13 Great Senior Discounts

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- Early bird specials aren't the only deals available to cost-conscious seniors. From hotel rooms to movie tickets to cellphone plans, these days there are plenty of fantastic discounts offered exclusively to older Americans -- you just have to know where to find them.

To uncover the best deals for seniors right now, we spoke to industry experts and did a bit of investigation. Read on for the details on 13 of our favorites.

Keep in mind that not all senior discounts are universal. If you don't see a retailer you like on our list, it never hurts to call and ask if there are any offers available for older folks, suggests couponing and savings expert Jon Lal, founder of BeFrugal.com.

Another tip to keep in mind: If a business does offer a senior discount, make sure you meet the age requirements. "The definition of a 'senior' isn't universal," Lal says. "For some places it's 55, some 60 and some 65, so always check at what age the discount applies."

Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan
Cellphone bills can be a huge money sucker, but seniors 65 and older get a break through Verizon's Nationwide 65 Plus Plan, which offers fewer anytime minutes than the regular nationwide plan, but for a lower price. The idea is that many seniors don't need as many anytime minutes as other cellphone users.

The single-line plan is $29.99 per month and includes 200 anytime minutes. It maintains unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to any other Verizon Wireless(VZ) customer, though, so it's a great option if you have family members on Verizon. The plan isn't eligible for BlackBerry devices.