If you served or are currently serving our country, many companies offer a “thank you” in the form of military and veteran discounts.
But you probably don’t know it.
Many financial perks reserved for military members and veterans aren’t widely advertised up front—you typically have to dig down a few levels into a company’s website to discover discounts and other benefits. So it’s highly possible that many of the brands you already spend with offer lower prices for active-duty and former military.
Check out my list of military and veterans discounts you should know. These aren’t single-day perks like those typically offered on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or Independence Day—these are year-round discounts on popular products and services. So the next time you spend money with any one of these brands, don’t forget to flash your ID and proudly claim your discount.
Don’t Miss These Military Discounts
From footwear to flights, a wide range of businesses offer discounts to veterans and military personnel.
Usually, you just need to show a valid military ID to ensure you receive your discount. However, I did add a couple of discounts that require you to join WeSalute+ first.
If you’re eligible for a discount, like some of the following perks available from well-known brands, you should take advantage of it. After all: You earned it.
1. Hard Rock Casinos
Hard Rock casinos offer thousands of slot machines, as well as classic games such as blackjack and poker. If you don’t feel like gambling, you can enjoy some of the live entertainment. And true to the Hard Rock brand, these casinos are jam-packed with rock memorabilia.
The Unity by Hard Rock Veterans Program is one of the most robust veterans benefit systems we’ve ever reviewed. It’s available to active, reserve, veteran, retired members, and military spouses at participating Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming locations in the United States. It’s a four-tier system: Star, Legend, Icon, and X. Verified members, as proven by required identification at the Player’s Club, get an automatic upgrade to Legend status and a Veteran Unity Card.
You can check out Hard Rock’s full list of benefits for every tier, some of which differ by location—some are available at all participating locations, some are only available at casinos or certain hotels, and there are even some benefits for the Hard Rock Cafe, Online Rock Shop, and Royal Caribbean cruises. But here’s just a small sampling of literally dozens of different benefits available to Legend-status members:
- Exclusive access to promotions, offers, and rewards (all participating locations)
- Exclusive discounts at some locations (all participating locations)
- Priority service and support phone line (all participating locations)
- Member-only online booking rates (Casinos, Casino Hotels, City Hotels, and Resort Hotels)
- Complimentary gifts with qualified play (Casinos and Casino Hotels)
- Choice of exclusive amenities when arriving at hotel check-in (City and Resort Hotels)
- 10% discount at all-day restaurant (City and Resort Hotels)
- 1,000 bonus Unity Points per stay (Reverb Hotels)
- Free dessert on your birthday (Hard Rock Cafe)
- 10% discount on Exclusive Stateroom (Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises)
- Exclusive car rental discount with SIXT
Related: Beyond Roadside Assistance: 10 AAA Discounts You May Not Know About
2. Adidas
Popular sports apparel brand Adidas, which is best known for its footwear and has earned Run-D.M.C.’s adoration, adopted the slogan “You Got This” in recent years.
Well, when it comes to military discounts … you got this.
Adidas’ “Heroes Get Rewarded” program isn’t a strictly veteran discount—it includes veterans, but also medical professionals, first responders, nurses, military members, and teachers. Qualifying people receive 30% discounts for online and in-store purchases, as well as 15% discounts for factory outlets.
Some Adidas products are excluded from this discount, such as certain brand collaborations and gift cards. Verification is performed through ID.me.
3. Finish Line
Another place where veterans can get sports apparel for less is Finish Line, which sells footwear and other gear from not just Adidas, but also Nike, New Balance, and more, so there’s something for almost everyone. You can find Finish Line stores in 38 states, as well as Puerto Rico.
If you are currently serving or have served in the U.S. military, you, your spouse or domestic partner, and any dependents might qualify for a 10% discount on in-store purchases. Active, veteran, and retired military members and personnel, and members of the Reserves and National Guard qualify, but civilians employed by the Federal government and those who work on military bases do not.
To prove eligibility, simply show a valid U.S. Military ID at checkout. Just note that the discount does have numerous exclusions, including that it can’t be combined with other discounts or coupons, discounts are limited to one per eligible customer per day, it can’t be used on gift cards, and it can’t be used for online purchases.
Related: Retired But Too Young for Medicare? Health Insurance for Early Retirees
4. Regal
Are movies your favorite form of escapism? Regal (once more recognizably known as Regal Cinemas), is a major U.S. theater chain with more than 400 theaters in over 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam.
Regal offers special military pricing for veterans, both active and retired, at the box office. Unfortunately, there isn’t a set percentage discount across the board—you simply need to ask your local location’s staff about their particular discount information.
To receive your discount, present an ID when purchasing your ticket.
