How to use your AARP discount on travel
When AARP — the 38-million-strong organization for people over 50 — starts contacting you about becoming a member, you may freak out. My first reaction was, "I am not that old."
But after I got over my initial consternation, I realized that becoming an AARP member might open up a treasure trove of travel savings for me, including some that are always available and others that come and go periodically.
And it's a small investment: Either pay $12 a year for a multiyear membership with automatic renewal or $16 if you rejoin annually.
"One of the strengths of the AARP program is it's always on and always available," said Matthew Phillips, director of travel for the membership organization. "Another strength is there's the AARP discount and AARP member rate, and you also get those awards points with the programs you are enrolled in."
Members have access to discounts and member-specific deals at more than 10 hotel chains and their brands. There are also exclusive AARP deals for Avis Budget Group car rentals and through a cobranded AARP Travel Center powered by the Expedia portal.
Here are all the ways that you can use AARP discounts on travel, including a few you might not know about.
AARP travel deals
Hotel stays.
Hotel savings for AARP members are between 5% and 10% off the best available rate. Some hotels offer additional perks, too, such as a late checkout at 2 p.m., when available. The ongoing travel discounts are clearly spelled out on the AARP travel benefits website .
Members can click through to the AARP Expedia booking portal or link directly to the booking sites of select providers.
With an AARP membership, you can score discounts for brands in the portfolios of companies such as Hilton and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts . Wyndham, for example, offers up to 10% off, plus a late checkout when available. When you click on the AARP rate during the booking process, you should be able to see the terms, conditions and benefits.
The savings are 5% or more off stays at Best Western Hotels & Resorts and up to 10% off Choice Hotels , whether booked through the AARP Expedia portal or directly with the brands. AARP members also save 10% on stays with budget brands Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn.
At some point during the booking process, you may be asked for your AARP membership number. In some cases, you will need to show your membership card at check-in at the hotel.
Airline tickets
This may come as a surprise, but AARP has a long-standing relationship with British Airways .
The deal is for $65 off World Traveller (standard economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) fares, as well as $200 off Club World (business class) fares. The discount does not apply to basic economy fares.
The savings offer applies to round-trip transatlantic tickets purchased online. Connections to more than 130 destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa are available.
With the offer, you can collect British Airways Executive Club Avios based on the fare booked.
Car rentals
AARP's car rental partnership with Avis and Budget gives members discounts of up to 30% on base-rate rentals when you pay in advance. Other perks from the Avis and Budget brands include an upgrade on a booking for a compact through full-size car, based on availability, and you can add an additional driver at no cost. There's also a 5%-off deal on Payless rentals.
As with hotels, you may need to show your membership card at the car rental counter.
Other AARP deals
Through the Expedia portal, AARP members booking cruises have access to whatever sale fares are being offered, plus an onboard spending credit of up to $100 you can use for drinks, massages or other purchases on the ship, according to Phillips. Featured cruise companies include Princess Cruises and Holland America Line .
AARP members booking vacation packages with flights and hotels or rental cars on the Expedia portal receive the bonus of a $50 prepaid Visa card.
Three escorted and guided tour companies — Collette, Grand European Travel and Vacations By Rail — also offer discounts to AARP members.
Additionally, there's a discount on airport parking — 12% with ParkRideFly — available at nearly 40 airports throughout the U.S. Popular locations include New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW).
Exclusive AARP offers
In addition to the anytime deals, there are other targeted sales of travel products. For example, if a car rental company is having a sale open to the general public on SUVs, there may be an added offer exclusive to AARP members.
Plus, AARP members receive the organization's magazine and printed bulletin, both of which include some travel content, and can sign up for various newsletters like "Hot Deals," which has limited-time offers in a number of areas, such as dining and insurance products — and sometimes travel.
How to become an AARP member
While AARP is focused on people over 50, there is no minimum age to join. Anyone of any age can take advantage of the travel offers and the discounts on a lot of other products.
AARP provides access to 200-plus benefits, according to the company. While most are available to any member, products that are age-restricted by vendors, such as certain insurance products, are only available to members who are at least 50 years old.
A catch for anyone younger than 50 is that everything AARP does is geared and heavily marketed toward those age 50 and up. As such, you'll get pitches that may be irrelevant to your age group.
If you decide to enroll, it's fast and easy to sign up on the AARP website .
Bottom line
Is an AARP membership worth It?
The low cost of joining AARP makes it a good bet for all ages, even if you only take advantage of the travel discounts. You'll get an immediate return on your $16 membership investment with just one car rental or hotel stay.
In addition to multiple travel benefits, including hotel, car rental and airline discounts, you can take advantage of dining discounts at over a half-dozen brands — why not save 10% off your oysters, steak and truffle fries at McCormick & Schmick's?
