WHERE TO FIND SENIOR TRAVEL DISCOUNTS

Perhaps one of the best parts about getting older is senior travel discounts. If you don't mind telling people that you are old enough to qualify for senior discounts -- it can be a good way of saving on just about all forms of travel, sometimes substantially.

As a market, seniors make up almost eighty percent of all vacation travel spending. Therefore, we are a target market group, one that will have many offers to choose from. We're also a wanderlust group. We travel more often, go farther, and stay longer than any other age group. We have more discretionary income. Moreover, because many of us are retired, we have extraordinarily flexible schedules.

It's exciting to know, that as seniors today, we're active and eager travelers (this is especially true of those of us who are baby boomers). There is almost no place we won't go, or no leisure interest we won't try out. Our interests embrace everything from:

• Adventure travel
• Learning vacations
• Escorted tours
• Independent travel
• Other many alternative travel options

Thanks to these factors, travel discounts are highly obtainable for the senior traveler, if you know where and when to find them. The following twelve suggestions are your guide for finding the best senior travel discounts:

• Ask -- Many hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, tour operators, airlines, and other travel providers always offer out-of-the-ordinary travel discounts for older travelers. However, if you seem willing to pay full price, what's their motivation to offer you a better deal? Speak up and ask for the discount that you want.
• Be Aware -- Airfares, hotel rates, tour prices, etc. all have a tendency to change regularly and without notice. Being willing to accept last minute travel discount deals, can save you a substantial amount, if you are flexible and adventurous enough to take advantage of them.
• Be Open -- Seniors wanting travel discounts need to be open about the dates and times they are willing to travel. This will net you the best-discounted travel rates.
• Begin By Comparison-- Check out "consolidator" websites, ie. those who advertise inexpensive senior rates or fares. They are a good source of information and sometimes the best deal. Then, compare their prices to that offered, either in your local newspaper travel section, or by local travel agents. One useful tool, is to take your comparison list of prices to a travel agent and ask them to "beat" that price.
• Consider Other Discounts -- Remember that "senior discounts" aren't always the best deal. Before asking for a senior discount, be sure to question the travel provider about any exceptional promotional discounts that may be offered to people regardless of age. Sometimes, they turn out to be superior deals. Always ask about the lowest possible rate and the best deal available, before deciding to use a senior discount.
• Do Your Homework - Many travel discounts to older travelers apply only at specific times or the year, or have other restrictions. Research your trip before making your reservations. Try to travel during the hours, days, or seasons when the best travel discounts are obtainable. Also, make sure you ask if you qualify, or if a membership in an organization will be necessary to receive these senior travel discounts.
• Look Beyond the Internet-- While the online Internet searches are great resources for finding travel discounts, once you know where you want to stay and your schedule -- it is vital to getting the best price, to simply call and speak to the facility or service directly for any senior discount that might be available.
• Lock in Your Discount Well in Advance -- Ask for senior travel discounts each time you make a reservation, check into a hotel, or order a meal. They're not going to advertise or promote these discounts. You must ask for them if you want a senior discount! These are questions to ask in advance. If you wait until you are checking out or paying, it may be too late to negotiate.
• Once You Arrive -- Be alert to discount coupon books located inside of airports and hotel or motel lobbies. Additional travel discounts may be found in these resources.
• Share Your Discount -- Surprisingly, many senior travel discounts allow the older traveler purchasing the tickets or trip -- to discount rates for traveling companions, or the rest of the party at the same reduced rate, regardless of age. This is a wonderful bonus to promoting "family vacations" with your adult children and grandchildren.
• Secure Your Discount -- Pay for all travel expenses with a major credit card whenever feasible. That way, if you have any problem during your trip, or need to dispute an expense upon return -- you will have the power of the credit card company behind you to do so. Most credit card companies allow you at least thirty days to dispute or reject an expense on your card. Additionally, they will help you negotiate with the travel provider, if there is a disagreement about your bill. It's helpful to have your credit card company's help if you received poor service, or didn't get the travel discounts you were promised.
• Visit Local Travel Information Centers -- They are very often very good sources of discounted coupons for meals and entertainment. Another, good source for these coupons and discounts is the local Better Business Bureaus.

Many stimulating options are open for senior discounted travel. Among them, is independent senior travel on the road. American seniors are already the most independent senior travelers in the world.

Until just recently when gas prices dramatically spiked, we thought nothing of hopping in our cars and going anywhere we felt like. Now, sadly that freedom of this form of independent travel, has become less desirable to many seniors, who are struggling on even less money with fixed incomes.

Still, if you are among the more fortunate, or if you budget wisely, road trips to see the grandchildren, sights, and friends are still a popular option. Seeking senior discounts are even more important with today's economy. The old standbys, such as AARP and AAA discounted road travel programs are still available. Additionally, making better use of other travel discounts may make up for the added fuel costs. Consider the following tips for making it still possible to see the sights and sounds of our country with higher gas prices in the equation:

• Stay at mom and pop motels instead of big name hotels and motels. They are usually more willing to negotiate room prices.
• Check out "rest area" travel discounts booklets that offer significant savings.
• Travel during the week, when motel and hotel operators are also more willing to negotiate prices. They aren't as flexible on the weekends, simply because they know more people are traveling and they are more likely to rent the room.
• Invest in a GPS system. Why? It can save you significant gas dollars, if you eliminate the possibility of getting lost or being able to take an alternative route, should there be a major delay on the highway due to an accident, etc. Also, GPS systems offer you the ability to call ahead on hotel and motel rooms nearby, to see who has the best price. Moreover, GPS systems, allow you to find gas stations that are nearby, but not immediately seen off major interstate highways. It's a fact, that gas stations located immediately off major highways, will always be the highest priced. Sometimes, just traveling about a mile off the exit, will net you a far better fuel rate.

Of course, it's no secret that there are many group travel discounts available to seniors. Sometimes, you have to be creative in finding them, but the travel industry is smart -- they know how valuable the senior dollar is. Some group travel discount tips:

• Check out the free newspapers and senior magazines available around your community, like at the library, outside and inside eating establishment doorways, etc. Often, they will feature some local group that is looking for new members to join them on a trip.
• Check with your local travel companies.
• Check with any clubs or organizations you may belong to or know of.
• Check for discounted senior trips at local community colleges.
• On the other hand, and even better, present a plan for a group trip to your own club, friends, or organizations. For groups of eight or more, very often you can contact the travel provider directly and receive great discounted travel.

Many seniors, especially given the price of gasoline, are becoming veteran tour coach and train travelers. There are significant discounts to be found within these travel destination options. These are great and efficient ways to travel, and discounts are very available especially seasonally and highly recommended. However, that said, understand, I am only recommending travel by train.

I will not personally recommend that any senior, travel by our nation's well-known national long distance bus systems. This is just my personal opinion, but they are simply not safe, nor are they "senior friendly." Your belongings aren't safe and neither are you. This is a popular hang out area for the homeless, the criminal, and the unfortunately poor of society. They may not have other choices, but you do. Another down side to this mode of travel transportation, is that is an avenue for acquiring illnesses, if you have a compromised immune system.

I've traveled on them and location makes little difference. I live near one of the nation's most popular tourist destinations. A trip to our major city bus terminal, is an opportunity to visit with the newly released prisoners from a nearby jail. It isn't the great way to travel the industry wants you to believe.

Finally, this is an extraordinary time in your life, when you have the time to travel. The greatest way to do so, is to do lots of research in advance of your trip. It will give you more discounted travel options. Have a great trip!