To be a member of the AARP one needs to be 50 yrs old and is entitled to all their benefits, yet not many people will say a 50 yr old is a Senior.

Marriott has as a condition for its Senior Rates that at least 1 person staying in the room be at least 62.

So what will the criteria be?

At least old enough to vote. :)

Not sure, but it brings to mind the Seinfield episode, where Georges father (at least I think thats who it was)... demands NOT to pay the SENIOR rate for a movie ticket :p At 56, I suppose to some of my 30 something co workers, I'm a Senior, but to someone in their 70's ... guess I'm still middle aged?

So what will the criteria be?

Well, hopefully, there won't be any restrictions in that regard - just as men have posted in the Women's Traveler forum! ;)

That said - if you identify with people that you think are seniors, then you're a senior - if you don't, then you're not, I guess...

This is the info that Rudi and I want to see (http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/info/winter/unl_gold.asp). :D

... So what will the criteria be?

As in all other foras here, posting is open to everyone - but the posts should be senior and senior-travel oriented.

So what will the criteria be?

As others have stated, there isn't any criteria for who can post here, of course. Many "younger" people may have questions about arranging travel for senior-age parents.

As far as what "senior" means to the travel industry, I think any time an airline/hotel/cruise etc. offers an age-based discount (not counting children, obviously), then we are talking "senior". So if we are talking AARP-related discounts, then a "senior" can be as young as 50. Others have given other examples.

I think the lack of a clear, industry-wide standard for what "senior" means is a good example of how this forum can be useful. Policies change. New companies emerge, etc.

Of course, there are many issues regarding seniors and travel beyond simply discounts.

but contrary to the women's forum, I recommend that posts here, at least at the beginning, concentrate on travel related issues for Seniors.

You know you are a senior when you do what I am going to do this evening: I am going to La Scala with a beautiful woman in her 20's and her mother -- and it is the mother who turns me on.

Why not use the term OAP?

Why not use the term OAP?

I don't think that's a term that anyone in the U.S. would recognize (although I do, but only because of travel outside the U.S.).

OK, please let us in on the secret. Does it mean Old American People? :o

Why not use the term OAP?

OAP Old Age Pensioner (chiefly UK)
OAP Ocean Assessment Program (US NOAA)
OAP Oceanic Automation Program
OAP Offset Aimpoint
OAP Old Age Pension
OAP Old Age Person
OAP Old Age Players (gaming group)
OAP Old Age Playstationer
OAP Old and Putrid
OAP One Arm Pull-up
OAP One-Step Approval Procedure
OAP Ontario Association of Pathologists
OAP Ontario Automobile Policy
OAP Open Access Plan (managed care)
OAP Operations Approval Panel
OAP Orbit Average Power (spacecraft electric power systems)
OAP Orbiting Astronomical Observatory
OAP Ordered Access Pairs
OAP Organizational Assessment Package
OAP Outline Acquisition Plan
OAP Ove Arup & Partners Ltd
OAP Open Architecture Program
OAP Osps Administrative Processor
OAP Outdoor Access Point
OAP Outside Awareness Panel

At least old enough to vote. :)

If I remember wayyy back to my HighSchool days... Most of the seniors were 17 not quite voting age even for today's elections (Back then it was 21)

OAP Old Age Pensioner (chiefly UK)
Not only is that term not generally recognized in the US, but the term "old age" isn't even "politically correct" in the US! ;)

I note that the name of this forum isn't "Old Age Travel," for instance. :p

As for the definition of "senior," I'm old enough to be in the AARP, but NOT old enough to get most of the "usual" benefits, such as Social Security pension, public transit discounts, museum discounts, etc. A lot of the milestones are at 60, 62, or 65 and I'm not there yet. So I'm not really sure that I am a "senior" yet. (Still, I don't mind taking advantage of AARP discounts when available -- for example, at hotels.)

While traveling with my 88 year-old grandmother we stopped at a popular chain restaurant for breakfast. They offered her their "Senior" menu and she was so insulted that we had to leave the restaurant.

I think the definition of "Senior" is pretty much in attitude and perspective. Some days I feel more "Senior" than others;-)

I am very proud to be a senior--especially when it comes to discount menus. :D

I can remember one restauant in Illinois, where I had to show my ID to prove I was a senior to get the $2.98 breakfast. I loved it. :D :D

Our friend asks for senior discounts everywhere. She is 65. When we were in Oslo buying a transportation pass, she, of course, asked for the customary senior discount and added "I have an ID if you want to see one" the clerk, who looked like a senior herself, "OK, if you are 67 ........."

My friend bought a "regular" pass.