not sure, but I think senior discounts at retail establishments and museums around here are generally accepted to be 62 years of age or older. I will have no problems accepting them when I am eligible. Provided they still exist. I met my cousin for a movie in Pittsburgh this past Saturday and the theater posted a senior discount of $6.00 versus the regular of $8.00. My cousin is 68, 12 years older than I, and she went first requesting the senior discount. When it was my turn, the cashier just looked at me inquiringly , so I told him "I'm close, just not quite there yet...give me a regular ticket".

They probably vary. Supercuts offers a "senior haircut" ($1 off) and I think it is for age 60 and over. I think the theaters here specify age 55. I will get property tax breaks at age 65. The Art Museum is free on Wednesdays for those over 62 (I think?). So anyway, I think the ages for these senior discounts and breaks are very much up in the air, at least here. You can always ask at individual establishments once you hit 55 or so.

[WhoDaresWins]

Thanks Omni550 and W2R for the suggestions. I see the discounts can vary widely, and it pays to inquire. When I was in FL over the Christmas holiday, I went to the movies to see The King's Speech, and I overheard that the senior admission was at age 60. I believe the department stores around here offer a senior discount (don't know the percentage) on Tuesdays to 62 and over. I don't think any grocery stores have age-related discounts. Taxi cabs in PA have senior discounts funded by the lottery. I think you can also ride the buses free of charge during certain non-peak hours. My health club also has a substantial discount for non-peak hours M-F and all day on Sat. and Sunday. I think this is true at the Y's, too.

[omni550]

Senior Discount Directory has a list of many places that offer senior discounts.

Kohl's recently dropped their age requirement (for the 15% discount on Wednesdays, in-store only) from 62 to 60 Kohl's to lower age for senior discounts - JSOnline

Many fast food places around here (McD's, Arby's etc), if you ask for a senior beverage, will give you a courtesy cup (probably 8 oz.) of any soft drink, free.

Rather than trying to memorize every discount and location where it's offered, it's probably easier to get a sense of 'who offers what' in the 'world' in which you typically travel. In new places (and old ones too), it never hurts to ask.

omni

[Packman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omni550 Senior Discount Directory has a list of many places that offer senior discounts. omni

This was exactly what I was looking for. Only 6 months before I'm 55 so I will start to ask for SD. I may have to redo my financial plan now

[Arnie]

Thanks for all the tips. I've never asked, but at 55 it is time to start thinking about it.

[Independent]

Here's the best deal I know of:

Quote:

Senior Pass Eligibility As part of the American the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 62 years old can purchase a Senior Pass for a one-time processing fee of $10. This Senior Pass to national parks and lands offers benefits to you and your traveling companions. Senior Pass to National Parks Benefits In National Parks that charge an entrance or standard amenity fee, the Senior Pass admits you and the passengers in your car or other private vehicle. In National Parks where a "per person" entrance fee is charged, the Senior Pass admits you plus three other adults (who need not be seniors).

As a taxpayer, I think this is too good of a deal, but I'll take it anyway.

[mickeyd]

Since I qualify for both military and senior, I usually just ask which discount is better and go with their suggestion.

[PaddyMac]

I'm traveling thru the national parks in Utah right now, and can't wait to qualify for the $10 lifetime senior pass...

When my Dad had just turned 60, he qualified for the senior bus pass in the UK. They were trying to give the discount to my stepmom who is a few years younger, and she shouted out that she was NOT a senior!

[martyb]

At least one of the local casinos (Shreveport/Bossier City, LA) gives a 50% off discount on their buffet to anybody over age 50.

My mom, 82, has been getting those senior discounts at fast food joints around her town for a LONG time...I'd like to know what the dollar value is for all those free drinks, reduced menu prices and other freebies she's racked up over the years. She's an original LBYM'er, I can promise that! She'd fit right in around here!

[martyb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyd Since I qualify for both military and senior, I usually just ask which discount is better and go with their suggestion.

mickeyd, are you still getting military discounts as a retiree? Since I retired, I sort of figured that didn't apply to me anymore. I figured it was just for active duty or current guard/reserve members. Maybe I'll start asking again...

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyb mickeyd, are you still getting military discounts as a retiree? Since I retired, I sort of figured that didn't apply to me anymore. I figured it was just for active duty or current guard/reserve members. Maybe I'll start asking again...

Most places don't make any distinction; just show a valid military ID card (active, reserve, retired -- makes no difference).

My favorite is Home Depot, since I'm in there a lot (the joys of home ownership). Automatic 10% off everything, every day. Last year I needed to rent a small truck for a few hours, and used their service since it was close by. I didn't think the discount would apply for that, but the guy at the rental counter saw the card in my wallet and asked "Is that a military ID card?" I said yes, but retired. He actually got a little upset, and chewed me out for not mentioning it. "You need to ask for your discount every single time you're in here -- you earned it." Turns out his son had just joined the Navy, and he was feeling patriotic, but their discount policy is all inclusive. Every cashier is happy to apply it.

[rescueme]

I'm certainly glad that DW qualifies for most of these "senior" discounts ...

[mickeyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyb mickeyd, are you still getting military discounts as a retiree? Since I retired, I sort of figured that didn't apply to me anymore. I figured it was just for active duty or current guard/reserve members. Maybe I'll start asking again...

Unless they indicate that the discount is only for AD folks, a military ID card , is a military ID card, no matter the color.

[mickeyd]

Quote:

My favorite is Home Depot, since I'm in there a lot (the joys of home ownership). Automatic 10% off everything, every day.

I have claimed my 10% HD discount often. You have to go thru a cashier (not self service) in order to get it tho. I recently got a $5 item, but still claimed a 50 cent discount. I understand that Lowe's also has the same deal.

[Brat]

Humm, I wonder if my husband's discharge paper would achieve the same result. He spends a lot of money at HD & Lowe's. I think he would give it a go to save 50 cents.