As a military member, veteran, or family member, you know that every dollar counts. With rising costs of living and other expenses, finding ways to save money is always top of mind. One great way to save is by taking advantage of military and veteran discounts. Many retailers, restaurants, hotels, transportation services, and other businesses offer exclusive discounts to military personnel, veterans, and their families. But how do you find these discounts and savings? Here’s a look at some of the top websites that can help you locate and use military and veteran discounts.
Military/Veteran Discount Sites
There are a number of websites dedicated specifically to helping military and veteran communities find discounts. These sites maintain databases of hundreds (or even thousands) of companies that offer military savings and privileges. They make it easy to search for discounts by company name, category, location, or other criteria. Some top military discount websites include:
- Military.com – Extensive database of discounts. Can browse by category or location. Provides discount codes and details on how to qualify.
- VeteransAdvantage.com – Offers discounts on products, services, travel and more. Has a Veterans Advantage Card that unlocks discounts.
- ID.me – Free to join. Verifies military/veteran status. Gives access to discounts from hundreds of companies.
- GovX.com – Online military exchange with discounted pricing. Carries apparel, tactical gear, electronics, travel bookings and more.
- VetRewards.com – Members get access to deals on restaurants, hotels, tickets, retailers, events, travel and more.
These sites do the work of finding discounts and deals for you. All you need to do is search their databases and take advantage of the savings! Most also provide news/tips, military resources, and community forums too.
General Coupon Websites
In addition to dedicated military and veteran deal sites, many general coupon and discount websites also compile military/veteran savings opportunities. These include popular couponing platforms like:
- RetailMeNot
- Coupons.com
- DealsPlus
- Slickdeals
- Groupon
While not exclusively military-focused, these sites have sections, deal forums, or search tools to help you find military discounts at retailers, restaurants, travel providers, and more. Community members also often share tips on accessing unadvertised military savings.
Individual Company Websites
Many individual company websites will promote military discounts or deals if they offer them. When planning travel or a purchase, it always pays to check out the company’s website or contact them directly to ask about military savings. Some examples of brands that highlight military discounts include:
- Disney – Discounted theme park tickets and resort rooms.
- Home Depot – 10% military discount in stores.
- Nike – 10% discount for military members online and in stores.
- Amtrak – 10-25% discount on train travel.
- Hilton – Discounted hotel rates for military.
Don’t forget to check airline sites, local attractions, concert/event venues, museums, cell phone carriers, insurance providers, and other everyday companies. If they offer a military/veteran deal, it will often be under a “Military Discounts” section of their website’s footer navigation.
Military Travel Sites
Searching for travel discounts? The following websites specialize in finding deals on accommodations, transportation, entertainment, and more for military and their families:
- Military Travel Discounts – Flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises and other travel deals.
- Military Vacation Travel – Allows booking hotels, resorts, cruises, flights and car rentals.
- Government Vacation Rewards – Vacation certificate packages that can be used for hotels, cruises and resort stays worldwide.
- Military Flights – Discounted plane tickets as well as cheap hotels.
These sites provide easy ways to save on your next trip whether it’s for leisure, R&R leave, a PCS move, or family vacation. There are often additional travel discounts around the peak summer season too.
More Ways to Find Discounts
In addition to websites and online research, there are other tricks for locating military and veteran discounts when you’re out shopping, dining, or traveling:
- Newsletters – Sign up to receive military discount newsletters, deal alerts, coupon books and more from sites like Military Saves.
- Apps – Download apps like Military Discounts, VetSave, DiscountVIP to easily find deals when you’re on the go.
- Ask – Don’t be shy! Always ask retailers, restaurants, hotels, etc. if they offer a military or veteran discount.
- Show ID – When asking about discounts, have your military ID, veteran’s card, dependent ID, etc ready to show proof of service.
- Travel Clubs – Join military travel clubs like Armed Forces Vacation Club for access to condo rentals, cruises, airfare and hotels.
With some digging online, asking around town, and showing your military ID, you can often unlock special discounts and savings that aren’t always publicly advertised.
Types of Military Discounts
Now that you know where to look, what kinds of military discounts are typically available? Here are some of the most common ones to take advantage of:
- Clothing – Retailers like Old Navy, Nike, Under Armour, Foot Locker, Levi’s, New York & Company.
- Shoes – Brands such as Reebok, Rockport, Rack Room Shoes.
- Jewelry – Kay Jewelers, Jared.
- Eyewear – Sunglass Hut, Target Optical, EyeBuyDirect.
- Electronics – Dell, HP, Samsung, Best Buy.
- Cell Phone Plans – AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon.
- Health – Contacts, eye exams, gyms, dental care.
- Home Improvement – Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware.
- Flowers – Teleflora, 1-800-FLOWERS, FromYouFlowers.
- Auto – Repair, tires, car rental, insurance.
- Hotels – Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham, IHG.
- Airfare – Delta, American Airlines, Southwest, British Airways.
- Vacation – Packages, cruises, resorts.
- Restaurants – TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, IHOP.
- Events – Concerts, plays, sports games.
- Museums – Children’s museums, art museums.
- Movies – Cinemark, Regal.
