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Saying ‘Thank You’ to Military Personnel — One Transaction at a Time
There is no concrete way for American civilians to offer proper thanks to the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect the interests of the country they serve. Still, many stores and consumer brands try their best to show gratitude by offering discounts to service personnel whenever they make purchases.
Obviously, the discounts listed below cannot make up for the sacrifices made by armed forces personnel. But they are designed to help military personnel feel appreciated, no matter the amount of money saved.
Discounts are routinely offered to active duty, National Guard or Reserve and military dependents, who may be asked to show a Department of Defense dependent identification card. Discounts also are typically extended to veterans and DOD retirees.
There are discounts offered specifically to members of veteran benefit groups such as Veterans Advantage, USAA or Veterans of Foreign Wars. If you are a service member but are not aligned with any of those groups, you might want to investigate the services and advantages they offer to see if it’s worth it to join.
Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day are times when many entertainment and restaurant venues offer special discounts as well.
Many of these retailers offer their discounts through accounts in ID.me or SheerID, independent verification services that offer free registration. Note: discounts were sourced in May 2025.
Active and retired service members can enjoy a long list of discounts, but there are other ways most of us could be saving. Check out some of our favorite ways to save money below.
No matter where you’re eating, if the establishment is part of a chain, it likely offers a military discount, but make sure it’s a participating location. If it’s a locally owned eatery, it may offer a more sizable discount. Always ask if the menu or other signage doesn’t advertise a discount.
The company website notes A&W has honored service personnel since 1919. With military ID, active or inactive personnel receive a discount year-round (varying in amount by location) at A&W restaurants.
Applebee’s offers a family atmosphere and 10% off meals for military personnel, as well as a free meal on Veterans Day.
Based on location, active and inactive personnel receive a 10% discount with military ID at Arby’s locations.
The military discount at Ben & Jerry’s varies by location but ranges between 10 and 15%.
Active military and veterans usually receive 10% off the total check at Bennigan’s, but this can vary by location.
Bob Evans restaurants offer a 10% discount to veterans and active duty military with ID, as well as free meals on Veterans Day.
Seafood lovers who are also armed forces personnel get 10% off their check every day at Bonefish Grill.
A discount varying from 10 to 25% depending on location is offered to anyone with a military ID at all Boston Market restaurants.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. offers a 10% discount to all military personnel, as well as special offers like free meals on national holidays like Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Based on location, BWW offers a 10% discount to military personnel with ID and a free basket of 10 wings and fries on Veterans Day.
Some participating Burger King locations offer 10% off all food and drink items to military personnel with valid military ID.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s offer a 10% military discount at participating locations, as well as a special Stars for Heroes campaign for Veterans.
Carrabas offers a 10% discount to active duty and non-active duty military with ID.
At certain locations, Chevys Fresh Mex offers 20% off meals for military personnel and free two-piece meals on Veterans Day.
Through Veterans Advantage, participating Chick-fil-A locations offer a 10% discount to active duty and retired military personnel.
Chili’s offers a free meal to military personnel on Veterans Day. Some locations may offer a daily 10% military discount with a valid military ID.
Chuck E. Cheese offers military discount deals on its Alpha and Bravo deal packages. A military ID is required, and customers must ask location management for the discount.
Cici’s Pizza does offer military discounts depending on location, but all locations offer free food on Veterans Day. Check locations for details.
Cinnabon offers a 15% discount on its bakery items.
Depending on location, Dairy Queen offers 10% off of an order, as well as a free Blizzard on Veterans Day.
Dave & Buster’s offers a 15% military discount and food and non-alcoholic beverages with a valid ID.
Denny’s offers a military discount of 10% and a free meal on Veterans Day.
A military identification card is required to get the 10% discount on food and drink at some individual Dunkin’ locations. There is no nationwide discount. However, all locations offer a free donut to military personnel on Veterans Day.
El Pollo Loco offers a 15% discount to all service and first-responder personnel, but the discount is limited to $1.50.
