Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're over 50

322 Pages·2004·1.07 MB·English

by  Joan Rattner Heilman

2005–2006
Unbelievably
Good Deals
Great
and
Adventures
That You Absolutely
Can’t Get Unless You’re
Over50
Joan Rattner Heilman
Copyright © 2005 by Joan Rattner Heilman. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United
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DOI: 10.1036/0071460578
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Contents
1 Introduction to Good Deals and
Great Adventures 1
2 Travel: Making Your Age Pay Off 5
3 Airfares: Improving with Age 9
4 Hotels and Motels: Get Your
Over-50 Markdowns 25
5 Alternative Lodgings for Thrifty
Wanderers 63
6 Beating the Costs of Car Rentals 71
iii
iv CONTENTS
07 Saving a Bundle on Trains, Buses,
and Boats in North America 81
08 Cutting Your Costs Abroad 91
09 Trips and Tours for the
Mature Traveler 121
10 Cruising the Oceans, Rivers,
and Seas 143
11 Intergenerational Adventures 153
12 Singles on the Road 165
13 Learning After 50 177
14 Good Deals for Good Sports 193
15 Adventures on Skis 233
16 Perks in Parks and Other
Good News 249
17 Back to Summer Camp 271
18 Shopping Breaks and
Other Practical Matters 275
19 Volunteer for Great Experiences 285
20 Over-50 Organizations 301
Index 311
1
Introduction to
Good Deals and
Great Adventures
his book is a guide to the perks, privileges, dis-
T
counts, and special adventures that are now yours
simply because you’ve been around for at least
50 years.
On your 50th birthday (or on your 60th, 62nd, or 65th),
you qualify for hundreds of special opportunities and
money-saving offers that make younger people wish they
were older—all for a couple of good reasons. First, as a per-
son in your prime, you deserve them.
Second, as part of the fastest-growing demographic
group in the United States, you represent an enormous
market of potential consumers, a fact that has become quite
apparent to the business community. More than a quarter
of the U.S. population today is over 50. By 2020, that pro-
portion is expected to increase to a third as the baby boom-
ers turn 50 at a rate of about four million a year. About 35
1
Copyright © 2005 by Joan Rattner Heilman. Click here for terms of use.
2 INTRODUCTION TO GOOD DEALS AND GREAT ADVENTURES
million Americans—almost 13 percent of the total popu-
lation—are now over 65, and it is estimated that by 2030
that number will exceed 70 million, nearly a quarter of the
U.S. population. Besides, life expectancy is higher today
than ever before (today, more than four million Americans
are 85 and older), and most of us can expect to live a long,
healthy, and active life.
Those of us over 50 control most of the nation’s wealth,
including half of the discretionary income (the money that’s
left over after essentials have been taken care of) and almost
80 percent of its financial assets. Very often, the children
have gone, the mortgage has been paid off, the house is fully
furnished, the goal of leaving a large inheritance is not a
major concern, and the freedom years have arrived at last.
As a group, we’re markedly different from previous older
generations who pinched pennies and saved them all. We,
too, know the value of a dollar, but we feel freer to spend our
money because we’re better off than our predecessors, a sig-
nificant number of us having accumulated enough resources
to be reasonably secure. We also are far better educated than
those before us, and we have developed many more inter-
ests and activities. Besides, we have more time to enjoy our-
selves. Although many people continue to work after age
65, the average age of retirement has dropped to 61.
Most important, we as a group are remarkably fit,
healthy, and energetic. We’re living longer and feeling bet-
ter. In fact, a survey has shown that most of us feel at least
15 years younger than our chronological age and rate our
health as good or excellent.
The business community is actively courting the mature
population because now many of us have the time to spend
INTRODUCTION TO GOOD DEALS AND GREAT ADVENTURES 3
our money doing all the things we’ve always put off before.
With the recognition of our numbers and financial power,
our flexible schedules, and our vast buying power, we are
finally being taken very seriously. To get our attention, we
are increasingly presented with some real breaks and good
deals, all detailed on these pages. We are also invited on
trips and adventures specifically tailored to suit our inter-
ests, needs, and abilities.
In this book, you will learn how to get what’s coming to
you—the discounts and privileges that are among the
advantages of getting older. Here are some that you abso-
lutely couldn’t get if you were younger:
(cid:1) Discounts at hotels and motels; at car-rental agencies;
and on buses, trains, and boats
(cid:1) Price breaks on airfares
(cid:1) An education at colleges and universities that offer you
bargain rates
(cid:1) Travel adventures all over the world designed specifically
for older travelers
(cid:1) Clubs, trips, and services for mature singles
(cid:1) Skiing for half price—or nothing
(cid:1) Tennis tournaments, golf vacations, walking trips, bike
tours, and senior softball leagues designed for you
(cid:1) And much more!
Because every community in this country and abroad
has its own special perks to offer you, make a practice of
asking if there are breaks to which you are entitled, from
movies to museums, concerts to historic sites, hotels to ski
resorts and theme parks, restaurants to riverboats. Don’t
4 INTRODUCTION TO GOOD DEALS AND GREAT ADVENTURES
expect clerks, ticket agents, tour operators, restaurant hosts,
or even travel agents to volunteer them to you. First of all,
they may not think of it. Second, they may not realize you
have reached the appropriate birthday. And third, they may
not want to call attention to your age, just in case that’s not
something you would appreciate. You never know whether
you’re being offered the best possible deal unless you ask.
Many bargains and privileges are available only to people
who speak up.
Remember to request your privileges before you pay or
when you order or make reservations, and always carry proof
of age, an over-50 club membership card, or—better yet—
both. Sometimes the advantages come with membership in
a senior club, but usually they are available to anyone over a
specified age.
To make sure you’re getting a legitimate discount when
you’re using your special privileges, call the hotel, airline,
car-rental company, or tour operator and ask what the regu-
lar or normal prices are. Find out if there’s a special sale or
promotion going on. Ask about other discounts—corporate,
weekend, government, or auto-club membership breaks, for
example. Most important, always ask for the lowest available
rate at the time you plan to travel and compare that with the
discounted senior rate. Then decide whether you are get-
ting a good deal. Sometimes you’ll find that even better spe-
cials are available.
With the help of this guidebook, completely revised and
updated at least once a year, you will have a wonderful time
and save money too.