According to Statistics Canada, the Golden years of retirement have become more golden. While some Canadians’ savvy savings and pension plans have helped people 54+ maintain pre-retirement lifestyles. While it’s great to retire early, 65 and sometimes 55 seems to be the magic numbers to unlock numerous everyday discounts! While you may be aware of some of the more common senior discounts, like breakfast deals, CAA and CARP, there are plenty of other discounts for seniors that you might not be aware of. American Standard uncovers more ways to save money.
Common Senior Discounts
Auto Insurance: Most aging drivers don’t know that auto insurance is generally less expensive than before. Discover CAA’s innovative offerings like CAA MyPace™, Canada’s only pay-as-you-go payment plan, as well as other ways to save.
Banks: Many banks offer discounts for seniors, including free chequing accounts and free cheques. Ask your bank about special rates on savings accounts and bank services for adults (60+).
Barbers and Salons: Local barbers and salons provide great senior discounts that range from 10% to 20%. Some national chains offer discounts for seniors as well.
*First Choice Hair Cutters: Receive a 20% discount on all salon services and hair care products, Monday through Thursday (60+).
*Supercuts: Those 60 years old and older receive $2 off the regular adult price for a haircut.
Canadian Universities: many universities offer academic fee waivers for seniors, as well as other discounts and offerings (55+).
Enbridge: residential customers 65 or older, “Golden Age Service” program includes many benefits. Call to inquire.
Theaters/Cinemas: Most theaters offer discounts to seniors, but often for certain showing times. Special senior prices at movie theaters can range from discounts to special admission prices.
*Art Gallery of Ontario: Admission discounts Wednesdays (65+), free admission Wednesday evenings 6p-8:30p.
*Cineplex Cinemas: (SilverCity, Odeon, Coliseum) GeneralAdmission $8, $6 on Tuesdays (65+)
*Great Canadian Theatre Company: Individual Admission $35.77. (65+)
*Empire Theaters: General Admission $22 (60+)
*IMAX Theaters: General Admission $12, $9 on Tuesdays (60+)
*National Arts Centre: senior discounts for subscription to series (65+)
*Ottawa Little Theater: Individual Admission $8, $5.50 on Tuesdays. (65+)
*Science North: Senior discounts on exhibit and theater admission (65+)
*Theater Calgary: Senior Saturday Matinees on select shows (65+)
*Toronto Symphony Orchestra: save 25% on certain shows for CARP members only.
*Vancouver Art Gallery: 30% discount (65+).
*Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: discounts vary CARP members get 25% off (65+)
Museums: Most museums offer discounts for seniors but often for certain days or times. Be sure to ask prior to purchasing admission.
Senior Travel Discounts
Many individuals over the age of 55 are on the road to retirement and are likely starting to experience empty nest syndrome. What better time than the present to start traveling? There are numerous senior travel discounts available to those 55 and over.
Air Travel: Check with national firms like Hertz, National, Alamo, Enterprise and Budget. All of these dealerships have a discount program in place for seniors.
*Air Canada: 10% off base fares before taxes and surcharges (60+)
*American airlines: varies, see CARP website
*CheapOAir: discounts on select flight tickets to seniors (65+)
*First Air: Elders save 10% off with special fares promotion (55+)
Transportation: Check with your municipality for local discount programs in place for seniors.
*BC Ferries: BC residents 65+ can ride for free Monday through Thursday, but vehicle fare applies.
*BC Transportation: discounted fare rates and bus pass program for seniors (65+).
*Calgary Transit: apply for Senior Yearly Pass and Low Income Seniors Yearly Pass (65+)
*GO Transit: single-ride fare is 50% of adult single-ride fare (65+)
*Halifax Transit: offers every day fare discounts for seniors, and free rides every Tuesday (65+)
*OC Transpo: Seniors 65+ ride free all day every Wednesday and Sunday on all bus routes and O-Train.
*TTC: offers discounted fares and passes for seniors (65+)
*York Region Transit: seniors reduced rates for 10 tickets & monthly passes.
VIARail: Travelers 65 years of age and over are eligible to receive up to a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most ViaRail trains. CAA members save 20%.
Car Rental: Check with national firms like Hertz, National, Alamo, Enterprise and Budget. All of these dealerships have a discount program in place for seniors.