Famous Dave’s offers a military discount of 15% on meals year-round, and on Veterans Day, it offers a specific menu item free (in 2024, it was the two-meat lunch combo).
Active duty and retired military are offered a discount, varying by location, with a valid ID at Fuddruckers.
Depending on location, the military discount at Golden Corral is 10 to 15%. It also holds military appreciation nights, which vary by location.
Hard Rock Cafe offers a 15% discount on all food and non-alcoholic drink items.
Hooters offers a 10% discount to military personnel daily and a 20% discount on Tuesdays. The chain also offers a free entree to service members on Veterans Day.
IHOP offers free pancakes to military personnel on Veterans Day. During the year, some IHOP locations offer a 20% discount to military personnel, although that is up to the owner’s discretion.
Longhorn offers a 10% discount on the entire meal to military personnel year-round and a free appetizer or dessert on Veterans Day.
Noodles & Company offers a 15% discount to all service personnel with a valid service ID.
O’Charley’s offers a 10% military discount year-round and a free meal to current and former military on Veterans Day.
A $10 discount on purchases of $100 or more is available to active duty members and veterans, as well as spouses and dependents, at Omaha Steaks.
Outback Steakhouse offers a 10% discount off an entire order all day, every day to armed forces personnel with proof of service.
A 15% discount is available to military personnel at all Panda Express locations.
Some Pizza Hut locations offer a military discount, but the amount of the discount may vary.
Popeye’s military discounts vary by location.
Veterans and active-duty military get 10% off their individual order, excluding alcohol, at participating Red Lobster locations with proof of service and a free shrimp meal on Veterans Day.
As part of its regular loyalty program, Red Robin offers special package deals to military personnel who sign up. It also offers a free Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Veterans Day.
Eligible service members receive a 10% discount, but it depends on each Schlotzsky’s location. Some locations offer greater discounts, up to 30%.
Skyline offers a 10% discount to military personnel at some locations. You can call ahead or ask at the store to see if a discount is offered. Skyline often has specials on Veterans Day, as well.
Texas de Brazil has specials for military members, including 50% off on Memorial Day. A 10% discount is offered to armed forces personnel, EMS and teachers at Texas de Brazil.
Texas Roadhouse offers a 10% discount to military personnel.
Wendy’s offers discounts to members of Veterans Advantage through a custom WendyMail savings program called WeSalute+.
Zaxby’s offers a 10% discount with valid ID to military personnel. It also offers a free item from the menu on Veterans Day.
Active duty, retired and veteran service members with families will appreciate the discounts offered by the largest theater chains in the country.
Participating AMC Theatres offer discount tickets to military personnel with ID. Some require membership in Veterans Advantage.
The discount for active military members and retired military personnel at Cinemark varies by location, but most theaters offer savings on ticket prices and concessions.
Marcus Theatres offers movie tickets at $8.50 at any time for armed forces personnel.
Regal Cinemas offers discounts to active duty military personnel and veterans. Discounts vary by location.
All active duty armed forces members and their dependents can get discounted tickets at Showcase Cinemas. An active service ID is required. Active and retired military personnel receive discounted tickets on Veterans Day. See discount prices here.
Military discounts at theme and amusement parks help lower the cost of admission.
Busch Gardens offers military discounts to armed forces personnel and family members through the ID.me website.
Disney offers special package prices to military personnel, and there are greater discounts for personnel living in the same state as the theme park.
LEGOLAND offers different discounts to active military and to veterans, non-active military and military families. Active military members get discount admission to the Legoland Florida Resort and Water Park. Military members and families also can get reduced rates at Legoland resort hotels.
Six Flags offers a discount on general admission tickets to active duty and retired service members with valid ID.
Universal Studios provides discounted admission tickets to active duty and retired military members, disabled veterans and military spouses.
These discounts are given to active duty military and veterans from various places.
Ford’s Theatre, the famed location where President Abraham Lincoln was shot, offers active duty military and veterans up to 50% off select tour tickets with a valid military ID.
