Retirement Life
21 February 2024
Five tips to help you save with your SuperGold Card
If you’re a Kiwi senior citizen, you’re undoubtedly well acquainted with the SuperGold Card and some of its well-known benefits, like free off-peak travel on public transport in most areas around the country and 5% off at Countdown, FreshChoice and The Warehouse on Tuesdays.
But it can be hard to keep up with the thousands of other instant discounts and special offers - including everyday expenses like electricity, insurance, food and healthcare. With that in mind, here are five tips to help you make the most out of your SuperGold status:
1. Get stuck in the web(site)
The SuperGold website, at www.supergold.govt.nz is very user-friendly, enabling you to search by keyword or individual store or retailer, to see if they have any discounts before you visit, so you can plan around this information if you wish, or at least know before you go.
2. Download the app
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SuperGold now also comes as an app for your phone, which provides a convenient way to check for discounts and offers whether you’re close to home or out and about. Check out the SuperGold website for detailed instructions on how to download and use the app, as well as a toll free number to call if you need a hand.
3. Explore our backyard
We’re truly spoilt in New Zealand for places to visit - whether you like balmy beaches, charming towns, or bustling cities, there’s something for everyone. And retirement can be an ideal time to play tourist, when you’re no longer bound by constraints like annual leave and school holiday schedules.
If you do fancy a spot of local touring, make sure you have your SuperGold card close to hand, because it unlocks loads of travel-related discounts, including on all Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine & Coastal Pacific trains, the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries, multiple rental car companies, including Budget, Ezi Car, Avis and Apex, and plenty of hotels and hotel chains throughout NZ, like Millennium.
Meanwhile, some of our best-known attractions offer hefty discounts, too, including scenic flights, glowworms, the TSS Earnslaw, Skyline Queenstown, and Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa.
4. Access across the ditch
Did you know you can also use SuperGold to get discounts and special offers when you’re visiting Australia through the Australian Seniors Card programme? While each Australian state/territory runs its own independent programme, most businesses provide discounts to SuperGold cardholders. If you’re not sure, just ask! Or check it out first on the SuperGold website or app.
5. If in doubt, get it out
It’s worth asking at the checkout wherever you’re shopping or when you’re booking an activity or service if there are discounts, as some may not have made them as obvious as others. Your SuperGold Card is a valuable asset that can help you save money and make the most of your golden years. Make sure you use it to the fullest and take advantage of the many deals and offers that are available to you. You deserve it!
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Written by:
Vanessa Glennie
Vanessa is Head of Communications at Lifetime Retirement Income. She’s an experienced investment writer, having spent more than a decade writing about financial markets in the global fund management industry.
Invest with Lifetime for a retirement income managed for living.