One of the best things about growing older isn’t just that you’ll eventually have more time to travel—but that in many cases, you’ll be presented with additional ways to save on that travel.
As people age, some responsibilities start to fade away. Older adults no longer have young children who require near-constant attention. Many seniors are retired or at least cutting back on work hours. Some people downsize their homes so they no longer have as much yardwork to handle.
For seniors who want to spend that newfound time traveling, high costs can prove burdensome—in a 2024 AARP survey, 45% of respondents said costs were the biggest travel barrier. But there are several ways to save, including on one of the most expensive components of vacationing: hotel costs.
Today, I’m going to highlight 10 major hotel chains that offer senior discounts. And I’m not just taking the hotels’ words for it, either. For each hotel group, I’ve conducted research to get an idea to see how much seniors can save when they filter for senior discounts, and any hurdles they might come across as they search for a place to stay.
Hotels Where Seniors Save Money
When you think of senior discounts, your mind might go straight to restaurants and stores. It makes sense—those businesses sport senior deals more frequently than many other types of businesses.
But they’re not the only types of establishments that reward people of ample age.
Let me introduce you to several hotel brands that offer senior discounts. I’ll provide the minimum age to quality, the size of discounts (when explicit and available), where to find the discounts on the hotel’s website, any caveats you should know about the program, and more.
1. Marriott International
- Discount available for: Seniors age 62 and up
Marriott International is one of the world’s most well-known hoteliers. Its brand umbrella spans more than 30 names, including Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, and the namesake Marriott. All told, Marriott International is responsible for some 9,100 properties across 142 countries and territories.
The Marriott Senior Discount Program is available to guests ages 62 and up. Importantly: While the reservation must be booked in the name of the senior, everyone in the room doesn’t have to be of qualifying age. Eligible seniors can enjoy the discount for up to two rooms per night. Hotel staff will ask for proof of age eligibility at check-in, and the discounted rate is subject to availability.
If you are accessing Marriott’s website via a computer, access the senior discount by going to the Lowest Regular Rate drop-down menu and choose Senior Discount. If you are using the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, tap within the Special Rates field, check the Senior Discount box, and tap Apply.
Our test example: I looked for a two-night stay at The Westin Dan Diego Gaslamp Quarter. The senior rate (including a $25 destination fee) was $298 per night for a total of $596. Comparatively, the standard rate was $314 per night for a total of $628. The $31 difference represented a 5% discount.
Related: 10 Experiences Seniors Can Enjoy for Less
2. Choice Hotels International
- Discount available for: Seniors age 60 and up
Choice Hotels International is another international hotelier chain, this one boasting more than 7,500 hotels across 46 countries and territories. A few of their popular brands include Quality Inn, Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites.
Choice’s hotels are typically considered a budget-friendly option, and seniors can save even more.
Adults age 60 and older can save up to 10% with Choice’s senior rates. To find your discounted rates, in the area where you put in your destination and dates, click the Rate section that defaults to Best Available. Select Senior (60+) from the drop-down choices.
I’ll note that Choice’s path to getting to the senior rates isn’t nearly as intuitive as other hotel chains’ websites, so alternatively, you can request the senior rate by booking over the phone. Either way, you might be asked for proof of age when you check in.
Our test example: For select dates at the Rodeway Inn in Jersey City, N.J., the Best Available Rates started at $166 per night. Comparatively, senior pricing started at $157 per night—a roughly 5% discount.
However, in testing out the site, I found that the senior rate isn’t always the best rate. For instance, I tested the senior discount at the Cambria Hotel New York – Chelsea for a one-night stay. When I selected Senior (60+) under the rate tab, prices started at $290 per night. However, the Best Available rate (which anyone can use) started at $261 per night—a lower rate than the senior “deal.”
So if you’re a senior booking at a Choice hotel, don’t assume the Senior (60+) rate will be the best rate. Always check both the Best Available and Senior (60+) rate to ensure maximum savings for your stay.
3. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Discount available for: Seniors age 60 and up
Another international hotel parent, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is “Making Hotel Travel Possible For All” serving about 135 million global guests every year. It does so through its namesake Wyndham brand, as well as Days Inn, La Quinta, Super 8, Ramada, Travelodge, and more.
Seniors age 60 and up enjoy a discount on participating hotels across several of those brands.
If you’re booking online, you’ll want to click the “Special Rates” tab and select “Senior.” You can also ask for the senior discount over the phone. Be ready to present proof of identification when you check in.