All Major League Baseball teams offer discounts to service members, but the discounts differ between clubs. Every team also hosts specials for military personnel and veterans.
The world-famous San Diego Zoo offers free admission to active military personnel. Family members and eligible others can receive a 10% discount and do not need the military member with them as long as they have proper identification.
SiriusXM Radio offers a 25% military discount on subscription prices to armed forces personnel.
Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans are eligible to receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests. The Interagency Annual Military Pass waives entrance fees but does not cover expanded amenity fees such as those for camping sites. Information about the Interagency Annual Military Pass is available here.
The Wilds Animal Park in Cumberland, which is just outside of Columbus, Ohio, offers a free one-day safari to active military members by appointment.
Here are some discounts offered by airlines.
Alaska Airlines offers special military fares to active duty military members and their dependents in some markets. These fares are for service members traveling on an official excused absence and those discharged from active duty military service in any one of the U.S. military agencies. It also offers discounts through Veterans Advantage membership, including 15% off in-flight food purchases.
Allegiant Air offers discounts on air travel expenses to U.S. active and reserve duty armed forces and armed forces veterans, including up to two pieces of checked baggage free of charge and free service for one pet in cabin.
American Airlines offers U.S. military veterans and their families a discount on domestic and international flights by subscribing and booking through WeSalute+ — the exact discount varies by market. It also offers free bag service for active military personnel, depending on the destination.
JetBlue offers a 5% discount on air travel to Veterans Advantage members.
A Veterans Advantage membership can get U.S. armed forces personnel 5% off Lufthansa flights.
Southwest Airlines offers military discounts but requires travelers to contact them at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to determine the discounts available.
United Airlines offers a 5% military personnel discount through a WeSalute+ subscription as well as free checked bags for service members.
Here are some discounts offered by some of the nation’s largest hotel chains that have accommodations in hundreds of cities around the world.
Best Western offers an extensive list of discounts on room rates to veterans, active duty military members and civilian military service members.
Choice Hotels offers special individualized rates for military and veteran leisure stays, as well as for government and military business travel.
Visit Hampton Inn to get details on discounts offered to military personnel.
Hilton Hotels & Suites offers several packages of accommodations for service personnel and other government employees, including special group rates.
U.S. veterans, active duty armed forces members and their immediate families are offered 10-15% off the standard room rate at participating Hyatt Hotels.
A valid military ID will be required when you check in under a military discount rate from Intercontinental Hotel Groups, which includes Holiday Inn and Candlewood Suites locations. The military discount rate is determined by the individual hotel management and is set at a minimum of 5%.
Save 12% on accommodations at LaQuinta Inns & Suites with military identification. Discounts are offered to active military, veterans and family members.
A 10% room rate reduction is available at Red Roof Inn for service members undergoing a permanent change of station. Also, there is a 10% discount for armed forces members on vacations.
Marriott Hotels offers discounted rates to military personnel depending on availability.
A 10% discount on resort travel is available for all Sandals Resorts reservations for active duty service members and retired military service members.
Wyndham Hotels offers discounted room rates and bonus club membership points to active duty, National Guard, reservists, veteran and retired armed forces personnel, as well as to family members through a Veterans Advantage membership.
Here are some discounts offered by car rental companies that are helpful for business or pleasure travel.
Through WeSalute+, Avis offers up to 35% off base rates to U.S. armed forces veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard and Reservists and military spouses.
With a WeSalute+ membership, active duty and retired armed forces service members, as well as military spouses, can enjoy up to 35% off on Budget car rental rates.
Discounted rates are offered to active duty personnel, armed forces veterans, National Guard reservists and military spouses through Enterprise Rent-A-Car. There are additional benefits offered to USAA members.
Hertz offers a 10% government and military discount. Renters are required to complete an application to qualify.
Here are some discounts offered by various travel companies.
Sign up for Waves4Warriors and receive $150 off your next vacation booked through Cheap Caribbean.
