The Complete Guide to Senior Discounts in Canada
If you’re a senior (or you know a senior) looking to save money, look no further. I have put together the following list of discounts available to seniors in Canada, fully updated for 2021. Here you’ll find details such as the specific discount, the minimum age requirement, and a link to more information. I will add more discounts to this list as I come across them. If there are any you’d like to see added to the list, feel free to include them in the comments.
The Benefits of a CARP Membership
Throughout this article, you’ll notice several references to the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, also known as CARP. For an annual fee of $19.95, Canadians 50 and older can purchase a CARP membership and receive senior discounts at a large number of hotels, restaurants, and other businesses in Canada.
The minimum age requirement can vary depending on the partner, but the membership is worth considering. Many of the senior discounts on the list below are exclusive to CARP members.
Banking Discounts
ATB Financial: The Freedom Account offers free banking (no monthly fees and unlimited transactions) to customers 59 & over. You can also enjoy $10 off the annual fee on a Safety Deposit Box.
BMO (Bank of Montreal): If you’re 60 or over, you qualify for a free chequing account that includes 12 monthly transactions. Also, discounts are available to seniors on all chequing accounts.
Canadian Western Bank: For Canadians over 57, CWB offers the Gold Leaf PLUS Account, including no monthly fees and free cheques. A Safety Deposit Box Discount is also available.
CIBC: CIBC Smart for Seniors benefits are available to anyone 65 or older. They include fee discounts on chequing accounts, free bank drafts and money orders, and $5 a Safety Deposit Box annual fee.
National Bank of Canada: It’s an odd name for an account, but the National Bank Modest Chequing plan is only $4.95/month for customers 60 and over, and free if you maintain $3000 in your account throughout the month. The account includes 30 transactions before additional fees are charged.
Royal Bank: The RBC SixtyPlus Account requires a minimum deposit of $100 at account opening. It’s available to clients 60 years of age or older. It features several benefits designed to save you money, including free cheque writing, free statements, free drafts, and a 50% discount on a Safety Deposit Box annual fee.
Scotiabank: Scotiabank seniors (60 and over) qualify for discounts on all chequing account plans, not to mention a free Basic Account, which includes 12 monthly transactions. The normal fee for this account is $3.95/month.
TD Canada Trust: At TD, seniors 60 and over qualify for discounts on all chequing account service plans, free cheque orders (once per year), and a Safety Deposit Box discount.
Pharmacy Discounts for Seniors
As we age, our healthcare expenses tend to increase. Thankfully, senior citizens can save when they fill prescriptions and shop at some of Canada’s largest drug stores.
Lawtons Drugs: Lawtons Drugs advertises a 55+ Appreciation Day, which they say is held at least once per month. It features a 20% discount on several store items, including prescriptions, giftware, select mobility products, stamps/post office, gift cards, and more.
Rexall Pharma Plus: Rexall Pharma Plus has partnered with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) to provide a 20% discount on thousands of in-store items every day. As I mentioned earlier, there is an annual fee for a CARP membership, but at only $19.95, the cost is reasonable.
Shoppers Drug Mart: If you’re looking for a senior discount at Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s largest drugstore chain offers 20% off on hundreds of in-store items every Thursday. To qualify, you will need to be a PC Optimum member. The Shoppers Drug Mart senior discount is available to anyone 65 and older.
Food & Restaurant Discounts
Amaranth Foods (Calgary): This Calgary Health Food Store has a Seniors Day every Tuesday, where people 65 and older receive 10% off of most items.
M&M Food Market: Formerly known as M&M Meats, seniors 60 and over get 10% off on all regularly priced items when they shop at M&M on Tuesdays.
Safeway: Not all Safeway stores offer a senior discount, but they do have a Customer Appreciation Day on the first Tuesday of each month, where all customers have a chance to save. Usually, you choose between a percentage discount off your grocery bill (with a minimum purchase) or bonus Air Miles.
Sobeys: Sobeys doesn’t have a company-wide policy surrounding seniors discounts, but many individual stores will designate the first Wednesday of each month as a seniors day and offer discounts. I recommend checking with your local Sobeys to see what’s offered.
Senior Discounts at Restaurants
A&W: A&W does not offer senior discounts. They do, however, regularly issue coupon books for discounted meals.
Boston Pizza: Boston Pizza does not appear to offer senior discounts at this time.
Bulk Barn: Every Wednesday, seniors and students receive 10% off most Bulk Barn items. ID must be provided at the till to receive the discount.
