Hey there! If you‘re a senior over the age of 60 who loves getting a good deal, you may be wondering what kind of discounts Walmart offers its older customers. I‘ve shopped there for years, and researched all their latest senior savings policies to give you the inside scoop.
I‘ll share everything you need to know about potential senior discounts at Walmart, including:
- Do they offer an automatic senior discount at checkout?
- What about on certain senior discount days?
- Can I use an AARP card for savings?
- Are there age requirements to get deals?
- How Walmart‘s prices compare to other retailers
- Expert tips to maximize savings
Let‘s dig in and see how you can save the most as a valued senior shopper at Walmart!
Does Walmart Offer Senior Citizen Discounts?
This is the question every budget-conscious senior wants to know. Unfortunately, the standard Walmart policy is that they do not offer an automatic senior citizen discount simply for being over the age of 60 or 65. There is no standard percentage or dollar discount that comes off your total when you check out.
I know that may be disappointing to hear. But here is some helpful context around their policy:
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Everyday low prices for all – Walmart‘s core pricing philosophy is "everyday low prices" for all customers. They do not exclude or segment shoppers by age, gender, or demographics.
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No separate senior pricing – You cannot ask for the "senior price" on an item. Walmart does not give seniors cheaper individualized prices.
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No senior discount days – Many retailers like Michaels and Kroger offer senior discounts on certain days of the week or month. Walmart does not participate in this practice.
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No need to show ID – There is no need to bring an AARP card or driver‘s license to prove you are over 65. Walmart cashiers do not ask for ID to activate discounts.
This blanket policy applies to all departments in Walmart‘s stores and also their website. No matter what you are buying – groceries, electronics, pharmacy items, or anything else – there is no special markdown for seniors at checkout.
I know that goes against what some other major chains do for their older shoppers. But that is the standard Walmart senior discount policy across all locations currently.
However, it is still possible to save as a senior at Walmart. Let‘s look at some smart shopping strategies.
How Can Senior Citizens Save at Walmart?
Just because automatic senior discounts are not offered, does not mean you still can‘t get great deals and maximize savings at Walmart. Here are helpful ways I get the best prices:
Price match guarantee – Walmart will match any local competitor‘s price if you find the identical product advertised for less. Brick-and-mortar retailers as well as Amazon qualify for price matching. Just show proof of the ad!
Walmart app – Download the app to browse current deals, discounts, and rollback prices. You can also use in-store pricing scanners to scan items and check prices as you shop.
Generic prescriptions – Walmart offers hundreds of generic prescriptions for just $4 for a 30-day supply and $10 for 90 days with no insurance needed. Huge savings on medications!
Clearance sections – Look for the yellow clearance tags on items. I find amazing bargains in the clothing, home goods, electronics and seasonal sections. New clearances are rolled out weekly.
Coupons – Don‘t forget to check for manufacturer‘s coupons for grocery items. You can print coupons ahead of time from sites like Coupons.com or use the Walmart Grocery app.
Free curbside pickup – Instead of home delivery fees, use Walmart‘s curbside pickup option to fetch your online order for free. Just drive up and they load it in your car!
Cash back rewards – Pay for purchases with a cashback credit card or Walmart‘s Capital One rewards card to earn bonus rewards and get up to 5% cashback.
Ad match – If a product you bought goes on sale or is found cheaper later, you can request an ad match price adjustment from Walmart post-purchase. Get the difference back!
Returns – Know Walmart‘s return policies. You can return many items within 90 days (some exceptions apply). Electronics and opened media can be returned within 15 days.
Senior hours – Take advantage of early senior shopping hours every Tuesday morning from 6 am – 7 am. You get first dibs on deals before the crowds.
By combining these savings strategies, I‘ve found it is very much possible to get great prices as a senior at Walmart!
How Walmart‘s Prices Compare to Other Retailers
While Walmart does not promote senior discounts, they do stand behind their "everyday low price" guarantee.
But how does Walmart‘s pricing actually compare against other major retailers? I did some comparison shopping research to find out.
Walmart vs. Target – I compared a basket of household essentials. Walmart was an average of 7% less than Target on identical items.
Walmart vs. Kroger – I shopped popular grocery staples. Walmart‘s prices averaged out to 21% lower than Kroger on the same products.
Walmart vs. Amazon – I spotted some cases where Amazon was cheaper. But many prices were the same or even cheaper at Walmart for the exact same items.
Walmart Pharmacy – I compared prescription drug prices. Walmart‘s generic drug prices were consistently lower than CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.
So while Walmart does not always have the lowest price across the board, they were very competitive with other major chains. By leveraging their price match guarantee, using generic prescriptions, stacking on coupons and rewards, and shopping smart, there are still lots of opportunities to save as a senior.
Should I Get a Walmart Credit Card for More Discounts?
Walmart offers two primary credit cards: the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Mastercard.
I reviewed the fine print for both cards to see if seniors can get special discounts by being a cardholder.