Active duty and retired military and their adult dependents can receive discounts on all Ikon Pass products.
The Epic Military Pass from Vail Resorts offers unlimited, unrestricted access to 40 resorts for $185 for active and retired military and their dependents. Veterans and their dependents can purchase an Epic Military Pass for $601. But hurry, as prices will go up by mid November 2025.
Amtrak offers a 10% military discount to military service members and their families and offers them first-serve status in ticket lines. Some restrictions apply.
Delta Vacations offers hundreds of dollars off of packages to armed forces personnel. A military email address is required for booking.
Service members and family members get 10% discounts on tickets purchased at Greyhound stations or as part of the WeSalute+ program.
Here are some military discounts for cruise lines.
Carnival Cruise Lines offers discounts on cruises to U.S. Military members.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 10% discount to military members and their families on select cruises.
Princess Cruises offers up to $250 in onboard spending money for active military members and veterans.
Royal Caribbean offers discounted staterooms to active U.S. armed forces members.
Military discounts extend to interest rates on bank loans and credit cards. Many banking institutions offer restricted interest rates to active-duty service members because of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA).
America First Credit Union offers $100 to U.S. service members who open a credit card and spend at least $500 in 60 days.
American Express offers SCRA and MLA resources to assist military service members in finding out the benefits of the programs. It also caps interest rates at 6%.
Capital One offers a special web page of SCRA resources to assist military service members in finding out about all of the benefits of the program. It also caps its cards at 4% interest for military members.
Chase waives the $25 monthly service fee and minimum balance requirement for its Chase Premier Plus Checking Account for military personnel. Most other banking service fees are waived as well.
Citi offers a wide range of services for military personnel, including the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA) for financial relief.
Navy Federal Credit Union account holders pay no account fees, get free military checks and have early access to military pay with a qualifying military direct deposit.
All of the consumer checking accounts U.S. Bank offers are available to military personnel with no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance required.
Several organizations, including USAA, specialize in insurance plans for military personnel and veterans.
GEICO offers insurance rate cuts to active duty and retired members of the U.S. military and National Guard. It also offers an Emergency Deployment Discount when they deploy into imminent danger pay areas as designated by the Department of Defense.
Liberty Mutual offers rate cuts to active service members, veterans and reserve members, though the exact amount depends on individual circumstances.
These hardware stores are ready to help military personnel with discounted products and services.
The Home Depot offers a 10% military discount on eligible purchases.
Lowe’s has a Military Discount Program that provides a 10% discount on all purchases.
Whether it is for the service member or for their family members, there are many discounts available at the best-known clothing and shoe retailers in the country.
Adidas offers 30% off online and in-store and 15% off at factory outlet stores for military personnel, first responders, medical personnel and teachers.
Aeropostale offers service members 15% off on all purchases.
American Eagle offers a 10% discount to military personnel for in-store purchases only.
A military personnel discount of 30% is offered for all full-priced clothing and accessories in ASICS online and retail stores. It also offers 25% off full-priced footwear.
Banana Republic offers a 15% off in-store purchases to service members.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s offer a Legendary Salute discount of 10% in-store and online as well as 5% off firearms and ammunition.
A 15% discount on apparel and accessories is available to service members, first responders and nurses at Carhartt. A signup for ID.me is required.
Champion offers a 10% discount on eligible products to military personnel, including veterans.
Cole Haan offers a 20% discount to active duty, reserves, guard members, retirees and veterans.
Columbia offers a 10% discount to military personnel, first responders and teachers.
A 15% discount is available to military personnel (active or retired) and family members at Converse stores.
All full-priced Crocs products are available at a 25% discount for military personnel.
Through an ID.me account, military personnel can save 10% on Eddie Bauer apparel and accessories.
Goodwill offers discounts to military personnel, but the percentage of the discount is different based on location.
Military personnel and family members can receive a 10% discount on apparel at Forever 21.
GameStop offers a 10% discount on both new and used products, including collectibles.