Ultimately, for a small annual investment, your wallet will thank you.
Ready to take the plunge? Join AARP for free .
Related reading:
- 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them
- How to save on cruises with AARP Travel
- Got an AARP card? You now can get a lucrative perk when booking a Holland America cruise
- Barclays revamps and launches new AARP cards for all applicants
- Valuable travel discounts and deals for college students and young adults
- Vacation packages
- Vacation rentals
- Things to do
- AARP Member Savings
- Create an Account
- List of Favorites
- Not ? Log in to your account
Create your free account
Sign in to your account, customer service, travel tools, search customer support.
Please enter your search terms
Most Popular Answers
Travel advisories, travel essentials.
Embrace your inner dragon! Enter now for a chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
AARP daily Crossword Puzzle
Hotels with AARP discounts
Life Insurance
AARP Dental Insurance Plans
AARP MEMBERSHIP — $12 FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
- right_container
Work & Jobs
Social Security
AARP en Español
- Membership & Benefits
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards %{points}%
Conditions & Treatments
Drugs & Supplements
Health Care & Coverage
Health Benefits
Staying Fit
Your Personalized Guide to Fitness
AARP Hearing Center
Ways To Improve Your Hearing
Brain Health Resources
Tools and Explainers on Brain Health
A Retreat For Those Struggling
Scams & Fraud
Personal Finance
Money Benefits
View and Report Scams in Your Area
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Free Tax Preparation Assistance
AARP Money Map
Get Your Finances Back on Track
How to Protect What You Collect
Small Business
Age Discrimination
Flexible Work
Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Home
AARP Skills Builder
Online Courses to Boost Your Career
31 Great Ways to Boost Your Career
ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Tips to Enhance Your Job Search
Get More out of Your Benefits
When to Start Taking Social Security
10 Top Social Security FAQs
Social Security Benefits Calculator
Medicare Made Easy
Original vs. Medicare Advantage
Enrollment Guide
Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers
Prescription Drugs
9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law
Medicare FAQs
Quick Answers to Your Top Questions
Care at Home
Financial & Legal
Life Balance
LONG-TERM CARE
Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance
State Guides
Assistance and Services in Your Area
Prepare to Care Guides
How to Develop a Caregiving Plan
End of Life
How to Cope With Grief, Loss
Recently Played
Word & Trivia
Atari® & Retro
Members Only
Staying Sharp
Mobile Apps
More About Games
Right Again! Trivia
Right Again! Trivia – Sports
Atari® Video Games
Throwback Thursday Crossword
Travel Tips
Vacation Ideas
Destinations
Travel Benefits
Outdoor Vacation Ideas
Camping Vacations
Plan Ahead for Summer Travel
AARP National Park Guide
Discover Canyonlands National Park
25 Ways to Save on Your Vacation
Entertainment & Style
Family & Relationships
Personal Tech
Home & Living
Celebrities
Beauty & Style
TV for Grownups
Best Reality TV Shows for Grownups
Robert De Niro Reflects on His Life
Looking Back
50 World Changers Turning 50
Sex & Dating
Spice Up Your Love Life
Navigate All Kinds of Connections
Life & Home
Couple Creates Their Forever Home
Home Technology
Caregiver’s Guide to Smart Home Tech
AI Technology
The Possibilities, Perils of AI
Virtual Community Center
Join Free Tech Help Events
Create a Hygge Haven
Soups to Comfort Your Soul
Your Ultimate Guide to Mulching
Driver Safety
Maintenance & Safety
Trends & Technology
AARP Smart Guide
How to Keep Your Car Running
We Need To Talk
Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills
AARP Smart Driver Course
Building Resilience in Difficult Times
Tips for Finding Your Calm
Weight Loss After 50 Challenge
Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams
7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers
Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’
Quick Digest of Today's Top News
AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life
Get Moving With Our Workout Series
You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Go to Series Main Page
What to Know About the Latest Amazon-Impostor Scams
Be aware of the latest ways criminals use the company’s name to steal from consumers .
Christina Ianzito,
Scams are epidemic these days as criminals use every conceivable avenue to separate consumers from their cash. It makes sense that they frequently pretend to be big companies or institutions affiliated with millions of people (potential victims, in their minds): the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration , big banks such as Wells Fargo and Chase — or massive retailers such as Amazon.
Amazon, which raked in nearly $575 billion in net sales last year, is “the low hanging fruit” for scammers, because it’s one of those “entities that binds us all,” says Mark Fetterhoff, a senior adviser at AARP Fraud Watch Network .
AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Impersonation scams in general — in which criminals pretend to represent a business or official agency, usually to steal money — cost Americans at least $1.1 billion last year, according to reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). “These figures reflect just a small fraction of the public harm … because the vast majority of frauds are not reported to the government,” the FTC says.
In response, an FTC rule went into effect April 1 that includes stronger prohibitions and greater penalties against business and government impersonation.
Older adults are more likely to lose more money to scams than younger ones: a median loss of $803 per person for people in their 70s, compared with $460 for victims in their 30s.
Amazon-impersonation scams grow more complex
The FTC said in an April report that it’s seeing an increase in cases of criminals impersonating more than one organization in a single scam — “for example, a fake Amazon employee might transfer you to a fake bank or even a fake FBI or FTC employee for fake help.”
Charlotte Cowles, the financial advice columnist for The Cut magazine, described in a story how she became a victim of a multilayered Amazon-impersonation scam — a reminder that nobody is immune to fraud. Cowles explained that she received a call from someone claiming to be from Amazon customer service, asking if she’d recently spent $8,000 on MacBooks and iPads. No, she hadn’t. Must have been identity theft, she and the caller concluded. In panic mode, Cowles interacted with people impersonating investigators from the FTC and the CIA, and by the end of the day, she had withdrawn $50,000 and given it to an Uber driver so it could be taken to a secure location. When she stopped to take a breath, she realized what had happened. “Someone waged psychological warfare on me,” she concluded, “and I lost.”
Some victims have been devastated by similar schemes. A retired Montana woman lost her life savings in a scam that began with a call from “Amazon” informing her of fraudulent activity on her account. That led to a supposed investigation by a man posing as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, who took $240,000 from her through an elaborate scheme. (Hear her story on this episode of AARP’s The Perfect Scam podcast.)
“It is not a new problem, but it’s a growing problem,” says Abigail Bishop, Amazon’s head of external relations for scam prevention. “And it’s an ever evolving problem, which makes it incredibly difficult for those who are fighting it to keep up and to continue to find ways to sufficiently protect consumers because scammers are incredibly sophisticated.” Criminals replicate the ways that Amazon and other businesses communicate with their customers “in ways that are incredibly convincing,” she says.
Common Amazon-impersonation scams
Sometimes the criminals will use a mix of the scams described below.
The fake order or delivery. You’ll receive a message that there’s a problem with your shipment and you need to pay a fee to straighten it out. The message may include a link that — like so many delivery scams involving UPS or the U.S. Postal Service — if clicked, might download malware on to your computer or lead you to a request for personal information. Or you may be contacted by phone, and the criminal will request your password, your payment information or other sensitive data. They may suggest that there’s a technical problem and ask to take control of your computer to fix it (see “Tech support scam” below).
Suspicious purchase. This common scam accounted for two-thirds of the fraud reports Amazon received globally last year. The criminals call to confirm your purchase of what’s usually a big-ticket item — for instance, the $8,000 worth of tech devices that scammers said had been charged to Cowles’ account. “And you’re like, ‘I’m sorry. What ?’ ” Bishop says. “You’re caught off guard, which they use to their advantage, creating that false urgency. ‘ We really need to resolve this issue .’ ”
They may ask for your login info. It’s not a new scam, Bishop notes, but “continues to be prevalent, because, unfortunately, it’s effective.”
Have you seen this scam?
- Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 or report it with the AARP Scam Tracking Map .
- Get Watchdog Alerts for tips on avoiding such scams.
ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT
Membership renewal scams. Many people don’t remember when their annual payment for Amazon Prime is due, so when customers are told it’s time to pay up, it seems plausible, Bishop says. Scammers know you are probably busy and have a lot on your mind, she says, so they “are going to find those sorts of cracks in your day to weasel in and try to get you to do something that you shouldn’t.”
Last fall, Amazon filed lawsuits against fraudulent organizations that it alleged impersonated Amazon customer support and sold fake upgrades for Prime Video subscribers. Renewal schemes are on the rise, the company warned on X .
Coupons for Local Stores
Save on clothing, gifts, beauty and other everyday shopping needs
Tech support scam. Criminals incorporate the Amazon name in this extremely common scam , in which you’re told there’s a problem with your account, Fetterhoff says. “Then they’ll say, ‘We have someone who can remote on to your computer and take care of it for you.’ And while this person thinks they’re getting all the help in the world, what’s going on is [the scammers] are charging things or taking their personal information,” which can be sold on the dark web or used to perpetrate other crimes.
Bishop notes that if the victim uses similar passwords for different accounts or is logged in to a bank account, the scammer can do a lot of damage. Older Americans lost $590 million to tech support scams last year, according to the FBI’s latest Elder Fraud Report .
