Senior Discounts for Travel, Tours & Cruises

Senior Travel Savings: Discounts Worth Knowing Before You Book

If you're 50, 60, 65 or older, you may qualify for travel discounts that can save you money on hotels, transportation, tours, cruises and more.

But here's something I've learned after years of traveling: a senior discount isn't automatically the best deal.

Sometimes a 10% senior discount really does save you money. Other times, a promotional fare, membership benefit, advance-purchase rate or simply traveling on a different day can save considerably more.

That's why I put together this collection of senior travel discounts. Think of it as a starting point — a place to check before you book your next trip.

Thrifty Senior Traveler's Ways to Get the Best Discounts

Want to know how I try to get the best available price? Here are a few things I've learned along the way.

• Ask directly at booking: Senior rates aren't always applied automatically. When booking online, look for a senior or age-qualified rate. If you're booking by phone, ask whether a senior rate is available.

• Check membership programs: Organizations such as AARP and Costco can offer travel-related savings that may be better than a standard senior rate. Don't assume the age-based discount is the best option.

• Look for special passes: Some government and transportation programs offer outstanding savings for older travelers. National park passes and European rail discounts are two examples worth knowing about.

• Be flexible with your dates: This may be the biggest money-saving trick of all. Midweek travel, shoulder-season trips and avoiding major holidays can save considerably more than a 10% senior discount.

• Have proof of age available: Keep your driver's license, passport or other acceptable identification handy. Some transportation providers may ask for proof that you qualify for an age-based fare.

Is a Senior Discount Always the Best Deal?

No. Travel companies sometimes calculate a senior discount from their standard or "rack" rate. A 10% or 15% discount may sound attractive, but another promotional rate could still be less expensive.

My advice? Don't stop looking after you find a senior rate. Compare.

That's the whole idea behind being a Thrifty Senior Traveler — finding the discount that saves you the most, not simply the discount with "senior" printed next to it.

Below, I've gathered 100 senior travel discounts and savings opportunities covering hotels, airlines, rental cars, trains, cruises, tours and attractions.

Before booking, always check the provider's current terms. Age requirements, discounts, participating locations and blackout dates can change.

LOVE SOLO TRAVEL?

HATE THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT?

One of the most frustrating parts of traveling alone can be the single supplement — that extra charge that can make a solo trip considerably more expensive.

I've traveled solo and learned that
you don't always have to pay it.

Some tour operators and cruise companies offer reduced or even free single supplements on selected trips.

I've also found a few companies I really like for solo travel — including one I've traveled with many times.

Want To Know My Tricks?

I'll show you where I've found opportunities to travel solo without automatically paying the dreaded single supplement.

[ SOLO TRAVELERS — CLICK HERE ]

Senior Travel Discounts & Savings Worth Checking

I've done some of the digging for you. Below you'll find travel companies, transportation providers, attractions and programs that offer senior rates, age-based savings, membership discounts or other ways older travelers may be able to save.

One important warning: Travel discounts change. Eligibility, participating locations, blackout dates, booking requirements and the amount of the discount can change without notice. Always check the provider's current offer before you pay.

And remember: the biggest discount isn't necessarily the best deal. Compare the senior rate with the regular promotional rate before you book.

TOURS & TOUR OPERATORS

AARP Travel Center — AARP members can find discounts and special offers on hotels, rental cars, vacation packages and other travel through the AARP Travel Center.

Collette — Offers discounts and special promotions on guided tours, including benefits available through selected membership programs.

Grand Circle Travel — Offers travel programs for older adults, including land tours and cruises. Check current promotions and savings when booking.

O.A.T. (Overseas Adventure Travel) — A favorite of mine. O.A.T. offers small-group adventures and has programs designed to make solo travel more affordable, including opportunities to avoid or reduce the single supplement on selected trips.

Road Scholar — Educational adventures for adults 50+. Road Scholar also offers financial assistance for eligible travelers.

Smithsonian Journeys — Cultural and educational travel programs with occasional special offers and promotions.

Tauck — Offers guided tours, river cruises and small-group travel with seasonal promotions and special offers.

Trafalgar — Guided vacations around the world with frequent promotions and savings opportunities.

Travelzoo — Not a senior discount program, but a useful place to compare discounted hotels, tours, cruises and vacation offers.

Vacations By Rail — Specializes in rail vacations and often packages rail travel with hotels and tours.

Viking — River, ocean and expedition cruises with promotional offers that can sometimes be more valuable than an age-based discount.

Grand European Travel — European vacation packages and guided travel with periodic promotions and member savings.

Insight Vacations — Premium guided tours with seasonal offers and promotions worth checking before booking.

Globus — Guided vacations and tours with rotating promotions and special offers.

AIRLINES & AIR TRAVEL

Air Canada — Check current age-based fares, partner programs and promotional pricing when booking.

Air France — Offers special fares and travel programs on selected routes and markets; eligibility varies.

American Airlines — Senior fares may be available in certain international markets and must be checked for the specific itinerary.

British Airways — AARP currently does not offer a British Airways flight discount, but travelers should still compare current fares and AARP Travel Center offers.

Delta Air Lines — Senior fares may be available on selected markets and generally require checking with the airline rather than assuming an online senior rate.

Iberia — Check current promotional and membership-related offers when booking European or transatlantic travel.

JetBlue — Rather than assuming a senior fare, compare current promotional pricing and membership-related offers.

