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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 2 of 2)
Al Bonanno Jun 23rd 2007 12:58PM
To add to Mr H's comments about age discrimination, it is very alive and well in this country. An indivudal works over 25 years with a company, goes through promotions to finally earn a fairly good wage, then the company is acquired by another company or downsizing occurs and your job is lost. Try interviewing for a new job at age 50+, starting over. One look at the grey hair and you know the interview is over before it starts. You may have the best credentials for the job but it always goes to a 'more qualified' applicant, usually in his or her 30's or early 40's. You are forced because of living expenses to take a job that is well below your skill level just to survive. So give the over 50's a break and let them receive a discount when then can. Sometimes finicial woes follow you to the grave.
AB
j.williams Jun 23rd 2007 1:12PM
WE, THE OVER 50 GENERATION OPENED THESE TRAILS FOR YOU THE I,I ME, ME I GENERATION. THE MOST SELFISH GENERATION IN HISTORY.YOU THINK OF NO ONE BUT YOUSELVES, EXAMPLE THE ZILLIONAIRE FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL PLAYERS WHO DONT WANT TO SHARE IN THE NEW WEALTH WITH THE OLD TIMERS. THESE PLAYERS MAKE MILLIONS WHILE THE PAST HAD TO FIGHT FOR AN ADDITIONAL COUPLE HUNDRED.WAKE UP IT'S TIME TOO....
j.williams Jun 23rd 2007 1:11PM
WELL, THE I, I, ME ME I GENERATION HAS REARED IT'S UGLY HEAD AND SAID WHATS IN THEIR HEARTS, SCREW YOU OLDER AMERICA WE DONT NEED YOU!! LIKE THE BASE BALL AND FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF TODAY, MOST OF WHOM MAKE MILLIONS, THEY DONT WANT TO SHARE THE NEW FOUND MONEY WITH THOSE THAT PLAYED FOR PEANUTS. WOW WHAT DID WE RAISE?????????
Barbara Jun 23rd 2007 8:36PM
I'm 66,started working on the farm at age 9, been working ever since until my health became so poor. Always been petite, ate right, no smoking or drinking, did everything right. Now, Because of bad genes, I am insulin dependent, have had triple by-pass, and 4 surgeries on my back because of horrible arthritis. And have raised my 15 year old grandson since he was born, and home schooled him and took him to church. He is a great kid too. My husband and I spend a lot of money raising him, paying for health insurance for all three of us, food,clothes (boy, is he growing)and our necessary medications. We don't look for "hand outs", but it sure would be great to get a real "break" somewhere.
Mark Jun 23rd 2007 1:28PM
The ironic thing about this blog, is that there is someone who has written a book whose title says it will tell you about bargains for people over 50, but according to the blog the author is telling us the opposite. So that means there are people over 50 buying this book to find out absolutely nothing. Now if that isn't Capitalism, I don't know what is.
wes Jun 23rd 2007 1:39PM
I LOVE THE SENIOR DISCOUNTS AND MOST OF ALL I NEED THEM WHEN EVER I CAN GET THEM. I GREW UP POOR CARRIED MORNING NEWS PAPERS FOR THE CHARLOTTE N.C. OBSERVER WHEN I WAS 14. HAD TO LIE ABOUT MY AGE FOR YOU WERE SUSPOSE TO BE 16.THIS WAS A SEVEN DAY A WEEK JOB. HAD TO GET UP EARLY AROUND 3 AM TO CARRY PAPERS AND GO TO SCHOOL. OH HOW I HATEDED THOSE SUNDAY PAPERS. YOU WOULD GET 7 OR 8 BUNDLES AND I COULD ONLY CARRY ONE BUNDLE IN MY BAG. SO I WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO THE STARTING POINT TO REFILL MY BAG.I MADE AROUND 12 DOLLARS A WEEK AND HALF OF THAT WENT TO OUR HOUSE WHOLE. I KEPT 3 DOLLARS AND SAVED THE REST. AFTER MY PAPER CARRYING DAYS I JOINED THE ARMY AT $78 DOLLARS A MONTH OF WHICH I SENT $50 DOLLARS A MONTH HOME FOR OUR HOUSE WHOLE AFTER GOING THRU THE PAY LINE AND GIVEING TO THE RED CROSS AND OTHER COLLECTIONS I BARELY HAD 10 DOLLARS LEFT FOR THE MONTH. I VOLUNTEERED FOR THE PARATROOPERS 11TH AIRBORNE DIV. WHICH GAVE ME AN EXTRA $50 DOLLARS A MONTH. I SPENT 24 YEARS IN THE MILITARY WHICH WAS ALSO COMBAT TIME. NOW I AM RETIRED AND HALF OF MY RETIRED INCOME GOES TO HELP MY DIVORCED DAUGHTER AND 3 YOUNG CHILDREN. YES I NEED THE SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT WHEN EVER I CAN GET IT. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.P.S. MY SON RETIRES FROM THE MILITARY IN NOV. AFTER 25 YEARS. I ALSO THANK THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER FOR MY VERY FIRST JOB WHICH TAUGHT ME HOW TO MANAGE WHAT LITTLE MONEY I DID MAKE. WES.
