| For seniors looking to see the world through travel, it | | | | may be owned or in partnership with the major |
| does not necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg. | | | | airlines, you can many times find a cheaper fare by |
| Many airlines, hotels, and attractions offer a variety | | | | going directly to the airline or hotel web site. The |
| of incentives for senior travelers. To find the travel | | | | more you can make reservations yourself, the better |
| deals, you may need to do a little homework up | | | | off you are. Also, remember that many of the travel |
| front. | | | | web sites have limited or no refunds when canceling |
| Discounts are getting harder to find, so travelers | | | | a hotel reservation. However, most hotel web sites |
| have to plan out the process, A good source of | | | | will allow you to cancel with 72 hours notice. If you |
| information is "The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel." by | | | | have the money and want the convenience, you can |
| Terrance Zepke, | | | | use the travel web sites. Otherwise, try making your |
| Your homework includes mapping out your itinerary | | | | reservations directly. |
| and making out a budget. Most seniors don't have | | | | Group Tours Also Present Savings |
| unlimited funds so make out a spreadsheet to track | | | | Because you are getting a group rate, group tours |
| everything you spend on trips. Your long-term | | | | through tour companies, alumni associations, church |
| retirement plan should be consistent with the amount | | | | and retirement community travel groups and other |
| of money you have and will have, and to do as much | | | | programs present a great travel savings opportunity |
| travel as you can while you're still healthy and able to | | | | as well as a good social opportunity for seniors. |
| enjoy the travel. | | | | One opportunity is through Elderhostel. Elderhostel |
| If that's your goal, here are a few ideas. | | | | provides 8,000 learning adventures in all 50 states |
| Your Age Is Your Ticket To Good Deals | | | | and more than 90 countries abroad. They offer |
| Some senior discounts can start with age 50 but | | | | in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences |
| most are from age 62 to 65. When you travel be | | | | for almost every interest and ability including history, |
| sure and ask for any senior discounts offered. Don't | | | | culture, nature, music, outdoor activities such as |
| be afraid to tell them your age and show your AAA | | | | walking and biking, individual skills, crafts, and study |
| and AARP membership card. Although the discount | | | | cruises. Part of its attraction is the inclusion of a |
| may not be advertised, many hotels, car rentals, | | | | learning component in each of its travel programs. |
| cruises, vacation packages and restaurants offer a | | | | The programs are created in collaboration with |
| senior discount through AAA and AARP membership. | | | | educational institutions, museums, performing arts |
| Some Airlines still offer senior discounts but most | | | | centers, national parks and other facilities. |
| have cut back or eliminated their programs. The best | | | | Seniors can join several U.S. and Canadian programs |
| way to find if an airline offers a senior discount is to | | | | for less than $600. Eldershostel offers a limited |
| go directly to their website and do a search on | | | | number of need-based scholarships for credits of up |
| "senior fares". The web site should list any discounted | | | | to $800 for U.S. and Canadian travel. The online |
| fares available. | | | | application form asks for information about household |
| Many hotel chains offer senior discount programs. | | | | income and special financial or medical circumstances. |
| Among the most generous are the 50 percent cut at | | | | These are partial scholarships: Recipients have to pay |
| Starwood Hotels (including Sheraton, Four Points, W | | | | least $100 toward the cost of their chosen program. |
| Hotels and Westin Hotels and Resorts) and the 40 | | | | Transportation to your destination is included only on |
| percent discount available through the Hilton Senior | | | | trips outside the United States and Canada. |
| Travel Honors Program, which requires a $55 per | | | | Everything else is all-inclusive. |
| year membership fee. | | | | You can find more information about this program at |
| Travel Web Sites Are Not Always The Best | | | | House Swapping |
| The major travel web sites such as Travelocity, | | | | Another idea to save on lodging would be to |
| Expedia, Hotwire and Orbitz are the same as any | | | | exchange your home with other vacationers. There |
| other travel agency. They are there to provide a | | | | are several programs that let you exchange your |
| service and there is almost always a charge for that | | | | home and eliminate the cost of lodging and maybe |
| service. In some cases even though these web sites | | | | even upgrade the type of lodging you have. |