Age-related discounts: Where do they "card" you the most to qualify for a discount? (senior, budget)

[Borntoolate85]

As you all know, during young adulthood, when entering upon an age-related venue like a casino, bar, or other nightclub, a valid ID would be required to get you access depending upon the jurisdiction's age of entry. That's why it's a compliment for someone in their 30s to still get this simply because they look "young" for their age.

That said, many other places have pricing based upon their age, whether its for kids or for senior citizens. The main question is, where and how much do various businesses enforce these requirements to be qualified for a discount? That is, are they more prone to being "carded" like you do with liquor, or is it more of an honor system? For instance, if I was in my 70s and still was being carded for the senior discount, that would be quite a compliment!

[WellShoneMoon]

I would not take it as a compliment at all, because it implies that there's something wrong with being in my 70's. Which I am.

Having said that, I can't recall any time or place where I asked for a senior discount and had to provide ID.

[Jkgourmet]

Neither of us has ever been asked for ID to prove our senior ages. We do, however, still get carded at grocery stores when we buy booze.

[evening sun]

I have never been carded for a senior discount. And I will take the discount if I can get it.

[Mightyqueen801]

A coworker told me he's been buying the senior discount ticket at the movie theater kiosk for years, even while he was still in his fifties. He said, and rightly so, "None of those kids you hand the tickets to are going to ask me if I'm REALLY 65, and I probably look ancient to them anyway."

[cebuan]

For fast food, you get the senior discount if you look older than the cashier's mother -- 42 or so.

When I ask for senior rates at a motel, they usually say they have AARP discount. But you can just flash any AARP card, including the temporary one they send you as a solicitation, and they don't even look at it. If you have a parent in AARP, just carry one of their old cards, it'll work..

[AlaskaErik]

The only place I've it enforced is at Denneys when you ask for the AARP discount. They actually write the number on the receipt.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

The only place I've it enforced is at Denneys when you ask for the AARP discount. They actually write the number on the receipt.

Denny's and Budget Rent-a-Car.

And for Budget, they want to see the actual AARP card and they will not accept the AARP Rewards Credit Card which has the number right on the card.

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To answer the OP's question, I have never been asked. In most of the places that offer senior discounts, they generally offer it without my asking.

[GoodHombre]

Young people receive discounts on public transportation in Europe, sometimes.

Being middle aged, no discount applies to me.

[cebuan]

I believe Houston it the only major US city where seniors ride free on all public transport. Over 70 gets a special tap-a-card that never needs to be re-charged. The only other I know about is Cincinnati, which has free senior transit only within the central zone.