Similar to Choice Hotels, when you select senior rates across Wyndham brands, some of the rates shown might be the same or even higher than normal rates. Fortunately, I was able to find great senior discounts at several Wyndham hotels.
Our test example: I searched for Wyndham hotels in the Washington, D.C., area across several dates. The Wyndham Garden Washington DC Area (technically in Maryland) offered standard rates starting at $139.40 per night, while the senior rate started at only $106.60 per night. That ~$33 difference translates into a 24% reduction in price!
That said, I came across several other area hotels under the Wyndham brand that didn’t have discounted rates. So if you’re planning a trip to a large city with multiple Wyndham Hotels, I suggest comparing multiple properties’ prices both with and without the Senior option selected.
4. IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Discount available for: Seniors age 62 and up
“We at the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn.” –Pitbull
Pitbull has heard of the Holiday Inn. Have you? We’re guessing yes—but you might not be aware that it’s one of the 19 brands under the IHG Hotels & Resorts umbrella. The company boasts more than 6,000 global destinations across Holiday Inn, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Iberostar, and other brands.
You must sign up for the IHG One Rewards program to take advantage of IHG’s senior discounts, but there is no fee to join. Past that, you just need to be age 62 or older. And seniors who book at least three days in advance can get even steeper discounts than normal at participating hotels.
When searching for a hotel, under Rate Preference, select Member Senior Discount or Member Senior Advance Purchase Discount, depending on your intended travel dates.
Our test example: I searched for hotels in Chicago using both Best Available rates and the Member Senior Advance Purchase Discount rate. The vast majority of available hotels had cheaper rates for seniors. Standard rates for my date range at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile started at $277 per night before taxes. With the Member Senior Advance Purchase Discount selected, prices started at $267 per night before taxes—a nearly 4% discount.
5. BWH Hotels
- Discount available for: Seniors age 55 and up
It’s a good bet that the BWH Hotels name will sound unfamiliar to you. But it’s a global hotel network that includes three hotel companies—WorldHotels, SureStayHotels, and best known to most, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. All told, BWH Hotels span 4,300 hotels in more than 100 countries and territories around the globe—across not just these brands, but also Vīb, GLō, Aiden, and more. It’s an expansive set of brands that include wallet-friendly, extended-stay, boutique, upscale, and luxury hotels alike.
Best Western has one of the lowest age thresholds for senior discounts: You only need to have traveled around the sun 55 times to qualify for a deal on your room.
To see senior rates when booking your room, select AARP/Senior from the Rates drop-down menu. Searches default to Best Rate, which then shows the Rewards Member rates. If you’re not a Rewards Member, you’ll need to click into individual lists to see rates for non-members. (When looking at senior rates, it will also show you the non-member, flexible rate as a comparison.)
Our test example: I compared the rates for the Best Western Plus Dragon Gate Inn in Los Angeles for several dates. The Flexible Rate for non-members, which would allow you to cancel up to the day before with no charge, cost $259 per night excluding taxes and fees. Comparatively, the Senior price for the same room was $240.87 per night excluding taxes and fees. In addition to the 7% discount, you could still also cancel up to the day before with no charge.
Related: 10 AAA Discounts You May Not Know About
6. Motel 6
- Discount available for: Seniors age 60 and up
Motel 6, which operates more than 1,450 hotels across 49 states and five Canadian provinces, has always been among the motel industry’s best values. In fact, the company was named after the $6 rate it charged upon its founding in 1962.
I’m sorry to report that you can no longer secure that rate, no matter your age.
However, seniors age 60 and up can still get up to 5% off the motel’s best available nightly rates at all locations within the continental United States. The discounted rate can be used for a maximum of two rooms for up to six consecutive nights per stay. The rooms must be paid for by the senior, and the senior must present a valid ID when they check in.
To book your discounted room, go to the Special Rates drop-down menu and select Senior Citizen Rate.
Our test example: Prices at San Francisco’s Motel 6 Fisherman’s Wharf started at $149.99 per night before taxes using the flexible rate. For seniors, prices started at $142.49—a 5% discount.
But as we’ve seen with other chains, the senior rate won’t always be cheaper than the standard (or in this case, “flexible”) rate. I compared rates for San Francisco for the same date range using the flexible rates and senior rates; sometimes the senior price was lower, but sometimes it wasn’t.
7. Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Discount available for: Seniors age 55 and up
Seniors seeking a more luxurious experience might consider Omni Hotels & Resorts. Each of the brand’s 50 hotels is distinctive and reflect the city it’s located in. Omni’s properties often have amenities such as golf courses, restaurants, and spas.
