One of the perks of getting older is that many places offer us discounts on the things we need. Other companies make travel more affordable. Here are some of the businesses that offer discounts on goods and services for seniors in the Oakville/Burlington area.
Pharmacies
Alas, as we grow older, we’re sometimes at the drug store more often than we’d like. Although, the following discounts don’t apply to prescriptions, you can still save money on things like makeup, shampoo and toothpaste by frequenting these stores on their Seniors Days.
Shoppers Drug Mart Every Thursday Shoppers Drug Mart hosts a Seniors Discount Day. If you’re at least 65 years old, you can receive a 20 percent discount off most regularly priced items, with some exceptions. See instore for details.
On select Super Seniors Day, customers can earn a $10 Savings Card or 10,000 PC Optimum points.
Rexall PharmaPlus Seniors age 55+ can save 20 percent on regular priced merchandise every Tuesday at Rexall. The discount excludes sale items, prescriptions, products with codeine, insulin and diabetic supplies.
Also excluded are gift cards, lottery tickets, postal services, transit tickets, baby formula, baby diapers, prepaid phone cards, newspapers, cigarettes (where applicable), cheese, fresh milk, bread and photofinishing.
Haircuts
Just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean we don’t want to look our best. The following walk-in hair salons offer the best prices for a stylish haircut as well as senior discounts.
First Choice Haircutters Most of these individually-owned stores offer seniors a 10 percent discount off a regularly priced haircut. Prices and discounts vary by store, so check with the First Choice near you to confirm what they offer.
Great Clips These stores are also independently owned, so whether or not senior discounts are offered will depend on the individual owner. The location at 2501 Third Line in Oakville offers seniors 65 and up haircuts for $15, $4 off the regular price of $19.
Check the location nearest you to confirm pricing.
Groceries, Restaurants & Fast Food
Nature’s Emporium hosts a Senior’s Day on the first Wednesday of the month.
M & M Meats has a Senior’s Day every Tuesday. Seniors 60 years or older can save 10 percent on all regular priced items, before taxes. You must show a valid ID to take advantage of this offer. The purchase of gift cards is excluded and the discount can’t be used in combination with other offers.
Bulk Barn offers a 10 percent senior’s discount every Wednesday. You must have a valid ID showing that you’re 65 or older.
Mandarin Chinese Buffet: If you are 65 years old or older, you can receive a 20 percent discount off the regular price every day. Be sure to have your ID handy.
Denny’s restaurant offers senior citizens a discount of 15 per cent every Thursday.
Fast food restaurants are individually owned, so whether they offer a senior discount (or perhaps a free drink) is usually up to store owners. Ask at the location of the following stores near you to see what, if anything, they may offer:
- A&W
- Arby’s
- Wendy’s
- Subway
- Burger King
- KFC
- McDonald’s offers discounted coffee and other drinks in some stores
Banking
Scotiabank offers seniors age 60-plus a free basic banking account, which means they waive the normal monthly fee of $3.95. There are also discounts of up to $4 on other Scotiabank accounts.
TD offers seniors 60 years of age or older, 25% off the monthly fee for selected personal chequing accounts.
RBC has a free banking account for seniors 60 and up. There’s no minimum balance required and you’re allowed 12 free transactions per month.
CIBC’s Smart for Seniors account gives you up to 12 free monthly transactions. After that, you get a $4.95 monthly discount. There’s also no transfer fee on Interact e-Transfer transactions.
BMO lets you enjoy free banking or discounted fees in you’re 60 or older.
Pets
Got a furry friend? These pet stores help seniors with the care and feeding of our cherished animals.
Global Pets – Seniors enjoy a 15% discount on pet care on the last Tuesday of every month.
Pet Valu – On the last Thursday of the month, seniors aged 60 and up can save 10% on pet food and other necessities.
Entertainment
Parks Canada Pass – Seniors can save on a Discovery Pass that allows unlimited admission to over 80 Parks Canada locations for 12 full months from the date of purchase. Seniors age 65 and up pay $57.90, which is $9.80 off the regular adult price.
Single-location passes are $34.30 for seniors, a savings of $4.90 off the regular adult admission. For more information, visit the Parks Canada website.
Cineplex Odeon The general admission price for seniors is $9.99, which is $3.76 off the regular adult price. Prices go up for 3D and Ultra AVX.
Hardware Stores
Many seniors are retired and have more time for DIY. These hardware stores offer the following discounts:
Home Hardware – Depending on the store, seniors 55 plus can save an additional 10% on regularly priced items every Wednesday.
Rona – Seniors age 50 and up can enjoy a 15% discount the first Tuesday of the month.
Thrift Stores
If you’re on a budget, thrift store shopping can certainly help and seniors score extra savings.