Burger King: Many Burger King locations offer free coffee to seniors, but I don’t know that this is a company-wide policy.
Dennys: If you’re 55 or older, you can order from Dennys Senior menu, which features smaller portions at lower prices. Some locations may offer a Seniors discount, but there’s no company-wide policy.
Humpty’s: When you sign up for an Emerald 55 Club card, you’ll enjoy 10% off at Humpty’s whenever you dine. The card also qualifies you for a 20% discount every Tuesday at all Humpty’s locations.
IHOP: Like many other restaurants on this list, IHOP features a 55+ menu with reduced prices.
KFC: If you’re over 55, you can get a free small drink when purchasing a KFC meal.
McDonald’s: It’s common for McDonald’s locations to offer reduced pricing on coffee and other beverages for seniors 55 and older. Make sure you check when you order.
Perkins Restaurant: This popular restaurant chain offers a 55+ menu with lower prices on reduced portion meals.
Salisbury House: This iconic Winnipeg-based restaurant chain does not offer a senior discount, but they have a dedicated “Silver Menu” for seniors 55 and older.
Subway: Subway offers a 10% discount every day for seniors 60 and older.
Taco Bell: Seniors get free drinks at some locations.
Tim Hortons: Some Tim Horton’s restaurants have a 10% button on the till for Seniors who request a discount, but not all. It’s definitely not a corporate policy. Still, it’s worth asking when you stop in at a Tims’ location. You will likely be required to provide an ID.
Wendy’s: I could not locate a seniors discount policy anywhere on Wendy’s website, but it never hurts to ask as individual locations may offer a discount upon request.
White Spot: I could not find a senior discount for this popular BC family restaurant chain, but they offer a seniors menu at some locations.
Hotels
Best Western: The global hotel chain offers seniors 55 and over room rate discounts of up to 15% at Best Western Hotels and Resorts worldwide.
Choice Hotels: All travelers over 60 can enjoy room rate discounts of up to 10%, and CARP members can save as much as 20%. Other senior benefits include free breakfast and hotel Wi-Fi.
DoubleTree: This Hilton owned hotel chain offers discounts to seniors 65 and over at participating locations. If you’re booking an additional room for family traveling with you, you may also qualify for a discount on that room.
Fairmont Hotels: CARP members receive a $25 credit when they stay at a Fairmont Hotel, as well as a free night when they are booking for a 3rd, 4th, or 5th consecutive night. Conditions apply.
Hampton by Hilton Hotels: If you’re 65 years of age or over, you’ll receive up to 10% off the best available rate at Hampton Hotels. Let them know you’d like the Seniors Rate when you book by phone or online and provide your ID when you arrive at the property.
InterContinental Hotel Group: The IHG Senior Rate is available to travelers 62 years of age and over when they stay at any InterContinental Hotel worldwide. All IHG hotels have senior rates, but each location sets the discount percentage.
Sandman Hotels: Sandman Hotels 55+ Senior Program includes 10% the best available rate, and 20% off at Shark Club Sports Bar and Grill, and Denny’s Restaurants, at participating locations.
Travelodge Hotels: People 60 or over will always qualify for a senior rate when they stay at a Travelodge hotel. You can request a discount when you book and provide proof of age when you arrive.
Wyndham Hotels: If you’re at least 60 years old, you can request a senior rate when you book your stay at any Wyndham hotel. Keep in mind that you’ll be asked to provide proof of age when you check-in.
Transportation Discounts
From public transit to airfare and car rentals, you can find special pricing for seniors across Canada. With some providers, like BC Ferries, you can even travel for free.
Transit Discounts
BC Ferries: If you’re a BC resident and a senior 65 years or older, you can travel for free Monday to Thursday on select BC Ferries routes. This only applies to passenger fares – vehicles are not included. Also, the 100% discount does not apply during select holidays, including Christmas and Thanksgiving.
British Columbia Transportation System (BCTS): Qualifying seniors over 60 may be eligible for a reduced BC Transit bus pass. Conditions apply, but you must meet the age requirement and be considered low-income or have a disability.
Calgary Transit: Calgary seniors who are 65 or over can purchase an unlimited bus pass, called the Senior Yearly Pass, at a reduced rate. Further discounts are available to low-income seniors.
Go Transit: Seniors 65 or over get a 50% discount for any single ride aboard GO Transit. There is no discount for a Day Pass, however.
Halifax Transit: Seniors 65 and older can ride for free between 10 AM and 3:30 PM, and after 6 PM on Tuesdays, and receive a discounted rate at all other times.
