Good News from Greyhound: Extensive Savings Now Offered

Greyhound has started a test program that will give mature travelers (age 55 and older) a 15% discount on any fare, any time, including promotional fares.

Called Greyhound’s Golden Savers Senior’s Club, the program, which is offered initially only in the Western states, is better than its previous senior plan. That was only for those age 65 and older and the 10% offered was not good on promotional fares.

“While it is offered only in the Western states,” says Chester Fisher, director of marketing, “the 15% discount will be good anywhere Greyhound serves--to New York, Boston, anywhere.

“And, at present, the program is a test through Dec. 31. But we believe it will prove such a success that it will definitely be extended.”

Membership is free but does require a membership card. Application forms are available at major Greyhound offices. After these are filled out, they must be mailed along with a photocopy proof of age to Greyhound Golden Savers Senior’s Club, 8544 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90069.

Processing is expected to take 30 days or less, according to Fisher. Members receive their free ID card and account number, which are to be used to receive the discount.

Company Policy

“If your readers find their Greyhound office doesn’t have the forms or if it is inconvenient to get to an office,” Fisher says, “they can send a letter to the above address with their name, address, phone, date of birth and the proof of age.

“We don’t want to hinder their travel plans in any way. It’s our company policy to have our passengers enjoy a safe, pleasant trip.”

A couple of points to note:

The new program is not automatically extended to operating senior or mature travel clubs or associations, such as AARP or Sear’s Mature Outlook and others. You must have Greyhound’s membership card.

Also, it is strictly for those age 55 and older. If one spouse is more than 55 and the other is not, the younger spouse does not get the discount.

The 15% across-the-board discount applies to all fares. Fisher cited as an example, Los Angeles to San Francisco; regular fare is $39 and with the discount it is $33.15. There is also a 15-day advance purchase fare of $25 which, with the discount, becomes $21.25.

The discount also applies to Greyhound’s present promotional fares called Money Savers, which, with a 30-day advance purchase, provides one-way fares of $59 to any city on Greyhound’s extensive system. With the new discount on the promotion fare, this is cut to $50.15.

Though the new 15% discount could also apply to Greyhound’s Ameripass program of unlimited travel, Fisher pointed out that most mature travelers would find it more advantageous to use the 15% discount on the point-to-point Money Savers program and other promotional fares instead.

“On the drawing boards we do have special passes for unlimited travel for Golden Savers Senior’s Club members,” Fisher says. “These will be announced in our fourth quarter.”

In addition, Greyhound plans a membership newsletter to keep members informed of fares and special projects. And, according to Fisher, industry partners are likely to be added to the program, such as hotel and motel chains, attractions and other services, all of which would participate in the discount program as well.

The Arcadia Travelers, a non-profit senior travel club, is opening its projected Orient tour to other seniors. Set for Oct. 4, the 15-day, 13-night tour spends four nights each in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong and one night in Seoul, at a cost of $2,199 per person. Also available are a six-day extension to China for $1,030 and/or a four-day extension to Japan for $599.

The tour includes a full American breakfast daily, most meals, deluxe hotels, all sightseeing, porterage, services of a professional tour manager and air fare from Los Angeles.

For more information phone Johanna Markey, tour coordinator, Arcadia Senior Services, at (818) 574-5436 or (818) 574-9691.