Rite of passage: getting AARP application

[Grits]

Yes, I have joined those ranks. My husband has steadfastly thrown his in the trash for the last few years. I am actually considering getting my membership. Has it been beneficial for any of you? We've done enough "how many of you are over 50" threads so I know you are out there

[Crankin]

I am 56 and consistently throw those things in the trash. The whole idea is creepy. First, I don't want any group to speak for me. Second, they seem like a bunch of old people.
My DH (who is 3 years younger than me) wanted to join for the discounts, but after a couple of years of their annoying pitches, he threw the stuff in the trash, too.
We haven't received anything from them in quite awhile.

[bmccasland]

AARP has been sending me applications monthly... and I toss them. I am not ready to become a member. They are starting to annoy the heck out of me.

[Biciclista]

ever since their support of a really nasty change in medicare a few years back, i have recognized them for what they are a money-making lobbying force. If you can take advantage of them, do, but remember they are not your friend... it's like drafting off a big truck...
we throw their stuff away too.

[PamNY]

I joined because the rental car discounts are pretty good. Since I don't own a car I rent quite often. Several of my friends refuse to join, which makes me fall down laughing. I don't follow their political objectives, but I doubt they are anything I would find morally objectionable.

I also played their online mahjong game a few times.

[Zen]

I recently purchased art supplies and asked if they gave a discount.
When she said yes I wasn't sure whether to use my student dsicount or the AARP

I never joined but I think I have a card. Does it cost to join?

[Pax]

My SO joined a year ago and we both enjoy the magazine, they have some great discounts as well. We've saved more than we spent so we're pleased.

(Zen - I think it was something like $15 to join??)

[spokewench]

You can use the card for discounts at hotels too. It can save you a bit of money.

[Pax]

You can use the card for discounts at hotels too. It can save you a bit of money.

Yup, we used it to stay in a small boutique hotel in Chicago and saved $24 a night.

[PinkBike]

we use the card for hotel discounts too, but no one ever asks for it. should i be offended?

[snapdragen]

They started sending me stuff when I was in my 20's. I finally got them to stop. Now that I'm in my 50's I've never heard from them.

[smilingcat]

AARP mail goes straight into the vertical filing cabinet, never to be seen again.

It IS an insurance company. Check into what they lobbied for in the health care bru-haha.
I don't want to offend anyone here with my politics anymore so... I'll just leave it at that.

BTW, if you get a USA cycling membership, which I did, you can get a preferred rate for your medical insurance. I signed up for that. And no pre-exisiting condition on my part. It was much cheaper than the COBRA. I think, I'm going to be a happy camper. You can also get a family plan. I took a higher annual deductable so my monthly rate is about half the cost of COBRA.

I'm going to be adding dental for $47/yr. also through USA cycling. For what I need, its a pretty good deal.

You can also get a hotel discount with AAA or with USA Cycling membership. Get discounts for prescription glasses, rental cars...

Hope this helps.

[marni]

since I am a member of AAA and USA cycling I have never gotten enough out of AARP discounts to pay for the membership fees even though they have been after me for over 10 years, or since I turned 50. I found the magazine boring, whiney and defeating and grew impatient and irritated with it after reading three or four issues at the library. I have no problem admitting my age and around here they routinely offer a senior discount, if they don't I ask for one.

marni

[badgercat]

You can also get a hotel discount with AAA or with USA Cycling membership. Get discounts for prescription glasses, rental cars...

Hope this helps.

Ah, but AAA is also a lobbying group at its core (one that some have seen as hostile to public transit among other things, though I'm not informed enough about that to make a judgment myself), so I guess we have to pick our poisons. My parents have been AARP members since they "came of age" and enjoy the magazine and have taken advantage of the hotel discounts many times.

[Zen]

Any large group has a lobby.