2018 Military Families's Ultimate Guide to Military Discounts

Ultimate Guide to MILITARY DISCOUNTS

by AMERIFORCE MEDIA, LLC

SAVE UP TO 75% ON YOUR NEXT VACATION

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MILITARY DISCOUNTS

10% OFF

15% OFF 50%OFF 20% OFF

5% OFF

FREE USE DISCOUNT CODE

Increasingly companies are finding unique ways to say “Thank you for your service” by offering discounted, and in some cases, free products or services to military service members, spouses, families, retirees, and oftentimes veterans.

Military Families magazine has assembled this list of the most current offerings by category, but keep in mind there are likely hundreds of other mom and pop stores in local communities that also extend their own discount. While this is an extensive list of military discounts, we know we can’t possibly have them all. We will keep on adding to our list to make it the most comprehensive list military discounts available anywhere! If you know of a great military discount that we missed, please let us know by posting it in the comments section online or send your suggestions to digital@ameriforcemedia.com.

Whether you’re planning an impromptu getaway, family vacation, or just night out, make sure you check out these places first to get more bang for your military-earned buck!

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

Before diving into individual companies, take a look at some of the existing affiliate programs out there that give access to multiple discounts year-round.

GovX : E-commerce site with exclusive offers to over 80 companies.

TroopID : Allows you to establish a digital identification card that gives you deals on over 400 brands.

SPORTS

Birdies for the Brave: Free admission to golf tournaments at PGA events.

Bristol Motor Speedway : Special military pricing with verification through Troop ID.

MLB Shop : Offers at 15% discount; MLB varies by team.

NBA : Varies by team.

NFL : Varies by team.

Vet Tix : The foundation gives free tickets to military and their families to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, and activities around the country.

RETAIL

Apple : Special pricing for currentserving military, veterans, and their families, to purchase up to three system bundles or displays, three iPads, three iPhones, three watches and up to ten iPods each calendar year.

Bass Pro Shops : Offers a military discount each month with a valid military ID, along with 10% off in-store only in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Cabela’s : Offers 5% discount to active duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans and retirees, at all store locations.

Crate & Barrel : Offers a 10% in-store discount at participating locations. Dell : 10% discount.

Helzberg Diamonds : 10% discount for active duty and their dependents, disabled veterans, retirees.

Home Depot : 10% discount when a service member or dependent shows an ID card at check-out.

Lowe’s Home Improvement : 10% discount available after signing up online for the company’s discount program.

Microsoft : 10% discount.

RECREATION

Cinemark Movie Theaters : Discounts offered at specific locations.

Georgia Aquarium (GA) : Free admission on Monday.

Monterey Bay Aquarium (CA) : Discounted ticket pricing.

National Aquarium (MD) : Discounted ticket pricing.

National Parks : A free annual pass is offered to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Regal Movie Theaters : Discounts at participating theaters.

San Diego Zoo : Free admission for active-duty service members; 10% off for military spouses and dependents.

Sierra Club Outdoors : Free outings around the US including hiking, rafting, and ice climbing.

The Texas Zoo : Discounted ticket pricing.

RESTAURANTS

Since many restaurants are franchises, military discounts often vary from location to location. Keep in mind that most offer the discount for dine-in only, and you must have your valid military ID with you. Many restaurants do not advertise their military discounts, so be sure to ask. Many restaurants also offer a free meal on holidays including Veteran Day.

Auntie Annie’s : 10% discount at participating locations.

Applebee’s : 10% discount at participating locations.

Brigs Restaurants : 10% off meals for veterans, service members and their spouses.

A&W: Discount varies by location.

Arby’s : Discount varies by location. Back Yard Burger : Discount varies by location.

Boston Market : 7% discount with military ID at participating locations.

Captain D’s : Discount varies by location.

Carl’s Jr. : Discount varies by location.

Chevy’s Fresh Mex : 20% discount, varies by location.

Cinnabon : 15% discount at participating locations with a valid military ID.

Cici’s Pizza : Discount varies by location.

Chick-fil-A : Discount varies by location.

Chipotle : Discount varies by location.

Cold Stone Creamery : Discount varies by location.

Cracker Barrel : Discount varies by location.

Dairy Queen : Discount varies by location; up to a 50% discount with a valid military ID.

Del Taco : 50% discount at participating locations with a valid military ID.

Denny’s : Discount varies by location.

Dunkin Donuts : 10% off year-round at participating locations with valid military ID card; open to active duty and military dependents.

Famous Dave’s : 15% discount on Tuesdays; may vary by location.

Friendly’s : Discount varies by location.

Gatti’s Pizza : Discount varies by location.

Golden Corral : Discount varies by location.

Gordon Biersch : Discount varies by location.

Hard Rock Cafe : 15% discount, may vary by location.

Hooters : 10% discount, may vary by location.

IHOP : 20% discount, may vary by location.

Johnny Rockets : Discount varies by location; up to a 50% discount with a valid military ID.

KFC : Discount varies by location.

Lone Star Steakhouse : 20% discount on Mondays; 10% discount every other day with a valid military ID.

Long John Silver’s : Discount varies by location.

Longhorn Steakhouse : 10% discount, may vary by location.

Margaritaville : 10% discount with valid military ID.

Outback Steakhouse : 10% discount, may vary by location.

Pancheros Mexican Grill : Discount varies by location.

Panda Express : Discount varies by location.

