What is the age for senior admission rates, 60, 62, 65 years old? Is the age uniform at all City museums or do they vary?

Thanks in advance.

wow you're cheap

There is no standard but usually 65 if you're asked for ID (medicare card, e.g.) but if you look sort of old enough, just ask for senior rates and you'll probably get it, no ID needed.
By the way, many NY museums are by a "pay as you wish" or "suggested donation" either all the time or on certain days. If you want to economize,
don't feel like you need to give the full suggested amount. For Example, the Metropolitan Museum suggests $10 ($12?)but you can give as much or as little as you want. Don't be afraid to ask if it's unclear whether the admission price is set or "suggested"

Don't get me started!

One of my pet peeves about travel is discounts for seniors. Isn't it age-discrimination to offer discounts based solely on age? Oftentimes, the "sernior" getting the discount has enough money to bury everyone who's paying full fare. And don't tell me you're poor. If you are, that's another matter. But poor is not the same as old, especially not in the USA.

OK, one story, then I'll stop: A few years ago, I attended a Dodgers spring-training game in FL. They were offering a special: $2 for any seat. Wouldn't you know it, the old guy in front of me starts bickering with the ticket-seller because there was no senior discount. On $2!!

There, I feel a lot better now. And please save the "oh, we'll see how you feel when you're old." I'm already old.

Gray I knew someone would start this. This is also a pet peeve of mine. My parents have enough money to do the things they want and are offerred discounts everywhere. Meanwhile, we work our a**es off every day and pay full fare. Their folks never got this advantage as it is a more recent thing. What I'd like to know is why seniors get discounts. Don't say it's because they are on a fixed income. My income is fixed too!!!!

Not only do seniors get discounts for no apparent reason, but those on Social Security can now collect their full SS checks no matter how much they earn. Whereas I, a widow raising two kids, get $1 withheld from our check for every $2 I earn over $10K. Greatest generation, my arse -- entitled generation is more like it.

I have no problem with someone getting a discount. Heck, I'd like a discount too, and often ask if any avail for AAA or AARP.

What I don't like is listening to people bitching when there *IS NO* discount. Guess I consider the discount a gift or privilege, not an entitlement.

The only museums that have a pay what you can policy are those that receive some of their funding from NYC. The major museuims that fall into that category are the Met and Natural HIstory.

Hi just returned recently from NYC with my parents who (politely) took advantage of the Senior discounts throughout the city. The admission age requirement really didn't seem to be an issue, they just approached the ticket counter and said "two senior tickets please" and received their discounted admissions. The museums vary as far as the amount of discount, but it is usually at least 2-3 dollars cheaper. We went to the Museum of Natural History, my husband & I paid $19 for our tickets, my parents paid $14. The Wax museum Senior rate was maybe a few dollars cheaper than a full price ticket. Also, don't forget the Senior discount for bus fare - show your Medicare card and you'll only have to pay 75 cents per ride - my parents only showed their card once, they were never questioned. There is a similar "deal" for the subway, but it works a little differently, you best bet if you are interested to is inquire where you by your tokens. Also, if you're interested, the CircleLine tours also offer a Senior rate. Have a great time and don't be afraid to use that discount - you're not cheap, you're SMART!

Thanks for the responses. We're 61 and 64, so not on Medicare. The money saved, is just spent elsewhere in the Manhattan for food, hotels, transportation, etc.. We didn't plan on bringing it home.

We have both worked full time all of our lives, and paid taxes. We don't have to feel ashamed to save a few dollars here and there.

We have paid our dues, as have most seniors. We usually buy things in the museums too, so more money is left there.

Most 'younger' people are on fixed incomes too, but they have the earning potential that we no longer have. We are not cheap, nor are we 'crying poor'.

I'd love to be around when you protestors become your parents' age. Let's see if you turn down those 'old folks' perks.

No, I'm not cheap, just careful, so that we can continue to enjoy our lives, within our means.

