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Are you a senior Canadian who’s trying to be a bit more frugal? If so, here are some of the best places where you can obtain senior discounts in Canada.
At What Age Can You Get Senior Discounts?
Senior discounts are savings programs you can sign up for with goods and service providers once you’re past a certain age. In Canada, the age of seniority varies based on the company you’re trying to get a discount from. Some businesses define a senior Canadian as a resident who’s at least 55 or 60 while others it’s 65 or older exclusively.
If you’re not sure whether you’ll qualify for senior discounts at your favourite bank, store, vacation spot, or restaurant, just ask a customer service agent or visit their website.
Canadian Senior Banking Discounts
Since we’re on the topic of savings, let’s begin with the banks and credit unions where you can score discounts as a senior client:
“Big 5” Senior Discounts
- TD – As a senior, you can qualify for discounts on all TD chequing accounts. And, if you’re 60 or older and collecting Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), you can get a free TD Minimum Chequing Account (normally $3.95/month).
- Scotiabank – If you’re 60+, you may qualify for a free Basic Bank Account (usually $3.95/month), which includes 12 free transactions per month. You can also obtain a $4 discount on any of Scotiabank’s other chequing account plans.
- CIBC – Seniors aged 65 or older can enter the CIBC Smart for Seniors program, which comes with free money orders, bank drafts, and Interac e-Transfers, $5 off the regular annual rental fee for a safety deposit box, and discounts on all chequing account plans.
- BMO – Seniors who are 60 or older can get a free BMO Practical Plan account ($4/month otherwise) and discounts on other chequing accounts. There’s also the Plus, Performance, or Premium Plan, which all have minimum monthly balances.
- RBC – The SixtyPlus Account is for seniors aged 60+. It requires a minimum deposit of $100 upon activation and features several discounts, like no monthly fee when you main a minimum balance, 50% off safety deposit box fees, and free cheque writing, statements or drafts.
Credit Union Senior Discounts
- Meridian Credit Union – Ontario residents aged 60+ can get a Senior Chequing Account. This account offers unlimited free transactions and free certified cheques, 4 free Interac e-Transfers, 4 free monthly bank drafts, and 1 free cheque order per year, all for no monthly fees.
- Steinbach Credit Union – Manitoba residents aged 60+ can qualify for a free “Golden Chequing” account with unlimited transactions, 1 free order of personalized cheques yearly, and discounts on safety deposit box rentals.
- Servus Credit Union – The zero-fee Senior Unlimited chequing account is for Alberta residents aged 60+. It has unlimited free transactions, 100 free cheques yearly, 5 free overdrafts, $10 off a safety deposit box and other discounted rates.
Other Banks
- ATB Financial – Starting at age 59, senior Albertans can access the Freedom Account, which comes with unlimited transactions, free personalized cheques, a $10 safety deposit box discount, and zero monthly fees.
Senior Discounts On Restaurants And Food
If you frequently order takeout or dine at restaurants, there are plenty of food and beverage services with senior discounts in Canada, including but not limited to:
- Mandarin Restaurant – This Ontario-based restaurant chain offers a 20% discount on buffet orders for anyone who’s 65+ and has a valid photo ID.
- Subway – Seniors aged 60 and above can receive a 10% discount on orders made any day of the week at certain Subway restaurants (not all locations).
- Bulk Barn – Once you’re 65+, you can score discounts on most items from Bulk Barn on Tuesdays. This policy also applies to students with ID.
- Humpty’s – As an Emerald 55 Club member (aged 55+), you get 10% (or 20% on Tuesdays) off all menu items at Humpty’s locations in Western Canada.
- McDonald’s – Some McDonald’s restaurants will give you a 20% discount on coffee if you’re 55 or over. Franchise owners may offer their own promotions too.
- Smitty’s – Seniors aged 65+ get double loyalty points on the first Tuesday of each month with MySmitty’s Rewards (formerly Smitty’s Senior Club).
- IHOP – This North-American restaurant chain offers reduced prices on many breakfast, lunch and dinner options, for patrons who are 55 and up.
- M&M Food Markets – Senior Canadians aged 65+ will automatically receive 10% off all regular-priced products on any day of the week.
- Papa John’s – Members of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) will get a 25% discount at Papa John’s pizza locations in Atlantic Canada.
- Tim Hortons – Though it’s not a corporate policy, some Tim Hortons restaurants feature a 10% discount for seniors who are 60 or over.
Senior Discounts For Pharmacies
Seniors can acquire similar discounts at many of Canada’s largest pharmacies:
- Shoppers Drug Mart – PC Optimum members who are 55+ can earn a 20% discount on select regular-priced items every Tuesday with their PC Optimum Card.
- Rexall Pharma Plus – The Advantage 55+ program offers discounts for CARP members and 20% off on the last Tuesday of each month for seniors aged 55+.
- Lawtons Drugs – At least one Wednesday per month, Lawtons Drugs hosts 55+ Appreciation Day, which means 20% off some items for clients aged 55 and up.
Travel Senior Discounts
Retirement often gives you more free time. Thankfully, there are tons of travel discounts for Canadian seniors:
Airlines
- CheapOair – Many airlines don’t offer senior discounts but clients aged 65+ may get reduced domestic or international tickets on CheapOair.ca.
- WestJet – While they don’t list any official senior discounts online, Westjet regularly has promotions on flights and services for flyers of all ages.
- Air Canada – Like WestJet, Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, may not have specific senior discounts but often gives out promotions and vouchers.
Trains
- Via Rail – Passengers aged 60+ get 10% off most regular fares (plus 10% for CAA members). However, this discount isn’t available for every class.