- Parks – Disneyland, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld.
- Camping – Kampgrounds of America (KOA).
This list just scratches the surface, but hits many of the most popular categories for military discounts. Make sure to also check out deals around Veteran’s Day as many companies roll out freebies and military specials during that time.
Saving on Travel
One major spending category for military families is travel. With frequent PCS moves every 2-3 years, taking leave to go home, R&R trips, deployments, training exercises, and more – military members do a whole lot of traveling! Here are some ways to save on common travel costs:
Flights
- Book discounted military fares on major airlines like Delta, American, United, Frontier.
- Find deals, promotions and sales on sites like MilitaryFlights.
- Take advantage of free checked bags and carry-on allowances.
- Use mileage programs to book award/free flights.
Hotels
- Ask for the military rate at check-in.
- Look for deals up to 25% off on booking sites like Priceline, Orbitz.
- Book discount hotel packages on military travel sites.
- Redeem hotel points and free night certificates.
- Consider lower cost accommodations like lodges on base.
Rental Cars
- Check rates with on-base car rental offices vs. off-base traditional companies.
- Use discount codes from rental companies that offer military deals like Budget, Enterprise, Hertz.
- Compare deals on military travel booking sites.
RV Rentals
- Look for military discounts from RV rental companies.
- Rent privately owned RVs at lower costs.
- Borrow RVs through the DoD’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation libraries.
Taking advantage of every military discount and benefit can really add up to major savings for you and your family on flights, hotels, transportation, and other road trip expenses.
Requirements for Getting Discounts
How can you access and unlock these military discounts? Most businesses will require verification of your military/veteran status in order to offer special pricing or deals. Here are some of the accepted forms of ID:
- CAC Card/Military ID Card – For active duty servicemembers
- Retired Military ID Card – For retired personnel
- DD-214 – Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- VA Health Care Card
- Veteran’s Driver’s License or State ID Card
- Veteran Organization Membership Card (e.g. VFW, American Legion)
Many businesses will also extend discounts to spouses and/or other military family members traveling with or shopping with a military member. Be sure to ask! Some common forms of dependent/spouse ID include:
- Dependent Military ID Card
- Spouse Veteran Advantage Card
Carrying valid military identification is key to successfully obtaining discounts when shopping in-store, booking travel online, calling businesses directly, or accessing military reward/loyalty programs.
Company | Discount | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Home Depot | 10% off in-store | Valid military ID card |
Nike | 10% off online and in-store | Verified military status |
Hilton Hotels | Discounted room rates | Military ID card at check-in |
Applebee’s | 10-15% off meal | Dine-in with military ID |
This table provides a few examples of common military discounts, along with the typical requirements to obtain the savings. Always call ahead or ask at the point of purchase what proof of military service is needed.
Top Companies Offering Discounts
To give you an idea of some of the best military discounts, here is a list of popular companies, brands, and organizations that offer significant savings to military personnel, veterans, and their families:
Clothing
- Under Armour – 10% off
- Oakley – 20% off
- Levi’s – 20% off
- Nike – 10% off
Entertainment
- Disney Parks – Discounted tickets and hotel rates
- Six Flags – Discounts on theme park admission
- Regal Cinemas – Discounted movie tickets
- AMC Theaters – Discount movie tickets
Restaurants
- IHOP – 10% off meals
- Denny’s – 10% off meals
- Buffalo Wild Wings – 10% off meals
- Starbucks – Free coffee for veterans
Retail
- The Home Depot – 10% off in-store purchases
- Michaels – 15% off entire purchase
- Advance Auto Parts – 10% off in store
- Target – 10% off annual purchase with REDcard
Hotels
- Hilton – Discounted room rates
- Hyatt – Discounted room rates
- Wyndham – Up to 20% off lowest rates
- Motel 6 – Discount off available room rates
Travel
- Alamo – Discounts on car rentals
- Avis – Up to 25% off car rentals
- Budget – Discounts on car rentals
- National – Discounts on car rentals
This list highlights some of the most popular military discount companies across common spending categories like clothing, entertainment, retail, travel, and more.
Best Practices for Using Discounts
Here are some top tips for making the most of military discounts:
- Always call ahead to verify the discount policy and any military ID requirements.
- Have a valid military ID card ready when asking for a discount in person.
- Sign up for military discount programs with hotels, airlines, retailers to access exclusive offers.
- Stack discounts and coupons when possible to maximize savings.
- Focus on discounts for big-ticket items vs. small dollar savings.
- Research discounts when planning vacations, PCS moves, major purchases.
- Sign up for military discount newsletters and emails to receive deal alerts.
Being proactive, planning ahead, stacking perks, and utilizing all available discounts can translate to serious savings for military families on essential expenditures.
Conclusion
Military discounts provide a valuable way for servicemembers, veterans and military families to save on travel, shopping, dining and more. Hundreds of companies across many industries offer exclusive military discounts and deals as a way to give back. Taking advantage of these savings helps stretch your budget and provide needed relief from the financial strain that often accompanies military life. Be sure to use the websites, tips and resources outlined above to find current military discounts and special offers whenever you’re shopping, traveling or making a major purchase.