Papa Murphy’s : Discount varies by location; up to a 50% discount on a pizza. Pizza Hut : Discount varies by location.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen : 10% discount with a valid military ID. Quiznos : Discount varies by location.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers : Discount varies by location.

Red Robin : Discount varies by location.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory : 10% discount, may vary by location.

Sam’s Club : Get a gift card when you become a member with a valid military ID.

Schlotzsky’s : discount varies by location, up to 30% discount with valid military ID.

Sizzler : Discount varies by location. Sonic : Discount varies by location.

Subway : Discount varies by location.

Taco Bell : Discount varies by location.

The Melting Pot : Discount varies by location; some offer discounts on certain nights of the week.

Texas Roadhouse : 10% discount, may vary by location.

Wendy’s : Discount varies by location.

Zaxby’s : 10 percent discount with military ID.

TRAVEL & LODGING

Amtrak : 10% off for active duty service members and their dependents.

Armed Forces Vacation Club : Free membership that includes discounted deals to over 200,000 resort accommodations in 100+ countries.

Best Western : 10% discount.

Choice Hotels : Varies according to availability at location.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts : Varies according to location.

La Quinta Inn : 12% discount when you enroll in the military rewards program.

CULTURE & ARTS

Blue Star Museums : Through a partnership between Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), over 2,000 museums around the country participate in this program that allows free admission for military families. It runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and you can find the list of participants online.

CELL PHONE CARRIERS

AT&T: 15% off monthly plan charge for qualified military members and veterans.

Sprint : Discount extended to active duty, reservists, and veterans after they complete a website form.

T-Mobile : Veterans and military personnel receive 15% off monthly services after completed the verification process online. Verizon : 15% off eligible plans and 25% off select accessories.

US Cellular : Active-duty service members and veterans are eligible for 15% off monthly plans.

AMUSEMENT PARKS

Waves of Honor : Free for military members and up to three dependents, but these offers are not available at the park. You must register online. Parks include Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL; Williamsburg, VA), Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA), Sea World (Orlando, FL; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA).

Cedar Point : Discounted day passes are available for members of the military and their families. Up to six tickets can be purchased at the discounted rate (more than 40% off the gate price).

Disney : Promotional tickets offered for 4- or 5-day passes. Offer valid until Dec. 15, 2018.

Shades of Green : Recreation center in Central Florida with discounted accommodations specific for military. Great Wolf Lodge : Up to 30% off stays at the water park/themed hotel at locations all across the

country for active and retired service members with the Howlin’ Heroes Offer.

Hershey Park (PA) : Discounted access when using this coupon. LegoLand (FL) : Discounted tickets to military at the gate and online. LegoLand (CA) : Discounted tickets prices online.

Six Flags : Most military bases offer discounted admission tickets at their MWR/ITR/ITT offices. There is a 20% military discount off the oneday General Admission ticket at the Guest Services Center.

Universal Orlando Resort : discounted passes and travel packages for active and retired military. Better discounts are available if you purchase your tickets in advance from an MWR/ ITR/ITT office on your local installation, but you still get a discount at the gate with your military ID.

Universal Hollywood : discounted passes available, again, with better deals on advance purchases on your installation than at the gate.

TAX FILING SERVICES

FreeTaxUSA : active military and veterans receive free federal filing services, and state tax returns cost $12.95.

Turbo Tax : free services for E5 and below; reduced rate for E6 and above.

MilTax software : free online tax filing for service members and dependents through Military OneSource.

OTHER DISCOUNTS

Ford : Military Appreciation Cash offered to active duty, National Guard, Reserves, veterans who have separated in last 24 months, and military spouses.

SiriusXM : 25% off eligible packages for military personnel, veterans, retirees, and reservists. The Rosie Company : 10% off products when using discount code MIL10.

VetFran : Member companies include more than 650 franchise

brands that voluntarily offer financial discounts, mentorship, and training for aspiring veteran franchisees and veterans seeking employment. Participating franchises include Little Caesars, 7-Eleven and Liberty Tax Service. A full list can be found here .

LOCAL OPTIONS

SEASONAL DISCOUNTS

Many businesses offer special military discounts on or around Patriotic-themed holidays, including Memorial Day, July Fourth and Veterans Day.

Applebee’s : Active duty military and veterans can show their ID on Veterans Day to receive one free meal when dining-in only. Beverage and gratuity not included.

Chili’s : Free meal for active duty and veterans on Veterans Day.

Cracker Barrel : Free complimentary Double Chocolate Fudge CocaCola® Cake dessert for veterans on Veterans Day.

Denny’s : Free meal for active duty and veterans during specific hours on Veterans Day.

Food Lion : 10% off for active duty, retirees, and military dependents on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Lowes Foods : 10% off with valid military ID for Veterans Day.

McCormick & Schmick’s : Free lunch or dinner entrée for veterans in conjunction with Veterans Day. Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and Coca-Cola® beverage for military personnel with a valid ID, in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Outback Steakhouse : Free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and Coca-Cola® beverage for military personnel with a valid ID, in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Starbucks : Free beverage for veterans and military spouses in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Finally, be sure to visit the Information, Tickets & Tours (you may know it as the ITT) office on your local installation for more local, area-specific discounts. Before attempting to access any discount, make sure you read eligibility requirements attached as they may vary across locations, especially in the case of franchises where the discount may be at the owner’s discretion. Also, a good rule of thumb is to anticipate that you will have to show a military identification card to qualify, or in the case of veterans, utilize the Department of Veterans Affairs new card system: access application form.