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Travel Deals for the 50 and Over Crowd are Dwindling
Isn't one of the benefits of getting older cheap deals? I bought a book for a friend of mine called Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're over 50 and browsed through it thinking of all the neat discounts heading my way.
According to consumer travel writer Ed Perkins, I should think again and not count on a bargain when I'm AARP age (50). As he points out in "Senior Discounts Going by the Wayside," the cheap deals for older travelers came about because older travelers happened to have the time, but not the money. Since the travel industry is more about making money than giving an older person a great time just for the heck of it, now that more people who are younger are traveling, the pressure is off to fill up spots. This doesn't mean there aren't any good deals to be found, but the 50 and older crowd isn't going to be able to count on a discount due to age alone. They'll have to scramble for cheap seats and accommodations just like everyone else.
For the travel bargain shopper, Perkins suggests heading to Priceline and Hotwire and bundle air and hotel reservations together. But, here's a bonus to getting older. If you're retired, when the last-minute deal shows up, you'll probably be in a better position to hop on a plane or take that cruise since you won't have to put in for vacation time.
Filed under: Learning, Business, Hotels and Accommodations, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lee Jun 23rd 2007 8:10AM
Why should there be discounts for people over 50, when we have been the most economically blessed generation in history? We hold the greatest share of the wealth. I see young people like my 32 yo son needing to travel to Eastern Europe this fall to learn more about the movie business he works in as making the most good of his travel. More young people need to travel and see how others live, so they can come home and APPRECIATE what we have. His six week trip to India several years ago did that for him. As he said, "Mother, we don't have any poverty here in America. I saw guys in the street who were healthy and my age, begging, because there was no work for them."
Bob Jun 23rd 2007 8:59AM
I think people over 50 need to get a break. I'm 53 and been working since I was 15 yrs.old. I have struggled to make ends meet all my life, I wasn't born with a silver spoon stuck in my mouth and now that we are getting older times are just as hard. Sure we may be the richest nation in the world but that doesn't mean we can't help out our elders, we have had our turn in the barrel and it's time for us to enjoy life a little.
Annie Jun 23rd 2007 8:48AM
IN RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING POST:
"Why should there be discounts for people over 50, when we have been the most economically blessed generation in history? We hold the greatest share of the wealth. I see young people like my 32 yo son needing to travel to Eastern Europe this fall to learn more about the movie business he works in as making the most good of his travel."
THE MOST ECONOMICALLY "BLESSED?" According to whom? KEY WORD="YOUNG." AS IN, not on a retirement or otherwise fixed income? It's not about anyone expecting, feeling entitlement or, for the lack of a better word, feeling they "deserve" discounts at ANY age, rather a whole other mirage of reasons, all of which there is simply no room on this blog to list. The 50+ generation have worked all of our lives, if health allows, yeah, I'd like an incentive that would afford me the luxury of traveling at a time in my life that I can finally do so, and discounts help. Frankly, I see the current younger generation as a whole lot more "economically blessed" than any of my time. Opportunities abound on the ability to attend college alone, and choose a field of study, much more so than it ever did for 50+ individuals in THEIR 19, 20's or 30+. How about hooking up with the Peace Corps, mmilitary, missionary, or other organizations for learning, lasting, travel experiences at discount travel?
tim Jun 23rd 2007 11:21AM
I think people 50/older should get a discount things are alot more expensive now days and alot of people are paying for their kids is college which we all know is not cheap that goes up every year like everything else rents,gas etc. Some are on fixed incomes, for some that social security check is the only income they have to live on. Which is not a lot. I am seeing alot of our seniors working part time jobs just to make ends meet. Which is probably alot of us will end up doing. And some of us wont even be able to retire were going to have to work till the day we die.
Annie Jun 23rd 2007 8:59AM
Bob, you sound like a stellar individual. I sincerely hope you'll consider mentoring or volunteering with young folks or disadvantaged youth. You've got a lifetime of experiences to offer. Basic courtesy and mannerisms aren't even considered important anymore. It saddens me to see a whole new beautiful generation with no values, principles, etc.
I volunteer at nursing homes, assisted care facilities, and with veterans, and I have to tell you, they are the last of a fabulous breed. They all have such wonderful memories to share and fabulous stories to tell, so very much to offer the world for just an ear.
