Some recent internet ads claiming to be official airline promotions offering free flights, contests and/or deep discounts are total scams. Most recent examples include fake airline offers claiming to be from Southwest, Virgin and Delta. Facebook and other social sites are used by the thieves to get credit card and bank account information.

When traveling to historic American cities, consider dining where the best food has been served for 100 years or more. These are five to consider:

City Tavern, Philadelphia PA: Near Independence Square, City Tavern has been part of Philly history since the 1770s. It was where delegates John Adams, Ben Franklin and other patriots gathered for a brew and to write the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Try the favorite pepperpot soup, a delicious concoction of beef, taro root, onions and fresh greens. For a main course, enjoy fresh-made turkey pot pie, served as it was more than two centuries ago in pewter casseroles. City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia PA, 19106, citytavern.com

Keen’s Steakhouse, New York NY: A city landmark since 1885, Keen’s is near Herald Square and the Empire State Building. Its dark wood-paneled walls are covered with photos, news clippings and other memories of the past. Ceilings display a large collection of smoking pipes from famed visitors, including Albert Einstein, General Douglas MacArthur, John Barrymore and many others.

Restaurants offer special dishes that define the local favorites. In London, it could be shepherd’s pie, in Paris foi gras, in Vienna weinerschnitzel, in Baltimore crabcakes and in Beijing ... Peking duck, of course.

Outside, on city streets the offerings from carts may not be as fancy, but they can be just as tasty and much cheaper than in sit-down restaurants. Also, dining on a nearby park bench or museum steps can be just as enjoyable as at a restaurant table.

Ethnic street foods are not confined to their country of origin. You’ll find Chinese food in Rome, falafel in Oslo, bagels in Dublin and pizza in Hong Kong. However, although many ethnic foods are offered beyond their native origins, there’s always a familiar street cart food item that defines the city. Here are some examples:

The simplest way to get instant discounts is to decide what and where you’ll spend travel money. Then, when a price is quoted, even in a snooty, upscale restaurant, ask the simple question. Speak up whenever ordering dinner, buying a theater ticket, pricing a cruise, booking a hotel room, thinking of flying and for hundreds of other occasions.

The magic words are, “What’s the senior discount on this?” Even if a reduced price had not been previously advertised, the question can very often result in unexpected, but very satisfying savings for seasoned wanderers.

Here are just a few examples of some senior traveler discounts available in the U.S.A.