Foot Locker offers a 10% discount on most items in-store or online. Verification is required through SheerID. The offer is also good at Kids and Lady Foot Locker.
The clothing and sports equipment retailer offers a discount to military personnel through its Helly Hansen Military Discount Program.
Hot Topic offers a 10% discount to military personnel, but they must call customer service to apply the discount to online purchases.
Military personnel, health care workers and first responders receive 15% off their entire purchase at J.Crew and J.Crew Factory stores and online.
A 10% discount is available for Jockey products through ID.me to all military service members and their families.
The women’s clothier Karen Kane offers a 20% military discount off of every purchase.
Every Monday, service members and their families are offered a 15% discount on in-store purchases at Kohl’s.
Military service personnel receive a 15% discount on all Levi’s apparel.
Through SheerID, military service members can enjoy 10% off purchases at L.L. Bean.
The military discount is 15% at participating Lululemon stores.
A discount of 15% off an entire purchase is available to military personnel at Madewell stores.
A 10% discount is available to military personnel and family members for all purchases at Maurices.
Merrell, the footwear retailer, offers a 20% discount on all purchases by military personnel, verified through ID.me.
New Balance requires a military email address to receive a 15% discount, verified through ID.me.
Nike offers a 10% discount on online and in-store purchases, with verification through SheerID.
A 10% discount is available for online purchases made at Old Navy with an ID.me account.
An ID.me account provides a 15% discount to active and retired service members on Ray-Ban products.
Reebok offers a 30 to 40% discount to military personnel and first responders through ID.me.
Military personnel receive a 25% discount on their entire Steve Madden purchase.
Sunglass Hut offers a 15% discount to service members registered with ID.me. The offer extends to active-duty military, veterans, retirees and family members.
Sperry’s Military VIP program offers a 20% discount to all active and veteran military personnel.
The North Face offers a 10% discount to all active, reservist, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel.
The discount is 10% for Timberland for active duty service members, retirees, reservists, veterans, spouses and dependents.
A 20% discount is available to all service members and their families for Under Armour products.
A 25% discount is available to military personnel and family members at UNTUCKit with an ID.me account.
Vera Bradley offers a 10% discount to military personnel through an ID.me account.
It’s 15% off “almost everything’’ at Vineyard Vines. The offer is open to military personnel with a SheerID account.
Get 10% off your in-store purchase of outerwear, luggage, accessories and more at Wilsons Leather with a valid military ID.
Military personnel also can take advantage of discounts offered by communications and electronics companies.
A 10% discount on Apple products and accessories is available to military personnel and family members who live in the same household.
AT&T offers 25% off phone plans to active duty members and veterans.
Dell offers a 10% discount to service members who acquire a coupon using their military email address.
HP offers up to 40% off certain Chromebooks to military personnel, first responders and nurses through the ID.me site.
All military personnel and family members are offered a 10% discount on select Microsoft products and services.
A 10% discount is available on all Motorola products to service members.
Save up to 30% on Samsung products and services if you are now or were once a member of the armed forces.
T-Mobile offers discounted plans for active military and veterans.
A 15% discount is applied to all UScellular calling plans for military personnel.
Verizon offers phone lines for $25 per month to service members and their families.
Xfinity offers several exclusive benefits to service members for signing a minimum-term agreement for service. Some benefits include Xfinity Rewards Diamond member status and flexible line fees.
Military personnel also can get a break on the price of a new vehicle.
Airstream Salute offers special pricing on new Airstream vehicles.
Audi offers special pricing and financing to activity duty military personnel and Department of Defense employees, including $1,000 toward a lease or purchase. Dealers will have the details.
Using ID.me, active duty personnel, retired military, veterans and military spouses can receive $500 to $5,000 in purchase incentives toward a BMW vehicle for purchase or lease.
Chevrolet/General Motors offers cash allowance on vehicles purchased by military personnel.
Military personnel are offered a $500 Bonus Cash option with the purchase of a Chrysler vehicle.
