No AARP any more?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: BRU
Programs: LH FTL; A3*Gold
Posts: 311
No AARP rate any more?
(Sorry if that has been already mentioned somewhere else - the search has not yield anything)
I tried to book a number of stays (US, Canada, Europe) using "AARP" rate. There is no such option any more - just "senior rate". The AARP rate used to be offered to those who are "over 60 years old or AARP members". The senior rate is offered for only to those who are over 62, the AARP membership discount seems to vanish.
Is that an enchantment?
I tried to book a number of stays (US, Canada, Europe) using "AARP" rate. There is no such option any more - just "senior rate". The AARP rate used to be offered to those who are "over 60 years old or AARP members". The senior rate is offered for only to those who are over 62, the AARP membership discount seems to vanish.
Is that an enchantment?
Last edited by AVSA; Jan 29, 2018 at 6:12 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I have yet to find a property where the AARP rate was less than the rate I could obtain otherwise on SPG.com.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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Posts: 52,135
I don't recall AARP ever being less than senior, so it's no great loss. Aditionally, I have never found the senior rate to be less than AAA, so that's almost always the best option (unless you have a special SET code).
No, I don't think anybody's casting any spells.
No, I don't think anybody's casting any spells.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
IMO the OP’s concern is not the possible difference in rates between Senior or AARP but the difference in age requirements for utilizing the Senior Rate and AARP Rate due to lower age requirements for AARP membership.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
The room I'm booking for Wednesday night has a Senior rate of 139 vs. AAA rate of 148 (my SET rate is 164), lowest of the 20 rates offered other than Government/Military/Not Valid For Contracted Vendors rate at 121.
I doubt anyone feels great pleasure from this (potential) change.
Last edited by CPRich; Jan 29, 2018 at 8:13 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: BRU
Programs: LH FTL; A3*Gold
Posts: 311
[QUOTE=controller1;29352706]
IMO the OP’s concern is not the possible difference in rates between Senior or AARP but the difference in age requirements for utilizing the Senior Rate and AARP Rate due to lower age requirements for AARP membership.[/]
That's exactly what my concern is. Thanks for expressing it so well.
IMO the OP’s concern is not the possible difference in rates between Senior or AARP but the difference in age requirements for utilizing the Senior Rate and AARP Rate due to lower age requirements for AARP membership.
That's exactly what my concern is. Thanks for expressing it so well.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
For folks between 50 and 62, it may be meaningful.
The room I'm booking for Wednesday night has a Senior rate of 139 vs. AAA rate of 148 (my SET rate is 164), lowest of the 20 rates offered other than Government/Military/Not Valid For Contracted Vendors rate at 121.
I doubt anyone feels great pleasure from this (potential) change.
The room I'm booking for Wednesday night has a Senior rate of 139 vs. AAA rate of 148 (my SET rate is 164), lowest of the 20 rates offered other than Government/Military/Not Valid For Contracted Vendors rate at 121.
I doubt anyone feels great pleasure from this (potential) change.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
Okay.....
Makes no difference to the point being made.
Makes no difference to the point being made.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Palm Springs
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24
I think this is a merger standardization — if I remember right, Marriott has always had a senior rate but not an AARP rate that wasn’t based on age. So now Starwood is the same. Too bad, since I got some good use from the AARP rate in the past. It didn’t always have the lowest price, but often it would not require a deposit when other rates did, which was helpful when my plans weren’t firm.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
Agree, never seen until today when I noticed Westin Melbourne AUD 15 cheaper. While that’s no great saving, it’s still worth having and particularly given the flexibility in the rate.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX²-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
I noticed this also some weeks ago. Even on the aarp homepage there is no more partner starwood / spg...
In the past I had some nice stays at lower costs thanks to the aarp membership and the aarp rate was in this cases always even lower than the prepaid rate...
In the past I had some nice stays at lower costs thanks to the aarp membership and the aarp rate was in this cases always even lower than the prepaid rate...
#12
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: wurtulla,queensland,australia
Programs: hh diamond,Qantas club life,AA EX-explat.SPG plat.
Posts: 1,431
Well I for one am glad the AARP rate is replaced by the Senior rate.It had been nearly impossible to get a decent senior rate when AARP was around.Now seeing a Senior rate that is cancellable but around the lowest prepaid rate on many occasions.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
They had to pay AARP or at least that’s usually the case, same with AAA. I assume this was a cost saving measure and I wouldn’t expect the “senior” rate to actually be any different. I used the AARP all of once and it saved me less than $5/night. I assume AARP drives less traffic to SPG than most medium size companies now of that because the rate always sucked, maybe. Side rate but seemingly relevant how in the heck does SPH not have a hotel in Palm Beach? They also didn’t have one in Sarasota until a few years ago.
#14
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,031
Gone, but not entirely gone .....
Just some datapoints :
The spg.com search/display option is now labelled "Senior", and finds a "Senior Rate" : "The Senior Rate is offered to guests who are 62 years of age or older"
The SPG iPad and SPG iPhone apps both have a search/display option "Senior & AARP", but both only finds the "The Senior Rate is offered to guests who are 62 years of age or older" rate.
The spg.com search/display option is now labelled "Senior", and finds a "Senior Rate" : "The Senior Rate is offered to guests who are 62 years of age or older"
The SPG iPad and SPG iPhone apps both have a search/display option "Senior & AARP", but both only finds the "The Senior Rate is offered to guests who are 62 years of age or older" rate.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
I've noticed this as well...bummer, as I'm not over 62, but enjoy AARP status and the accompanying discount.
I'm pretty sure I booked--at an SPG property--the 'senior' rate a week or two ago as it was the cheapest available and wasn't challenged on it, FYI.
I'm pretty sure I booked--at an SPG property--the 'senior' rate a week or two ago as it was the cheapest available and wasn't challenged on it, FYI.