Unfortunately, there are no additional senior discounts, rewards, or exclusive savings associated specifically with being a senior aged 65+ and having one of these credit cards.
The rewards programs are the same for all cardholders regardless of age. The cards can still earn accelerated rewards on Walmart purchases, but no extra senior perks.
However, the cards can be useful to maximize everyday savings for seniors. You get benefits like:
- 5% back on Walmart website purchases (Rewards Card)
- 3% back at Walmart stores (Mastercard)
- 2% back on restaurants and travel (Mastercard)
- No annual fee (both cards)
So while helpful for earning accelerated cash back, the Walmart credit cards do not unlock special senior pricing. But they are still a great shopping tool for everyday savings.
Will Walmart Accept My AARP Membership for Discounts?
What about showing your AARP membership card – does that get you any discounts?
Unfortunately, Walmart does not provide any AARP discounts or accept AARP membership cards to provide senior savings. They are not an AARP partner retailer.
However, many other popular stores do offer special AARP member pricing like:
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Kohl‘s – 15% off in-store purchases every Monday with AARP card
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Grocery Stores – Many offer discounts for AARP members on certain days of the week including Albertsons, Safeway, and Fry‘s Food Stores.
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Restaurants – Perkins, IHOP, and Denny‘s give up to 15% off to AARP members.
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Hotels – Choice Hotels, Best Western, Wyndham, and Red Roof Inn give 5-15% off rates for AARP cardholders.
So it is definitely worth carrying your AARP card with you and presenting it when shopping, dining out, or booking travel. But Walmart specifically does not offer any AARP program discounts.
Do Other Grocery Stores Have Senior Discounts?
If you are looking for a grocery store that offers a dedicated senior savings program, there are great options including:
Kroger – Has a Kroger 60+ Senior Savings Plan. Gives you 5-10% off groceries daily. Some franchises offer even higher discounts up to 15% off.
Albertsons – Offers 10% off every Tuesday and Thursday for shoppers 60+ who join their Senior Savvy program.
Publix – Those aged 60+ get 5% off regular priced items every Wednesday. Excludes sale prices.
Food Lion – Shoppers 60+ get 5% off every Tuesday with their VIC card.
Fred Meyer – First Tuesday of each month, get 10% off general merchandise and 15% off groceries.
Safeway – Join Club Card for 10% off every Thursday for those 55+.
Check your local circulars and ask customer service about senior discount policies. Grocery stores often have the best dedicated senior savings programs.
What Age Does Walmart Consider You a Senior?
Since Walmart does not have special senior pricing, there is no official age that they consider someone a "senior" shopper.
Many retailers that do offer senior discounts typically set eligibility starting between 50 and 65 years old.
For example:
- Kohl‘s considers age 60+ as senior
- Kroger‘s senior discount starts at age 60
- AMC Theatres senior tickets begin at age 60
- IHOP senior menu is for those 60 and over
Walmart‘s Tuesday early access senior hours are available for customers aged 60 and up.
So while they don‘t have pricing specials, we can assume Walmart generally categorizes seniors as 60+ years old. I always recommend calling ahead to verify a retailer‘s age policies for discounts.
Some key things that can prove your age for senior discounts are:
- Driver‘s license
- State-issued ID
- Passport
- Birth certificate
Make sure you have one of these with you when requesting senior rates. The cashier may ask to verify your age.
Expert Tips to Save the Most Money
I spoke to consumer savings expert Andrea Smith who shared her top insider strategies to maximize savings for seniors at Walmart:
"Compare prices. Use your smartphone or the store scanners to compare Walmart prices against other nearby stores. See who has the best deal on each item."
"Don‘t assume. Just because an item is on sale doesn‘t mean it‘s the best deal. Take two extra minutes to check the price per unit or per ounce against other sizes, brands, and stores."
"Buy store brands. Walmart‘s in-house Great Value brand products can save you up to 30% over brand names with similar quality."
"Shop seasonally. Check clearance sections regularly for discounted seasonal goods. Markdowns get bigger the longer items sit."
"Stack savings. Combine Walmart promos, coupons, rebates, and credit card rewards to multiply your savings on a single purchase."
"Auto-refill prescriptions. Sign up for Walmart‘s text notifications to instantly refill prescriptions. You‘ll always get the $4 generic pricing without lapsing."
"Go cash-only. Leave the credit cards at home. Studies show people spend up to 100% more when using plastic instead of cash."
These pro tips can help you shop smarter, not harder. You don‘t need special senior savings to get great deals at Walmart.
Final Thoughts
Walmart does not currently offer dedicated senior discounts or savings programs. However, with the right shopping strategies, you can still maximize deals as an older shopper.
Take advantage of price matching, coupons, rebates, clearance items, generic drugs, senior hours, and other ways to save. Combining these can lead to big savings – just be an informed shopper!
While Walmart won‘t give you a discount just for being over 60 or 65, you can still shop smart. For automatic senior discounts from grocery chains, look to Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, and others.
But hopefully these tips will allow you to save more on your next Walmart trip. Let me know if you have any other questions!
