Can you legally offer discounts to certain groups of people?

[Charlie Moore]

Is it discrimination to offer discounts to ONLY these groups

- Senior citizens 

- College Students

- Military Discount 

[Jennifer T.]

Originally posted by @Ned Carey:

Based on federal law

• yes
• No
  
• No

Look up fair housing laws. It is perfectly legal to discriminate in housing Except for against "Protected Classes" Look up those protected classes. There are seven protected classes at the federal level but many local jurisdiction add others. Age is one of them, however their may be an exception for housing specifically designated as senior housing.

I am not an attorney, The above is my understanding, please do your own research. 

I'm not sure it is as "black and white" as this.  At least in employment law, you also can't have policies that inadvertently discriminate against a protected class.

For example, "disability" is a protected class under Fair Housing Law.  Many disabilities will preclude someone from military service.  So now your discount leaves out anyone with a medical condition who doesn't have the chance/choice to serve in the military and possibly never did.

Sex/Gender is also a protected class.  Less than 20% of the US military is comprised of women.  And, while one could argue it is any particular able-bodied person's choice to serve in the military, the fact is that a "military discount" is going to much more heavily favor men because they are much more likely to be in the military.  I totally understand that is probably not your intent!  But it is exactly what a discount policy like this does.