Employment scam. Criminals will pretend to be Amazon job recruiters, offering nonexistent work-from-home jobs . They’ll tell the prospective victim, “We need you to set up an account and purchase this subscription to get an interview,” Bishop says. Or once you’re offered a job, they may ask for a start-up fee or tell you that you need to buy a “starter kit” with Amazon.com gift cards.
Publishing scam. Scammers tout publishing services to authors. “The scammers’ websites are designed to lure authors into paying a fee to publish, and then deliver substandard services or no services at all,” Amazon warns on its site . Last fall, Amazon sued a group of about 20 people in California, claiming they’d told writers they were representatives from Amazon Publishing or Kindle Direct Publishing.
Stopping Amazon-impersonation scams
“We have a zero tolerance policy for any bad actor who’s impersonating our brand,” Bishop says, adding that the company has an international team of attorneys and investigators working with law enforcement around the world to stop scammers. Last year, Amazon initiated takedowns of more than 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 phone numbers impersonating Amazon.
The company had some recent crime-fighting successes: Amazon worked in collaboration with Microsoft and India’s equivalent of the FBI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to raid and prosecute a ring of more than 70 fraud call centers across India that were impersonating many businesses, including Amazon and Microsoft, Bishop says. That was the first time Amazon and Microsoft collaborated in this way.
It’s a step in the right direction, says Kathy Stokes, AARP’s director of fraud prevention programs, who believes that collaboration and openness about the scope of the scam crisis are crucial for successful fraud fighting.
“It’s going to take these big brands talking openly about it and being willing to say, ‘Yes, criminals are impersonating [us], and we want you to know, customers, because we don’t want this to happen,’ ” Stokes says. “Right now, Amazon is the only major brand that’s screaming it from the rooftops, freely. The other ones are still, in my opinion, afraid to associate their brand with [these scams].”
A large part of Amazon’s fraud-prevention strategy is focused on public education: making people aware of the red flags for scams and encouraging the public to report them. “We are protecting our customers on our store all the time, but these [scams] are happening off our store, and we can only do so much,” Bishop says.
The good news? Amazon saw a 15 percent reduction in the number of reports citing money loss in 2023 compared with the year before. Bishop says that might be attributable to greater consumer awareness of impostor scams.
How to protect yourself from Amazon impostor scams
Amazon’s advice includes:
1. For any questions related to an order, always check your order history on Amazon.com or via the Amazon Shopping app. Only legitimate purchases will appear in your order history.
AARP NEWSLETTERS
%{ newsLetterPromoText }%
%{ description }%
Privacy Policy
2. Do not click on any links in an email or provide your information without authenticating the email or verifying the link. Visit the Message Center , which displays a log of authentic communications sent from Amazon.
3. Know that Amazon will never:
- Request that you purchase a gift card for any service.
- Ask you to download or install any software to connect with customer service.
- Ask you to pay for something over the phone.
4. If you’re trying to engage with Amazon, make sure you’re logged in to your account on the site or app. Don’t google Amazon to get its site: Scammers’ fake Amazon sites might come up in search results. Instead, type Amazon.com in your browser, or use the Amazon app on your phone.
Find other scam-prevention tips on Amazon’s site .
Other tips for avoiding all kinds of scams:
- Slow down. If you receive an out-of-the-blue communication from Amazon (or anyone) that suggests you need to take immediate action due to an urgent issue, take a breath. Stop and think. Scammers try to get victims into a heightened emotional state — otherwise, thinking calmly, you might be more likely to hang up the phone or delete their “urgent” message. As the FTC notes, “Anyone who’s rushing you into paying or giving information is almost certainly a scammer.”
- You can’t always trust your caller ID. Remember that scammers can spoof numbers, so don’t assume a call is from Amazon just because your caller ID says it is.
- Use hard-to-guess, original passwords for everything. Always make sure you have different passwords for all of your accounts . This is the golden rule of fraud prevention. When possible, use multifactor authentication, such as facial ID and a code sent to your phone.
Where to report Amazon-impostor scams
You can report scams at amazon.com/reportascam or [email protected] , whether or not you’re a customer. Though Amazon isn’t able to respond to these messages, it’s important for the company to be aware of the kinds and scope of schemes. “We only know of them when they are reported back to us,” Bishop says, “because these are happening off our store.” Once reports reveal patterns, the company can warn customers and take legal action when possible.
You can also report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov . The more information authorities have, the better their chance to link cases and ultimately catch the criminals.
If you’re a victim of a scam or wondering if something might be a scam, you can reach out to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline , 877-908-3360. It’s a free resource, with trained fraud specialists who can provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams.
Christina Ianzito is the travel and books editor for aarp.org and AARP The Magazine , and also edits and writes health, entertainment and other stories for aarp.org. She received a 2020 Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing.