5. Marcus Theatres
Marcus Theatres opened its first location in Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1935. Today, it’s the fourth-largest American theater circuit, with 78 locations in 17 states. It too offers special military pricing—and fortunately, it’s much more straightforward than Regal’s.
Active and retired military members can watch a movie for $8.50 at any time at participating locations. However, there might be an additional charge for UltraScreen, Superscreen, 3D, 4DX, and ScreenX.
To receive your discounted ticket, simply present an official military ID card at the box office at the time of purchase.
Related: 15 Alarming Gen X Retirement Statistics
6. Motel 6
You won’t find many “favored” groups when it comes to getting a room for less, but there are a few. Seniors can get discounted hotel rooms, as can AARP members, AAA members, and in some cases, current and former military.
Motel 6, for instance, covers the basics of travel: clean, comfortable rooms at affordable prices. Back in 1962, when the company was founded, a night’s stay cost only $6 (hence the name).
No one is getting a room at that low of a rate nowadays, veteran or otherwise. Still, active and retired military personnel and their families can enjoy discounted prices. The year-round discount is 10% off every stay at participating Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations.
For online booking, under the Special Rates tab, select Military Rate. Just keep in mind that the Flexible Rate is sometimes cheaper than the Military Rate, so always check both to find the best deals.
7. Hyatt
Hyatt’s 35 global brands—including Andaz, Secrets, Sunscape, Thompson Hotels, a variety of Hyatt sub-brands, and more—combine to offer 1,460 hotels all-inclusive properties across 79 countries and six continents. Whether you’re looking for something a little more upscale, or you just need to stick to the essentials, Hyatt has what you need.
U.S. veterans, active–duty armed service members, and their immediate family members traveling with them can receive a 10-15% discount off the standard rate at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
When booking online, select Military/Veteran Leisure. And be prepared to show a valid military/veteran ID when you check in.
Note: Sometimes the “Book Now and Save 20%” rate is cheaper than the military rate. So, always compare both prices to find the better deal.
Related: Experience More, Spend Less: 10 Experiences Seniors Can Do Cheaper
8. United Airlines
United Airlines is the world’s largest airline by revenue passenger miles (the number of miles traveled by paying customers). This airline flies roughly 175 million customers a year to over 360 destinations across six continents.
And United offers military benefits to the following groups:
- Active duty military from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, National Guard, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Space Force
- Cadets of the Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, and West Point
- Commissioned Officers Corps of the U.S. Public Health and NOAA
- Members who have been discharged within seven days of scheduled travel
Monetary perks include no luggage fees for up to five bags, depending on your order, and United Club access, when space is available. Additionally, WeSalute+ subscribers get a 5% discount on flight tickets at the adult base fare originating in the U.S. or Canada, including transatlantic flights originating in the U.S. marketed by United and operated by United or Lufthansa Group. The discount can be used for up to eight adult tickets per itinerary.
Basic Economy tickets and special promotional fares are not eligible. The discount doesn’t apply to carrier-imposed international surcharges or government-imposed taxes and fees.
9. Amtrak
Prefer trains to planes? The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak, has 21,000 route miles across 46 states, D.C, and Canada. The service runs more than 300 trains each day to over 500 destinations, though its busiest stations are located in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Active-duty U.S. military personnel, along with their spouses and dependents, are eligible for a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most trains, including the Auto Train. Discount limitations apply, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Non-Acela Business Class, First Class, or sleeping accommodations.
- Travel on certain Amtrak Connection services or the Canadian portion of services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
- Discount may not be combinable with other discount offers. Refer to each offer’s terms and conditions.
If you’re buying tickets at the station, make sure to bring a valid ID card. As an added perk, uniformed military personnel are allowed to go directly to the front of the ticket line.
Booking online? In the Travelers drop-down menu, go down to Discounts. The drop-down menu under that defaults to Adult. Instead, select Active US Military or Military Veteran, whichever is accurate.
Related: 10 Costco Tips & Tricks All Shoppers Should Know
10. Avis Car Rental
Car rental brand Avis has around 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries. And for all customers, Avis offers a Best Price Guarantee: If customers book a car rental on Avis.com then find a lower qualifying Avis rate on another website, they can submit a form to have Avis match the base rate and add a 10% discount.
But military members and veterans have a much easier path to lower rates. Avis provides military rate car rentals of up to 35% off Pay Now rates at participating locations. Eligibility is for U.S. Military veterans, active duty military, National Guard, and Reservists, as well as immediate family members, who are enrolled in WeSalute+.
To redeem the offer through WeSalute+, choose your destination and rental dates, then add your Avis Worldwide Discount number. The discount will be reflected in the prices on the following page. Note: Some car groups are ineligible for the discount, and blackout dates may apply.
