Show Your Card and Save

Capital One asks this question in its radio and television advertising: “What’s in your wallet?” Although I don’t have a Capital One card in mine at the moment, I  do carry plenty of plastic. A few are loyalty cards which ensure that I get the sale prices at the grocery stores whose names appear on them. Several guarantee me a discount at specific retailers’ online or brick-and-mortar stores. A few, though,  whose benefits appear obvious, offer me a surprising array of discounts. 

Here are my top picks for cards with hidden perks that save real money:

The Gold Medal goes to AAA

Not only does membership afford one traditional benefits such as free towing, tour books and maps, but hundreds of other discounts as well. AAA has retail, travel, dining and entertainment partners which offer savings to its members. Nearby affiliates include Regal Cinemas/Solomon Pond Mall  ($39 for a 5-pack of tickets, regularly $52.50), Gold’s Gym ($39 enrollment, 20 percent off standard dues), and Concord Museums ($1 off adult admission.)

Spring day-trippers holding AAA cards will receive discounts at:

• Davis Farmland
• Coco Key
• Six Flags
• Canobie Lake Park
• the EcoTarium
• Pawtucket Red Sox.

Heading into Boston for a show? Blue Man Group, the Lyric Stage, and the Colonial Theatre offer AAA discounts.

See site for details and information on restrictions that may apply.

The Silver medal goes to AARP

You have to be at least 50 years old to join, but membership for one person and your spouse costs only $16 per year. If you carry this card, be sure to check out the travel, retail, home and technology and insurance discounts offered. Retailers include:

• Enterprise rent-a-car
• Denny’s (20 percent off from 4-10 p.m. and $1 coffee any time)
• Walgreens
• Borders book store.

The Bronze medal goes to Bank of America

Their Museums on Us program offers members free admission to select museums on the first full weekend of every month. The closest participating galleries are the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Worcester Art Museum, and the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, both in Worcester. 

Traveling to other states? Be sure to check the list before paying full price unnecessarily. Upcoming weekends are June 4 and 5, July 2 and 3, and Aug. 6 and 7.

Honorable Mentions: 

Alumni Clubs: Many colleges’ alumni associations partner with companies that are willing to offer discounts to their graduates. For example, Boston College alums receive discounted insurance from Liberty Mutual and 20 percent off at Ocean’s Edge Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod. 

Boston University alums receive $5 off a single ticket or $10 off subscription series rates at BU’s Huntington Theatre Company and 10 percent off at the Barnes and Noble at BU .

Consult your college’s website for possible alumni perks.

Acton’s own Discovery Museums have a reciprocal relationship with several other children’s museums. These include the Boston Children’s Museum and the Cape Cod Children’s Museum, both of which will honor Discovery Museum family membership cards. In addition, membership to the Discovery Museums entitles one to discounts at a dozen local retailers including Learning Express and Kitchen Outfitters. Consult the website for a full list.