AARPGAL

I hope those who are "down" on seniors and their discounts realize that many of them were also once "young and struggling with raising their families". Maybe they also did without many other personal pleasures and items just so that they could have some funds "left" in their senior years to do this traveling. These discounts help them to do this.

As for those wealthy seniors out there, more praise to you for being able to end up with some of your wealth in your later years (especially if you had kids!) Who knows how hard you had to work to achieve that wealth!

Maybe some of you who are gripping are angry because your parents have had the "nerve" to spend what you consider "your" inheritance on "themselves" traveling! How inconsiderate!

Working

Whether you think rich seniors ought to get discounts depends on whether you think the purpose of seniors/disabled/student discounts is to assist people who may be needy. I think that was the original intent of these discounts. So when rich seniors get all of these discounts whether they need them or not, it grates on some of us, that's all.

This feeling of entitlement among the aged even extends to airfares. Why a rich senior citizen with a net worth many times mine should get a big discount while I have to struggle to buy six seats for my family is really beyond me. If anything, I ought to get a volume discount.

Paul Rabe

In this discussion about whether or not seniors should get discounts, we're missing an important point. These discounts aren't given to people simply because they are a certain age. No, these discounts are given ONLY to people who pay dues to a political lobbying group (the AARP). Giving discounts to people only if they are dues paying members of AARP makes as much sense as giving discounts to members of the Sierra Club.

By the way, I've already been offered (and voluntarily refused) my first senior discount, and will continue to refuse discounts based on my age UNLESS the same discounts are also given to people on food stamps or AFDC. There is NO question that people who qualify for government aid based on need, not age, are short on funds. So any justification that seniors need a discount MUST also apply to those who are demonstrably in need.

Jeff

I disagree with Beenthere. He says that seniors can get the best rates and surf as easily as younger people. It has often been politically incorrect on this site to suggest that older people are less equipped to surf. I say that as a group, this is correct and is not, in fact, politically incorrect. It is not because they are feeble of mind, but they (stereotyping as a group) are not as computer literate. They just don't have the computer experience or worklife involving computers.

My mom lives in a retirement community in Florida. Hanging out by the pool, I smile when I hear a group of seniors who are really proud of themselves for signing on to the internet. They argue over the most basic things such as .com vs .org but lacking the knowledge as to what exactly they are talking about. They are sharp of mind so this group may like to argue about these types of basics. They do deserve to be informed of what is best for them when they call a company like Marriott, a company they may have supported with their patronage for most of their 70 years. And Bobbie, I hope that they roll in to the parking lot in a brand new Cadillac.

AARPGAL

If the seniors have to justify their discounts then so do you business guys who gladly accept your "corporate" discounts, and the government employees who get their discounts, AAA, Cosco, etc. etc. etc.

The bottom line is, we really don't get the discount because we are "seniors" but mainly because it is another opportunity for business to give another group a discount to get "their" business. It's called "capitalism" and all types of businesses thrive on such practices.

father

You guys have me puzzled. I've been a proud AARP member for years (not because of the discounts, but because of the good lobbying the organization does). But I ALWAYS check discounts when I make a reservation on the web and I have NEVER found a rate anywhere lower than the AARP rate--at least out here in the West where folks appear to respect old age more than they do back east.
And, by the way, EXPEDIA, oh yuck!
MARRIOT, oh p*****.

asdf

It's me again. There are two types of seniors discounts. Some discounts, like AARP, are based on membership in a group. Like the ABA, corporate discounts, etc. This is garden variety capitalism at work, coupled with principles of volume discounting, to try to attract a big group of people.

The other more objectionable practice is the generic seniors discount. This is seen at movie theatres and on airplanes, for instance. I think this sort of discount used to be motivated by concerns that some groups are more needy. Disabled people, seniors, families. So it does chap my hide that rich seniors get these discounts. Oh sure, rich families and rich disabled people get the discounts too. But the discounts are far more prevalent for seniors, and seniors as a group have a lot of wealth compared to young families and disabled people.

And just so you know that I'm not anti-senior, I strongly support prescription drug coverage for them. But only for needy seniors, so it would have to be means tested. We have to save something to provide more medical coverage for children also, right?