Omni offers two senior discount options: 1.) a standard senior rate, and 2.) a deeper discount for seniors who book prepaid, non-refundable rooms. You must be age 55 or older to qualify for a senior rate, and you’ll be asked for proof of age when you check in.
To see senior pricing, select Senior Discount (Ages 55+) in the Special Rates box.
Our test example: The non-senior rate at an Omni location in Denver, during the fall, for a Deluxe Room with two queen beds started at $354 per night. The regular senior rate was $339 per night (a 4% discount), and the prepaid, nonrefundable senior rate was just $323 (a 9% discount).
As of this writing, 49 out of the 50 locations participated in the senior discounts. However, lower senior prices aren’t offered for all dates. For instance, my comparison of “All Rates” versus “Senior Discount (Ages 55+) for the Denver location across numerous dates during the summer showed slightly higher rates for seniors, even if choosing the prepaid, non-refundable rate.
Always check both senior and non-senior rates before booking, and if your dates are flexible, play around with different days to see when you can get the best deal.
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8. Hilton Worldwide
- Discount available for: Seniors age 65 and up
Hilton Worldwide is another massive hotel chain whose 8,000-plus global locations are spread among two dozen brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Canopy, DoubleTree, Hampton, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, and the namesake Hilton brand.
Hilton offers a senior discount of up to 6% off any participating hotel’s Best Available rate, with a maximum of two rooms bookable at the discounted rate. However, Hilton has one of the most stringent age policies: You must be at least 65 to qualify. And expect to be asked for proof of age during check-in.
When booking your discount online, click the Special Rates box and select “Senior Rate.”
Our test example: I looked for rooms at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Las Vegas City Center. A king bed studio at the Best Available rate started at $149 per night before fees and taxes, while the senior rate started at $141 per night before fees and taxes—a 5% discount. (It’s worth noting that the senior rate was identical to the Hilton Honors discount rate.)
Interestingly, I found discounts greater than the advertised 6% maximum at Hilton Club Elara Las Vegas, part of Hilton Grand Vacations. The standard rate for the night I chose was $602 including fees, while the senior rate was $552 including fees—an 8% discount.
But again, always check both the standard and senior rates, because sometimes the most affordable rate varies.
9. Hyatt
- Discount available for: Seniors age 62 and up
Hyatt has 35 global brands, ranging from essentials to luxury, so both budget-conscious travelers and splurgers can find something. The company’s 1,460 hotels and all-inclusive properties span names such as Impression, Alila, Andaz, and Thompson Hotels, as well as a number of Hyatt-centric names including Hyatt Regency, Destination by Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club … and, of course, Hyatt.
Seniors age 62 and older can enjoy a senior discount at participating Hyatt properties. To filter for senior rates, click the Special Rate tab and select Senior.
Our test example: The Hyatt Regency Orlando had regular room prices starting at $355 per night including fees but not taxes. Comparatively, the senior rate started at $320 per night—a nearly 10% discount.
I had to do some playing around to find locations that participated, but when I did, I was able to find savings. But I wasn’t successful in every city. For instance, I also tried looking for discounted rates at Hyatt hotels in Miami for the same date, but at each hotel, the senior rate was identical to the standard rate.
10. Red Roof
- Discount available for: Seniors age 59 and up
Red Roof is a smaller hotel collective, with four brands—Red Roof Inn, Red Roof Plus+, The Red Collection, and HomeTowne Studios & Suites—spanning roughly 700 properties in the U.S. and Japan.
Worth noting is that Red Roof is a pet-friendly brand; both Red Roof Inns and Red Roof Plus+ locations allow small pets.
But more pertinent to today’s conversation is that Red Roof is extremely senior-friendly. Red Roof offers a generous discount of 10% at Red Roof properties any time of the year, and it has a low age minimum of 59 years old.
To receive your discount when booking online, go to the Special Rates dropdown menu and select Senior. You will be asked to verify your age at check-in.
Our test example: The Los Angeles Bellflower location had rooms starting at $120 per night. True to the 10% discount claim, the Senior rate started at $108 per night.
I want to call out how much more consistent Red Roof was about discounts than the other chains. My test included a search for Red Roof hotels in Los Angeles for the same night, both with and without Senior selected. Red Roof has five hotels in Los Angeles—four had discounted rates for seniors, and only one cost the same with either rate. That’s easily the best “hit rate” I saw among all the major hotel chains.
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