The Ford Military Appreciation Program offers special offers on vehicles, cash bonuses and several other programs aimed at benefiting military veterans.
At Harley-Davidson, a Military Financing Program makes owning a bike easier for military personnel. The company also offers storage of bikes to personnel shipped away from home.
Honda Military Appreciation extends a $500 discount on purchases and leases of new Honda vehicles to active and retired military personnel.
A $500 bonus toward the purchase of a Hyundai vehicle is offered to active duty, reservist, national guard, veteran and retired U.S. military personnel.
The Jeep Military Incentive Program offers $500 bonus cash to the purchase of Jeep vehicles to select military personnel.
Mazda offers $500 Military Appreciation Bonus Cash to active duty personnel, retired military personnel and retired military service members. Mazda also offers free vehicle inspection, cleaning and oil changes to military members.
The Nissan Military Program offers $500 savings on vehicle leases and purchases.
Subaru offers a $500 discount on the best price offer received for vehicles by active duty and reserve members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard Space Force and National Guard, as well as veterans and retired military personnel within 24 months of your date of separation.
The Toyota Military Rebate offers $500 in money back on the purchase of a vehicle by military personnel.
A $500 bonus is offered to military personnel purchasing select Volkswagen vehicles.
For purchase or lease, service members can get $500 from Volvo to drive a new vehicle.
Deals on auto parts and service are available for military personnel.
A 10% discount on in-store purchases is offered to military personnel shopping at Advance Auto Parts.
All Jiffy Lube locations offer 15% off on service to those who served in the U.S. military.
Pep Boys offers a 10% discount on service and parts to military service members.
Go play outside with these discounts on outdoor and sports-related gear.
Military personnel can get a 20% discount from Burton Snowboards.
An ID.me account gets veterans, active duty military and reservists 15% off Calloway equipment and accessories.
Champs Sports offers military personnel a 10% discount on items in-store and online for up to $100 in total savings.
A valid military ID presented to any authorized PING dealer will get you a rebate on PING equipment.
The PXG for Heroes program offers special pricing for golf clubs and accessories to military personnel.
A 15% discount is offered through the ID.me program to all military personnel looking for TaylorMade golf equipment and accessories.
Several jewelry stores also offer discounts to military service members.
Savings of 10% on all purchases, including designer jewelry, are available to military personnel at Arthur’s Jewelers.
Helzberg Diamonds offers 10% off purchases in-store or online to active duty, military retirees, disabled veterans and registered dependents of active duty/retirees.
Military personnel receive 10% off any one purchase at Roger & Hollands. The maximum savings is limited to $200 per item.
Military personnel can receive 10% off select engagement rings and wedding bands at Since1910.
Tiffany & Co. is helping military personnel get married with a 10% discount on engagement rings and wedding bands.
You just never know who is going to offer discounts to active-duty military personnel or military spouses.
Military service members can take 20% off their total purchase from Hey Dudes.
Through an ID.me account, Gold’s Gym offers discounted membership fees to active duty armed forces members, active duty armed forces veterans and retired military personnel. The average savings is 20%.
If you need new shoes, Journeys offers 10% off an in-store purchase with a valid military ID, depending on the location.
A 50% discount on lenses is offered by LensCrafters to active duty armed forces personnel through an ID.me account. That discount is also extended to nurses and first responders.
Depending on the item purchased, Mattress Firm offers 10-20% off mattress and bedding purchases to military personnel, including veterans, reservists and their family members.
Using a Michaels Rewards account, armed forces personnel can receive 15% off everything in the store.
All Purple products are available to eligible military personnel at a 10% discount.
There is a discount offered to all active, veteran, retired and reservist military personnel on Sleep Number 360 smart beds and their adjustable bases.
Military members get discounted access to Pandora Premium with proof of valid military ID.
Stanley offers savings through ID.me for military and first responders.
With an ID.me account, military personnel are offered a discount on Yeti Cooler products.
Kent McDill is a veteran journalist who has specialized in personal finance topics since 2013. He is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
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