Mother Time

FatherTime: what political lobbying done by AARP have you found to be appropriate or useful or based on fact?

OldGuy

I have been a member of AARP for many years. No I do not do it becuase of their lobbying or political stands. Usually I am completely on the other side. However I have received some great discounts from AARP.

One of the best discounts is with the Choice Hotels. These include Quality Inn/Suites, Comfort/Inn, Travelodge, Clarion and some others that I have forgotten. AARP memebers receive a 30% discount off the prevailing rate ( NOT rack rate ). You must make your reservations through their 800 number reservations system. You will only get a 10% discount from reserving direvtly with the property. I just used it recently on a 10 day trip to Missouri and Illinois and saved at least $15.00 /nt of the lowest rate that I could get otherwise through AAA or whatever.

James

I think the AARP discount is almost always significantly better at "roadsite" lodging establishments (Choice, Best Western, etc.) than at upscale establishments such as Marriott, Westin, etc. Using the AARP card at the former properties can indeed get you the lowest rate while this rarely so at the latter.

Scott

I'm 35, and I'm outraged! Almost every time I walk into a restaurant, store, movie theater, etc., there is a cheaper price for senior citizens. Why should I have to pay more than they do for exactly the same product, service, etc.? I think any senior who doesn't have enough money should go out and work for it like the rest of us do!

Patrick

I think we've gotten away from the original point. Jeff was talking about getting a senior rate at a Marriot Hotel on Long island for around $200. a night. We are not talking here about poor seniors trying to make ends meet and can't afford their prescriptions --serious as those problems are. Seniors who are spending a couple hundred dollars a night for hotel in Long Island or on their way to their condo in Florida are another issue. I agree. Why should they receive a special rate just because they are older? If they can't afford a $200 a night hotel, they should be looking for a more bargain motel, just like anyone else. And as for AARP, yes it is a rip off. If anyone ever checks some of their policies and what they spend money lobbying for, they might drop their memberships like I did. And when I check all available rates, I have never found AARP to be any lower than AAA for example.

Sam

Guys, this thread was dead and you brought it back to life. Shame on you!

Anon

To Scott, most of those seniors have been working their asses off for forty years to try and raise ungrateful children like you. They deserve a break now and again.

Anon2

And whose choice was it to raise those ungrateful children? Hmmmm?

Stop trying to shirk responsibility for your own failures.

Anon

Shirk responsibility? Where do you think all the money went stupid? Housing, clothes, education, cars...is that shirking? As to electing to raise them, are you suggesting they should have been aborted?

Annie

My, My, My
Why don't you calm down and stop getting personal?
Jeff:
I have never found that AARP rates are lower. I don't think they are ripping you off...they just figure most people won't ask for a lower rate just a specific rate...I always ask for the absolute bottom price and check with the Hotel's Web Site to see if I could have done better. I have also called the property directly and see if the rate is lower. It pays to do your homework.

laura

I worked in hotels for 10 years and SET the rates in question.
1) It is illegal in most states to quote a rate ABOVE the rack rate. Hotels have to submitt rack rates to ensure against price-gouging.

2) AARP requires the hotel to pick 1 rate and honor it any night, all year --- even nights they are selling out for some special event. Therefore, the hotels set these rates high to cover themselves.

3) in contrast, special weekend or discount rates are set and changed by the hotel according to expected occupancy. If they are anticipating empty rooms, they lower the rate. If there is a special event in town, they raise the rate. Supply and demand.

Gary

Annie:

At last! So simply and accurately worded. And you're so right about doing one's homework. It always amazes me when I find a "Guaranteed" discount rate at Travelocity, only then to go to the hotel chain's own site and find an even less expensive rate. Often tedious work--but well worth the effort.

Annie

I learned my lesson with Hertz. I booked lodging in Myrtle Beach. I was asked if I needed airfare or a car...was forwarded to a bored sounding person who quoted me a "special" of $44 daily rate for a compact car...Are you kidding??? Tells me there's nothing lower...websurfing...AAA site go to their Hertz Site...123.00 for a week!!!! I called the local office in Myrtle Beach Airport who then gave me a special weekly rate of $117. Big difference, don't you think? I'll do a little footwork to save some major money. I've now done this making all my travel plans and have been happy with the results.