Senior Travel - Information for the senior traveler

AARP
As you approach your 50th birthday you're likely to receive a mailing from AARP -- the American Association of Retired Persons -- one of the first opportunities you'll have to start benefiting from senior travel discounts. An AARP membership is a bargain at only $12.50/year as it entitles you to discounts at an extensive network of hotels, car rental agencies and other travel providers, *plus* the minimum age is only 50! A two-year membership is $21, and a three-year membership is $29.50. For more information about joining AARP and the travel discounts your membership will entitle you to, see the AARP area on America Online (keyword: AARP) or call AARP at 800-424-3410.

Airline Discounts
Be sure to ask about any senior discounts that might save you a few dollars. While most airlines have discontinued senior coupon booklets, some U.S. and international airlines still offer a 10% senior discount off of regularly published fares. Some also have special senior fares such as Southwest Airlines, which offers senior fares on all of its flights (discounts are based on mileage flown). Occasionally airlines will also offer special promotional sales and discounts for seniors.

Hotel Discounts
Many national hotel chains including offer special senior discounts ranging from 10-50% off regular rates. Minimum age requirements vary. While most require proof of age, some also require proof of membership in AARP. Others require memberships in their own senior clubs to obtain the discounts. Some hotels even offer "senior-friendly" rooms which are specifically equipped with lever door handles, brighter lighting and easy-to-read alarm clocks and telephones.

Car Discounts
Most of the major car rental agencies will offer seniors a 5-10% discount. Minimum age requirements vary by agency, and some require AARP membership. You might do better with a AAA discount or special frequent flyer promotion.

Also keep in mind that some car rental agencies do have maximum age requirements, which you should ask about when you call for reservations.

Train Discounts
Amtrak offers travelers 62 and older a 15% discount on all fares, including sale and All Aboard fares which allow multiple stops. The discount is not valid on the auto-train or first-class accommodations. For more information call Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL. Several European rail passes also offer discounts for seniors. See the Rail Pass article for more information.

Bus Discounts
Greyhound has a 10% discount off full fare tickets if you're 55 or older. Call 800-231-2222 for details.

Elderhostel
Elderhostel is an incredible bargain for travelers 55 and older who want a learning vacation. For as little as $50 a day you can take an Elderhostel vacation which includes room, meals, classes and meeting lots of fun and interesting people. Most Elderhostelers are very enthusiastic about the trips they have taken with this non-profit organization. For more information call Elderhostel toll free at 877-426-8056 or write them at. You can also reach them online at http://www.elderhostel.org/.
Sign up early for the trips you want -- they fill quickly!

National Parks
For only $10 you can buy a lifetime Golden Age Passport if you're 62 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. It entitles you to free admission at all national parks, monuments, forest and recreational areas. Plus, anyone traveling with you in the same vehicle gets in free!

The Golden Age Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as fees for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours.

Golden Age Passports are available at any national park. For more information write to the National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013 or visit their Web site at: http://www.nps.gov. Many major tourist attractions such as Disney World also offer senior discounts. Just remember to ask for a senior discount before paying any entrance fees.

Newsletters & More
For more information about senior travel discounts, the book " Unbelievably Good Deals & Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50, 2002-2003 ," is a great bargain for only $14.95.

There are also several newsletters that feature information about senior discounts. The Mature Traveler's Book of Deals is full of tips and discounts for the senior traveler, and includes many travel deals for seniors. Best Fares is a discount travel magazine with a separate senior discounts section. A subscription costs $59.95/year. Call (800) 576-1234 for details.

Other Senior Guides