Big Blue Huddle

since our demo skews older


https://www.seniorliving.org/finance/senior-discounts/


The site pushes for AARP membership (the $12 membership is $15 when I clicked through). 

Inspired by Rics @Jolly Blue Giant comment about senior discounted coffee at McDonalds

Rich, sounds good. I only wish restaurants would bring back early bird specials at restaurants. Seems restaurants don't do that any more.

Definitely get the AARP at 50. Also get the CVS app and and that program. They send me up to 40% off an item or sometimes an entire purchase.

Being, seems like, a lifelong member of AARP, I know about all of these discounts. Problem is, most don't apply when it ems or things are on sale. Like you go to CVS for toothpaste and it is on sale you get no discount, and the sale price is always better t than any discount for anything.

As far as the senior discounts for cruises, HA. That is an advertising gimmick. When you ask for a quote for a cruise, they always ask if anyone is 55+, but if you did the same search and did not click on that, the price is usually the same. Same for military discounts, on cruises they are about as rare as the Giants winning the SB.

The first time I was offered a senior discount (I was in my mid-late 40s), I turned it down and said, "I'm not a senior, not yet", but it didn't take long before I asked if there was a senior discount everywhere I went, LOL. Been doing that for the last 25 years or so. Especially if the person serving me is in their late teens, they think everyone is a senior

Quote from: LennG on February 11, 2025, 02:16:02 PMBeing, seems like, a lifelong member of AARP, I know about all of these discounts. Problem is, most don't apply when it ems or things are on sale. Like you go to CVS for toothpaste and it is on sale you get no discount, and the sale price is always better t than any discount for anything.

As far as the senior discounts for cruises, HA. That is an advertising gimmick. When you ask for a quote for a cruise, they always ask if anyone is 55+, but if you did the same search and did not click on that, the price is usually the same. Same for military discounts, on cruises they are about as rare as the Giants winning the SB.

I think the biggest advertising gimmick there is, is the addition of "up to" preceding the sales discount. If it says "up to 50% off", that really means the item you want is closer to 5% off, and the handful of things that are 50% off are items that no one wants

Up to 50% off

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on February 11, 2025, 02:23:09 PMI think the biggest advertising gimmick there is, is the addition of "up to" preceding the sales discount. If it says "up to 50% off", that really means the item you want is closer to 5% off, and the handful of things that are 50% off are items that no one wants

Up to 50% off

Ha, been there, done that.       

Allright, all you geezers in here! Tell the truth, now! Isn't AARP just the biggest scam of them all?

Maybe I'm a skeptical Generation X individual who relies on my own analytical take on things; however, I'll be hitting 56 next month and my wife and I are being bombarded by AARP solicitations both in the mail and in our e-mail accounts ad nauseum these days.

My attitude is that if you have that many resources to, a-hem, "waste" on "death-by-solicitation" for every human being who crosses into the "AARP-ZONE," it doesn't sound convincing to me that they are doing everything they can for their current constituency.

I remember many years ago, when my father first started his AARP membership, that he would tell me all about the benefits and discounts he'd be taking advantage of (NOTE: this had to be in the early 1990s). About a decade or so later, all I heard from him was complaints and that he was not going to renew his account.

So, I'd like to hear your honest stories so I can gain some ground truth here. Not so much that any story will change my mind, but more along the lines of understanding how these types of organizations plot to pull in people, like lemmings, promise them the world, and barely give them a scoop of dirt. Does that make sense? Also, if you have stories to the contrary, I would very much like to hear those as well.

Thank you, in advance, for all who care to share.

Peace!

I am 78 going on 79. I have been a member of AARP since I was 55. I have paid whatever fee they asked for. In all those years I don't think I used AARP for anything. I have checked their rental car ads but if I needed a car I can always do better somewhere else. Why o am still a member I have no idea.

Quote from: LennG on February 27, 2025, 07:27:22 PMI am 78 going on 79. I have been a member of AARP since I was 55. I have paid whatever fee they asked for. In all those years I don't think I used AARP for anything. I have checked their rental car ads but if I needed a car I can always do better somewhere else. Why o am still a member I have no idea.

Man Len, I could have written that same post. I've been a member for 17 years and have only used a discount once. A few years ago my friend and I went on a bro adventure to Yosemite and Sequoia NP's for a few days. After leaving Yosemite late one night we headed towards Sequoia with plans to stop somewhere for the night. Found a no-name motel with vacancies and we stopped I asked for their AAA rate and the dude smugly tells me they only have an AARP discount, figuring I was too young. I slapped the card down and got my 10% discount. Win!! Probably amounted to 8 bucks. LOL.

I have a sweet rental car discount with Hertz as a retired IBM employee, and I really can't think of any AARP discount I'd use.

Probably should not re-up with AARP next time it comes due.

