Discounts for People Over 50

I'm not over 50, but I know a few that are!

This compiled list of discounts, some starting as young as 50 years old, was taken from a Facebook share. The original Facebook post is here, and the text of it is also pasted below the image. Enjoy!

As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy's recently,I heard him ask for his senior discount. The girl at the register apologized and charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that seniors over age 55 ...get 10% off everything on the menu, every day. (But you need to ASK for your discount.)

Being of 'that' age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too. This incident prompted me to do some research, and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements. I was actually surprised to see how many there are and howsome of them start at the young age of 50. This list may not only be useful for you, but for your friends and family too.

Dunkin' Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55 .
If you're paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for FREE.

YOU must ASK for your discount !

RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

CAR RENTAL:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

NOW, go out there and claim your discounts - - and remember -- YOU must ASK for discount ---- no ask, no discount.

Übercheap Weekend Getaway to San Francisco

The fabulous deal I got on next weeks trip happened like this. I went to United's e-fare website, where they post weekend deals every Tuesday morning. I found Santa Barbara (SBA) to San Francisco (SFO) for $74, round-trip. We'll leave Saturday around noon, and come back Monday around noon. The total price came to a little over $100 for each ticket, after taxes. Still, that's $100 for a round-trip ticket!

The hotel came through Priceline. Just like on TV, I bid a ridiculously low price for a 4-star hotel in San Francisco. The first bid was $50, which was declined. But Priceline said I could raise my bid by $14 and bid again. So I did, and it was accepted. So Saturday and Sunday night, we'll stay at the Hyatt Regency, for $64 each night. $155 after taxes.

And the rental car. I went back to United and used their offer for Hertz. A midsize car was $55 for two days, taxes and everything included. Plus we get a ton of United miles.

And then I went to Restaurant.com, typed in a zip code for San Francisco, and bought a few gift certificates for restaurants on Fisherman's Wharf.

The only thing I don't have are the Broncos/Raiders football tickets for Sunday!

I wonder how many people wait for "something" in the Premier Check-In line?

Leaving Bismarck, we stood in the line marked "Premier/First Class" to check-in for our flight. The regular line only had about 5 people in it, but I like to use my Premier perks whenever I can.

Except it meant nothing to the ladies at the check-in counter. They processed everyone else first. Even people that got in the Economy line AFTER us.

After she finished processing everyone else and I was invited to step forward, I asked if there was any difference between the regular line and Premier line. She said (wait for it), "I didn't know if you  were waiting for something else." Apparently, a lot of people like to stand in the Premier line at the United Check-In counter at 5am in Bismarck, while they wait for "something else." And then she informed me that she was "new." Holy smokes. I think she might be under-qualified for the job.

Award Ticket Fees Dropped by United Airlines

Somewhere in route, I was checking tweets on my Blackberry, and noticed a fabulous one from United Airlines. United is dropping all close-in award ticket fees! Yay! Previously, if you booked an award ticket, the closer you were to the travel date, the more it cost. Not free, folks. It could be up to $100! And now, it's free. I could come see you tomorrow, for free. Free is my favorite price.

United Airlines
United Airlines Mileage Plus
United Airlines Twitter : @UnitedAirlines

A Tour of the Western United States

To use our award tickets, the only routing we could get was from Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS) to Denver (DEN) to Bismarck (BIS). We left at 6am, and arrived in Bismarck around 3pm. Anyway, it was free, so I don't really have any complaints.

Shopping at LAS is far better than the shopping at LAX. Man, I could spend a day and a pretty penny in that airport.

United Mileage Plus and Radisson Goldpoints Plus

From June 4-13, 2009, I stayed at the Radisson Inn & Suites in Colorado Springs. At check-in, I requested that my stay be credited to my United Mileage Plus account, like a good girl. The standard United offer for Radisson is 500 miles per stay, no matter how long that stay is. Better than nothing.

But wait! The gentlemen at the front counter recommended I join their Gold Points Plus program. I'm hesitant to join anything membership program that could distract me from becoming the queen of United flight miles, but I listened anyway. He said I'd earn way more than the 500 miles per stay if I collected the points on the Gold Plus card, and then converted them later. So I joined, and he gave me (another) plastic card.

The points I earned were stacked:

I got 17,040 points by earning 20 points per dollar spent.
I got 5,000 points for their 5000 Points 5th Night bonus.
I got 9,000 points for their 1000 Points Per Night promotion.

I earned 31,040 Gold Points on my stay.

I logged into the Gold Points Plus website to transfer my miles. 2000 points gets you 250 United miles. So I traded 30,000 points for 3750 United miles. Not too shabby for no work at all.

Current United Miles: 118,428

The Red Carpet is for me!

I finally broke the 100,000 mile threshold with United's Mileage Plus plan!! And I have 30 Elite Qualifying Segments. Which makes me a "Premier" member. And you know what that means? Of course not, so I'll tell you.

1. I am now exempt from baggage fees. $15 for the first bag? $25 for the second? Over weight fees? Not here. I will pack as outfits as I want, and fill my bags with as many souvenirs as I choose, and I will never be charged. (Yes, I know if you're military on orders, they won't charge you.)

2. 25% more miles. Oooh, I have 100,000 miles already, and they are making it easier to get more... This is kind of like how movie stars get swag bags full of stuff they already have. Ha! Anyway, so now my 1000 mile flight now earns 1250 miles. AND it includes Lufthansa flights, which is my favorite airline.

3. Priority wait and standby. Have you ever flown standby, and wondered how you kept getting bumped farther and farther down the list? It's because Premier passengers like me are requesting to fly standby, and pushing you down the list. Don't hate. I spent more than my fair share of time hanging out in LAX because I could not get on a standby flight. It's my turn.

4. Premier check-in and boarding. You know that line with the red carpet? That's for me.

5. Automatic and free upgrades to the next class of service, if available. So if there is an empty seat in First Class, I automatically get it, even though I bought the back-of-the-plane-and-the-seats-don't-recline seat. And I automatically get Economy Plus, no matter what, if the plane has it (those are the extra-legroom seats).

6. And best of all, all these little luxuries apply to anyone flying with me!! If we're on the same itinerary, we all get bumped up. I told you I would never forget my friends on my rise to the top!

And you may think it's all because I've been flying back and forth to see James, and while that's part of it, that's not even close to the majority of miles I earned.

I have the Chase United Visa DEBIT card. So even my debit card transactions earn me miles. I also have the Chase United Visa CREDIT card.

I shop at Vons/Safeway, and with their Club Card, I earn miles there too (I had to link my United Mileage Plus number to my Von's card).

If I'm buying something online, I check the United Mileage Plus Mall - some of those stores earn 10 to 1 on the miles (spend $20, get 200 miles). A great deal if you were going to buy it anyway.

And finally, I do exclusively fly on United. They are usually the cheapest anyway, and they have the best schedules and fly into nearly every airport. I always check eBay for a United coupon before I book. People are always selling those vouchers they get for getting bumped. I can pay $20 and get a $100 voucher. It's like trading a $20 bill for a $100 bill.
Be careful of changing your itinerary, the fee is now $150 to do that. For you. Not for me. I'm Premier baby. I can change it whenever I want.

Roll out that red carpet!!!