Do you remember in college when there was a student discount for everything? Then once you graduated those deals just magically disappeared. I had that same feeling. I still wanted the discounts, but without my student status, I was back to paying full price. While the deals significantly decrease once you leave college, they are still out there. This guide will share the best young adult discounts that you can still use, no student ID required!
Travel Deals (Flights & Europe Discounts
If you’re planning your Euro summer, these young adult travel discounts will help you travel for much less. The great thing is you don’t have to be European to take advantage of this. As long as you’re in Europe, these deals can be accessed all around you.
European Youth Card
The European Youth Card is a membership card for young people up to the age of 30, managed by a nonprofit called the European Youth Card Association (EYCA). It gives access to thousands of discounts and benefits across 40 different European countries. Some examples of discounts include cheaper airline flights, discounted entry to cultural sites, and even cheaper access to gyms, so you don’t have to forego your gains in the name of travel. It’s a year long membership and typically only costs 10 Euros. There’s even the GeoDiscounts app you can link to it where you can find discounts in your vicinity, based on your location. In total I saved around $500 using this card during my trip, a lot of the savings being the many flights I took and the hostels I stayed at.
You can purchase the card online at the EYCA website and get access to thousands of deals.
Eurail Youth Pass
Eurail is a train service that lets you travel across much of Europe, around 33 different countries. It’s a great option if you’re planning to visit multiple countries in Europe. The flexibility and freedom Eurail provides is unmatched.
If you’re 27 and under, you can take advantage of the Eurail Youth Pass. This unlocks up to a 25% discount compared to standard adult fares on the rail system, and even applies to 1st and 2nd class seats. Note this pass is exclusively for non-European residents.
BritRail Youth Discount
We’re seeing a theme here. Rail travel is super common in Europe. It’s one of the best ways to get around. Great Britain has their own rail system where you can take of advantage of discounts up to 33% using the BritRial Youth discount for people ages 16-25. You can train to Manchester, London, even Scotland and Wales for a discounted price. If you’re between 16 and 25 and want to explore Britain, this discounted option is great.
Even better, if you have the Eurail Pass, you may be eligible for an additional BritRail discount of up to 50% off the Standard Adult fare. Savings galore.
United Airlines Young Adult Discount (18-23)
For domestic and international, United Airlines has a young adult discount. They offer 5% off Economy and Basic Economy fares for travelers between the ages of 18 and 23. While it doesn’t seem like a lot, 5% on something expensive like flights can really add up. You’ll need to be a Mileage Plus member (free to join) and book directly through the United app while logging into your account to secure this deal.
Best Theater and Museum Discounts for Young Adults
Next, let’s tackle the arts. Arts and culture can get pricey, but these under 30 arts and museum deals make it affordable to explore. While most of these are concentrated in major cities, if you ask around, your local theater or museum might have the same deals. Who knows, maybe you could even get them to implement an under 30 program.
New York City
- Manhattan Theatre Club 30 Under 35 Program: This program offers $30 tickets for anyone under the age of 35. You get Broadway level shows for a significant price reduction.
- Second Stage Theater $30 Under 30: Another great program. This also makes Broadway level shows affordable for anyone under the age of 30.
- New York City Ballet $30 Under 30: If you want to catch a ballet show, this program allow patrons ages 13 to 30 the ability to purchase $30 no-fee tickets.
- Whitney Museum FREE 25 and Under: Better than a discount, the Whitney Museum in New York City is completely free if you’re under 25 years old.
Washington, DC
- Shakespeare Theater Company under 35: In DC, the STC has discounted tickets all year long if you’re 35 and under. Tickets go as low as $39 at the time of writing this which is a great deal!
- The Kennedy Center MyTix: Great program if you’re between 18-30 (MyTix Young Professional Program). You get discounted tickets to performances at the Kennedy Center.
Chicago
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater $30 under 30: In Chicago, a program designed to offer specifically discounted tickets at $30 to theater lovers under the age of 30.
New Jersey
- Zimmerli Rutgers Museum $30 for adults age 18-30: At Rutgers University in New Jersey, the Zimmerli Museum has a serviceable $20 discount for a membership if you’re under 30. There’s even pop up programs and priority registration for certain events included.
Boston
- Isbaella Gardner Museum $50 for under 30 membership: This is one of my favorite museums, especially for the beautiful courtyard it houses. You can save $25 if you’re under 30 for an annual membership to this museum.