Ottawa Transit: Seniors can ride the O-Train and OC Transpo buses for free on Sundays and Wednesdays and receive discounts on monthly passes and single rides at other times with a Presto membership card.
St. John’s Metrobus: Seniors who ride the bus in St. John’s don’t receive a discount for single rides, but they do save on monthly passes, as well as 10-ride passes.
Winnipeg Transit: Seniors 65 or older receive discounts on single fares and passes (called peggo e-passes) when they ride on Winnipeg Transit. For single fares, they do need to provide proof of ID when boarding, however.
Air Travel Discounts
Air Canada: Not all airlines offer senior citizens discounts, but Air Canada does, up to 10% on airfare, excluding taxes and surcharges.
WestJet: I could not locate any senior discounts for WestJet customers. I’ve included them on this list as they are Canada’s second-largest airline. If you know of any discounts WestJet offers to seniors, please let me know in the comments, and I’ll update it here.
Railway Discounts
Amtrak: Amtrak is an American passenger rail carrier, but they partner with Via Rail on several cross-border routes, and seniors 60 and over receive a 10% discount. To get the discount, you will need to verify your age before you travel.
Via Rail: Seniors 60 and over can receive a 10% discount off the regular fare price when they travel by train on Via Rail. Be careful when booking, however, because the discount does not apply to all classes.
Bus Discounts
Greyhound: Get a senior discount when you travel by bus on Greyhound. The regular discount for passengers 62 and over is 20%, but that jumps to 30% if you’re booking an additional senior ticket, as long as it’s 3 days in advance of the trip.
Car Rentals
Avis: CARP members who rent a car with AVIS can save up to 25% off of the rate, in addition to other available discounts.
Budget: Like the Avis senior promotion, Budget customers over 65 who are CARP members can also benefit from discounts of up to 25%.
Hertz: Here’s a car rental company with a generous senior discount. Drivers 50 years of age or more can save up to 20% when renting a car through Hertz.
Thrifty: Thrifty offers customers 50 and over a 5% discount on car rentals.
Retail Store Senior Discounts
Canadiana Flowers: CARP members receive a 15% discount on all flowers and basket arrangements.
Michaels: The arts and crafts retailer offers regular discounts to teachers, military veterans, and seniors. Senior’s 55 or older receive a 10% discount on most regularly priced items whenever they shop. Valid ID must be shown, and some items are excluded.
Samsung: CARP members are eligible for a 15% discount on select Samsung products.
Museums & Entertainment Discounts
Canada’s Wonderland: If you’re at least 60 years old, you qualify for discounted rates on both day and season passes at Canada’s largest theme park.
Canadian Museum of History: The Canadian Museum of History offers pass discounts for Seniors for $2 off the regular adult rate.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights: Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the CMHR is the only national museum located outside of the national capital area. Seniors 65 and over can purchase a regular pass for $14. The regular adult ticket is $18.
Canadian Museum of Nature: Discounted tickets ($19) are available to seniors 65 and over.
Canadian War Museum: Seniors 65 and over can buy a museum pass for $15, a two-dollar discount on the regular price for an adult ticket.
Hockey Hall of Fame: Seniors 65+ get discounts on individual and group ticket purchases.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The Royal Ontario Museum offers an 8% discount on senior citizens’ 65 and over entrance fees.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass: Passholders receive unlimited access to over 80 Parks Canada sites across the country. Seniors 65 and over receive a discounted rate, while youth 17 and under are free.
Vancouver Art Gallery: Senior Monday happens on the first Monday of each month, and people 65 and over can enter with a donation between 10 AM and 1 PM. Special guided tours are available. Seniors also get a discounted rate during regular hours.
BC Parks: There are no senior discounts during the peak camping season at BC Parks, but between Labour Day and June 14th, discounted front-country camping rates are available to BC residents 65 and over.
A Summary of Senior Discounts In Canada
Every day, senior citizens across Canada get a discount when they travel, shop, or eat out. If you’re not taking advantage of seniors’ many discounts, you’re missing out on some great savings. In my list, the Shoppers Drug Mart, Bulk Barn, and Rexall Pharma Plus discounts stand out, as do several hotel and car rental offers.
I highly recommend that you bookmark this list so that you can check back frequently for discounts. Also, consider purchasing a CARP membership. I have no affiliation with the organization and won’t benefit in any way if you sign up, but I can spot a great deal when I see one.
Comments
Canadian Tire always has great sales, and would recommend that seniors shop the sales rather than using a 10% discount on regular priced items, as when on sale would be 30, 40, or even 50% off.
