Bruce Goldwell Enterprise
Senior Vet Discounts

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Travel Savings Guide

Senior & Veteran Travel Discounts

Before booking a train, hotel, rental car or vacation, check whether your age, Veteran status or membership qualifies you for a better rate.

Do Seniors and Veterans Get Travel Discounts?

Yes. Seniors and Veterans may qualify for discounts on trains, hotels, rental cars and other travel, but there is no single universal travel discount.

Each travel provider establishes its own eligibility requirements, discount amounts and restrictions.

The key is to check before you book.

BEFORE YOU CLICK “BOOK”

Ask:

“Do you offer a Senior, Veteran or Military rate?”

Travel Discounts Can Add Up Quickly

A restaurant discount may save a few dollars.

Travel purchases can involve hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

That makes checking your eligibility before booking especially important.

Check Before Booking

  • Trains
  • Hotels
  • Rental cars
  • Cruises
  • Vacation packages
  • Tours
  • Attractions
  • Local transportation

Current National Program

Amtrak Senior Discount

Amtrak currently offers travelers age 65 and older a 10% discount on most rail fares on most Amtrak trains.

On qualifying cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, the Senior threshold is age 60 and older.

Proof of age is required.

Amtrak Senior — What to Know

  • Age 65+ on most U.S. service
  • Age 60+ on qualifying cross-border service
  • 10% off most rail fares
  • Most Amtrak trains
  • Proof of age required
  • Sleeping accommodation charges are excluded
  • Additional restrictions apply

Veteran Savings

Amtrak Veteran Discount

Amtrak currently offers U.S. Military Veterans 10% savings on eligible rail fares.

Active-duty Military members and certain Military family members also qualify under Amtrak's Military discount program.

Veteran + Senior?

If you qualify for both, do not assume the two discounts can be combined.

Ask which eligible fare provides the best final price.

Compare the fare before booking.

Hotel Example

IHG Senior Hotel Rates

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently offers qualifying IHG One Rewards members age 62+ access to discounted Senior Rates at participating hotels.

Eligible members of a valid retired-persons organization may also qualify under the current terms.

Discount amounts vary by hotel, length of stay and booking time.

IHG — What to Know

  • Age 62+
  • IHG One Rewards membership
  • Participating hotels
  • Discount varies
  • Availability restrictions
  • Blackout dates may apply
  • Not generally combined with another discounted rate

Don't Assume the Senior Rate Is the Lowest Hotel Rate

A hotel may display several prices for the same room.

Those can include:

Standard Rate

The normal flexible room rate.

Senior Rate

A qualifying age-based rate.

Military Rate

A rate for qualifying Military or Veteran travelers.

Member Rate

Loyalty-program pricing.

Advance Purchase

Often lower but sometimes less flexible or nonrefundable.

Promotion

A temporary offer may beat the regular Senior rate.

COMPARE THE FINAL PRICE.

A special label does not always mean the lowest rate.

AARP Travel Benefits

AARP currently provides members access to a variety of travel savings and benefits.

Current categories include hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and other travel services.

These are membership benefits, not automatically Senior discounts.

Current AARP Travel Categories

  • Hotels
  • Rental cars
  • Cruises
  • Vacation packages
  • Tours
  • Travel planning

Rental Car Discounts

Rental cars are another area where membership pricing can create substantial savings.

AARP currently lists discounts from participating rental car providers including Avis and Budget.

Current offers can vary based on whether you pay now or later, location, vehicle and dates.

Before Renting

  • Compare member rates
  • Compare Military/Veteran rates
  • Compare promotional codes
  • Compare Pay Now vs Pay Later
  • Check taxes and fees
  • Check cancellation rules

What About Airline Discounts?

Airline Senior and Veteran discounts are less standardized than some train or hotel programs.

Some airlines may offer special Military fares, baggage benefits or other services, but these can depend on Military status, route, fare type and travel circumstances.

Do not assume every airline offers an age-based Senior fare.

Ask About More Than Fare

Military-related travel benefits may include:

  • Special fares
  • Baggage allowances
  • Boarding benefits
  • Change flexibility
  • Leisure travel offers

Verify current airline rules before booking.

Cruises & Vacation Packages

Cruise pricing changes frequently, making comparison especially important.

A Senior, Veteran or membership offer may be useful, but another promotion may include more valuable extras.