I feel sorry for up and coming generations, their lack of interest and their "rating" of what is "cool" has literally cheated them of much.
Cubby Jun 23rd 2007 9:25AM
I've been having to raise my family living paycheck to paycheck since day 1. The word "retire" is NOT in my vocabulary - I will have to work until the day I die. It's not that I've made poor choices, or sqandered anything. It's that the cost of everything keeps going up, up, up...everything goes up except the wages. My husband has been in his field for over 27 years, and the opportunities just haven't been there. So, even though I'm not quite 50 yet (I'm 46), I look forward to getting those discounts - it'll feel like I'm FINALLY getting a break! We wouldn't be able to afford to buy a new house in our neighborhood, yet I see all these 20-and 30-somethings purchasing half-million dollar plus homes,(not to mention the 2 new cars, a big boat and satellite TV etc.) and I wonder 1. What kind of jobs do they have that pay them that kind of $ to be able to afford such a place? and 2. thinking their debt load must be astronomical if they don''t have the good-paying job. Anyway, give me my 10% off and give me a break!
GHOSTRY123 Jun 23rd 2007 11:20AM
I'm 51 and I have never used any type of discount due to my age. However, being in this so called economically blessed country I just had to purchase private medical insurance at the cheapest rate I could find!! 4900.00 per month!! I'll take whatever discounts I can get from this time forward!!! Keep those senior discounts coming. we need all the help we can get.
Billy White Jun 24th 2007 10:58AM
I'm 58, and I need all the discounts that I can possibly get just to survive. NOW PUT THAT IN YOUR POCKET AND THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A WHILE!!!!!!
Kay Jun 23rd 2007 11:18AM
I hate discounts, why don't whey just lower all prices and give everyone a break. I am over 70, worked, happily, until I was 67, in fact I might still find something to do. It is not necessary to play all the time. Do not feel sorry for people who work after retirement, THEY JUST MIGHT WANT TO.
Mr. H Jun 23rd 2007 11:07AM
Like Bob, I was not born with a sliver spoon in my mouth and have to struggle to make ends meet. I spent 14 1/2 years in the military and went back to college at 47 and got my Accounting degree and went on to get my Management degree at 53, but I have found that no matter where I apply once they see my gray hair the party is over so to speak. I do not have a prayer of landing that job. Why??? Age!! Even though they do not come out and say it it is because they do not want someone one who is 50+ and that is Age Discrimination. They hide the fact by saying they found some one more suited for the position. This person just happens to be late 20's or early 30's. So, to add my fair share to society I have been
substitute teaching in the High School's in my town. At least I can try and contribute to the younger generation's learning and try to instill that not all people over 50 are dead they have a wealth of knowledge if some one will give them a chance. So, I think the senior's over 50 do9 need a break and richly deserve it.
Abu Al Abbas Jun 23rd 2007 11:17AM
Discounts for older people make good sense. I'd rather have older people patronizing my businesses. They pay their bills, are clean and tend to be polite. Good customers. Young people...particularly American wise asses tend to create more problems. I don't give them any breaks. Maybe when they grow older, they might earn them.
carolynrhodes Jun 23rd 2007 11:28AM
Try working all your life,as a child,on a farm, no fancy equipment all done by hand, back-breaking HARD work, then contuing to work and raise children,there is usually not money for a savings plan, children are a wonderful blessing,but they are expensive.Then they get married and god forbid something happens and now grandma and grandpa are raising their grand children,along with the same every day expenses,rent,food car expenses,and if they happen to be"retired"social security only pays $i,ooo-12ooa mo,unless you were pres,v-pres senators or congress where their retirement is different because they made the laws.So please, older CITIZENS deserve what ever they can get, there are older citizens,yes here in the U.S.that are eating pet food, and plenty of children going to bed hungry every night,so yes there is poverty here.
