Senior News Line: A good deal for a good deal less

If you have a National Parks Golden Age Passport, there have been some changes. The Department of the Interior has created a new program called America the Beautiful.

The America the Beautiful Senior Pass will give you free access to federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee or standard amenity fee. Plus you’ll get a discount on some of the amenity fees, usually 50 percent. The Pass still costs $10 and is good for life. (Old Passport still good for your life.)

Here are two examples of the discounts:

“ If you’re in a non-commercial vehicle at a site where they charge by the vehicle (such as a park), up to four people (including yourself) can get in free.

“If you’re at a walk-in recreation site, up to four of you will get the discount.

For those who are under age 62, there is an annual pass, which now costs $80 for a limited time, typically a year. While a carload of you can still be admitted for free to a park that charges by the vehicle, you won’t get the same fee discounts as the with Senior Pass. To learn what amenities are available at various sites check out www.recreation.gov online.