9 of the Most Surprising Senior Discounts Out There

Seniors can generally get discounts on loads of things. Yet most of the ones we hear about tend to be for purchases at restaurants, supermarkets and the movies.

Not that there’s anything wrong with those discounts! But a savvy senior will stretch retirement income by looking for savings across the board.

Here are some money-saving options that don’t get as much attention.

1. Ancestry

Yearning to know more about your family history? AARP members can get 30% off the first year of an All Access or World Explorer subscription to Ancestry.com.

Already have an account with Ancestry? You can still get the 30% off when you renew an annual subscription.

2. Pet insurance

Members of two older-person action groups can get discounts on medical coverage for Fido and Fluffy.

Fetch Pet Insurance offers a 10% discount for AARP members. The insurer covers 100% of sick-pet visits, all teeth (not just the canines) and breed-specific issues or conditions.

Spot Pet Insurance gives Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) members “up to a 20% discount” on premiums, which translates to 10% off the first policy plus 10% off each other pet in your household. You can use any licensed veterinarian in the United States or Canada, and there’s also a 24/7 telehealth helpline.

Before you buy, think about whether this coverage is right for you. Find out more at “When Does Pet Insurance Really Pay Off? We Did the Math”

3. Zipcar

Need a vehicle for just a little while, either in your home city or while traveling? Zipcar can help. The car-sharing service offers reservations by the day, hour or even minute in certain metro areas in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Your AARP membership gets you $20 off the annual Zipcar membership fee. If you’re a new customer, you’ll also get $40 in driving credit.

4. Great Clips

Want to trim your beauty costs? Great Clips offers discount haircuts for men and women aged 65 or older. That’s just for haircuts; you won’t get a price break on other services or styling products.

Be sure to mention this discount before the cashier rings you up. It’s good any day of the week; however, the website notes that this deal is good “at participating salons,” so call before you go.

5. Floral delivery

Both AARP and AMAC offer discounts to seniors who want to send flowers or gifts to family or friends.

AARP has two special offers: You’ll get 25% off flowers and 30% off certain other items when ordering through FTD or from ProFlowers.

AMAC membership gets you 20% off flowers and gifts when buying from 1-800-Flowers.com.

6. Scenic train rides

You may already know about Amtrak’s 10% senior discount. This time around, we’re talking scenic trains. Beautiful rides, like the Pacific Surfliner’s dreamy tour of six Southern California counties or the Alaska Railroad’s gorgeous crawl between Anchorage and Fairbanks (and other interesting points in between). Or it might be a train ride that combines stunning vistas with historic interest, such as the Grand Canyon Railway or the Nevada Northern Railway.

Discounts vary depending on the rail line, but most tend to be around 10% to 15%. Age limits also differ but are typically ages 62 to 65.

Learn more at “13 Trains That Offer Senior Discounts.”

7. Airfare

Remember all that traveling you swore you’d do when you retired? The rising cost of airline tickets can make you rethink that wanderlust. However, select senior discounts can still be obtained via four airlines: Delta, United, British Airways and American.

These aren’t across-the-board or guaranteed price breaks, though. For example, you need an AARP membership to get discounts on select British Airways trips, and you’d have to call Delta reservations to get their deal rather than booking online.

Still, even a relatively small discount can make a big difference.

8. State parks

Sure, our country’s national parks are great (and so are the discounts they offer). But have you checked out any state parks lately? You can view gorgeous scenery, learn about our country’s history, go hiking or fishing, or even look for diamonds.

Some state park systems offer deals to those who’ve reached ages 60 to 65. Discounts vary but include day use, campsites, cottages and golfing fees. Depending on the location, you’ll save as much as 50% on entry and/or amenities – and you might even get in for free.

Learn the specifics at “15 State Park Systems That Offer Senior Discounts” and have a great trip.

9. Wine

Both AARP and AMAC are at it again, offering these price breaks:

AARP has a deal with Naked Wines to get you $120 off your first box of wine (an order of $139.99 or more). You’ll also get an extra $60 in annual wine credits for future purchases.

AMAC has an introductory special to the American Cellars Wine Club: four bottles of wine for $29.98 plus a penny for shipping. After that, you’ll pay $9.99 for shipping and any applicable taxes.