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Table of ContentsAir Travel DiscountsSpace-A Travel Accommodation and Resort DiscountsHotel DiscountsBase AccommodationsMilitary ResortsMilitary Vacation ClubsOther Military Travel DiscountsCar RentalsTravel Website SavingsCredit Cards and Rewards ProgramsFind the Best Military Travel Discounts takes time
Several companies offer military discounts on air travel, lodging, resorts, and more.
Even if you don’t get a military discount, you can still save money by taking advantage of travel promotions, credit card travel rewards, and more. Here’s what you need to know about military travel discounts.
discount air travel
Many U.S. airlines offer military discounts and incentives, such as waived checked bag fees and seat upgrades.
However, these benefits are not listed on travel websites. To receive the discount, you need to visit the airline’s website or call the customer service department. Please note that airline discounts apply only to active duty, National Guard, or Reserve members and only apply when traveling on order.
Active duty military, veterans, and their families can also save on airfare through our partnership with WeSalute (founded as Veterans Advantage). Learn more about these programs below.
American Airlines offers up to 10% military discount on domestic and international tickets.
United Airlines offers up to 5% military discount on domestic and international tickets.
JetBlue Airways offers up to 5% military discount and 2 free baggage exemptions. JetBlue will also waive the $25 service fee for phone reservations.
Alaska Airlines offers up to 5% military discount on routes departing from the United States and Canada.
Hawaiian Airlines offers up to 5% military discount on coach fares from the continental United States to the Hawaiian Islands.
Lufthansa offers up to 5% military discount on transatlantic travel. Additionally, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Airlines and Brussels Airlines get his 5% discount.
Southwest Airlines offers low fares every day for military members and veterans.
space a travel
Space travel can be great when it works well. It’s an unreserved seat on a military plane heading to (or near) the same location as your destination. However, seats in Space A are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
Even if you manage to get a seat, you may have to wait a few days. Travel to Space-A only if you have a flexible schedule and a back-up plan (which may include purchasing last-minute tickets).
Veterans, active military, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, and dependents of these groups with a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible to travel in Space A.
To learn more about Space-A opportunities near you, visit the AMC Travel site or contact your local Military Passenger Terminal.
AMC’s Space-A Travel Handbook
Accommodation and resort discounts
hotel discounts
Most hotel chains offer military discounts unless you have an important event on your calendar. For example, it can be difficult to get military discounts at hotels in New York City on New Year’s Eve.
Many hotel chains also intend to cap room rates at local per diem rates, which could lead to significant savings depending on the chain and location. Per diem rate caps may require an official order and most require active duty, Reserve, or National Guard identification.
Veterans, military and government officials receive sub-daily discounts at Best Western® Hotels & Resorts throughout North America.
Veterans, military personnel, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, doctors, nurses, 911 dispatchers, police and correctional officers receive up to 25% off at Great Wolf Lodge.
IHG® Hotels & Resorts welcomes active and veteran military members with deals and discounts at participating hotels including Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites.
Hilton offers active and retired military, veterans and their families special discounts on leisure stays at participating hotels.
As part of the Military 1st program, Radisson Hotels offers special military discounts and upgrades to the best available room upon check-in.
base lodge
Base room rates can be significantly lower than local hotel rates. Large military bases have base accommodations. Military hotel chains, such as the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, may own some of these. The Department of Defense has contracts with several private hotel chains, including IHG Army Hotels.
military resort
Armed Forces Recreation Center offers special discounts at popular vacation locations. Popular resorts include:
Status agreements can affect your eligibility to stay at resorts in some locations overseas. Check the Armed Forces Recreation Center website to see if you are eligible.
military vacation club
Military vacation clubs such as Armed Forces Vacation Club and Veterans Holidays may also offer hotel discounts.
To determine if you are eligible for a Military Vacation Club offer, please contact your Vacation Club.
See more hotel military discounts
Other military travel discounts
rental car
Many car rental services negotiate rates with government agencies. If you are traveling with regular arrangements, you can rent a car at a great price.
Some rental services offer similar perks for military personnel on leisure trips. We may also waive rental fees for drivers under 25 years of age.
Hertz offers discounts of up to 10-25% off for government and military personnel.
National Car Rental already offers discounted rates to U.S. Department of Defense travelers on official orders and on official business, but now extends daily discounts to all veterans and military families are doing.
Alamo offers discounted rates to federal employees and military personnel, including veterans, when traveling for leisure or without official orders.
Save through travel websites
You can use cheap travel service sites to compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Some helpful websites include:
Simplify your travel by booking flights, hotels, and rental cars at the same time. However, bundles are not always the cheapest option. If you have time, compare the prices of several services.
Some of these companies also offer discount plans and benefits for frequent customers. For example, at Hotels.com, he offers one free hotel night for every 10 nights booked.
Credit cards and rewards programs
With the Travel Rewards program, you can earn points and benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, free flights, free hotel nights, and other perks. You can earn even more points by using your credit card’s points program.
Some of the more popular travel credit cards are offered jointly by credit card companies and certain airlines or hotel chains. These points cards may come with sign-up bonuses that are worth a free flight or a few hotel nights. Other benefits may include free checked baggage for you and your companions, priority boarding, discounts on flights, merchandise and other perks.
Please see the following credit offers for more information.
If you use a credit card, read the details carefully before signing up for a deal and pay the card in full each month to avoid fees and interest.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express offers one of the best savings perks for military personnel. Credit cards, including the Platinum Card® and American Express® Gold Card, have no annual fee.
With annual fees of $695 and $250, respectively, it’s easy to see how this discreet benefit can be a huge savings for American Express cardholders, especially for service members who want to enjoy high-value, luxurious benefits. I understand. Enjoy the American Express Platinum Card® or the everyday practicality of the American Express® Gold Card.
Now that you know that American Express’ annual fee is waived if you’re an active duty military member or military spouse, which American Express cards should you check out?
Read more about our favorites below.
Finding the best military travel discounts takes time
In my experience, booking the best travel deals requires a little effort and a lot of patience. If you are traveling on military orders, be sure to check with your unit before booking your trip. You may have access to special offers and other requirements.
If you’re traveling alone, start by determining whether your itinerary allows for military-specific travel options such as Space A, military recreation centers, or base accommodations. If you can’t fit one or more of these into your itinerary, you can still save money by taking advantage of some of the deals and services listed above.
Safe travels!
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About the poster
ryan gina
Ryan Guina is the founder of The Military Wallet. He is an author, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served in the United States Air Force for over six years and is currently a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Ryan launched The Military Wallet in 2007 after leaving active military service and has been writing about finance, small business, and military benefits topics ever since.
Featured: Ryan’s work has been featured in the following publications: Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine (print and online), Military Influencer Magazine, and Cash Money. Life, The Military Guide, USAA, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications.
