Take Advantage of These Seven Senior Discount Cards and Memberships

1. Prescription Discount Cards

Often, aging comes with new health concerns, which can increase the amount of medications seniors take. It’s no secret that paying for prescription medications can be a struggle for many older folks. Many have to choose between food and their medications. So, they skip or ration medications, which can be detrimental to their overall health and well-being.

According to Gallup, 11 percent of adults aged 65 and older, which is an astounding 6 million people, have admitted that they or a family member did not take their prescribed pills in order to save money.1

This is where prescription discount cards can be of great assistance. Obtaining one is easy; all you have to do is sign up on a company’s website. Another bonus is that prescription discount cards are usually completely free.

Whether you take multiple medications per day or a couple times per year, having a discount card can help your wallet and give you peace of mind, especially if your insurance plan has a high deductible.

2. AARP Membership Card Discount Benefits

Another great way to save in all areas of your life is to sign up for an AARP Membership card. This well-respected organization offers older adults an extensive list of discounts across the board. Some of the vast array of AARP membership discounts include:

• Travel: Savings on hotels, rental cars, and cruises with major brands like Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Avis, and British Airways.
• Dining: AARP discounts at restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, and Carrabba's Italian Grill.
• Technology and entertainment: Savings on cell phone plans, electronics, tickets to movies at AMC, Regal, and Cinemark, and live events. They also offer free admission to AARP’s Movies for Grownups online screenings for members.
• Health and wellness: Discounts on vision exams, eyewear, hearing care, and prescriptions for the whole family through the AARP Prescription Discounts Card.
• Insurance plans: Get offers on health care, Medicare, life insurance, pet insurance, property insurance, and vehicle insurance.

AARP offers a variety of publications, online games, and other resources to empower its members. With nearly 38 million members, AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to older Americans. They empower seniors to live their best life as they age.

3. Amazon Prime Access

Nothing beats the instant gratification of next day delivery, which is why this Amazon Prime membership made our list!

Prime Access is a discounted Prime membership that costs $6.99 per month for qualifying low-income or government-assistance households or income-verified customers.

Older adults who are in qualifying government assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may qualify for this discounted Amazon membership.

To find out more about Amazon Prime senior discount membership cards, check out our video below.

4. Restaurant Exclusives

Many seniors prefer dining out in retirement rather than cooking at home, which makes restaurant discounts and membership cards especially useful.  While some chains offer special menus for older diners, several popular national restaurants provide reliable discounts.

Common nationwide restaurant deals for seniors include:

• Denny's and IHOP offer dedicated 55+ menus with specially priced items designed for older diners.
• Several major restaurant chains honor AARP members with a 10 percent discount on food purchases, such as Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill. (Denny’s offers more than 10 percent off for AARP members.)
• Golden Corral provides discounts for diners aged 60 and over, though the specific percentage varies by location and time of day.

These programs make dining out more affordable for seniors while maintaining access to quality meals at popular restaurant chains.

5. Annual Senior Pass or Lifetime Pass for National Parks

If you love to travel or take cross-country road trips, the National Park Service offers seniors ages 62 and over a Lifetime Pass and an Annual Senior Pass. The Lifetime Pass has a one-time cost of $80, while the Annual Senior Pass costs $20 per year. Note that a $10 processing fee is added if you purchase either pass online or by mail.

Plus, those who have purchased the Annual Senior Passes in the past can use them toward a Lifetime Pass. You can exchange four expired Annual Senior Passes for a Lifetime Pass at no additional charge. You can also upgrade a current Annual Pass to a Lifetime Pass by paying the $60 difference in person at a park.

With senior passes, your traveling companions can also enter any National Park and more than 2,000 federal recreation sites completely free of charge. You must be in a private, noncommercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee sites. If you’re at a per-person fee site, the pass admits the senior plus up to three adults. Kids under 16 are free. 

Senior Passes also provide pass owners significant discounts on Expanded Amenity Fees, such as for camping, swimming, and guided tours. All you have to do is show proof of eligibility.

6. SilverSneakers Membership

For those who are invested in maintaining an active lifestyle to promote healthy aging, many Medicare Advantage plans include SilverSneakers memberships to adults 65 and older. Adults under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability may also be eligible.

SilverSneakers is very popular and you can find locations throughout the U.S. They provide a variety of online classes and workshops, too. Through partnerships with major fitness chains, some YMCAs, and many independent gyms, members can take advantage of facilities, amenities, and classes at no additional cost. All you have to do is show your membership card to start your fitness journey.

7. Transportation Card for Seniors

Many states and localities offer special transportation cards or programs for seniors that provide free transit or reduced fares. In major metropolitan areas, seniors can find significant discounts or free rides.

For example, these cities and communities across the country offer various programs:

• New York City: Seniors can apply for a Reduced-Fare OMNY Card that provides discounted rides on MTA transit.
• Chicago: Seniors 65+ can get reduced-fare permits for CTA services, or free rides through Illinois's Benefit Access Program (BAP) for eligible residents.
• Los Angeles: Seniors 62+ can obtain a Reduced-Fare TAP card on Metro buses and rail.
• Boston: Seniors 65+ can apply for a Senior CharlieCard, reducing fares and monthly passes by about 50 percent.
• Seattle: Seniors 65+ can get a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) through the ORCA card system for Sound Transit services.
• Montgomery County, Maryland: All Ride On buses are free for all riders.
• Ann Arbor, Michigan: Seniors aged 65 and older can ride buses on TheRide system for free.

These examples show that whether you live in a bustling city or a smaller community, there are transportation savings to be found. The key is to check with your local transit authority or senior center to see what programs are available.

Final Thoughts

As we age, many different factors come into play that change our day-to-day routines. Utilizing senior discount cards and memberships helps older adults continue to live life to the fullest while getting the most bang for their buck.

From traveling to dining, from partaking in your favorite aerobics class to getting the medication you need, there are ways to save everywhere. You just have to keep your eyes peeled!

To learn more about senior discounts, check out our video below.