Discover AARP Members Only Access
Already a Member? Login
More From AARP
What to Do If You've Just Been Scammed
How one woman worked quickly — with help — to avoid being charged through PayPal
A Spy Inside the Dark Web Watches Scammers at Work
David Maimon keeps an eye on criminals as they begin their schemes, and helps shut them down
6 Common Types of Investment Fraud
Learn the red flags for financial scams
What to Do After You’ve Experienced a Scam
Recommended for You
AARP Value & Member Benefits
High Yield Savings from Marcus by Goldman Sachs®
Rate bonus on high-yield online savings account
AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® from Barclays
3% cash back on airfare, hotel stays and car rentals
Interview an Advisor™ Tool
A free resource to help you assess a financial advisor
AARP® Staying Sharp®
Activities, recipes, challenges and more with full access to AARP Staying Sharp®
SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
Popular Searches
Rolling Stones Presale
AARP daily Crossword Puzzle
Hotels with AARP discounts
Life Insurance
Suggested Links
AARP MEMBERSHIP — $12 FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
- right_container
Work & Jobs
Social Security
AARP en Español
- Membership & Benefits
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards %{points}%
Conditions & Treatments
Drugs & Supplements
Health Care & Coverage
Health Benefits
AARP Eye Center
Tips to Protect Your Eyesight
AARP Hearing Center
Ways To Improve Your Hearing
Mental Health Resources
Coping with Depression and Anxiety
AARP Smart Guide
Prepare for a Good Night's Sleep
Scams & Fraud
Personal Finance
Money Benefits
View and Report Scams in Your Area
Take the Charitable Giving Quiz
AARP Money Map
Get Your Finances Back on Track
Budget & Savings
Make Your Appliances Last Longer
Small Business
Age Discrimination
Flexible Work
10 Part-Time Jobs to Beat Inflation
AARP Skills Builder
Online Courses to Boost Your Career
Age Proof Your Resume
Share Your Story
Stand Up to Age Discrimination
Get More out of Your Benefits
When to Start Taking Social Security
10 Top Social Security FAQs
Social Security Benefits Calculator
Medicare Made Easy
Original vs. Medicare Advantage
Enrollment Guide
Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers
Prescription Drugs
9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law
Medicare FAQs
Quick Answers to Your Top Questions
Care at Home
Financial & Legal
Life Balance
LONG-TERM CARE
Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance
State Guides
Assistance and Services in Your Area
Prepare to Care Guides
How to Develop a Caregiving Plan
How to Find the Right Caregiver
Recently Played
Word & Trivia
Atari® & Retro
Members Only
Staying Sharp
Mobile Apps
More About Games
Right Again! Trivia
Right Again! Trivia – Sports
Atari® Video Games
Throwback Thursday Crossword
Travel Tips
Vacation Ideas
Destinations
Travel Benefits
Entertainment & Style
Family & Relationships
Personal Tech
Home & Living
Celebrities
Beauty & Style
Editors' Picks
Best New Shows and Movies
The Weekly Read
Hot New Book Releases
Free Online Novel
Read 'Midnight at the Blackbird Café'
Sex & Intimacy
Make Your Bedroom More Romantic
Grandparenting
4 Ways to Connect With Grandchildren
Making Lasting Memories With Mom
Store Medical Records on Your Phone?
Maximize the Life of Your Phone Battery
Virtual Community Center
Join Free Tech Help Events
10 Things to Clean in 10 Minutes
Home Improvement
Your Home Checklist for Aging in Place
38 Ways to Boost Home's Curb Appeal
Driver Safety
Maintenance & Safety
Trends & Technology
Is Now the Time to Buy an Electric Car?
We Need To Talk
Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills
AARP Smart Driver Course
Building Resilience in Difficult Times
Tips for Finding Your Calm
Weight Loss After 50 Challenge
Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams
7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers
Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’
Quick Digest of Today's Top News
AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life
Get Moving With Our Workout Series
Exclusive AARP Poll: Trump Has Edge Over Biden With Pennsylvania Voters 50+
By michelle tuccitto sullo , may 07, 2024 11:58 am.
En español | More voters in the presidential election battleground state of Pennsylvania say they would vote for former President Donald Trump than for President Joe Biden, according to an exclusive new AARP survey . Fifty-two percent of Pennsylvania voters age 50-plus said they would support Trump, compared with 42 percent for Biden, a 10-point lead. Pollsters in late April asked voters who would get their vote if the election were held today between Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican. Trump maintained a 4-percentage-point lead among Pennsylvania voters of all ages, with 49 percent favoring him, compared with 45 percent for Biden, the poll showed. Among state voters age 65-plus, Trump’s lead narrowed, putting him ahead of Biden 48 percent to 46 percent. Among women 50-plus, the gap was even smaller, with Biden ahead by 1 percentage point.
