Welcome to the over-60s club, where it’s reduced bills, travel-savings and cinema discounts galore. As always, you can rely on Gransnetters to be in the know about the very best money-saving tips and discounts and we’ve collated some of the best tips here for you to use.
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Over 60 travel discounts
1. Save 1/3 on train tickets with a National Rail Senior Railcard
“Love my senior railcard and use it so often (along with bus pass) that I’ve saved the cost of the 3yr one in the first 12 months!”Carolina55
National Rail offers a yearly senior discount card for £30 that will get you 1/3 off your train tickets plus special offers, including discounts on days out, holidays, theatre tickets, wines and more. Don’t mind if we do! If you buy a three-year senior railcard for £70, you save an additional £20. Considering the average yearly saving is £76, we think you should be CHUFFED to bits with that.
2. Free travel for London residents
“Where we live (very good public transport) I’m sure they keep quite a few cars off the road. I certainly use mine a lot less since I’ve had the Freedom Pass.” Witzend
If you're over 60 and live in a London borough, you can ride the city's public transport for free, with a 60+ Oyster Card when you turn 60, which includes travel on tubes, trams, the DLR, London Overground, most of the Elizabeth Line and most National Rail services in London, . You'll also get a Freedom Pass once you reach pension age if you live in London. This gets you free travel across London and free bus travel nationwide. Use the eligibility calculator on the Freedom Pass London Council's website to see what you’re entitled to.
If you're not from London, but have a bus pass, you can usually use that on London buses for free as well.
3. Free bus travel in Wales and Scotland
"The one good thing about turning 60 was the thought of getting a bus pass!" JayLucy
Over 60 discounts also include discounted travel on local buses in Wales and Scotland with Arriva Club 55 and the ScotRail Club 50 card respectively. Scotland also provides free travel on national bus services, and some rail travel depending on where you are, while Northern Ireland allows free travel on bus and rail journeys. If you live in England or Wales, you may be eligible for an older person's bus pass.
4. 1/3 off National Express coach tickets
"I've just renewed my senior railcard. Of course it is now digital and I had to find a reasonably recognisable photograph, much better than my passport photo as it doesn't matter if you smile! However, all done now and it's on my phone. I can go to Scotland to see my sister and south to see my sons and grandchildren. Cheers!" Annodomini
Buy a Senior Coach Card for £12.50 per year and all National Express coach tickets are a third off, with no peak time restrictions. Still not sure? If you don't save the cost of the card in a year, they'll refund you the full cost of the card. Can’t say fairer (or indeed fare-er) than that.
5. 10% off Interrail tickets
Over 60s are entitled to 10% off adult fares with Interrail, which means you get to travel Europe in a budget-friendly way. And if you want to travel in style, the discount is available for both 1st and 2nd class. So go on, grab your backpack and see that little bit of Europe you haven't got round to yet. It’ll be like your very own Grand Tour.
6. Senior discounts on air fares
"Always check whether your airline gives over 65 discounts. I discovered I could have got 10% off my long haul flights with Qatar airways after I got back!"WildSwan16
Several airlines such as British Airways, Air France and Delta (domestic flights) offer senior discounts. If you're over 60, it's worth double-checking the website of your preferred airline before you book.
7. Cheaper holidays
“If you're going abroad on holiday it's worthwhile finding out what (if any) age-related discounts are available in your destination country. When I last went to Spain, for example, I enjoyed a substantial discount on visiting the Alhambra and the Alcazar in Seville was free to pensioners on Sundays. The Paris bateaubus used to have a pensioner rate, but last time I asked for it, they had done away with it.”Annodomini
A number of European countries either offer a reduced admission fee or don't charge at all for tourist attractions if you're a European citizen over the age of 65. Our top tip is to find tourist information points when on holiday or search online before you go to see what's available to you.
