Whether you’re 55, 60, or 65+, senior’s discounts can help you save money on everyday expenses while maintaining your quality of life. From restaurants and grocery stores to public transit and travel companies, it’s in your best interest to take advantage of the perks that come with your age.

In this article, I’m sharing senior discounts at nearly 60 Canadian retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and popular attractions.

Who Qualifies for a Seniors Discount in Canada?

Many Canadian businesses offer senior discounts. However, the specific age requirements vary depending on the company. While many businesses on our list offer reduced rates to customers who are 55 and over, some restaurants, retail stores, banks, and transportation systems may require you to be 60 or 65 years of age to qualify for their senior citizen discounts. If you’re a low-income senior, additional benefits may be available to help you save money.

What Is a CARP Membership?

Some of the senior discounts on our list are exclusive to CARP members. CARP stands for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons. A CARP membership costs $19.95 per year, or $29.95 if you want the 1-year Zoomer magazine subscription.

CARP members receive senior discounts at many different hotels, car rental agencies, and restaurants. Remember that even if you are a CARP member, the minimum age requirement is up to the service provider.

Where to Get Senior Discounts in Canada

Below is a list of over 50 businesses in Canada that offer discounts to seniors (and a few that don’t.) Make note of your favorites and enjoy discounted prices next time you shop or visit.

Seniors Restaurant Discounts

Many restaurants in Canada offer seniors discounts, but you won’t always find them published on their company websites. If you’re unsure, check with the restaurant before ordering.

A&W: Customers 60 and over get 10% off at some locations

Arby’s: At some locations, seniors 55 and over receive 10% off.

Boston Pizza: Boston Pizza does not offer a senior’s discount.

Burger King: Discounted and sometimes free coffee (age not specified)

Denny’s: Thursday is Seniors Day at Denny’s Canada. If you are 55+ and visit between 2 PM and 10 PM on Thursdays, you’ll receive 15% off your meal.

IHOP: The iconic breakfast chain has a 55+ menu with reduced prices on breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals.

McDonald’s: The world’s largest fast-food chain doesn’t have a company-wide senior discount policy, but some locations offer discounts on coffee and other drinks to customers 55 and over.

Subway: Subway offers a 10% discount for seniors 60 years of age and over.

Taco Bell: At participating locations, seniors 65 and over can get a free drink and 5% or more off of their meal order.

Tim Hortons: While Tim Horton’s doesn’t specify a senior’s discount on their website, many Tim’s restaurants will give you 10% off your order if you request a senior’s discount at the time of purchase.

IHOP: The iconic breakfast chain has a 55+ menu with reduced prices on breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals.

Grocery Store Discounts for Seniors

Some Canadian grocery stores have designated senior days, but not all offer senior discounts. If you’re unsure, contact the store you shop at to determine their policy.

Bulk Barn: Seniors 65 years of age and over receive a 15% discount on their purchases on Wednesdays. Bulk Barn notes on its website that customers are expected to provide valid identification.

Costco: Costco does not offer a senior discount.

Real Canadian Superstore: Real Canadian Superstore does not have a standardized senior discount.

M&M Food Market: Every Tuesday, senior’s over 60 save 10% on all regular-priced items, in-store and online.

Save-On-Foods: Some Save-On-Foods locations offer a 20% discount on the first Tuesday of the month. However, this is not a senior’s discount, so all customers benefit.

Sobey’s: Sobey’s does not have a standardized senior discount, but some locations designate certain days of the month as senior days.

Seniors Pharmacy Discounts

Two of Canada’s largest pharmacies, Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart, offer generous senior discounts and dedicated Senior Days. In addition, both have loyalty rewards programs you can use for extra savings.

Rexall: Every Tuesday, seniors 55 and over receive 20% off of regular-priced items. You do have to present your Rexall Be Well card to receive the discount.

Shoppers Drug Mart: Customers 55+ receive a 20% discount on regularly-priced items every Thursday. You must present your PC Optimum card to be eligible for a discount.

Retail Store Discounts for Seniors

Seniors can benefit from exclusive discounts at many national retailers, including the following stores.

Giant Tiger: The first Monday of the month is Senior Day at some Giant Tiger locations. Seniors 60 and over can expect to receive a 10% discount on their purchase before taxes.

Home Depot: Home Depot does not advertise a senior discount policy on its website.

Home Hardware: Some Home Hardware locations offer senior discounts. Contact your nearest Home Hardware to confirm their individual store policy.

Michael’s: If you’re 55 or over, you can enjoy a 10% senior discount at Michael’s.

Pet Valu: Customers 60 and over receive a 10% discount on Senior’s Day, which is the last Thursday of every month.

Value Village: On Tuesdays, seniors 55 and over receive a 30% discount at Value Village.

Walmart Canada: Walmart does not offer senior discounts.

Senior Banking Discounts

Unfortunately, Canada’s big banks have reined in their senior discounts over the past several years. For example, a free seniors chequing account with unlimited transactions was once the norm, but they no longer exist with the Big 5 banks. Nowadays, the best you can expect is a discount on the monthly fee, free bank drafts, and, if you’re lucky, free cheques.

BMO: Clients 60+ get free banking on the Practical Plan chequing account with up to 12 monthly transactions, and seniors discounts on all other chequing account plans.

CIBC: Clients 65+ benefit from a lower monthly account fee and free bank drafts and money orders.

RBC: If you’re 60 and over, you don’t pay a monthly fee on RBC’s Day-to-Day Banking account, which includes up to 12 transactions.

Scotiabank: Clients 60+ get lower monthly fees on all chequing accounts, including free banking on the Basic Bank account.