Pennsylvania is among the battleground states for the presidency, giving the winner 20 electoral votes toward the 270 total needed. In 2020, Biden won Pennsylvania, garnering 50 percent of the vote compared with 48.8 percent for Trump. Voters were also asked about how each candidate performed as president. For Biden, 41 percent of voters 50-plus approve of what he is doing in office, while 58 percent disapprove. For Trump, 55 percent of voters 50-plus approve of what he did as president, versus 43 percent who disapprove. Pollsters interviewed 1,398 likely Pennsylvania voters about the presidential and U.S. Senate races and about the issues motivating them to vote, according to the AARP–commissioned survey conducted from April 24 to April 30 by the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research. Voters were split when it came to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr. and Republican challenger Dave McCormick were nearly even among voters 50-plus: McCormick led by 1 percentage point. However, the poll showed Casey leading by 4 percentage points among likely voters of all ages, with 48 percent supporting Casey compared with 44 percent for McCormick.
In the race for Pennsylvania attorney general, Republican Dave Sunday had the lead among 50-plus voters, with 49 percent supporting him, compared with 41 percent supporting Democrat Eugene DePasquale, the poll found. Bob Ward, a partner in Fabrizio Ward, said “all eyes will be on” Pennsylvania from now until Election Day. “This poll shows that Pennsylvania is intensely competitive, with Trump leading Biden by a small margin, and Democrat Casey leading Republican McCormick by a small margin for Senate,” Ward said. Overall, interest in voting in November is high. Eighty-five percent of Pennsylvania voters 50-plus said they are “extremely motivated to vote” in the November election for president, U.S. Senate and Congress. Sixty-seven percent of those older voters said they planned to cast a ballot in person on Election Day, while 21 percent said they would vote by absentee or mail-in ballot. Ten percent said they would opt for early in-person voting.
Bill Johnston-Walsh, state director for AARP Pennsylvania, said older voters in the state will play a key role in determining who wins in November, as they have in past years. About 5 million Pennsylvanians are 50 years of age and older, he said. “This is one strong voting block,” Johnston-Walsh said, “and political candidates of all affiliations need to pay attention to their needs and concerns if they want to win.”
Social Security, Medicare are key concerns
Issues are often the driving force for these voters. Eighty percent of voters age 50-plus said a candidate’s stance on Social Security is “extremely or very important” to them when deciding who to support this November. After Social Security, age 50-plus voters identified Medicare (73 percent), cost of prescription drugs (67 percent), policies to help seniors live independently at home as they age (69 percent), housing costs (58 percent) and cost of utilities (68 percent) as key issues in their candidate choice.
“It is not surprising that older voters are more likely to vote for candidates who say they will make sure workers get the Social Security they paid into and earned through a lifetime of hard work,” Ward said. “Candidates not talking about the importance of Social Security are making a big mistake.” In the 50-plus age demographic, 63 percent of voters reported being worried about their finances, compared with 37 percent who aren’t. Older voters said their biggest cost concerns centered on paying for utilities like electricity, heat and water; food; and health care and prescription drugs. When asked about the country’s trajectory, only 29 percent of voters in the 50-plus age category said it is headed in the “right direction,” while 68 percent said the country is heading in the “wrong direction.” Older Pennsylvanians are also concerned about the costs of caregiving for an older or ill adult or someone with a disability, said Johnston-Walsh. Twenty-seven percent of voters 50-plus said they considered themselves to be a family caregiver, the poll found. Caregivers “are balancing work with caregiving and often exhausting their own savings to care for a loved one,” Johnston-Walsh said. Matt Hogan, a partner with Impact Research, noted that voters 50-plus want candidates to focus on the issues they care about. “More than three-quarters of voters 50-plus are willing to reward candidates who will provide support for family caregivers who are helping their loved ones live independently in their homes,” Hogan said. Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a contributing writer covering state and federal policy. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has worked for the New Haven Register, Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz .
