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With seniors becoming a bigger part of the vacationing public, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and restaurants are now offering discounts for seniors. To discover the cheapest method to travel, seniors may save hundreds and even thousands of dollars if they travel extensively using senior rate reductions. Since there are so many discounts for seniors being offered, it pays to shop for the top deals. Furthermore, don't rule out discounts that are available to all vacationers, as they could occasionally be better than those specifically targeted as senior discounts. Hotels. All major chains have senior rate reductions for room rates, mostly in the 10% category. Some, such as Best Western, provide a frequent travel club card, which enables you as being a member to accumulate points to earn free room nights and upgrades. The senior discounts can differ quite a bit here, as at times such as 2008 when traveling was quite depressed, discounts went as high as 40%. Another thing to watch for is the age when discount rates for seniors start, as La Quinta's for example start at 55, but Marriott's commence at 62 years. Food. Not only will you discover senior reductions on food to aid in your cheapest method to travel, but these discount rates are going to be obtainable in your hometown restaurants. How to find about a restaurant's discounts for seniors would be to call ahead. Travel. Amtrak has discounted their fares for passengers over 62 years by as much as 15%. Greyhound's discount rates are for the same ages, but are typically just 5% off, but do service more places than Amtrak. Many rental car providers offer senior discounts, but utilizing AARP or AAA membership senior discounts often leads to even better rates. They can be used for free upgrades. Since 2009, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Air are the two last air carriers that still offer senior discount rates, as the majority of domestic airlines dropped their discount rates for seniors. For local transportation, discounts for seniors are available in several places, but if you purchase on premises it's best to go to the ticket vendors and ask for the least expensive way to travel. The age that you may take advantage of senior discounts differ, usually from as little as 55 years to as old as 65. In Europe, I've noticed that senior discounts in Great Britain usually begin at 62, but in Germany the age is 65 years for discounts for seniors. To get the cheapest method to travel, I would recommend AARP, as their signup charge is small to join the program, but you are eligible for their benefits, which are pretty considerable, at 50 years old. If you're like us, you never get tired of traveling, and one of the best places we have found for vacations is Europe. Taking a vacation in the Mediterranean area will give you some ideas of the top attractions there, and reading about Europe will give you an overview of the continent and its remarkable places to visit. Jim O'Connell is an avid traveler and writer living in Chicago.
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