TD: Seniors 60 at over receive a discount on all TD chequing account plans, free cheques, and a discount on a safety deposit box annual fee.

Vancity Credit Union: Canada’s largest credit union offers a free chequing account to seniors 55+. The Chequing Plus for Seniors features free unlimited transactions, free orders of 50 cheques, safety deposit box discounts, and more.

Car Rental Discounts for Seniors

Most car rental companies provide discounted fares and other deals for seniors.

Avis: If you’re a Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) member, you can enjoy a 25% discount with Avis.

Budget: CARP members receive 25% off of the price of a car rental.

Hertz: Customers 50 and over are eligible for discounts of 20% off of car rental rates.

Thrifty: Thrifty Car Rental has a Silver Club Program that rewards members with a 5% discount on time and mileage charges on rentals of any car type.

Transportation Discounts

Public transit companies offer some of the best senior discounts in Canada. In some cases, you can travel for free on certain days of the week.

BC Ferries: B.C. seniors 65 or older, who possess either a BC Gold Carecard or a valid BC Services Card, receive a 100% discount on passenger fares Monday to Thursday. This excludes stat holidays on everything but the northern routes.

BC Transit: Seniors over 60 may receive a discounted BC Transit bus pass. You must have a disability or be considered low-income.

Calgary Transit: Seniors 65+ can receive a reduced rate on an unlimited bus pass (Senior Yearly Pass). Low-income seniors can get even lower rates.

Go Transit: Seniors 65+ or over save 55% on a train or bus ride with their PRESTO card.

Halifax Transit: Halifax Transit service is free for 65+ on Tuesdays at certain times. Seniors can travel free from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and after 6 p.m. Proof of age may be required when you board the bus or ferry.

OC Transpo: Seniors 65+ ride free of charge all day every Wednesday and Sunday. This doesn’t include Para Transpo.

Winnipeg Transit: Discounts on single fares and passes are offered to riders 65 and over. Proof of ID is required when boarding.

Seniors Travel Discounts

Unfortunately, Canada’s two largest airlines don’t advertise a senior discount, although you can get one on Via Rail. However, you can save on airfare by using a travel rewards credit card.

Air Canada: Air Canada does not offer senior discounts.

WestJet: WestJet does not offer senior discounts.

Via Rail: Seniors 60 and over can receive a senior discount of 10%. The offer is not available on all fare classes.

Arts & Entertainment Discounts for Seniors

Take advantage of entertainment discounts at various attractions in Canada by asking about reduced admission fees or discounted tickets when you arrive. For example, most museums offer discounted passes for seniors.

Canadian Museum of History: Seniors receive $2 off the regular adult rate.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Seniors 65 and over receive a discounted regular pass at this national museum located in Winnipeg.

Canadian Museum of Nature: You’ll receive a discounted ticket if you’re 65 and over.

Canadian War Museum: Seniors who are 65 and over can buy a museum pass for $18, or $2 off the regular adult price of $20.

Canada’s Wonderland: Canada’s largest theme park offers discounts on day and season passes to visitors who are 60 and over.

Hockey Hall of Fame: Seniors 65+ receive a $5 discount on admission. The cost is $20.

Parks Canada: Seniors 65 and over receive a discounted rate and unlimited access to over 80 Parks Canada sites nationwide.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The Royal Ontario Museum offers a $5 discount on general admission to senior citizens 65+.

Canadian Hotel Discounts for Seniors

Many hotels in Canada provide room rate discounts for seniors. Make sure to inquire about discounted rates when booking your accommodations.

Best Western: Best Western guests 55 and over can receive discounts on room rates. Best Western doesn’t specify the discount amount on its website. Guests may be expected to provide proof of age.

Choice Hotels: Choice Hotels Canada offers CARP members up to 20% off of regular hotel rates.

Fairmont Banff Springs: Seniors can enjoy 20% of the best available rate at one of Canada’s premier hotel properties.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Another excellent Fairmont property offers seniors 15% off daily room rates.

Hilton Hotels: If you’re 65 years of age or older, you can save up to 7% off the next time you book with Hilton Hotels.

Wyndham Hotels: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts advertises a Senior Discount on their website, but they don’t specify the percentage discount.

Travelodge: Travelodge (a Wyndham company) offers seniors a discount from the best available rate.

Final Thoughts

Remember, every dollar you save helps you make the most of your hard-earned money. By taking advantage of senior discounts, you can enjoy many different products and services while staying within your budget. So, next time you plan to dine out, visit a museum, or take a trip, don’t forget to ask about senior discounts.

FAQs

Do home improvement stores like Home Depot provide senior discounts?

While Home Depot doesn’t offer senior discounts, many retail stores do, although specific policies can vary by location. It’s best to contact the store directly to inquire about their senior discount offerings, if any.

What age qualifies for Shoppers Drug Mart senior discounts?

Shoppers Drug Mart offers a seniors discount for customers aged 55 and older. Usually, seniors receive 20% off regular-priced items on senior’s day, typically once a month. It’s a good idea to check your local store for upcoming senior days and any specific promotions or exclusions.

Is there a senior’s day at Canadian Tire?

Canadian Tire does not offer a senior’s day or a consistent nationwide discount for seniors. However, some Canadian Tire stores may offer occasional discounts or promotions for senior customers. To find out if any special offers are available at your local store, it’s best to contact them directly.

Do popular coffee shops like Tim Hortons have senior discounts?

Tim Hortons does not have a standard nationwide senior discount policy. However, some locations may offer discounts or deals exclusive to seniors. To find out about the specific promotions at your nearby Tim Hortons, it’s best to visit or call them directly and inquire about any available senior discounts.