- Amtrak – This American railway operates jointly with ViaRial on several cross-border routes, so seniors aged 60+ can snag 10% off here too.
Take a look at the best travel credit cards in Canada.
Bus/Rental Cars
- GoTransit – This Ontario-based bus and train system has a 50% discount policy on single fares (not on Day Passes) for residents aged 65 and up.
- Ottawa Transit – Ontario seniors (65+) can get lower fares, as well as free Wednesdays and Sundays on all Ottawa Transit routes, except Transpo.
- Calgary Transit – Starting at age 65, Alberta residents can qualify for reduced fares with a Senior Regular or Senior Low Income yearly pass.
- Halifax Transit – Residents aged 65+ are eligible for lower fares and free trips each Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM or every day after 6:00 PM.
- Winnipeg Transit – Manitobans aged 65+ (and youths under 17) get a $0.50 reduction on fares, once they present a photo ID to the Operator.
- British Columbia Transportation System (BCTS) – Cheaper fares and passes are available to seniors over 60 who are disabled, low-income or who meet certain criteria (spouses of disabled persons are eligible too).
- Greyhound – Seniors aged 62+ get 20% off unrestricted fares and 30% off when they buy an additional senior ticket at least 3 days beforehand.
- Thrifty – Drivers who are 50 or older may qualify for a 5% discount on car rentals (time and mileage only) through the Thrifty Silver Club Program.
- Hertz – The Hertz Fifty Plus program gives 20% off base rentals to drivers aged 50+, with extra benefits if they sign up for Hertz Gold Plus Rewards.
- Budget – If you’re 65 or over and a CARP member, you’ll score a discount of up to 30% on any Budget vehicle rental in North America.
- Avis – With a CARP membership, you could also qualify for 25% off all AVIS rentals, as well as discounts on other services.
Hotels
Many popular hotel companies offer discounts for senior citizens, including:
- Wyndham – Seniors aged 60 and over get 10% off at Wyndham Hotels (including Ramada, Days Inn and Travelodge) when they show proof of age at check-in.
- Best Western – You can obtain a discount of 15% upon check-in when you book a room at a Best Western Hotel or Resort as a senior (ages 55+).
- Hilton – Seniors aged 65+ and CARP members can earn discounts of up to 25% at Hilton-branded hotels, such as Embassy Suites and Hilton Garden Inns.
- Fairmont – CARP members can qualify for a 25% discount on rooms, plus a $25 spa or meal credit and 1 complimentary night at participating Fairmont Hotels.
- Travelodge – Since this hotel chain is owned by the Wyndham brand, guests who are 60 and over can obtain discounted room rates and services.
- Choice Hotels – If you’re 60+, you’ll receive up to 10% off room rates. CARP members get 20% off, with complimentary perks like free breakfast and WiFi.
- Sandman Hotels – The 55+ Senior Program gives senior guests (ages 55 and over) up to 10% off room rates and 20% off at participating on-site restaurants.
- Intercontinental Hotel Group – IHG offers different senior discounts on room rates for guests aged 62 and above (percentages may vary by location).
- Hampton By Hilton Hotels – As their title indicates, Hampton is part of the Hilton franchise, which means seniors (aged 65+) can benefit from lower rates.
- DoubleTree – The same goes for DoubleTree, which is also owned by Hilton. Here, families of senior guests may qualify for lower rates on additional rooms.
Check out the best hotel rewards credit cards.
Retail Store Senior Discounts
Several big-name Canadian shopping spots have in-house senior discounts:
- Michaels – Patrons aged 55+ will get a 10% discount on select items at this arts and crafts retailer. Similar discounts are available for veterans and teachers.
- Canadian Flowers – When you present your CARP membership online or at the cash register, you can earn up to 15% off flower and basket arrangements.
- Hudson’s Bay – Every first Tuesday of the month is “Timeless Style Tuesday” when HBC Rewards members who are 55 or over can obtain special discounts.
Senior Discounts On Entertainment
Planning a day out? Look at these discounted activities for seniors:
- Vancouver Art Gallery – Visitors aged 65+ get lower rates and Senior Mondays (free entry from 5 PM – 8 PM on the first Monday of each month, with a donation).
- Cineplex – Moviegoers aged 65+ qualify for reduced general admission rates at participating theatres (Galaxy, Scotiabank, Silvercity Cinemas, Cineplex Odeon).
- Canadian Museum For Human Rights – Seniors aged 65+ can obtain $4 off a regular pass to this unique national museum located in Winnipeg ($14 vs $18).
- Canada’s Wonderland – Our country’s largest theme park offers reduced rates on day and season passes for customers who are at least 60 years old.
- Hockey Hall of Fame – Discounted individual and group admission prices are available to visitors who are 65 and above.
- Canadian War Museum – This popular Ottawa-based museum gives seniors aged 65+ a $5 discount on adult entry fees ($18 vs $23).
- Parks Canada – Clients who are 65 or above can buy cheaper tickets and save on the Discovery Pass, which offers unlimited access to over 80 Canadian parks.
- Toronto Zoo – Seniors and senior couples who are both 65+ can get reduced rates on 1 and 2-year memberships (passes come with extra benefits too).
- Royal Ontario Museum – Patrons who are 65 or older will receive a 10% discount on entrance fees to the ROM, which is located in Toronto.
- Landmark Cinemas – Moviegoers over 65 will get 20% off concession and admission prices at this Ontario theatre chain (originally based in Calgary).
Don’t Miss Out On Senior Discounts In Canada
If you’re over the age of 50, you could lose potential savings by not asking about senior discounts. Most customer service agents are happy to help you out, so make sure to contact the business you’re planning to shop with before you buy anything. Getting a discount may be as easy as showing your driver’s license or CARP membership.