Subscriptions & Memberships
Next we’ll take a look at monthly memberships where you can access discounts based on your age. You might already be using these services, so securing the discount on them is just added money in your pocket. From streaming to gyms, these are the best subscription discounts for young adults you can take advantage of.
Amazon Prime for Young Adults
This is a plan if you’re between the ages of 18-24, no student verification required. It starts with a 6 month free trial, then after it’s only $7.49 a month (or $69 a year). Roughly a savings of 50%. You’ll also enjoy 5% cash back. Check out more details on Amazon’s website.
Peacock Young Adult Discount (18-24)
Discount on the streaming service Peacock. Again no student verification required. It’s $2.99 a month for 12 months. You can renew the young adult deal annually as long as you’re under 25. Check out more details on Peacock’s website.
YMCA Young Adult Membership
If you’re looking for a great gym at a cheaper cost, the YMCA is a great option. Many YMCA locations across the U.S. offer a special Young Adult Membership for ages 18-30. These plans are usually $15-30 cheaper per month as well. The discounts do vary by city, so check if your local YMCA participates.
Social Deals for Young Adults
Nightlife is typically a big expense of our 20s. Food, drinks, the uber home. But there’s a smarter way to make friends, network, and have a few drinks while you’re at it. Taking advantage of events hosting at different venues in your city for young professional is a great way to have fun while saving money in the process. You can even meet lifelong friends through events like these. Check out our article “How To Make Friends In Your 20s” if you’re interesting in developing deep relationships through these events.
Young Professional Nights at Museums & Zoos
Many museums, zoos, and aquariums host monthly “Young Professionals Nights”. Tickets usually include entry, live music, and even drinks for much less than a normal night out. Check the websites of these institutions in your city to see if they run similar programs, or urge them to if they don’t.
Professional Organizations
Organizations like Rotaract, Junior boards, and Young Professional Council regularly host mixers and subsidized networking events. As a young professional, they’re not only great for socializing but can also provide long-term career opportunities.
Also, look around your city’s bars, venues, and restaurants. Many host under 30 happy hours and special events, especially in the major metro areas. If you don’t find one, ask a venue to let you start your own. If it helps them drive more business, they’ll be happy to host subsidized events.
Banking & Money Perks for Young Adults
Many banks offer young adult accounts with no monthly maintenance charges and no minimum balance requirements, usually for members under 25. Banks like Bank of America, Citizens Bank and Truist are especially popular for these kind of deals. Side note, if you don’t want to pay any fees even if you’re over 25, go with an online bank like Chime or Ally.
Conclusion
It’s tough to find those discounts you took for granted as a student, but they’re definitely still out there. The key is knowing where to look, especially because many of these programs aren’t heavily advertised. From banking perks, to travel passes, to museum deals, this guide shared the best young adults discounts if you’re under 30. Use them while you can and keep more cash in your pocket.
💸 Summary
- 🌍 Travel for less: Eurail, BritRail, and United Airlines offer young adult discounts on flights and trains.
- 🎭 Arts & culture on a budget: Broadway shows, ballets, and museums have special young adult pricing.
- 📺 Membership & streaming deals: Amazon Prime and Peacock give young adults 50%+ off. YMCA offers cheaper gym rates.
- 🍸 Social & nightlife savings: Young professional nights at museums, zoos, and local venues mean fun for less.
- 🏦 Banking perks: Many banks waive fees and minimums for young adults under 25.
Article FAQ
They are deals that companies give to individuals within a certain age range. They’re like student discounts except don’t require a student ID. They do usually require proof of age through your driver’s license though.
Companies know that students and young adults are starting to build lifelong habits and usually don’t have much spending power. By offering their services for discounted rates, they aim to stamp a loyal, lifelong customer. The hope is that once you get out of the discount phase, you’ll continue using (and pay full price) for their product.
No these programs aren’t based on student status. They’re based on your current age. Most of the time you’ll verify this through your driver’s license to get access to the discount.
Yes! If you travel, go to museums, or use memberships, the savings add up quickly. For example, the Eurail Youth Pass can save hundreds on train travel, while Amazon Prime’s young adult plan is 50% off.
Some of the top companies with young adult discounts include Amazon Prime (18–24 plan), United Airlines (18–23 fares), Eurail (under 27 youth pass), YMCA (18–30 memberships), and major theaters and museums like NYC Ballet and the Whitney Museum.
