YOU MUST ASK for your discount:

Senior citizen discounts are one of the few truly great perks that come with getting older. You can start collecting senior discounts from some stores as soon as you turn 50, so you might begin saving before you even qualify for retirement! To help you keep track of all the deals, we’ve compiled a handy senior discounts list.

Be aware that for many of these businesses, the senior discount varies by location. Before heading out on a shopping spree, call your local store to ask about the discounts for seniors on offer. (This can be a helpful strategy when it comes to birthday freebies and military discounts, too.)

Senior Discounts Are Disappearing

Cheaper prices for senior citizens have been around for decades, but it seems like retailers are slowly phasing them out. In some cases — such as the Publix grocery chain — the stores are allegedly changing tactics to provide better savings all around. However, other retailers — like Verizon and Gap brands — have simply dropped their senior discounts altogether.

In another sweeping move, many brands are allowing individual franchisees to decide whether to provide senior citizen discounts at all. This is why you’ll find different locations offering a variety of savings. For instance, you might see one of your local restaurants give you a higher percentage off than the same restaurant across town.

The Best Senior Citizen Discounts

Note that some entries are marked with an asterisk (*). These discounts have not been confirmed by the vendor, but have been reported by multiple news outlets. Always check with your local store first.

Store | Amount | EligibilityNotes

  • A&W | 10%Varies | Check your local store for details
  • Ace Hardware | Varies60+ | Check your local store for details
  • Albertsons* | 10% off on the first Wednesday of the month55+ | Check your local store for details
  • AMC Theatres | Varies60+ | Check your local theater for details
  • Amtrak | 10%65+ | See website for details
  • Applebee’s* | 10% to 15%60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Arby’s* | 10%, or discounted drink55+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • AT&T | $29.99 Senior Nation plan65+ | See website for details
  • Back Yard Burgers* | Free drink with purchase | VariesCheck your local restaurant for details
  • Bealls* | 20% off every Tuesday50+ | Join Club 50 Plus in-store
  • Ben & Jerry’s* | 10%60+ | Check your local store for details
  • Best Western | 10%55+ | See website for details
  • BI-LO | 5%60+ | Check your local store for details
  • Big Boy Restaurants* | Varies60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Bonefish Grill | 10% | —Must have current AARP membership card
  • Boston Market* | Varies65+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Burger King* | 10%, with additional discounts on soft drinks and coffee60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • C-Town Supermarkets | Varies | Check your local store for details
  • Carl’s Jr.* | 10%, or discounted drink55+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Carrabba’s | 10% | —Must have current AARP membership card
  • Chick-fil-A* | Varies | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Chili’s* | 10%55+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Choice Hotels | 10%60+ | See website for details
  • Church’s Chicken | Varies65+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Cicis | Varies 65+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Cinemark | Varies 62+ | Check your local theater for details
  • Continental Hotels | Varies62+ | See website for details
  • Cricket Wireless | $20 rebate | —Must be current AARP member; see website for details
  • Denny’s | Special menu55+ | See website for details
  • Dressbarn | Varies55+ | Check your local store for details
  • Dunkin’ Donuts* | Varies55+ | Check your local store for details
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels* | 10% off baker’s dozen60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • El Pollo Loco | 10%60+ | See website for details
  • Fazoli’s* | Special menu62+ | Join Club 62 in-store
  • Fred Meyer | 10% 55+ | Check your local store for details
  • Fuddruckers* | 10% 55+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Golden Corral* | Varies 60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Goodwill Retail Stores* | Varies 60+ | Check your local store for details
  • Great Clips | Varies 65+ | Check your local salon for details
  • Greyhound | 5% 62+ | See website for details
  • Hallmark* | Varies 55+ | Check your local store for details
  • Hardee’s* | 10%, or 33-cent drinks60+ | Check your local restaurant for details
  • IHOP | Special menu 55+ | See website for detailsInter
  • Jack in the Box | Up to 20%, but discounts vary by location55+Check your local restaurant for details
  • Jiffy Lube Service Center  | Varies55+  | Check your local shop for details
  • KFC  | Varies 55+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Kohl’s  | 15% off every Wednesday60+  | See website for details
  • Long John Silver’s*  | Varies 55+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Luby’s*  | Varies 55+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Marriott Hotels  | 15% 62+  | See website for details
  • McDonald’s*  | Discounted coffee every dayVaries  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • National Parks  | $20 annual pass or $80 lifetime pass 62+  | See website for details
  • Pep Boys  | 10% 55+  | Check your local store for details
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen*  | 10% 55+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Regal Cinemas  | Varies 60+  | Check your local theater for details
  • Ross Dress for Less  | 10% off every Tuesday 55+  | Sign up for the Every Tuesday Club in-store
  • Roto-Rooter*  | 10% 55+  | Check with your local provider for details
  • Salvation Army Thrift Stores*  | Varies 55+  | Check your local store for details
  • Schlotzsky’s*  | 10% 60+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Sonic Drive-In*  | 10%, or free drink 60+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Sprint  | $35 per line, per month plan 55+  | See website for details
  • Subway*  | 10% 60+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Supercuts  | 10% off at corporate locations 60+  | Check your local salon for details
  • Taco Bell*  | 5% and free drink65+  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • TCBY*  | 10% 55+  | Check your local shop for details
  • Waffle House  | Varies Varies  | Check your local restaurant for details
  • Walgreens  | 20% off on the first Tuesday of every month 55+  | Check your local store for details
  • Wendy’s*  | Varies 55+  | Check your local restaurant for details

Readers, what are your favorite stores for senior discounts? Did we leave a retailer off our list? Let us know in the comments!

SOURCE: Deal News (Julie Ramhold)