8. Save on car maintenance at ATS Euromaster
If travelling by car is your preference, then you can still save yourself money by joining Club 60 at ATS Euromaster. You'll get special seasonal discounts including reduced weather checks, cheaper MOTs and discounts on tyres, as well as 15% off services, brakes, steering, batteries and more. Car safety becomes even more of a concern as you get older, so anything that makes that easier to achieve is a bonus.
Over 60 leisure discounts
9. Ask what concessions are available at the theatre
“Theatres often have senior discounts for matinees but they don't always tell you, so it's worth asking.”
Elrel
Local and national theatres, art centres and concert halls often have concessionary tickets for over-60s available for some or all performances as well as annual senior memberships. The RSC, for example, offers a 20% discount for over 65s on all seats for Monday and Tuesday evenings and midweek matinees. Meanwhile The National Theatre in London offers £20 off many midweek tickets for over-60s. Check out what’s on at venues near to you before booking.
10. Restaurant discounts for over-60s
Finding you just can’t manage three courses any more? Fear not; plenty of restaurants now offer smaller dishes at a decent discount, such as Greene King’s Seniors Menu. If you don’t see anything listed on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask what they can offer.
11. Check for discounted senior rates at museums
Imperial War Museums, Tate Modern, National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory and many more museums offer over 60 discounts - and that's just in London. Wherever you go, it's worth asking if they offer discounted tickets for seniors, or checking their website before you set off.
12. Are you a National Trust member?
"National Trust for Scotland gives over-60s discount automatically and without the five years’ previous membership required by English NT. You don't have to live in Scotland."ChelseaBaby
If you've been a National Trust member for five out of the last 10 years, you could be eligible for a senior membership once you turn 60, which means receiving a heavily discounted price of 25% off annual adult rates. That means you'll only have to pay £63 for an individual membership and £104.40 for a joint one. The discount isn't automatic once you turn 60 though - to activate it you'll need to contact the National Trust directly.
13. English Heritage discounted membership
If you're over 65, you can opt for a senior membership with English Heritage and get a monthly pass for £45.25 or an annual pass for £63. For further savings, you can also get discounted joint senior memberships for you and a partner or friend. We liked the fact that as well as a senior couples membership, they also do a couples membership for one senior and one adult - so if you don’t have a partner you could buddy up with a grown-up child or a friend.
14. Cinema tickets - over 60 discounts
With tickets starting at just £3, you can make huge savings on cinema trips across the country. Silver Cinema screenings at Odeon Cinemas start at £3.50 and include tea, coffee and biscuits. Everyman Cinemas also offer senior citizen tickets across their cinemas nationwide.
15. Grab a free coffee after your weekly shop
Supermarkets are where the coffee discounts are at. Asda has a great deal of a roll, soup and unlimited tea or coffee all for a quid during the winter months to help over-60s with the cost of living. It’s also worth signing up for a free myWaitrose card, which entitles you to a free coffee in store as long as you make a purchase.
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Health and fitness discounts for over 60s
16. Walking and talking
The Ramblers Association has clubs all over the country and is a wonderful way to meet people of all ages. For over-60s, however, it offers concessionary life membership, based on ability to pay. You just have to contact your local group and have a chat with them.
17. Free eye tests, NHS prescriptions and dental treatment when you turn 60
All over-60s are entitled to free eye tests on the NHS and many opticians also offer discounts on eyewear, too (see below). You may also be entitled to free NHS dental care in England, depending on your circ*mstances and what benefits you receive. If in doubt, ask the receptionist what you are eligible for.
In Wales, over-60s are entitled to free dental examinations. Don't forget to ask for your NHS discount or free prescription though, because there's no guarantee that the person you're talking to will recognise your bright-eyed and bushy-tailed self as old enough to be entitled.
18. Save on new glasses at Specsavers
“Specsavers give 25% off for over-60s but you cannot combine it with their other offers like 2 for 1.”
Nonnie
Specsavers give over-60s 25% off all glasses and lenses if you buy any single pair of glasses from its £69 range or above. So if you buy a pair of glasses at that base price, you will make a savings of over £17, making it worth enquiring about. You'll usually be able to get a discount voucher towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses at other opticians, too.