Tiny Jun 23rd 2007 11:48AM
Most seniors, like myself, live on a fixed income. Unlike the younger generation, when the price of everything goes up my income stays the same. I can't count on a raise in order to keep up with the rising costs. I need and use every discount I can find.
terrywhite1800 Jun 23rd 2007 11:56AM
Ghostry123 you must be a Millionair to pay almost $5,000.00 a month for health Insurance. Or are you blowing smoke out of your a**. I worked starting at the age of 6 years old and been paying taxes and my SS up to the age of 54. I had to retire At that age because medical reasons. The only ones I see get the dicounts Are the rich people and ILLEGAL IMAGRATES from Mexico. They get 95% of our SS money free housing and $900.00 a month in food stamps Free medical care. Yes I do use my 10% dicount when I can.
terrywhite1800 Jun 23rd 2007 11:56AM
Only Rich people get the 10% dicount like ghostry123 who pay's almost $5,000.00 a month or $60,000.00 a year for health Insurance and ILLEGAL IMAGRAINTS from Mexico who gets 955 of our SS and Free housing and Free medical and 4900.00 a month in food stamps. I starated working when I was 6 years old after school and weekends. I paid income taxes and into SS. I am now 56 years old and Medical retired. It took 4 years alone to get my SS checks and medicare card.
Theresa Jun 23rd 2007 11:57AM
I'll take any discount I can get no matter what my age!!!
Big Guy Jun 23rd 2007 12:05PM
It's a shame that we have come to the point that the whole family has to have a job... when we took the mother out of the house to work... that's when the kids went bad... not all... but most. Look at all the gangs we have now. The killing and all the shooting that you read in the paper...everyday. Because the mother isn't home for them when they come home from school where she should be. But now days it takes all to work to make ends meet.. then that's not enought. It just comes down to MONEY...and it will always be that way.. till we stop buying and paying outrages prices. They can have sales and lower the prices... thinking you are getting a great deal... but they are still making a big profit. Like the gas company(Shell and the rest).. with them making a high profit... then why can't they lower the price of gas and still make money and help the poor people get to work .. so they can pay there bills. We are getting so much in the red... its not funny... hate to see the balance on those credit cards. So yes... give the 50 plus a break.. we paid our dues... Big Guy
MShelton Jun 23rd 2007 12:13PM
I am 64 years old. I am still working at least 40 hours per week at a job; I pay taxes and when I have the time, I would like to travel some. I started working and paying taxes and social security at the age of 15. I had to do this to help my family keep food on the table and clothes on our backs and sometimes gas in the car to go visit grandparents who gardened and canned all of their food and they shared with us "city" folks. I would like to suggest that everyone go to work, quite expecting hand outs, pay taxes and if you don't pay taxes, you don't get to vote. That way, at least those who are paying for your food, clothes and housing will have a say in how it is spent. Do we need a discount as seniors, you bet we do if we've paid our dues before hand. It is not all fun and games. Work comes before play, but then that makes play sweeter when the time comes. If you have to raise those grandkids, then you need even more help. Hard work had never hurt anyone and it puts food on the table.
Our problem is that we are beginning to fall prey to our belief that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. People, we have had the best nation on this planet, we can still have the best nation, but we have to work at it. Earning you money the "easy" way thru the sale of drugs and pornography IT NOT EASY and it is causing the degradation of America and democracy has always fallen when a nation becomes a "me" generation. My answer is put GOD in your life and the "discounts" will come. They may not come to "make life easier" as we see it, but most of us who are over 55 know that is certainly helps you get through the day.
***rock*** Jun 23rd 2007 12:16PM
wow - you can sure see who is struggling and who is not - your son has to travel for the movie business? yikes - tell him to get a real job. i've been on ss and insurance for l2 years and just hit my 50's - sick as hell, poor as hell and worried more than any person should be .. ttravel discounts and entertainment/dining discounts are great - but how about other areas? and i'm not talking about ross dress for less giving l0$ off on tuesdays - food, housing (bigger than 400 sq ft apartment - geez i wouldn't let my dog live in that small a place) .. this country dismisses anyone over 30 - you are automatically a pain, a has been, worthless .. well anyone that had kids who treat older people that way - it's on you... there is no repect given to seniors or help going their way - to die from heat stroke, to choose between food and medications - this is a sick situation...
Lolo Jun 23rd 2007 12:41PM
I live in an area of many senior villages and now am a senior myself. When I had a retail business in the 60's and 70's, I resented giving a "senior discount" to people who had more to spend than I (especially since I owned a bookshop--not an essential item!) I don't have much money, but I have enough, and although I will take a discount when offered, I will never ask for one.