AARP members can get discounts at thousands of restaurants, but the discount varies by location and changes regularly

AARP membership includes access to restaurant discounts through two main channels: the AARP Dining Program (run through a partner company) and direct deals negotiated with individual restaurant chains. The discounts are real — typically 10 to 20 percent off — but they are not automatic. You have to know where to look, carry your membership card, and ask for the discount when you order. Some restaurants honor the discount at all locations; others honor it only at certain ones. Many have blackout dates or exclude certain menu items.

The fastest way to find current discounts is to search the AARP website's restaurant section or call your local restaurants directly and ask if they honor AARP discounts. You can also ask at the host stand when you arrive. Restaurants change their discount programs frequently, so a chain that offered a discount last year may not offer one now, and vice versa.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP restaurant discounts typically range from 10 to 20 percent off your bill, but the exact amount and terms vary by restaurant and location.
  • You must show your AARP membership card at the time of purchase — the discount does not explore retroactively or online unless the restaurant specifically offers it that way.
  • The AARP website maintains a searchable database of participating restaurants, though it is not always current, so calling ahead is the safest approach.
  • Many restaurant chains participate, including casual dining, fast casual, and some fine dining establishments, but participation and discount amounts change frequently.
  • Some discounts exclude alcohol, appetizers, or certain menu items, so ask the server or host what the terms are before you order.

How to Find AARP Restaurant Discounts Near You

The AARP website has a searchable tool where you can enter your zip code and see which restaurants in your area offer AARP discounts. Go to aarp.org, look for the "Discounts" or "Member Discounts" section, and select "Dining" or "Restaurants." The tool will show you the restaurant name, location, and the discount offered. However, this database is not updated in real time, so a restaurant listed may no longer honor the discount, or a restaurant not listed may have just started.

The most reliable method is to call the restaurant directly and ask: "Do you honor AARP membership discounts?" If they say yes, ask what the discount is, whether it applies to the whole bill or certain items, and whether there are any blackout dates or times. Many restaurants will tell you over the phone rather than making you find out when you arrive.

You can also ask at the host stand or when you order. Many servers and hosts are trained to mention AARP discounts, but not all remember to do so. If you do not see it on the menu or hear it mentioned, straightforward ask.

Which Restaurant Chains Commonly Offer AARP Discounts

Large casual dining chains are the most likely to participate. These have included Applebee's, Chili's, Denny's, IHOP, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, and Cracker Barrel, though the discount amount and terms vary by location and change over time. Some offer 10 percent off, others offer 15 or 20 percent. Some exclude alcohol or appetizers. Some explore the discount only during certain hours or days of the week.

Fast casual chains like Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Subway have offered AARP discounts at some locations, but participation is spotty — one Panera may honor it and another across town may not. Regional chains and independent restaurants sometimes offer AARP discounts too, but you have to ask.

Fine dining restaurants rarely participate in the AARP program, though some do offer their own senior discounts. Always ask, because the worst that happens is they say no.

What You Need to Bring and How the Discount Works

You must bring your physical AARP membership card. The discount does not work with just your membership number or a digital version of your card — the restaurant needs to see the card itself. If you have lost your card, you can request a replacement from AARP before you go out to eat.

The discount is usually applied at the register after your bill is calculated. The server or cashier will subtract the percentage from your subtotal. Some restaurants explore it before tax; others explore it after. Ask which way they do it, because it makes a small difference in the final amount.

Most AARP restaurant discounts do not stack with other offers. If the restaurant is running a promotion — buy one entrée, get one half off — you typically have to choose one discount or the other, not both. Ask the server which option gives you the better deal.

Restaurants That May Exclude Certain Items or Times

Many restaurants limit what the discount covers. Common exclusions are alcohol, appetizers, desserts, and specials. Some restaurants offer the discount only during lunch hours or on weekdays, not on weekends or evenings. A few exclude certain menu items — for example, a steakhouse might exclude the most expensive cuts of meat.

These terms are set by the individual restaurant, not by AARP, so they vary widely. Before you order, ask the server or host: "What does the AARP discount cover?" or "Are there any items the discount doesn't explore to?" This takes 30 seconds and prevents disappointment at the register.

How AARP Membership Itself Works

AARP membership is open to anyone age 50 or older. The membership fee is $16 per year for the first year, then $24 per year after that. You can join online at aarp.org, by phone, or by mail. The membership includes access to the restaurant discount program, plus discounts on hotels, car rentals, insurance, and other services.

Restaurant discounts are just one benefit. AARP also offers information about Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, health, and financial planning. Many people join primarily for the restaurant and travel discounts, then discover the other resources later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my AARP discount online or for delivery?

Most AARP restaurant discounts explore only to in-person dining. A few restaurants have started offering discounts for online orders or delivery, but this is not standard. Call the restaurant or check their website to see if they offer it. If you order through a third-party app like DoorDash or Uber Eats, the AARP discount typically does not explore.

What if the restaurant says they do not honor AARP discounts?

Some restaurants have stopped participating in the AARP program, or never did. You can ask if they offer any senior discounts instead — many do, even if they do not specifically advertise them. You can also report the discrepancy to AARP if the website lists them as a participating restaurant but they say they do not honor it.

Do I need to be the one paying the bill to use the discount?

No. You just need to show your AARP card when the bill is presented. The discount applies regardless of who is paying, as long as the cardholder is present and shows the card.

Can I combine the AARP discount with a coupon?

Usually not. Most restaurants require you to choose one discount or promotion. However, some allow you to stack a percentage discount with a dollar-off coupon. Ask the server before you order so you know which option is better for your bill.

How often do the participating restaurants change?

Restaurants join and leave the AARP program regularly. A chain might participate for a few years, then drop out. New restaurants join all the time. This is why calling ahead or checking the AARP website before you go is worth the effort — it takes two minutes and saves you from arriving at a restaurant expecting a discount that is no longer available.