Salvation Army Thrift Stores – Seniors 65 and older enjoy 10 percent off their purchases every day.
Value Village – If your 60 and over, you can save an extra 30 percent on your purchases every Tuesday.
Goodwill – You can save an extra 10 percent on goods everyday if you’re age 60 or over.
Department Stores
Giant Tiger – Most Giant Tiger stores participate in senior discount events, but they are different from store to store and at the discretion of individual store management. The store in Burlington holds a senior’s day on the first Monday every month for those 65 and up. You can save 10 percent on most items, with the exception of groceries.
The Bay – Senior’s Day is usually the first Tuesday of the month and you can save 15 percent if you’re age 60 or over.
Cards, Crafts, Chocolate and Flowers
Hallmark – Score a 15 percent discount on the last Thursday of the month.
Michael’s – Senior crafters age 50 and up can get a 10 percent discount everyday on all regularly-priced items.
Laura Secord – Seniors 65 plus can get a 15 percent discount on the first Monday of the month
1-800-Flowers.com – Seniors 65 and over save 15% on any order.
Transportation
The following discounts on transportation make it easier to get around, whether you’re travelling near or far.
Budget Car Rentals Seniors save up to 25 percent off car rentals with a CARP membership.
Hertz Car Rentals Hertz offers people 50 and over up to 20 percent off base rates every day. You can also take advantage of additional program benefits. Find out more here.
Greyhound Take a Greyhound bus and save 20 percent on all passenger fares if you’re 62 or older.
Oakville Transit Oakville Transit lets seniors ride free every Monday on all routes. You’re considered a senior is you’re 65 years and older. If you’re a young-looking senior, be prepared to show proof of age.
On other days, an exact cash fare is $4 per ride for seniors. With a PRESTO single card, one ride costs $1.96. A PRESTO monthly pass costs $61.80 per month for seniors. See more information about PRESTO here.
Amtrak If you’re 65 years of age and over, you’re eligible to receive a 10 percent discount on most rail fares on most Amtrak trains. Find out more here.
Via Rail Adults over the age of 60 can enjoy a 10 percent discount on all travel.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) A single cash fare costs $2.20 for seniors 65 plus. Find out about monthly passes here.
Hotels
For many seniors, one of the great pleasures of retired life is being able to travel more. The following hotels help to lessen costs.
Best Western – Guests 55 plus can save up to 15 percent on room rates with proof of age.
Choice Hotels – The Choice name encompasses a group of hotels that includes Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality and Sleep Inn, among others. If you are an AARP member, you can score a 10% discount at any of these participating hotels around the world.
DoubleTree – If your 65 or older, you’re eligible for the senior rate, which is a minimum of 5 percent off the best available rate.
Holiday Inn Express – Offers a 10 percent discount to seniors aged 62 and up, depending on the location.
Marriott – A senior discount is available to guests 62 years of age or older, depending on where you’re staying. Rates can vary based on the preferred worldwide locations you choose and proof of age is required at check-in.
Sandman Hotels – The senior rate for this hotel applies to those 55 and older. Rates vary between hotels so check the hotel in the location you want to visit.
Hilton Hotels – If you’re an AARP member, you can save up to 15 percent off the hotel’s best available rate. This is available if you prepay and is non-cancellable.
The Hilton name encompasses 17 brands, including the Waldorf Astoria, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn.
Wyndham Hotels – AARP members get 10 percent off the hotel’s best available rate. Wyndham Hotels includes Days Inn, Howard Johnson and Travelodge.
Hyatt – If you’re 62 or older, you can get from a 5 to 6 percent discount at this hotel.
Auto Insurance
Canadian insurers offer a premium discount to retirees. You simply have to sign a form stating that you’re retired. Check with your broker to find out more.
Membership Discounts
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) is a nationwide non-profit organization with the aim of promoting and protecting the rights of aging Canadians. Annual membership starts at $19.95 and entitles you to discounts at number of places.
Members receive great discounts on gym memberships, all types of insurance (including pet), hotels, travel packages, and health resorts. Full details can be found on the CARP website.
The National Association of Federal Retirees This organization represents active and retired member of the federal public service, Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and federally appointed judges, along with their partners and survivors. They advocate for improvements to the financial security, health and well-being of their members.
A one-year membership for one person is $50.28. A one-year membership for two costs $65.16. Membership entitles you to a host of services, including insurance and help with estate and retirement planning. You can also save up to 20 percent on hotels around the world. If you’re a Federal retiree, find out more on the website: https://www.federalretirees.ca/en
Whatever you’re buying, be it a service or a product, it doesn’t hurt to ask about discounts. You may be pleasantly surprised.