Thanks for your feedback, gents. I'm finding that, with my corporate "rewards" programs for flying, car rentals and lodging, I get discounts and room to suite, car to SUV/luxury and coach to first class upgrades by simply attaining my normal amount of business travel annually. The rewards programs generally take care of me without my having to lift a finger so it makes life easier and affordable when I do personal travel.

It truly sounds like there are no "benefits" to investing in entities such as AARP and even AAA since, for the latter, my USAA auto policy provides for all those amenities in my coverage, and more, for reasonable premiums as long as my record stays clean.

I appreciate your input, once again!

Peace!

When my AARP membership expires I don't plan to renew. AARP has a partnership with United Healthcare. It's a Medicare Advantage plan called AARP United Healthcare. We know United Healthcare's reputation so why did AARP team up with them? From what I read AARP receives about 200 million per year from United Healthcare. Money seems more important to them than people.

Quote from: squibber on March 01, 2025, 07:28:12 PMWhen my AARP membership expires I don't plan to renew. AARP has a partnership with United Healthcare. It's a Medicare Advantage plan called AARP United Healthcare. We know United Healthcare's reputation so why did AARP team up with them? From what I read AARP receives about 200 million per year from United Healthcare. Money seems more important to them than people.

Good feedback! Thank you!

Maybe it is time to tell AARP that their services are no longer needed and expose them for what they have become (or perhaps always been).

Wasn't their initial mission statement to be the voice of senior citizens in protecting their interests when it came to government legislation? This was around the era when senior communities started popping up, such as the Del Webbs throughout the country, and now this overcrowded nation is slowly having in on these established places since there's issues with home availability in many growing cities (NOTE: the Phoenix metro area being one of the fastest in the country).

Even if AARP is still trying to stick to their original mission statement, I have a feeling their influence isn't anywhere what it used to be.

Besides, what the heck are they doing for United Healthcare, anyway? Advertising? Kickbacks for what value-added purpose?

You can be certain that my wife and I see it for what it is as do many of my peers and those younger. They will continue to bombard with propaganda and false promises until their death once my generation starts dying off en masse.

Peace!

 I know we are down on AARP as has been said, but I do like their magazine and their monthly newsletter. I find that very informative with all sorts of good things for seniors, be it new things in health care, your money, your home. By reading the newsletter, I have learned several good things and have saved some money also.

Quote from: squibber on March 01, 2025, 07:28:12 PMWhen my AARP membership expires I don't plan to renew. AARP has a partnership with United Healthcare. It's a Medicare Advantage plan called AARP United Healthcare. We know United Healthcare's reputation so why did AARP team up with them? From what I read AARP receives about 200 million per year from United Healthcare. Money seems more important to them than people.

Medicare pays 80% and the Supplemental plan pays the rest. There are several plans available from other companies too. AAPR UHC has different coverage plans. I purchased Plan G, which is the most expensive but it covers long term hospitalizations.

Medicare advantage plans are cheaper and they do have some perks but they don't always cover your physicians or medical groups and some procedures.

Both my parents had AARP Supplemental Plans and their many hospital stays, chemo, radiation and surgeries were covered and this was back in the 90's. I consulted a friend who had open heart surgery and he was covered also 100% with Plan G.

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans serve different purposes and have distinct coverage options. Here's a breakdown of what Medicare Advantage plans typically do not cover that Medigap plans often do, along with differences in costs:

### Coverage Differences:

1. **Medigap Plans** do cover:
   - **Coinsurance and Copayments**: Medigap plans can help pay for the coinsurance or copayments required under Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
   - **Deductibles**: Many Medigap plans cover the Part A and Part B deductibles.
   - **Foreign Travel Emergency Care**: Some Medigap plans provide coverage for emergencies that occur outside the U.S.
   - **Extended Hospital Stays**: Certain Medigap plans offer extended coverage for hospital stays beyond Medicare's limits.

2. **Medicare Advantage Plans** do not cover:
   - **Standardized Benefits**: Unlike Medigap, which has standardized benefits across different plans, coverage can vary widely between Medicare Advantage plans.
   - **Foreign Travel**: Most Medicare Advantage plans do not cover healthcare services outside the U.S.
   - **Part B Excess Charges**: If you see a doctor who doesn't accept Medicare assignment, you may have to pay excess charges out of pocket; Medigap may help cover these expenses.

### Cost Differences:

- **Monthly Premiums**:
   - **Medicare Advantage Plans**: Often have lower monthly premiums, sometimes even $0, but may have higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing care.
   - **Medigap Plans**: Typically have higher monthly premiums, as they offer more comprehensive coverage, but they can save you money on out-of-pocket costs when you need care.

- **Out-of-Pocket Costs**:
   - **Medicare Advantage Plans**: Usually involve copayments and coinsurance for services, and they also have an out-of-pocket maximum limit.
   - **Medigap Plans**: Generally, after you meet the deductible, most services are covered without additional costs, but you will need to pay your premium regardless of whether you use healthcare services.