19. Over 60 discounts at Boots
“You get extra Boots points if you have an advantage card.”NannyTopsy
If you have an Advantage Card, you can get extra savings at Boots once you turn 60, including eight points for every pound you spend on Boots' own brand products, although make sure to do this in store as it does not work online. Every point you have is equivalent to a penny to spend in store, so if you have 1000 points, that equates to £10
As well as 25% off your first pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses, you can get every additional pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses half price at Boots. If you're a hearing aid-wearer, there's also a 15% saving on their hearing aids.
20. Cheap gym memberships and perks
"As an over 60, I get discounts on exercise classes locally. Pilates is only £4 a class. My local authority has free exercise activities for the over-60s. Do check out your local council website."
GrannyKnot
If you've got a membership to a private gym, you may want to think about checking prices with your local council-funded gym, as they often offer hefty discounts for over-60s. Usually that means access to the pool and leisure facilities if they have them, too, and perhaps even classes. Never too late to begin Aerial Yoga!
Home and garden discounts
21. Winter fuel allowance
"Mine comes in very handy for the extra fuel in winter, and i think going by how freezing cold it is here tonight we will need it."BlondeNana
If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could be eligible for one of the Government's winter fuel payments scheme, worth between £250 and £600. If you’re eligible, you should get a letter in October or November time letting you know what you’ve been awarded. With fuel costs constantly rising it can make a big difference.
22. Discounts on vet bills
“Our vets offers a discount for over-60s, very welcome.”JackyPat
Vet bills can be really expensive if something goes wrong, but even routine check-ups and injections add up. Ask your local veterinary practice if there are discounts for over-60s. Dogs Trust offers a 50% discount - just £12.50 a year - on membership of its ‘Companion Club’. Benefits include unlimited access to the 24 hour emergency advice service from veterinary professionals, 3rd party public liability insurance for your dog, free Canine Care Card to guarantee that Dogs Trust will take care of your dog should you pass away and Wag! Magazine three times a year.
23. Handyperson services from your local council
“Our local council has a handyman service for us oldies. You can have 12 hours a year if you are a couple,or 6 if single. Used him for patio and path cleaning, plus he came another time and changed our kitchen tap. He also asked us what type of tap we wanted and turned up with ‘it, he was all ready to go The rate was £38 per hour but you receive a discount and it brings it down to £15.60 per hour which included vat We are going to use him to paint our little kitchen this year. It was excellent service and work.”BarmeyOldBat
Many councils offer a handyperson service for those who are over the age of 60 or have a disability. Services offered vary from council to council, but the implementation of safety and security measures and small repairs can usually be offered via the service.
Age UK also offers a similar scheme - check their website to see if your area is covered.
24. Double points at all Wyevale garden centres
If you love to potter around the garden and have a Wyevale Garden Club membership, you have access to reward vouchers and exclusive deals, including double points on Tuesdays if you're over 60.
25. Grandparenting can pay, too
If you're one of the 63% of grandparents that help care for grandchildren then you could be entitled to extra tax credits to the tune of £250 a year. And, what's more it can be backdated as far as 2011. To be eligible, you'll need to spend some time each week caring for a grandchild under the age of 12. Find out here if you're eligible.
And finally, our top tip: Always ask - you'll lose nothing!
"Our local chippy does pensioner's fish and chips at lunchtime - although I'm always a bit miffed that they don't query my age when I order it! The leisure centre does cheap rates for over-60s. Hairdressers usually offer a discount too. I recently rang our electricity supplier to give them a meter reading and the chap I was talking to mentioned that as pensioners we would be a priority if there was a power cut.”Deedaa
So many restaurants, shops and services offer discounts for older people, it’s almost always worth asking as they don’t always advertise it. Be prepared to prove your age with your bus pass or passport. Youthful looks aren’t always an advantage, apparently.
Images: Shutterstock
