Your Guide to Senior Savings at Michaels
For crafty seniors looking to save money, every discount counts. A common question among savvy shoppers is whether their AARP card will unlock savings at popular stores like Michaels. While Michaels does not currently offer a specific discount for AARP members, the store provides a fantastic alternative: a 10% senior discount for all customers aged 55 and older. This offer is available every day and applies to your entire purchase, including most sale items, making it a reliable way to reduce costs on art supplies, home décor, and framing.
How to Get the Michaels Senior Discount
Accessing the 10% senior discount is a straightforward process designed for customer convenience. The most seamless method is by linking your senior status to a free Michaels Rewards account.
- Create a Michaels Rewards Account: If you don't already have one, you can sign up for free either online at Michaels.com or in any store. You'll just need to provide basic information like your name and email address.
- Verify Your Age: During the account setup or by editing your profile, you will be prompted to verify your age. This is done through a trusted third-party service and typically requires a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. Most verifications are instant.
- Shop and Save Automatically: Once verified, the 10% discount will be automatically applied to all eligible purchases whenever you shop online (while logged into your account) or in-store (by providing your phone number or email at checkout).
If you prefer not to sign up for a Rewards account, you can still receive the discount for in-store purchases by presenting a valid ID to the cashier at checkout.
Understanding the Exclusions
While the 10% senior discount is comprehensive, there are some exclusions to be aware of. The discount typically does not apply to:
- Clearance merchandise
- Gift cards
- Custom framing
- Classes and events
- Certain high-tech craft machines (like Cricut, Glowforge, and Silhouette)
- Lego, Pokémon, and certain other toys and games
- Items sold and shipped by third-party sellers on the Michaels website
It's always a good practice to check the store's current coupon policy, as exclusions are subject to change.
AARP Discounts vs. Store-Specific Senior Discounts
It's important to distinguish between discounts offered directly through AARP and those provided by retailers as a general senior discount. AARP partners with a wide range of businesses to offer its members exclusive savings, but this list does not include every store that has a senior discount program. Michaels falls into the latter category, opting to manage its own senior savings program.
This is great news for shoppers, as you do not need an AARP membership to save at Michaels. The age requirement for the Michaels discount is 55, which is accessible to many even before they might consider an AARP membership.
Comparing Craft Store Senior Discounts
How does the Michaels senior discount stack up against other craft retailers? Here’s a look at what some other popular stores offer to help you plan your shopping trips.
| Store | Senior Discount Details | Age Requirement | Membership Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michaels | 10% off entire purchase, including sale items, every day. | 55+ | Michaels Rewards account recommended for auto-application. |
| JOANN | 20% off total purchase on specific "Senior Discount Days." | 55+ | JOANN Smiles rewards program. |
| Hobby Lobby | Does not offer a specific senior discount. | N/A | N/A |
| Goodwill | Varies by location, but many offer 10-25% off on a specific day of the week. | Varies (often 55+ or 60+) | No |
As the table shows, Michaels' policy of a daily 10% discount is highly competitive, especially since competitors like JOANN limit their larger discount to specific days.
Other Ways to Maximize Your Savings at Michaels
Beyond the senior discount, there are numerous other strategies you can employ to make your craft budget stretch further at Michaels.
- Michaels Rewards: In addition to the senior discount, the rewards program offers members-only pricing, receipt-free returns, and special bonus rewards offers throughout the year.
- Weekly Ads and Coupons: Always check the Michaels weekly ad online or in their app before you shop. They frequently offer coupons for 20% off your entire regular-price purchase or even higher percentages on specific item categories.
- Stacking Sales: The senior discount can be applied to items that are already on sale, a major advantage. However, it generally cannot be combined with other percentage-off coupons (e.g., the general 20% off coupon).
- Seasonal Sales: Be on the lookout for major seasonal clearance events, especially after holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter. You can find décor and supplies for the following year at discounts of 70% or more.
- AARP Member Benefits: While Michaels isn't a direct partner, your AARP membership provides discounts at thousands of other retailers, restaurants, and travel providers, freeing up more of your budget for crafting.
Conclusion: Smart Savings for Senior Crafters
To summarize, while you can't use your AARP card for a specific discount at Michaels, you don't need it. Michaels offers a very accessible and valuable 10% daily discount for all shoppers aged 55 and over. By signing up for a free Michaels Rewards account, you can ensure these savings are applied automatically every time you shop. By combining this reliable discount with other savings strategies like weekly coupons and sales, senior crafters can significantly cut the cost of their creative pursuits.
