A good rule of thumb is that you must be at least 65 years of age to qualify for a senior discount; however, this is not something that varies by state. Instead, there are specific companies that have their own policies. For example, if you go to the movie theater, you might be able to get a senior citizen discount starting at age 55. Then, if you go to a local restaurant, you might realize that you cannot get a senior citizen discount until you are 65 years old. Furthermore, you can enroll in the AARP starting on your 50th birthday. Even though you might not be able to qualify for discounts until you get older, this is a good way to learn about some of the perks you can take advantage of.
One of the more popular discounts for senior citizens can be found at retail stores. If you are looking to go on a shopping spree, there are several discounts available to you. No matter what state in which you are located, you should be able to take advantage of these discounts.
If you like using Amazon, you might be able to qualify for a 50% discount on your Amazon Prime membership. If you spend a lot of time at CVS, you might be able to get an extra two percent back in ExtraBucks when you use your CVS ExtraCare Card. Home Depot will also give their senior citizens an extra price match guarantee. You might also get a discount on your purchase if you go to Ross, Michaels, and Kohl’s. The exact size of the discount can vary from 10 to 20 percent.
You might be interested in grocery store discounts if you like to cook. There are plenty of options available. For example, Food Lion will rotate the rewards and savings for their senior citizens every month. You might be able to customize them to meet your needs. If you go to Harris Teeter, you can save up to five percent on every purchase. Fred Meyer provides you with a 10 percent discount on select items. If you go to Safeway, a special rewards program for seniors allows you to increase your savings. This is quite helpful with rising grocery prices across the country.
You may also qualify for some special discounts at restaurants. Across the board, numerous restaurants have 10 percent discounts for senior citizens, no matter what state you are in. Some restaurants that provide a 10 percent senior discount include Bubba Gump Shrimp, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's, Joe's Crab Shack, Landry's Seafood, McCormick & Schmick's, Outback Steakhouse, and Rainforest Cafe. It is important to remember that most of these discounts do not include alcoholic beverages. Always ask to see if there is an additional special deal going on for senior citizens.
Many other businesses offer senior discounts as well. Movie theaters, car rental companies, parks, museums, and hotels may all offer a deal to seniors. It is worth looking at a business before you use it to see if any of these discounts apply.
Some states offer their services to seniors as well. For example, New York and Washington offer free parking at state parks with only a state-issued ID necessary to claim this benefit. Alabama residents can utilize a senior discount for 15% off overnight stays at sites managed by the Alabama State Park system.