For those unaware of AARP, they are a US membership based scheme designed for people over 50. For $16 a year you can join and secure discounts on at a number of outlets – for example a free doughnut with purchase of a coffee at Dunkin Donuts in the US. (Terminal 4 at LAX is about to get DD outlet!)
Most of the discounts are US based. Of special note is an up to $400 discount on British Airways flights from the USA – details:
- Save $65 on World Traveller (economy)
- Save $130 on World Traveller Plus (premium economy)
- Save $400 on Club World (business class) and First Class tickets.
AARP offers a number of discounts at hotels, most of which would not be available until you are over 60, or even 62 without membership. Hyatt is offering these discounts until the end of the month only, I am told, after many years of working with AARP.
It’s disappointing as I have used this as my preferred method of saving at Hyatt for many years.
There are offers from AAA, which offer a similar discount but which require a US address to join – AARP doesn’t need that.
Let’s hope that the deal comes back, but for now, the AAA sign-up site is – here.
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UPDATE – Hyatt’s web site says that the relationship ends 31 Jan 2016 and all of my bookings past then have been rebooked to new rates – worth checking if you have upcoming stays.
Ouch! Any source you can share, or reason for the inclination?
From within Hyatt, but no names I am afraid, to protect the inncocent
Regarding AAA discount: members of international programs are also eligible for this discount, so there is not necessarily a need for a US address.
For us Europeans, ARC Europe should work, too.
I am a member of the German ADAC and can book AAA rates at Hyatt hotels.
Still it’s a sad thing that AARP discounts are no longer available. That explains why I wasn’t finding AARP rates for my upcoming trip in March.
Could well be due to the fact that so many AARP “members” are just in it for the discounts and are well under 50 years or age. IIRC all hotel groups have their own Seniors discount rates which are aimed at those who actually are Seniors and likely retired (thus the rationale for a price break). These require showing ID that you’re over 60 (age varies but this is the minimum) and thus deserving of the lower flexible rate. Also, using the AARP rate requires the chains to pay a commission on the booking.
The sooner AARP actually imposes an age restriction, including for the BA discount that’s also been heavily abused) the more credible it will be and able to maintain discounts for legitimate Seniors!
Lucky, when did you become a “retired” person?
Confirmed on the Hyatt Web site now.
@DavidB
The main advantage of the seniors rate for over 60,62,63 (varies by chain) is that it is a flexible rate rather than prepaid. However , with some rare exceptions the rate is often the same, but sometimes significantly more, than the best available, ie prepaid.