For me the issue is not whether or not people should take advantage of senior discounts - if they are available, go for it. I am a bargain shopper with everything - there is a difference between begin a shrewd shopper and cheap. Making a scene if there is no discount is cheap. Returning an item as part of a scam or scamming a credit card company (other tasteless tips some have offered here) is cheap.

That said, I too sometimes wonder about senior discounts and their appropriateness. My husband can now get AARP discounts on hotels, etc. and he is 50 - we have 2 kids in public schools, still. That is carrying "senior" discounts to a new level of ridiculous.

Despite my begging to spare us the "when you get old" line, Fran persisted.

I never called anyone cheap (except for the geezer at the Dodgers game). My issue is with the people who offer the discounts, not with those who take them.

I will repeat: Senior discounts are age-discrimination, plain and simple. I'd rather see the discount go to the struggling single mother with two little kids than to Gramps and Grammy who have a paid-up mortgage and few or no expenses.

The "we paid our dues" line really makes me laugh, too. When did this sense of entitlement begin, that at a certain age you don't have to "pay dues" anymore? My grandfather immigrated to this country as a young man and worked his butt off until he was 75. He considered dues-paying as a part of life. You stop paying dues when you stop breathing.

frankly, i think you're cheap if you're not poor and asking about senior discounts at *museums* ahead of time. will it change your decision to visit based on a $5 discount or so? this is not for an expensive event i.e. hotel, train, etc., but a museum???

fyi : city owned museum are "suggested donations" = these include the metropolitian museum of art and the museum of natural history.

for public transit, it is half-price for seniors ($.75), never have seen anyone ever show id.

There is no question that many affluent seniors take advantage of senior discounts but there are many more who need discounts in order to enjoy the small pleasures in life liking taking a vacation, going to a museum or taking in a movie. I am talking about those seniors living on a fixed income consisting of social security and for some a small pension. So hotels offer seniors a discount. Non seniors can get the same discount if they belong to the AAA and other travel related organizations.

I would like to remind the non seniors lambasting senior discounts of on unassailable fact - you are going to be a senior one day and many of you will most certainly take advantage of any discounts offered and be happy to receive them. I am 74 years old. In my mind I was a 17 year old high senior yesterday. Baby boomers in their 40’s and 50’s probably have a similar thought. If you think that then you are going to be a senior citizen tomorrow - time surely does fly.

Gray, you 'begged' me not to use the when you get old thing ... it sounded more like whinning to me. I simply asked a question, I did not ask for handouts, or lectures. No explanation of my financial situation is necessary.

If you really are old, than you are old AND whiney, not a great combination.

To those of you who answered my question, thank you. To the others - have a nice day.

To Fran - I suspect most older people who are whiney were once young whiney people.

My pet peeve is not the seniors who take advantage of discounts because I think we all ought to take what we can get. Fran, you and any other senior who is eligible for a discount should go for it. I'm just irritated that if discounts are given why the age thing? Why do businesses et al single out seniors? With my parents generation and the boomers coming behind them with more discretionary income than generations past, why are we non seniors who struggle to feed our families and put a (expensive) roof over our heads apying full fare? Like previously stated there is no limit on paying your dues. I'm paying a higher percentage of my income to SS than the senior ever did. You can thank me for continuing to work so SS stays afloat. Meanwhile I have IRAs and retirement accounts for myself because I can't count on SS for my senior years.

Please don't think I'm against seniors taking discounts, I think that if discounted tickets are available they should be available for other categories as well.

Fran is pulling out all the stops -- and cliches.

Now, if we disagree with Fran, we're "whining." And -- another cliche -- Fran feels sorry for us if we're old and whining.

Just ask yourself: Who started this by "whining" for an underserved discount?

Does Fran need to know hat the age limits are so he/she can use the fake ID of his/her choice? Used to be that we'd make a fake ID to get a drink before we were 21 now the fake ID to get a discount. I have a 2nd cousin who faked his age to get into a retirement community where the living for that area was better. I still crack up about that!!! The wife would not fake her age to be older so it looked like an old fogey snagged a real catch!! :0!

Gray & xxx are the same person posting - and they are trolls - ignore them. Fran asked a good question and SOME people actually helped!