Shoppers does not always give the discount if you are under 65. I went with my mother, who is 60, and got no special price on seniors’ day… It depends on the cashier…
Value Village offers 30% off on Senior Tues.That is every week.
BC resident seniors can ride BC Ferries, Mon – Thurs (excluding holidays) for free. Must present ID. This does not include the car… but still a great savings to be aware of.
BC Ferries no longer has free senior fares. Seniors now must pay 1/2 price Mon to Thurs, except holidays.
some colleges and universitites offer free courses for seniors when others have to pay the full tuition
free/low fee bank accounts + free cheques
In Ontario annual eye doctor check ups are free but younger patients have to pay around $70+
Depending on the region where you live, there is free/low cost snow shovelling/lawn mowing
Ontario has the seniors home renovation tax credit to renovate your house
Enbridge gas in Ontario does not make seniors pay a late fee (or a much lower fee) when they pay their monthly gas bill
Enbridge gas in Ontario has a program for reduced gas fee when a senior is low income (must have proof and must apply)
Sears 10% off for Optical, Women/Men/Children’s clothing on 2nd Tuesday of the month, at least in Ontaro
Pearle Vision 30% off eye wear with CAA card
Thanks so much, Sally! Do you happen to know of the ages for these places?
Grey Power home or car insurance, huge savings for 50 plus
In BC, Salvation Army Thrift Shops give a 20% discount on Tuesdays only.
A&W at the Shoppers mall in Brandon MB refused to give discount. Is this another “At participating locations” thing? I can’t find any information on A&W policy.
Shoppers Drug Mart (age: 55+)*
This is YMMV, but I’ve been to at least 5 Shoppers Drug Marts in Ontario (3 in Peterborough, 1 in Orillia, 1 in North Bay) that have seniors discounts starting at age 50.
I work at Wendy’s in Halifax Nova Scotia and we offer 10% off for seniors
EggSmart (a breakfast/lunch chain) has a senior’s card (for free) that gives you 10% discount on Tuesdays at the Fowler Drive, Mississauga, store and atthe Geneva St. store in St. Catharines.
Shoppers Drug Mart offers its 20% seniors discount **every** Thursday. 55+
Thanks for the heads up!
Shopper’s Drug Mart offers discount only on regular priced items which are way overpriced in the first place, usually by 20% or more so you’re not saving anything. I needed to purchase an item on Senior’s Day and it happened to be on sale at 10% off regular price. I was not allowed the 20% off for seniors because it was already on sale. Their rules are extremely frustrating!!!
Rona in Coquitlam, BC says seniors’ discount only on first Tuesday of each month
I requested a large seniors coffee at McDonalds and was told they only have a seniors discount on their small coffee. Anyone else experience this?
BC Ferries charge seniors from outside the province full fair everyday – we’re from Ontario and felt that this wasn’t very fair.
Hi,
Rexall’s age is 55 (see this weeks flyer – April 3/15).
Shopper’s age is at the discretion of the franchise owner (I was told this by Shoppers help line.) Some stores use 55, some 60 and some 65. It’s very inconsistent and frustrating especially when I read that some stores in northern Ontario use 50!
Have been to the Hallmark store in tge Quinte Mall in Belleville twice. Both times a discount was refused. 1st time I was told: “This store gives no discounts.” Second time, the clerk disclaimed any knowledge and suggested the senior’s discount may be for Hallmark USA not Canada. I wrote to Hallmark’s Head Office in Toronto, but have received no response.
I bought a sunshelter at the Rona store Fleetwood (Surrey B.C.) for $1019 + Tax. It was on a 1 week 15% off regular price $1199. Your discount list says Rona…10% off your purchase any day. My purchase price was $1019. Rona informed me that the 10% was only on the regular price of the item. Nothing about sale items. I’m not happy. Being a SENIOR, I’d like to save what money I can. (RONA) says they know nothing about these so called lists for seniors……Signed Disgruntalled
thanks for letting us know. It is always best to check with the store before you purchase a product. Since we are not affiliated with any store things can change quite often based on what we have posted.
I forgot to mention in my earlier rant that I did buy the sunshelter on Ronas Seniors Day (first Tuesday of the month). So I urge you to check with these stores that go on the list what policies are in place and add them with the store on the list, so others won’t get as irritated as I am.
There are not any RONA stores in the Belleville, Brockville, Kingston and Verona area that will give a senior discount. BEWARE. There appears to be very few RONA stores in Ontario that will give the discount.
