50 Military Discounts on Restaurants, Travel, Shopping, and More

Americans are grateful to the men and women in the military serving the nation. To show their appreciation, many corporations offer military discounts.

However, some military discounts are less advertised than others and often go unnoticed. You might book a flight, buy insurance, eat at a restaurant, or go to an amusement park — all without knowing about a military discount.

We have compiled a list of 50 great military discounts for active duty military and veterans that can save you substantial money.

On this page:

• Financial Services​
• Travel
• Restaurant Dining
• Entertainment
• Shopping

Financial Services

Financial services offer a number of military discounts, from savings on insurance, taxes, legal products, and more.

Insurance giant USAA specifically caters to military members and their family and is renowned for its discounts and service. USAA gives discounts of up to 15 percent off of car insurance if you garage your vehicle on a military base, and up to 90 percent off for deployed active military members if their vehicle is stored in a secure location.

USAA insurance is available for active duty, retired, and honorably separated military officers and enlisted personnel, officer candidates in commissioning programs, and adult children and surviving spouses of USAA members who have or had a USAA auto or property insurance policy.

Other insurance companies also offer military discounts. Insurance giant GEICO offers up to 15 percent off for active duty military, veterans, and members of the National Guard or Reserves. Geico also has emergency deployment discounts, as well as insurance discounts for members of certain military-related organizations.

Military members can get their legal paperwork in order with a discount from LegalZoom. The military community is entitled to 15 percent off documents and forms through TroopID. For tax preparation, TurboTax offers free federal and state tax filing of military W-2 forms, as well as additional discounts for other TurboTax offerings. This includes $5 off for higher-ranking officers. Tax Slayer also allows active duty military to e-file a classic edition federal tax return for free.

Of course, a number of other financial services and products also offer a military discount. Check with providers before ordering any goods or service.

Travel

Military members have a host of savings opportunities in travel. From train fares to air travel to hotels, service members and veterans should almost never have to pay full price.

For example, Amtrak offers a 10 percent discount for active duty military personnel and their families. In addition, uniformed personnel and their family members are welcomed to the front of an Amtrak line. Greyhound has a 10 percent discount for active duty and retired military, and additional discounts for veterans. Carnival Cruise Lines also offers reduced rates upon proof of service from active and retired U.S. military members.

For travel out at sea, Disney Cruise Lines offers military rates on select cruises. Princess Cruises has a “Military Cruise Benefit Program,” where active duty, retired or disabled veterans can get up to $250 in free onboard spending money. Royal Caribbean International also offers special cruise rates for military personnel and their families.

A number of airlines also offer discounts and perks. The discount rate varies per airline, so check with the airlines before to booking. Among the airlines saluting military members, Allegiant Air offers free oversized checked bags, three pieces of free checked luggage, and free seat assignments. Or American Airlines Cargo allows active duty military to ship their pets for 50 percent less than the published rates.

For military discounts in lodging, Best Western hotels provide hotel rates at the U.S. government per diem rate, Castle Resorts & Hotels gives 15 percent off, Great Wolf Lodge gives 30 percent off, Hyatt Hotels gives up to 50 percent off, and Super 8 Motels gives 15 percent off.

U.S. military members and their dependents can also take advantage of the National Parks Service’s Federal Recreational Land Pass for free access to all Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of travel discounts. Military members and veterans should always check for discounts before booking travel.

Restaurant Dining

A variety of restaurants — from fast food to fine dining — offer discounts for military members. As with other types of discounts, the key is to ask if they are available because they may not be advertised.

Restaurants that offer a discount include Acapulco, which provides 20 percent off for military personnel in uniform or with a valid ID. Boston Marketoffers 7 percent off with a military ID, while Chevys Fresh Mex gives 20 percent off with a valid military ID. Cinnabon gives 15 percent off at participating locations, and Cracker Barrel gives up to 15 percent off, at the manager’s discretion.

At Famous Dave’s, the military discount is 15 percent on Tuesdays, while Hickory Farms gives a 10 percent. Lone Star Steakhouse offers 10 percent off every day, and 20 percent off on Mondays. Margaritaville gives 10 percent off with a valid military ID.

At Sam’s Club, you can get a $15 gift card when you become a member if you are active duty or retired member of the military.

Entertainment

To save money while having a good time, turn to a number of military discounts at entertainment venues, from amusement parks to movie tickets.

Cinemark movie theaters offer discounted rates at selected theaters nationwide. These discounts will vary based on theater.

Disney offers discounts on hotels and tickets, with military personnel able to purchase four-day promotional tickets for just $138 each, and up to 40 percent off hotels. Six Flags Magic Mountain gives special discounts to service members, provided that the tickets are purchased in advance. Busch Gardensalso offers one-day complimentary admission for members of the military and three direct dependents.

In addition, many professional sports teams offer discounts and special events. Local amusement parks and museums may also offer free admission for military members and veterans, particularly around holidays.

Shopping

If you’re in the market for new clothes, a computer or almost anything else, there may be a military discount to help knock down the price. We’ve gathered some of the most popular discounts to help you make the most out of your shopping.

Your military ID gets you 20 percent off at Foot Locker, 10 percent off at Nike, and Payless Shoe Source. For more sports gear, check out Under Armour, which offers 10 percent off on all of its goods for military members and veterans.

Other clothing discounts include 20 percent off at American Giant, 15 percent off at Bonobos, 10 percent off at Carhartt, free shipping at Carters.com, 10 percent off at Champion, 20 percent off at Champs Sports, and 20 percent off at Cole Haan. Get 10 percent off at Columbia Sportswear, and 10 percent off at Wrangler.

In addition, military members can get a discount on Apple products through Apple’s Military/Government Purchase Program. They may also be eligible for discounted services and products from wireless providers, such as 15 percent off from AT&T Wireless and 15 percent off Verizon Wireless. Verizon Fios also offers discounts for military members on new and existing service.

Bottom Line

These 50 great military discounts are just a fraction of the discounts available to active duty and retired military, reservists, members of the National Guard, and veterans. Remember, even if you don’t see a discount advertised, it can’t hurt to ask.