Veterans of the United States armed forces have access to a wide variety of discounts and benefits offered by both government agencies and private businesses as a way to thank them for their service and sacrifice. Some of the most notable discounts veterans can take advantage of include reductions on travel, groceries, eating out, entertainment, retail shopping, auto services, insurance, and more.
Do all veterans get discounts?
In general, most discounts and benefits offered to veterans are available to all who have served in the United States military and received an honorable or general discharge. This includes those who served on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard. Veterans who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge do not qualify.
The amount of time served also usually does not matter for most discounts. Both veterans who completed 20+ years of service to retire from the military and those who only served for a couple of years on active duty can take advantage of discounts. However, a few discounts may require proof of a service-connected disability or status as a former prisoner of war to be eligible.
Do dependents and family members of veterans get discounts?
For the most part, discounts and benefits offered by private businesses are reserved for veterans only. However, veterans’ family members and dependents can take advantage of certain benefits offered through government programs, like access to low cost health insurance plans. Disabled veterans may also be able to transfer certain benefits, like their Veterans Administration home loan guarantee, to a spouse in some cases.
The few discounts that businesses offer to military family members are usually only for the immediate family. This would include spouses and dependent children under 21 living at home. Other family members like parents, siblings, or adult children typically do not get discounts unless they are veterans themselves.
Types of Veteran Discounts and Benefits
There are thousands of discounts available for veterans across many different industries and business types. Some of the major categories of discounts include:
Travel Discounts
Veterans can save money by taking advantage of travel discounts on hotels, cruises, recreational activities, transportation, and more. Some examples include:
– Discounted rates at many major hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, Wyndham, Choice Hotels, and La Quinta. Usually 10-25% off.
– Savings on amusement park tickets at Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Six Flags, and more. Often around 20-30% off.
– Reduced prices and fees on cruises with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and other cruise lines. Typically 5-25% discounts.
– Free admission to all National Parks and discounted camping fees with an America the Beautiful Access Pass from the National Park Service.
– Reduced or free entrance fees to museums and cultural sites like museums and monuments.
Restaurant Discounts
Dining out is cheaper for veterans thanks to discounts at restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining. Common savings include:
– Discounted meals at IHOP, Denny’s, and Golden Corral. Often 25% to 30% off entire meal.
– Free appetizers, desserts, or beverages at Outback Steakhouse, Applebee’s, Chili’s, and other chain sit-down restaurants.
– Reduced prices on pizza orders from Domino’s, Little Caesars, Papa John’s, and Pizza Hut. Typically 20% to 50% off.
– Free coffee, donuts, and baked goods from Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and Einstein Bros. Bagels.
Retail Discounts
Veterans can save money on clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, automotive supplies, and more by shopping with military-friendly retailers. Some examples are:
– 10% off entire purchase at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other home improvement stores.
– Reduced prices on eyeglasses at LensCrafters, Target Optical, Pearle Vision, and other vision care retailers.
– Discounts on clothing, accessories, and shoes at stores like American Eagle, Foot Locker, and Rack Room Shoes. Usually 10% off.
– Savings on electronics, appliances, furniture, and other household items at Best Buy, Sears, and JC Penney. Amount varies by retailer.
Grocery Discounts
Shopping for groceries is less expensive for veterans thanks to discounts at supermarkets and wholesale clubs. Some examples are:
– Reduced membership fees and additional savings on items at warehouse stores like Sam’s Club and Costco.
– Discount clubs like MVP Veterans Club from BI-LO and Kroger Community Rewards to save money each visit.
– Occasional percentage discounts, like 4th of July and Veterans Day promotions for 10% off purchases.
– Free coffee or snack items at Southeastern Grocers stores on Veterans Day.
Auto Discounts
Buying, leasing, renting, or servicing a vehicle is cheaper for those who have served. Some common savings include:
– Discounts on new vehicle purchases, used car sales, auto parts, and service appointments at dealerships across major brands.
– Reduced rental car rates with Avis, Budget, Hertz, and other rental companies. Codes offer up to 25% off base rates.
– Lower insurance premiums on auto, health, life, and home insurance through providers like Geico, USAA, and State Farm.
– Savings on oil changes, tire rotations, and other maintenance services at Meineke, Firestone, and Pep Boys locations.
Entertainment Discounts
Veterans can save on everything from streaming services to live events. Some examples include:
– Reduced rates for memberships at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club to purchase discounted gift cards for movies, shops, and restaurants.
– Discount codes for up to 25% off streaming services like Sling TV and Audible Premium Plus.
– Access to exclusive military ticket deals for sporting events, concerts, shows, and more through VetTix.
– Free admission year-round to over 100 zoos, aquariums, museums, and other attractions through the Blue Star Museums program.
Additional Benefits
Along with discounts, veterans also have access to unique programs and benefits including:
– Lifetime access to Veterans Affairs health care facilities and US military hospitals.
– Education benefits like the GI Bill to earn degrees and vocational training.
– VA home loans to purchase, build, or refinance a home with no down payment required.
– Veteran hiring preference for federal jobs and government contractors.
How seniors can save
For veterans who are seniors aged 55 and older, even more discounts are available through AARP membership. AARP offers savings on hotels, rental cars, restaurants, groceries, retail, entertainment, and more. These are stackable on top of existing veteran discounts.
Additional Ways to Save
Beyond discounts, there are a few other ways veterans can save money such as:
– Avoiding sales tax on online purchases by buying through the military exchange shopping program.
– Joining credit unions or financial groups like USAA that offer lower loan rates and fee-free accounts.
– Calling companies directly to ask about any unadvertised military discounts or promotions not readily advertised.
– Combining discounts, coupons, reward programs, and other savings strategies to maximize value.
Locating Veteran Discounts
The easiest way to find available discounts is to ask if a business offers one when you visit or call. Many national chains will have discounts available at all locations, while local businesses may vary.
You can also search for discounts online through resources like:
– The Veterans Advantage program which partners with thousands of companies to offer savings.
– Military.com’s directory of hundreds of retail, travel, and restaurant discounts.
– The Military Benefits website which lists deals by category and location.
– NextGen MilSpouse’s database of over 100,000 military and veteran discounts.
Conclusion
Veterans have access to thousands of discounts as a way for the nation to give back to those who served their country. The savings apply to everyday expenses like food, shopping, transportation, and travel as well as big purchases like vehicles and homes. Just being able to ask “Do you offer a military or veteran discount?” can add up over a lifetime. Taking advantage of these deals demonstrates appreciation for veterans’ sacrifices while also supporting businesses who go the extra mile to honor their service.
Table of Common Veteran Discounts
Business | Discount |
IHOP | 25% off entire meal |
Home Depot | 10% off entire purchase |
Hertz | Up to 25% off car rentals |
Geico | Discounted auto insurance rates |
Applebees | Free appetizer |
Lowes | 10% off entire purchase |
Sling TV | 25% off subscription |
Marriott | Up to 25% off hotel rates |
Amtrak | 10% off train tickets |
Avis | Up to 25% off car rentals |