Compare the Whole Package

  • Cruise fare
  • Onboard credit
  • Beverage packages
  • Wi-Fi
  • Gratuities
  • Excursions
  • Cabin category

Sometimes the Best Travel Benefit Is Not a Discount

Saving money matters.

But when traveling after 60, assistance, convenience and reduced stress can sometimes be worth even more.

Travelers may be able to request assistance at airports, train stations, cruise terminals and other transportation facilities.

Consider Asking About

  • Wheelchair assistance
  • Mobility assistance
  • Boarding assistance
  • Baggage help
  • Accessible transportation
  • Extra connection time

More Than Discounts

The Smart Senior Travel Guide

Saving money is only one part of traveling well after 60.

The Smart Senior Travel Guide by Bruce Goldwell focuses on how older travelers can get better treatment, experience less stress and receive more help simply by knowing what to ask for and how to ask.

It covers airlines, TSA, cruises, transportation, missed connections, trains, theme parks and practical travel scripts.

Travel Smarter After 60

Learn how to:

  • Ask for assistance clearly
  • Reduce travel stress
  • Handle delays and disruptions
  • Navigate airports and cruises
  • Know what words to use
EXPLORE BOOKS FOR SENIORS

Before You Book: Use This Checklist

  • Check the regular price first.
  • Check the Senior rate.
  • Check the Veteran or Military rate.
  • Check loyalty-member pricing.
  • Check AARP or other membership benefits.
  • Check current promotions.
  • Compare cancellation terms.
  • Compare taxes and fees.
  • Check whether the rate can be changed or refunded.
  • Compare the final total.

Don't Chase the Biggest Percentage

A 20% discount is not automatically better than a 10% discount.

The starting price matters.

Fees matter.

Cancellation rules matter.

Included benefits matter.

COMPARE THE FINAL VALUE.

Not just the percentage.

Traveling as Both a Veteran and a Senior?

You may qualify for more than one type of travel savings.

But those discounts often cannot be combined.

That means your best strategy is comparison.

Ask This

“I qualify as both a Veteran and a Senior. Which available rate gives me the best total price?”

Travel Is Another Reason to Use a Shopping ZIP

Senior Vet Discounts is being designed so your home ZIP does not limit you when you travel.

The planned app will allow users to temporarily change their Shopping ZIP while away from home.

That means you can look for nearby restaurants, stores and other businesses at your destination.

Example

Home: Florida

Vacation: Tennessee

Change the Shopping ZIP and search the businesses around where you are staying.

When you return home, switch back.

Explore More Ways to Save

Books for Seniors

Explore Bruce Goldwell's practical guides to Senior savings, benefits and smarter travel after 60.

Books for Seniors →

Senior Vet Discounts App

Find nearby businesses while traveling, check potential discount information, and remember to ask before you pay.

APP COMING SOON

Travel Discount FAQ

Do Seniors get travel discounts?

Yes. Some rail companies, hotels, rental car companies and membership programs offer Senior rates or savings.

What is the Amtrak Senior discount?

Amtrak currently offers passengers age 65 and older a 10% discount on most rail fares on most trains. The threshold is age 60 on qualifying cross-border Amtrak/VIA Rail service.

Does Amtrak give Veterans a discount?

Yes. Amtrak currently offers qualifying U.S. Military Veterans a 10% discount on eligible rail fares.

At what age can I get a hotel Senior discount?

There is no universal hotel age. Some companies use age 60, 62, 65 or another threshold. IHG currently uses age 62+ for its qualifying Senior Rate.

Does AARP offer travel discounts?

Yes. AARP currently offers members travel benefits involving hotels, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises and other participating travel providers.

Should I automatically choose the Senior or Veteran rate?

No. Compare the special rate with loyalty, promotional, prepaid and refundable rates before booking.

Can I combine Senior and Veteran travel discounts?

Do not assume discounts can be combined. Ask which eligible rate provides the best total price.

BEFORE YOU BOOK THE ROOM.

BEFORE YOU RESERVE THE CAR.

BEFORE YOU BUY THE TICKET.

Check.

YOU MAY ALREADY QUALIFY FOR A BETTER RATE.

Page reviewed: August 29, 2026.

Important: Travel rates, discount percentages, age requirements, Military eligibility, participating locations, availability, blackout dates and booking restrictions can change. Senior Vet Discounts does not guarantee that any particular travel discount will be available. Always verify the current offer and cancellation terms directly with the travel provider before booking.