Can I Use My AARP Card at Dunkin Donuts?

For many older Americans, a morning trip to Dunkin’ Donuts for a coffee and donut has been a staple routine for years. The beloved coffee and baked goods chain has long held appeal for retirees looking for an affordable treat to start their day. Dunkin’ franchises across the country have cultivated loyal groups of senior citizens who stop in for a hot beverage and something sweet. For over a decade, Dunkin’ boosted this devoted senior following through a partnership with AARP that provided members with a free classic donut with the purchase of any large or extra-large coffee. But in 2018, this popular Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount abruptly ended, leaving many seniors wondering if they could still enjoy special deals at one of their favorite chains.

You cannot use your AARP card at Dunkin’ Donuts for a discount. The partnership between Dunkin’ Donuts and AARP, which previously offered a free donut with the purchase of a large or extra-large hot coffee to AARP members, ended on March 31, 2018. Therefore, no official Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount is currently available.

This sudden change has caused confusion for many retirees who want to enjoy the conveniences and small luxuries they’re accustomed to on a limited budget. With the rising costs of food, labor, and supplies, senior discounts are becoming rarer at large franchises. However, smaller local restaurants often still offer discounted menu options for older members of their community. And organizations like AARP continue to leverage deals and partnerships with national chains as an employment benefit. So while the specific Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount may be gone, with a little creativity and effort, seniors can still find bargains on dining out through other channels.

Does Dunkin’ Donuts Still Offer an AARP Discount?

Dunkin’ Donuts was once a popular coffee and donut chain that offered an appealing AARP discount for senior citizens. This nationwide promotion allowed AARP members to receive a free donut with the purchase of any large or extra-large hot coffee. It provided a nice little treat for retired folks looking to meet up with friends over a morning cup of joe. However, as of March 31, 2018, the partnership between Dunkin’ Donuts and AARP ended. So at this time, there is no longer an official Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount available.

The specific details of the previous Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount were simple: When an AARP member bought a large or extra-large hot coffee at a participating Dunkin’ Donuts, they would receive one free classic donut. This meant a free glazed, chocolate glazed, jelly filled, Boston cream, or other classic favorite. The offer did not apply to specialty donuts. To take advantage of the deal, AARP members had to show their AARP membership card to the cashier. 

This promotion was advertised widely as the “Dunkin’ Donuts AARP Discount” and many loyal patrons came to depend on it for their daily coffee routine. Unfortunately for them, after being in place for many years, the partnership abruptly ended last year, and the discount is gone.

What was the AARP Partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts?

The promotion between Dunkin’ Donuts and AARP originated as a nationwide partnership between the popular coffee/donut chain and the non-profit member organization for Americans over 50. It was one of many deals and discounts AARP had arranged for its members to help stretch their retirement budgets. Eligibility was straightforward – simply being an AARP member with a current membership card was all that was required to access the Dunkin’ Donuts AARP deal.

The partnership had been in place for over a decade, meaning more than 10 years’ worth of AARP members had come to appreciate and rely on the program for small savings on their Dunkin’ Donuts runs. Many members made stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts part of their daily routine. The ability to grab a coffee and donut with the Dunkin Donuts AARP discount made it an affordable routine.

Why Did Dunkin’ Donuts End the Partnership with AARP?

When the abrupt end to the Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount was announced in early 2018, there was no clear reason given for why Dunkin’ Donuts was ending the long-time partnership. Neither company gave an official reason for the change. Observers could only speculate that Dunkin’ Donuts felt it no longer needed the extra business from AARP members or that AARP was asking for too much compensation to continue the deal.

The terms and conditions for the discount had remained the same for many years. Some customers wondered if rising inflation and business costs meant Dunkin’ could no longer afford to offer free donuts with senior coffees. Whatever the reason, loyal patrons were disappointed to lose access to the reliable Dunkin’ Donuts AARP deal they appreciated.

How Has The End Of The Partnership Impacted AARP Members?

When discounts and promotions that members rely on are discontinued without warning, it damages the trust between businesses and customers. Many AARP members felt frustrated that a long-time discount they had used for years was abruptly discontinued by Dunkin’ Donuts. It impacted their loyalty and made them less likely to regularly frequent a business that had pulled back on a promoted discount.

From a consumer protection perspective, the end of the partnership also raised some questions. If a business advertises an ongoing discount or promotion to attract customer loyalty and business, they should honor it or provide sufficient notice if it is to end. Pulling the popular Dunkin’ Donuts AARP deal suddenly left seniors feeling a bit betrayed.

What Other Restaurants Offer Senior Discounts?

Though the specific Dunkin’ Donuts AARP discount is gone, some other restaurants and coffee shops do still offer senior discounts. For example, Denny’s provides a 15% discount to AARP members for dining in or takeout orders.

Here is a table summarizing the current AARP restaurant discounts:

Restaurant	Discount
Auntie Anne’s	10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
Bonefish Grill®	10% off dine-in service or curbside carryout orders
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Carrabba’s Italian Grill®	10% off dine-in service or curbside carry-out orders
Chart House®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Cinnabon	Members save 10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
Corner Bakery	10% off dine-in and carry-out orders
Denny’s	15% off dine-in and pickup orders
Jamba	10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
Joe’s Crab Shack®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Landry’s® Inc. Restaurants	10% off dine-in and to-go orders at Landry’s brands
Landry’s Seafood®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
McAlister’s Deli	10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
McCormick & Schmick’s®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Moe’s Southwest Grill	10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
Outback Steakhouse®	10% off dine-in service or curbside carry-out orders
Rainforest Cafe®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Saltgrass Steak House®	10% off dine-in and to-go orders
Schlotzsky’s	10% off in-store, in-app and online orders
The Oceanaire® Seafood Room	10% off dine-in and to-go orders

Some locally owned restaurants also provide a small senior discount, usually 10% off. Additionally, many towns offer a “Golden Age Passport” booklet filled with local senior discounts when you reach a certain age.

It’s beneficial for small eateries to provide senior discounts to help older community members afford dining out and bring in loyal business. However, large chains may view discounts as cutting into profits. Since the costs of food, wages, and other business expenses have risen, senior discounts are less common than they once were. But checking with your favorite hometown restaurants and chains to ask about possible senior discounts can still pay off.

For older adults looking for tasty deals on dining out, signing up for AARP is a good starting point. The organization partners with a wide range of restaurants to negotiate discounts exclusive to AARP members. These deals can provide nice savings on breakfast, coffee, lunch, and dinner. Be sure to also check Facebook and download your favorite restaurant’s app for additional promotions and loyalty programs. With a little digging, there are still deals to be found to make dining out on a fixed income more affordable.

So in summary, unfortunately Dunkin’ Donuts no longer offers an AARP discount after severing that long-term partnership in 2018. But with some research, seniors can find other discounts on dining and coffee through AARP, restaurant apps and social media, and local “Golden Age” programs. Being proactive about seeking deals can help retirees continue to enjoy conveniences like meeting friends for breakfast or coffee. With creativity and flexibility, we can still access little luxuries on a limited budget.

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