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Table of ContentsDiscount Air TravelSpace-A TravelLodging and Resort DiscountsHotel DiscountsBase AccommodationMilitary ResortsMilitary Vacation ClubsOther Military Travel DiscountsCar RentalTravel Website SavingsCredit Cards and Points ProgramsFinding the best military travel discounts can take time.
Several companies offer military discounts on air travel, lodging, resorts and more.
Even if you can’t get a military discount, you can still save money by taking advantage of travel promotions and credit card travel rewards. 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 waiving checked baggage fees and seat upgrades.
However, these offers are not listed on travel websites. To receive the discount, you must visit the airline’s website or call their customer service department. Note that airline discounts only apply to active duty military, National Guard, or reserve personnel, and only if you are traveling under orders.
Active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families can also save on airfare through our partnership with WeSalute (former Veterans Advantage). Learn more about these programs below.
American Airlines offers military discounts of up to 10% on domestic and international airfares.
United Airlines offers military discounts of up to 5% on domestic and international airfares.
JetBlue is offering military discounts of up to 5% plus two free checked baggage waivers. JetBlue is also waiving its $25 service fee for phone reservations.
Alaska Airlines offers military discounts of up to 5% on routes originating in the U.S. and Canada.
Hawaiian Airlines is offering military personnel up to 5% off economy class fares from the U.S. mainland to the Hawaiian Islands.
Lufthansa offers military discounts of up to 5% on transatlantic travel, plus 5% discounts on Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines and Brussels Airlines.
Southwest Airlines offers low daily fares to military members and veterans.
Space A Travel
Available travel is great when it works out: a seat on a military plane headed to the same place (or close to it) as you are going. But Space A seats are becoming harder to come by.
You may have to wait a few days to see if a seat is available, so only travel with Space-A if you have a flexible schedule and alternative plans (such as buying a last-minute ticket).
Veterans, active duty military, National Guard, Reserves, retirees with a 100% service-connected disability rating, and dependents of these groups are eligible to travel on Space A.
To learn more about Space-A opportunities in your area, visit the AMC travel site or contact your local military passenger terminal.
AMC Space A Travel Handbook
Accommodation and Resort Discounts
Hotel Discounts
Most hotel chains offer military discounts unless there’s a major event. For example, it may be difficult to get a military discount at a New York City hotel on New Year’s Eve.
Many hotel chains are willing to cap their rates at local per diem rates, which can result in significant savings depending on the hotel chain and location. Per diem rates may require formal orders and most require proof of active military, reserve, or National Guard status.
Veterans, military personnel and government officials can receive per diem discounts or less at Best Western® Hotels & Resorts across North America.
Veterans, military personnel, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, doctors, nurses, 911 dispatchers, police officers and corrections officers can receive up to 25% off at Great Wolf Lodge.
IHG® Hotels & Resorts offers active and veteran military members special hotel deals and discounts at participating hotels, including Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites.
Hilton offers active duty military, veterans, veterans and their families special discounts on leisure stays at participating hotels.
As part of the Military 1st program, Radisson Hotels offers military personnel special discounts and upgrades to the best available rooms upon check-in.
Base Accommodation
On-base lodging rates can be significantly lower than local hotel rates. On-base lodging is located on large military bases. Military hotel chains, such as Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, may own some of these. The Department of Defense contracts with private hotel chains, such as IHG Army Hotels, to provide other lodging options.
Military Resort
Military recreation centers offer special discounts at popular vacation spots. Popular resorts include:
Status of Forces Agreements may affect your ability to stay at some overseas resorts. Check the Armed Forces Recreation Center website to verify your eligibility.
Military Vacation Club
Military vacation clubs, such as Armed Forces Vacation Club and Veterans Holidays, may also offer hotel discounts.
To find out if you qualify for Military Vacation Club benefits, contact the Vacation Club.
See more hotel military discounts
Other Military Travel Discounts
Car rental
Many car rental companies negotiate rates with government agencies, so if you’re traveling on official orders, you can get a good deal on a rental car.
Some rental services offer similar perks for military leisure travel, sometimes even waiving rental fees for drivers under the age of 25.
Hertz offers discounts of up to 10-25% for government and military personnel.
National Car Rental already offers discounted rates to official business travelers traveling on official Department of Defense business, but is now extending the everyday discount to all veterans and military families.
For leisure travel or travel without official orders, Alamo offers discounted rates to federal government employees and military personnel, including veterans.
Savings through travel websites
You can use discount travel websites to compare prices on airlines, hotels, and car rentals. Some useful websites include:
Booking your flight, hotel, and rental car at the same time can make your trip easier. However, booking all at once isn’t always the cheapest option, so if you have the time, compare prices for several services.
Some of these companies offer discounts and perks to their loyal customers, like Hotels.com, which offers one free night for every 10 nights booked through them.
Credit cards and rewards programs
Travel rewards programs allow you to earn points and also give you perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, free flights, free hotel stays, etc. Credit card rewards programs allow you to earn even more points.
Some popular travel credit cards are offered jointly by credit card companies and certain airlines or hotel chains. These rewards cards may come with a sign-up bonus worth a free flight or a few nights’ worth of hotel stays. Other perks include free checked bags for you and your travel companions, priority boarding, flight discounts, merchandise, and other perks.
See the following credit offers for more information:
Be sure to read the fine print on any credit card carefully before signing up for rewards, and pay your card in full each month to avoid fees and interest.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express offers one of the best money-saving perks for military members: waiving annual fees on credit cards, including the Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card.
Though the annual fees are $695 and $250, respectively, it’s clear that this understated perk represents a big savings for American Express cardholders, especially military personnel who want to enjoy the lucrative luxury benefits that come with the Platinum Card® from American Express and the everyday practicality of the American Express® Gold Card.
Now that you know that American Express waives the annual fee if you’re an active duty military member or military spouse, what are some American Express cards to consider?
Read on to learn more about our favorites:
Finding the best military travel discounts takes time
In my experience, booking the best travel deals takes a little effort and a lot of patience. If you’re traveling with military orders, be sure to check with your unit before booking your trip. Your unit may have access to special offers and other requirements.
If you’re traveling solo, first check to see if your itinerary includes military-specific travel options such as Space A, military recreation centers, on-base lodging, etc. If you’re unable to incorporate one or more of these options into your itinerary, you can still save money by taking advantage of the discounts and services listed above.
Safe travels!
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About the Author
Ryan Guina
Ryan Guina is the founder of The Military Wallet. He is an author, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served on active duty in the United States Air Force for over six years and is currently a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Ryan founded The Military Wallet in 2007 after leaving active duty military service and has been writing about finance, small business and military benefits topics ever since.
Featured here: Ryan’s writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine (print and online), Military Influencer Magazine, Cash Money Life, The Military Guide, USAA, and Go Banking Rates.