Your AARP
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
AARP offers help for the surge in older Americans resuming leisure travel
AARP’s recently released 2023 Travel Trends survey shows that Americans 50 and older are ready to put COVID-19 travel concerns behind them. Nearly two-thirds of respondents say they plan to take at least one trip this year. Many travelers say they intend to take three or four trips. Road trips across America are popular this year. Family vacations are the top motivator for traveling. Despite COVID concerns, 4 out of 5 older Americans say they consider travel safe.
AARP deeply understands the role travel can play in the health and happiness of older Americans, so it offers lots of resources to make your trips smarter, cheaper and safer.
Travel Smarter.
AARP’s website helps travelers stretch their dollars and itineraries. Tips include how to find affordable rentals near national parks and how to rent an electric vehicle for your road trip. Find insider guides to America’s major cities that provide details for older travelers on where to stay, what to do and where to eat. AARP members can enjoy exclusive Travel Smart guides, essays and stories. You’ll also find travel discounts with AARP-preferred providers as well as with the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia. Visit aarp.org/travel when planning your next trip.
Travel Cheaper.
AARP members can choose from more than 100 travel provider brands that offer discounts on rail tickets, resorts and more. For instance, book a car rental and receive 5–30 percent off the base rate, plus free upgrades and credit applied to future rentals. Receive 5–20 percent off the best available rate at 94 different hotels and resorts, and enjoy tickets discounted up to $200 on selected flights, and up to $100 per person on more than 300 guided vacations and river cruises.
Travel Safer.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network has frequently updated articles on the latest travel scams. With titles including “10 Travel Scams to Watch Out for in Europe” and “6 Ways to Tell if a Travel Review Is Authentic,” the articles offer tips on how to recognize legitimate sources, deal with cold callers and avoid unscrupulous time-share resellers. Go to aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
Your Travel Advocate.
AARP lobbies regulators to improve the travel industry for people 50 and older. This year, we called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen a new rule on hidden airline fees. AARP is pushing for legislation in Congress that would ensure older adults and people with disabilities can safely be evacuated in the event of an emergency. And we’re pushing for a rule that would improve disability access to lavatories on flights.
New Award for Journalism About Older Americans
AARP and the National Press Foundation will recognize the best reporting on issues important to people 50 and older with two new journalism prizes.
“With people living longer than ever, we created this award to encourage in-depth journalism about the challenges and opportunities they face,” said Martha Boudreau, executive vice president and chief communications and marketing officer at AARP. Each award includes a $5,000 prize: one for work appearing in a large media outlet and one for work in a small or regional outlet (having less than 15 million monthly website visitors).
The contest is open to U.S.-based journalists working in any media format, including podcasts, television packages and print/digital stories.
Entries could range from well-crafted features to investigative journalism to coverage of how individuals and society are adapting to trends related to aging.
The work submitted should include journalism published or broadcast from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023; a letter of support from an editor; and up to three links or PDFs containing the entry.
The deadline for entries is Oct. 16, 2023. The first awards will be given out at the National Press Foundation annual gala in February.
To learn more, visit nationalpress.org/awards/.