Roberta Jun 23rd 2007 1:40PM
In response to "Kay"--How could you possibly know the amount of income everyone else receives in order to make a comment that states older people don't have to work they work only because they want to! I retired as a school secretary two yrs. ago, am widowed and continue to work as a sub-clerical part time in order to make ends meet and pay my property taxes. I don't know what will happend when I am no longer able to work. This country has been unable to care for its seniors or any other American Citizen for that matter. The same President who went on TV to say that Social Security was in trouble and will be down the line if we don't do something about it now, went on TV recently again and now says he wants to give Social Security to illegal aliens who never put any more into the system. And some of you who blog say " senior don't need any discounts???????????????" What planet are you living on?????????????? Just last month Empire said they weren't paying for my heart meds anymore. I could add more but there would not be enough room. I can only pray for seniors and for this country.
linda Jun 23rd 2007 1:46PM
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linda Jun 23rd 2007 1:47PM
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linda Jun 23rd 2007 1:53PM
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Sam Costanza Jun 23rd 2007 2:01PM
I am 92 years old, I started working at age 16 and retired at 70 years of age, because the health of my wife required my need. People forget that todays seniors worked for salaries that were extremely low compared to taday's salaries. The government has two cost of living increase formulas, one for the government workers, like your congressman, and one for those on social security, and you know the one for social security is much much lower. We seniors have made our contribution to the wealth and progress of this country, and it is not asking too much for some consideration in the way of 10% discount on the overpriced market conditions of today. We all are taxed beyond belief, the U.S, is the largest debtor nation in the world, our infrastructure in the U.S. is sadly in need. Our tax money is not being used properly, too much of it is being used for outlandish political salaries and large number of government employee staffs, that are overpaid for what they do, and reirement programs that most in the private sector would give anything to have. I could go on, but I don't see why anyone should resent giving the old seniors that have paid their dues over the years, a 10% discount where possible.
ROBERT LEE Jun 23rd 2007 8:33PM
I think all seniors should get a discount, I'm 66yrs old and have worked all my life..Now i'm retired and on a fixed income and it's hard to make ends mneet..
Janet Jun 23rd 2007 10:53PM
Travel is extremely expensive for a solo-traveler due to the discouraging room-rates for singles. Discounts are an interesting topic...and sometimes quite helpful. But consider NOT buying whatever it is...and saving even MORE money.
J.A. Malden Jul 11th 2007 11:53PM
Me thinks the young selfish child in the beginning post, opened a can of worms. One reason there are fewer discounts for those over 55, is because society no longer values them as they did in previous years. The advent of the computer (techie world), changed everything. Used to the older heads had the years of wisdom and knowledge. Now, those over 50 are being nudged out. Companies feel their health costs are too high, and the older folks cannot work 80 hours a week, with production results of the young. Due to that, our society is losing some very important aspects: respect, appreciation for those who've made it possible for youth, focus on $$ instead of society in general. I worked along side many young folk, and because my brain worked slower, I had to work 1/2 again as many hours. When problems arose, and we were in trouble, guess who they came to for advice. Me. 3 years away from retirement, I was injured in a fall from equipment left in stairway. Companies with Work Comp cannot be sued in Texas, so now I am on disability, doing the best I can. Grey heads are not appreciated, and our society is paying for that lack of respect.
GHOSTRY123 Jun 24th 2007 9:11AM
No!! I'm not blowing smoke up your a**. my wife is disabled and draws $900 a month SS. She's not elegable for medicad for 16 more months. I am self employed working 2 jobs and looking at having to work full time at another job just to pay for our for medical insurance. Unfortunatly we have to have it due to her medical conditions. It takes everything we have just to pay for our medical insurance. I think there are alot more pressing problems than all the major business's giving us a 10% discount. It really ticks me off to see illegal's get everything for free and I've worked since I was 14 and cant get any type of help!!! And now they want to take away my free drink or 10% discount. And they wonder why people lose it and go on shooting rampages!!!
linda Jun 24th 2007 3:46PM
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GRUMPY Jun 25th 2007 5:54PM
There once was a little gray power in this country,and some business were glad to offer over 50 patrons a little discount. What happened? GREED has taken over here in the good ole USA. No one cares about folks on fixed income ,who have worked all their lives,to live the golden years happy. The rich run this country now,and the over 50 can't do anything about it. TERRIBLE SHAME!