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Ferret out those senior discounts

Deals and discounts are available in many restaurants, stores and public transit systems, so be sure to ask.

By JOAN RATTNER HEILMAN
Published June 27, 2006

Although many airlines have abandoned their 10 percent senior discounts as well as the senior coupon books that saved older passengers a fortune, there are still plenty of special privileges out there for people of a certain age.

Southwest Airlines is the now the good guy among U.S. carriers. Its senior fares for passengers 65 and older are available on every flight. These tickets are discounted by 20 to 70 percent and are capped at $129 one way.

What's more, they are fully refundable, exchangeable and may be canceled without penalty before the scheduled departure.

What most Americans don't know is that the majority of foreign airlines take 10 percent off most non-promotional fares for travelers age 60 or 62. Sometimes these carriers will offer that discount for a younger companion.

Among these airlines: Austrian, Cathay Pacific, Cayman, El Al, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Virgin Atlantic.

Amtrak offers 15 percent for those at least 62. Greyhound gives 5 percent, and just about every commuter railroad in the country offers seniors varying discounts from the regular adult fare (typically 50 percent), although sometimes only in off-peak periods.

In Pennsylvania, you ride for free on public transit trains and buses at appointed times after age 65.

(For details, check the carrier's Web site - on a search engine, type in the name and the word homepage - or call toll-free 1-800-555-1212 and ask for the carrier's number.)

Hungry travelers can eat for less at such national chains as Applebee's, Arby's, Wendy's, Boston Market and International House of Pancakes. For a discounted cup of coffee, turn up at a company-owned Burger King before 10:30 a.m. Some McDonald's locations make the same offer.

In addition to the discounts at most every hotel, motel and museum, older travelers should ask if they plan to head to a golf course or ski area. Sometimes these discounts are limited to certain days or times.

You also can get discounts at such national chains as Kohl's on its special Senior Days, at Ross Dress for Less on Tuesdays, and at Banana Republic any day of the week.

Even some grocery and specialty food stores are getting into the act.

Words of advice

* Always ask whether there is a senior discount or other privilege, wherever you go. It's a rare ticket agent or sales clerk who's going to volunteer the discount.

* The time to request any discount is when you order or make reservations Don't wait until you are paying your bill.

* Don't settle for a senior discount before asking for the best available rate; a sale price available to anyone often may be better than the senior discount.

* Not every location in a chain of hotels, restaurants or shops offers the same benefit. Again, ask ahead of time.

* Be prepared to show proof of age.

--Joan Rattner Heilman is the author of the annual guidebook, Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50 (McGraw-Hill, $16.95).

[Last modified June 27, 2006, 07:03:13]