Southwest Airlines — Senior fares have changed over time, so check current fare options directly when booking.

United Airlines — Senior fares may be available on selected routes; ask when booking if an age-based fare is offered.

AARP Travel Center — Even when an airline doesn't offer a specific AARP fare, the AARP Travel Center can provide travel offers worth comparing.

Jesse's Rule for Airfare: Don't spend an hour chasing a $20 senior discount if changing your travel day saves $150.

CRUISE LINES

Cruise pricing is particularly tricky. Cruise lines frequently offer promotional fares, onboard credits, reduced deposits and other incentives that can be worth more than a traditional senior discount.

Carnival Cruise Line — Senior rates and special fares may be available on selected sailings for qualifying travelers.

Celebrity Cruises — Check for senior pricing and promotional offers on selected sailings.

Costa Cruises — Offers occasional age-based and promotional fares on selected European sailings.

Holland America Line — Senior and other special rates may be available on selected cruises.

MSC Cruises — Check current senior offers and promotional pricing on selected itineraries.

Norwegian Cruise Line — Senior pricing and other special offers may be available on selected sailings.

Princess Cruises — Check current senior fares and promotional offers for selected voyages.

Royal Caribbean — Senior rates may be available on selected sailings and itineraries.

Viking Ocean Cruises — Compare current promotions, included amenities and available discounts rather than focusing solely on an age-based rate.

Oceania Cruises — Check current promotional offers and special pricing when planning a cruise.

A Thrifty Cruise Tip

Don't compare only the advertised cruise fare. Look at the total price, including taxes, fees, gratuities, drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and onboard credits. A slightly higher fare can sometimes provide considerably more value.

HOTELS & LODGING

Best Western — Senior rates are available for qualifying travelers, generally beginning at age 55.

Choice Hotels — Participating brands offer senior rates for qualifying guests, including travelers 60+ and AARP members.

Comfort Inn — Senior and AARP rates may be available at participating properties.

Comfort Suites — Check for senior and AARP rates when booking.

Days Inn — Senior rates may be available at participating properties.

Econo Lodge — Check Choice Hotels' current senior-rate options.

Extended Stay America — Offers special rates and promotions that may benefit mature travelers.

Hilton Hotels — Hilton offers a senior rate for eligible travelers; check the current age requirement and participating properties.

Hampton by Hilton — Senior and membership-related rates may be available at participating properties.

Marriott International — Marriott's senior discount is currently available to guests 62 and older at participating locations.

Motel 6 — Senior discounts may be available at participating locations.

Radisson Hotels — Check current senior and membership rates for participating properties.

Sleep Inn — Choice Hotels' senior-rate program applies at participating properties.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts — Check current senior, AARP and promotional rates across participating Wyndham brands.

World of Hyatt — Compare current promotional and membership rates with any available age-based offers.

Hotel Trick Worth Remembering

Before booking a senior rate, open a second browser window and check the hotel's Best Available Rate, AAA/AARP rate, member rate and current promotion.

You may discover that your "senior discount" isn't the cheapest price.

OTHER TRAVEL SAVINGS

Amtrak — Amtrak currently offers a 10% senior discount for travelers 65 and older on most rail fares. Some routes and services have different rules.

AARP Membership — At age 50, AARP members can access a variety of travel-related discounts and offers. Compare the membership savings with the cost of membership.

America the Beautiful Senior Pass — One of my favorite bargains. U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 and older can purchase a $20 annual Senior Pass or an $80 lifetime Senior Pass for federal recreation lands. The pass can also provide discounts on certain expanded amenities such as camping.

Avis — AARP members can receive rental-car benefits and discounts through Avis.

Budget Rent a Car — AARP members may qualify for rental-car discounts and other benefits.

Costco Travel — Costco members can find savings on cruises, hotels, rental cars and vacation packages. Always compare the Costco price with the provider's direct offer.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car — Check current promotional and partner discounts when renting.

Eurail — Travelers 60 and older can qualify for senior pricing on eligible Eurail passes.

Greyhound — Senior fares and discounts may be available depending on the route and fare type.

National Car Rental — Check current membership and promotional rates before booking.

Parks Canada — Older travelers should check current senior pricing and annual pass options before visiting Canada's national parks and historic sites.

SNCF / France — France's rail system offers the Carte Avantage Senior for eligible travelers 60 and older. Check current pricing and restrictions before purchasing.

Trenitalia / Italy — Italian rail operators offer age-based programs and promotional fares on selected services. Check the current senior options for your itinerary.

Renfe / Spain — Spain's Tarjeta Dorada provides discounted rail travel for eligible travelers 60 and older.

VIA Rail Canada — Senior fares are available for qualifying travelers; check the current rate and route restrictions.

National Park Service — Remember that many National Park Service locations have no entrance fee at all. Before buying any pass, check whether the parks you plan to visit actually charge an entrance or recreation fee.

One Last Thrifty Senior Traveler Tip

Don't collect discounts. Collect savings.

There's a difference.

A 10% senior discount sounds good. But if another hotel is $40 cheaper, a different flight day saves $150, or a tour operator eliminates a $1,500 single supplement, that's the deal that matters.

That's how I approach travel.

Find the lowest total cost for the trip you actually want — then book it.

Discounts and eligibility requirements can change. Always confirm current terms, prices and restrictions directly with the travel provider before booking.