Also of Interest:
- Follow AARP’s political coverage
- Find voter guides for all 50 states
- Learn more about AARP’s caregiving advocacy work
Popular Searches
Rolling Stones Presale
AARP daily Crossword Puzzle
Hotels with AARP discounts
Life Insurance
Suggested Links
AARP MEMBERSHIP — $12 FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
- right_container
Work & Jobs
- Social Security
AARP en Español
- Membership & Benefits
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards %{points}%
Conditions & Treatments
Drugs & Supplements
Health Care & Coverage
Health Benefits
AARP Eye Center
Tips to Protect Your Eyesight
AARP Hearing Center
Ways To Improve Your Hearing
Mental Health Resources
Coping with Depression and Anxiety
AARP Smart Guide
Prepare for a Good Night's Sleep
Scams & Fraud
Personal Finance
Money Benefits
View and Report Scams in Your Area
Take the Charitable Giving Quiz
AARP Money Map
Get Your Finances Back on Track
Budget & Savings
Make Your Appliances Last Longer
Small Business
Age Discrimination
Flexible Work
10 Part-Time Jobs to Beat Inflation
AARP Skills Builder
Online Courses to Boost Your Career
Age Proof Your Resume
Share Your Story
Stand Up to Age Discrimination
Get More out of Your Benefits
When to Start Taking Social Security
10 Top Social Security FAQs
Social Security Benefits Calculator
Medicare Made Easy
Original vs. Medicare Advantage
Enrollment Guide
Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers
Prescription Drugs
9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law
Medicare FAQs
Quick Answers to Your Top Questions
Care at Home
Financial & Legal
Life Balance
LONG-TERM CARE
Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance
State Guides
Assistance and Services in Your Area
Prepare to Care Guides
How to Develop a Caregiving Plan
How to Find the Right Caregiver
Recently Played
Word & Trivia
Atari® & Retro
Members Only
Staying Sharp
Mobile Apps
More About Games
Right Again! Trivia
Right Again! Trivia – Sports
Atari® Video Games
Throwback Thursday Crossword
Travel Tips
Vacation Ideas
- Destinations
Travel Benefits
Entertainment & Style
Family & Relationships
Personal Tech
Home & Living
Celebrities
Beauty & Style
Editors' Picks
Best New Shows and Movies
The Weekly Read
Hot New Book Releases
Free Online Novel
Read 'Midnight at the Blackbird Café'
Sex & Intimacy
Make Your Bedroom More Romantic
Grandparenting
4 Ways to Connect With Grandchildren
Making Lasting Memories With Mom
Store Medical Records on Your Phone?
Maximize the Life of Your Phone Battery
Virtual Community Center
Join Free Tech Help Events
10 Things to Clean in 10 Minutes
Home Improvement
Your Home Checklist for Aging in Place
38 Ways to Boost Home's Curb Appeal
Driver Safety
Maintenance & Safety
Trends & Technology
Is Now the Time to Buy an Electric Car?
We Need To Talk
Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills
AARP Smart Driver Course
Building Resilience in Difficult Times
Tips for Finding Your Calm
Weight Loss After 50 Challenge
Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams
7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers
Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’
Quick Digest of Today's Top News
AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life
Get Moving With Our Workout Series
You're this close to getting so much more ...
Get access to this and all Members-Only discussions, plus a world of member Benefits when you Join AARP!
- AARP Online Community
- Leave a Game Tip
- Ask for a Game Tip
- AARP Rewards Connect
- Earn Activities
- AARP Rewards Tips
- Ask for a Rewards Tip
- Leave a Rewards Tip
- Grief & Loss
- Caregiving Tips
- Ask for a Caregiving Tip
- Leave a Caregiving Tip
- Benefits & Discounts
- General Help
- Entertainment Forums
- Rock N' Roll
- Let's Play Bingo!
- Leisure & Lifestyle
- Entertainment Archive
- Health Forums
Brain Health
- Conditions & Treatments
- Healthy Living
- Medicare & Insurance
- Health Tips
- Ask for a Health Tip
- Leave a Health Tip
- Home & Family Forums
- Friends & Family
- Introduce Yourself
- Late Life Divorce
- Our Front Porch
- Home & Family Archive
- Money Forums
- Budget & Savings
Scams & Fraud
- Retirement Forum
- Retirement Archive
- Technology Forums
- Computer Questions & Tips
- About Our Community
- Travel Forums
- Work & Jobs
- Re: 🚢 Tell Us About YOUR 2024 Travel Plans!
🚢 Tell Us About YOUR 2024 Travel Plans!
- « Previous
- Next »
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Printer Friendly Page
- All forum topics
- Previous Topic
- Mark as New
- Destinations AARP FORUM
- Anyone living in Panama
- Tell Us About YOUR 2024 Travel Plans!
never-displayed
Learn More.
Test your knowledge and see how much you know with a new game every day! Special opportunities for AARP Members and Rewards participants. Play now!
Sync your smartphone or favorite tracker with AARP Rewards to earn points for hitting steps, swimming and cycling milestones Sync now.
From soft jazz to hard rock - discover music's mental, social and physical benefits. Learn more.