The senior’s discount of 20% offered at Shopper’s Drug Mart is only available to holders of their Optimum card! They used to offer a 15% discount to seniors who didn’t have an Optimum card but appear to dropped that practice. No card – no discount.
Rexall’s 20% discount is offered to ALL seniors – age dependent only.
but with free refills, it only matters if it’s takeout.
Mcdonald at Scarborough Parkway wont accept the offer a large coffee for 85 cents every day for senior.
In Cornwall it is 20% for a seniors coffee. Didn’t realized till this week that senior age is 55+ I am 56 and paying the regular coffee price.
Also any size coffee is available. Get their app for your cellphone. If you look to make a purchase it will let you know if seniors has large coffee discounts. Just cancel the request of the online order but then you will know the rule of the restaurant you would be ordering from.
yes, I ask for seniors coffee at every locations and only the small!
Shoppers in Midland is pretty liberal with the seniors discount. I went on a Thursday, I do have an optimum card but can’t remember if I used it. I picked up a prescription and several other items while waiting for them to fill my script. The lady gave me the 20% discount without me asking for it and I was 58 at the time, a month before my 59th. She didn’t ask my age and many say I look much younger than I am.
The Optimum Card is free
Wendy’s gives seniors 60+ a free drink
Yes but again in my experience you have to ask for it as they don’t automatically offer it
Your Value Village information is not correct. Value Village offers 30% off every Tuesday for Seniors 65yrs old and over.
GIGANT TIGER HAVE A SENIOR DISCOUNT TOO ASK FOR IT
Shoppers Drug Mart has differing information to who is a senior (is it 65 yrs or 55 yrs) in order to get a senior’s discount on a Thursday. The organization should ensure that the stores and the information available on websites give the same information as it is frustrating and confusing for the Customers.
Most Shoppers Drug Marts are age 65 not age 55 for the discount !!!
I would love to see this updated!
My experience with Rexall pharmacy,is you get 20%,off their own brand products, however you have to show a CARP card.The carp card cost me $19.99,is good for 1 year,thecard offers some other discounts,like travel ins,some hotels I have not seen any benefit from this yet.It is affilliated with Zoomer.
Subway.
15% off 55+ every day
Petland – last Thursday of month for 20%
La Senza- if you are a loyalty card member- offers discount (I think 50% off one item) during your birthday month!
Yes, this is a great deal. I bought on my birthday & got a good discount & birthday wishes from very pleasant staff.
Rona (and Reno-Depot in Qc) are owned by Lowes and are no longer offering any senior discount. They used to offer 10% off regular merchandise to seniors 50 and up on the first tuesday of each month
North Bay, Ontario, Canadian Tire has never heard of 10% discount on 1st Wednesday of the month so we were out of luck. 2020-09-02
I have just spoken with Canadian Tire Customer Service. The agent informed me that the 10% discount is on a store by store basis and you must ask to find out if they honour it. Canadian Tire does not have a list of the stores which do offer the discount. 2020-09-02
is Senior Advantage a scam? membership fee required to join
The write-up says a large coffee at Mcdonalds 85 cents every day. I have yet to find a McDonalds that offers this. The standard is 20% discount on any size coffee.
Do you get the savings that Senior Advantage membership advertises or is it a scam? Thank you.
comment prouver que je suis membre de senior advantage, je n’ai aucune carte ou numéro de membre? comment profiter des rabais je n’en ai jamais entendu parler chez Metro
Michael’s no longer gives seniors discount upon request. You now have to give them your phone number and email.
What are the privacy risks of all this…I know that some loyalty cards offered by big stores track purchases – had one friend buy a pregnancy kit and lo and behold – a sample of diapers appeared at her door 8 months later! Creepy. Is there any way of protecting ourselves from this?
Rona Building Supplies in Nova Scotia does not give a Senior’s Discount.
Rona gives discounts to 50 plus first Tuesday of the month. It’s a good one that recognizes at age 50
Well of course they don’t offer it as they don’t want to offend a younger than 60 year old adult, insinuating that they look older than they are…
Shoppers Drug Mart’s 20% discount for Seniors does not include prescriptions. I haven’t found any pharmacy which gives the seniors discount on prescriptions.
Senior dental would be nice,as the cost is crippling
Value Village in Sudbury gives senior discount to 60 + on Tuesdays. You have to request it.
About seniors dental, in Ontario, low income seniors can get basic dental care free or low cost. Many dentist will work with you on a monthly payment plan if there is no dental insurance. Many dental schools have a place for students to work with the general public as part of their training.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/dental-care-low-income-seniors