*Avis: 25% off for CARP members
*Budget Car Rental: up to 25% off for CARP members (50+)
*Hertz: Hertz’ 50 Plus Car Rental Program offers discounted rate and exclusive rental deals. CARP members may get up to 20% off promotional rates (50+)
*Thrifty Canada: offers 5% discounts (55+)
Cruise Lines: Most cruise lines offer discounts for seniors, including Carnival, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean (55+).
Hotel Discounts for Seniors: Many hotels offer a range of discounts for seniors. Before booking, we recommend calling the property ahead of time to see what rates they can offer you.
*Best Western: offers up to 15% (55+).
*Choice Hotel: 10% discount on select room reservations (60+).
*Holiday Inn Express: senior’s get a discount at participating locations (62+).
*Hyatt: Senior Citizen Travel Rates could save you as much as 50% in Canada and the continental U.S. (62+)
*Marriott: The hotel chain offers seniors 62+ at least 15% off their stay.
*Starwood Hotels: Westin, Sheraton, and others in the Starwood family offer CARP members 5-15% off their best available rates.
*Wyndham Hotels and Resorts: save up to 20% with a CARP membership.
Parks Canada: Experience a significant discount on a Parks Canada Discovery Pass for access to select National Historic Sites, or get 12% discount on a day and yearly Parks Canada pass (65+).
Senior Retail Discounts
Who doesn’t love to shop and save? Many retailers offer discounts for seniors. Here are some of our favorites:
American Standard Walk-in Tubs Canada: $1,500 in savings with exclusive, limited time offer for every customer who purchases and installs a new ComfortSeries walk-in tub.
Banana Republic: Most stores offer 10% off , varies by location & day of week (60+)
Bulk Barn: 15% senior discounts every Wednesday (65+)
Giant Tiger: senior discounts varies per store (60+)
Global Pet Foods: 15% off on last Tuesday of each month (60+)
Goodwill Alberta: 15% off every Wednesday (60+)
Carlton Cards: 10% senior’s discount every day (60+)
Laura Secord: 15% off every first Monday (65+)
LensCrafters: 30% off CAA members discount (60+)
Lawtons Drugs: 20% off once each month (55+)
Michael’s: 10% off every day (60+)
M & M Meats: offers 5% discount on Tuesdays; 10% if you spend $30+ (60+)
Northern Reflections: get 10% off first Tuesday of each month (60+)
Pet Value: 10% off last Thursday of each month (60+)
Rexall Pharma Plus: 20% off to CARP members, 20% off on last Tuesday of month (65+)
Shoppers Drug Mart: 20% off to PC Optimum card holders every Thursday (65+)
The Bay: 15% off on first Tuesday of each month (60+)
The Salvation Army: 10% off at participating stores (60+)
Value Village: 30% off every Tuesday at participating outlets (60+)
Restaurant Discounts for Seniors
Does discounted dining sound too good to be true? It’s not! There’s an abundance of restaurant discounts for seniors. Discounts at chain restaurants can range from a free drink to a percentage off your entire bill. Having an CAA and CARP membership can help you get 10% off at several restaurant chains after age 50. Here’s some of our favorite deals for seniors!
Applebee’s Senior Discount: varies by location, (55+)
A&W: Seniors discounts on coffee/tea and on food (60+)
Church’s Chicken: offers 30% off, discounts on Tuesdays (55+)
Denny’s: Senior section on menu (55+)
Golden Griddle: 10% off (60+)
IHOP: Discounted rates on 55+ menu items (55+)
Mandarin Chinese Buffet: get 20% off buffet price with valid ID (65+)
McDonald’s: offers everyday discounted seniors coffee with free refills, and coffee/muffin deals (60+)
Royal Buffet Restaurant: 25% between 4p-5:30p (60+)
Subway: Varies by location. Often 10% off (60+)
Wendy’s: free drinks to seniors (55+)
The Golden Years unlocks a multitude of savings for those 50 and above. Penny pinching is made easy, thanks to discounts for seniors by private companies and those affiliated with CAA and CARP. Keep in mind that while American Standard may have highlighted several ways to save, there’s many more senior discounts out there. When in doubt, it never hurts to ask!