@AARPMaggie
AARP Staying Sharp
@MartinBooker
Budget & Debt
@anofziger17
@SarahLenzLock
Stress & Anxiety
IMAGES
COMMENTS
AARP is the source for travel information and vacation planning. From destinations to discounts, plan your dream trip with our expert advice and resources. Skip to content
As you prepare to travel this summer, here are eight tips you never knew to follow before taking a trip. 1. Call the non-U.S. 800 number for airlines. Peter Greenberg, the travel editor for CBS News, wants travelers to not rely solely on online research when booking a trip. "The websites are by design misleading because the presumption that ...
The AARP Travel Center offers discounts on a wide selection of hotels including brands like Choice, Wyndham, and Best Western. From beachside resorts in Maui to prestigious hotels in New York, cottages near the Niagara Falls, world-class hotels with casinos in Atlantic City, and boutique hotels in San Antonio, find the best AARP hotel for your ...
Tools, Guides & Special Offers. Save. AARP Travel can be accessed online. Get an insider's view on great vacation ideas with the AARP Travel site. Whether you're just dreaming or ready to book now, you'll discover local hot spots, places to stay, eat and see, and special offers. Learn More. Whether dreaming of future travel or ready to book now ...
Exclusive deals on hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. AARP Vacation Ideas. Ideas for every type of trip - from cruises to road trips. Medjet Travel Protection. Up to 20% off MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon memberships. Park Ride Fly USA. 12% discount on off-airport parking reservations. RushMyPassport.
Explore flights to popular destinations from Cancun to Las Vegas, Paris, Vancouver, Aruba, and much more. The AARP Travel Center is your one-stop shop for booking your entire trip. Enjoy AARP flight package discounts and special offers on accommodation, car rentals, and activities.
The AARP® Travel Center Powered by Expedia® offers the following discounts for AARP members: 10% off at select hotels. Up to 30% off select car rentals. Up to $300 in extra onboard credits for select cruises. Up to $349 off vacation packages, 5% rebate (up to $350) on eligible group hotel bookings. To explore discounts and book travel, go to ...
Entry requirements are changing frequently. Ask your travel agent or search online for the latest updates. The best source of information is usually the country's tourism office and the U.S. State Department.Other helpful resources include CanITravel.net and WendyPerrin.com, which maintains a comprehensive list.The sites also have the latest traveler requirements for COVID-19 vaccination ...
Hotel savings for AARP members are between 5% and 10% off the best available rate. Some hotels offer additional perks, too, such as a late checkout at 2 p.m., when available. The ongoing travel discounts are clearly spelled out on the AARP travel benefits website. Members can click through to the AARP Expedia booking portal or link directly to ...
AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP Travel Center directly for full details. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP's intellectual property.
AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP Travel Center directly for full details. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP's intellectual property.
Level 3: Reconsider travel. Level 4: Do not travel. Most countries are Level 1 or 2. With Level 3, the State Department suggests that you avoid travel due to serious safety risks. With Level 4, you face "a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks," and the government may be unable to provide assistance. Travel.
Lol, getting too old for some stuff!!! One growing area of tourism has come to be known as volunteer tourism or voluntourism (sometimes referred to as volunteer travel). This combines the traditional aspects of tourism with voluntary service. In some cases, it can be related to sustainable tourism and sometimes to ecotourism. Thanks,
AARP will never call or email you for credit card information to process refunds or to look up account information. If you received a phishing email from a suspected AARP impostor, please report it by forwarding the message to [email protected]. If you want to report any other phishing attempts or need help with other types of fraud or scams ...
AARP Pennsylvania released a 2024 statewide election survey that shows candidates for President, U.S. Senate, and state races should pay close attention to Pennsylvanians ages 50 and older. Eighty-percent of voters ages 50+ report that candidates' positions on Social Security are important in deciding whom to vote for in November, followed by Medicare (73%), helping people stay in their ...
This common scam accounted for two-thirds of the fraud reports Amazon received globally last year. The criminals call to confirm your purchase of what's usually a big-ticket item — for instance, the $8,000 worth of tech devices that scammers said had been charged to Cowles' account. "And you're like, 'I'm sorry.
Fifty-two percent of Pennsylvania voters age 50-plus said they would support Trump, compared with 42 percent for Biden, a 10-point lead. Pollsters in late April asked voters who would get their vote if the election were held today between Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican. Trump maintained a 4-percentage-point lead among Pennsylvania ...
Lol, getting too old for some stuff!!! One growing area of tourism has come to be known as volunteer tourism or voluntourism (sometimes referred to as volunteer travel). This combines the traditional aspects of tourism with voluntary service. In some cases, it can be related to sustainable tourism and sometimes to ecotourism. Thanks,
Regular Social Butterfly. 04-15-2024 07:01 PM. Hey there, Spring! I'm hoping to travel to Panama within the next 5 or so months; have been checking into the culture, languages, lifestyle there, and pretty positive results. Would so appreciate anyone currently there or with experience there offering their advise.