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Many people view the military community almost as an extended family. If you’re part of that special club in any capacity, you’ll often feel the gratitude and appreciation being directed your way by everyday members of the public, as well as a host of business owners who can offer you more than just their thanks for serving your country.
Over 8 million consumers are part of that community when you count active duty, retired personnel, reservists, and military employees. Adding in the immediate families of past and present military personnel, you soon appreciate that this a big group of people who businesses would like to recognize and keep happy.
Many travel and leisure providers (and credit card issuers) offer discounts to service members and veterans as their own gesture of appreciation for the time these people have served. However, it can often be difficult to instantly locate military and veterans discounts on general travel websites or know where to get the best possible travel deal.
This guide aims to provide resources that military personnel and veterans can use to find travel discounts. There is a wide range of continuing and promotional discounts and incentives available, and these can often be found via resources like travel clubs, booking websites, attraction websites, and airline, hotel, and cruise websites.
Here is a comprehensive guide to getting recognition for your military service in the form of discounts, special offers, and incentives.

There are a number of organizations and programs that military service members and veterans can join to get special access to travel benefits and other advantages. These programs are often free for those who are eligible, and applications can be submitted online. Here are several organizations to choose from:
Hot Tip: Aside from travel bookings, some of these websites can even provide discounts on car buying, home repairs, loans, and more!

Many travel discounts are available to military service members and veterans even if they do not belong to an organization. The following websites offer military travel deals online:
Keep in mind that sometimes when you book through a site that offers discounts to military and veterans, you might not receive miles or points for your flight or stay or on-site benefits that may come with elite status.
Hot Tip: The TSA provides expedited security screening for all members of the U.S. Armed Forces and offers assistance with the screening process for veterans and wounded warriors. Check out our guide to TSA military benefits for more details.
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Most major airlines offer discounts like reduced flight costs, but you might also be offered a free checked bag or other incentives. If you are booking direct, many airlines don’t often advertise military rates on their website, so you might have to call to ask if a discount is available.
Here are some airlines that offer discounts or benefits to active-duty service members or veterans:
Bottom Line: You may have to call the airline you’re booking with directly to inquire about military fares and special benefits, as many times these rates aren’t published publicly online. You may also want to compare the rates offered against the best websites for booking flights at the cheapest prices.

Before or after your flight, having access to an airline lounge is a great place to relax, use the restroom, or grab a quick bite to eat.
These are the opportunities for military or veteran access to airport lounges:
Many airports also offer military-specific lounges, like the Freedom Center at Detroit (DTW) and Military Hospitality Lounge at Miami (MIA). Visit our extensive list of detailed U.S. airport guides to find out more about the lounges at the airports you plan to transit through.
Hot Tip: Active-duty military members are eligible to not be charged the annual fee of The Platinum Card^® from American Express. This premium travel rewards card comes with some amazing benefits for service members, including complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges such as The Amex Centurion Lounges, 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club per year with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, The International American Express Centurion Lounges, select Virgin Clubhouses, select Lufthansa Lounges, and Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment). See our guide on the Amex Platinum military benefits that you can leverage as an active military member.

Military service members and veterans seeking some rest and relaxation should check out the websites below to take advantage of deals on hotel, resort, and casino bookings:
Hot Tip: Make sure that you’re getting the best price on your next hotel stay — check out our guide to the best websites for booking hotels at the cheapest prices.

It is worth mentioning that if you are trying to save on costs, you might be able to find military lodging near your chosen destination.
You can find accommodation if you plan your trip in advance and allow time to reserve a place at least 60 days in advance. Visit DOD Lodging to see what options are available. There are centralized reservation systems available to book accommodations with the U.S. Army (866-363-5771), the U.S. Navy (800-628-9466), or the U.S. Air Force (888-235-6343). If you want to stay at a U.S. Marine Corps or a Coast Guard lodge, you will have to search for the lodge closest to your destination and contact them directly.
Hot Tip: Check out our list of the best military credit cards for active-duty members and veterans.
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There are a number of car rental companies that provide discounts to military service members and veterans:
Make sure to sign up for the rental car company’s loyalty program so you can take advantage of additional benefits during your rental period.

Even cruises offer discounts for military service members, veterans, and their families, and these deals can often be located online. Here are some resources from cruise booking websites as well as the cruise lines themselves:
Hot Tip: If you’ve booked your cruise and you’re wondering how to pack, check out our printable cruise packing list including lots of great tips and advice. 

Theme parks are fun for the whole family, and military service members and veterans with families are no exception. Military rates help families save on their fun-filled visits to theme parks. The Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) office on local installations also offers savings on area attractions and special events, and can even help with hotel and cruise bookings.
Here are some resources to help veterans find military rates on theme parks:
Hot Tip: Planning your next amusement park or water park vacation? Visit our helpful guides for inspiration!

If you want to be able to search for travel deals using your phone, it makes sense to have some apps installed that can help when you don’t want to browse the internet.
Apps you may want to download include:
While some of these apps provide discounts to the general public, the savings may be more significant than using a military-specific program.
To those who serve or who have served, your time, talent, and dedication to protecting our nation hasn’t gone unnoticed. Many vendors, airlines, hotels, and cruises provide opportunities for you to save while you travel, or receive exclusive perks and services.
Booking through these programs can save a significant amount of money, and it’s always beneficial to search around to take advantage of the best deals.
Our favorite resources for military travel deals are Military.com, Travelation, Expedia, and Veterans Advantage.
Yes, many U.S. airlines offer military discounts or accommodations, including Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.
In most circumstances, you will need to visit the individual airline’s website or call them to receive the discount, as there are procedures to verify your identity and eligibility. There are also some third-party providers that sell discounted flights or vacation packages for military members.
Most airlines offer some type of priority boarding for active-duty military for service members in uniform. What’s unclear is whether spouses can get priority boarding as well, though in most circumstances, airlines will be lenient and allow spouses to board with the active servicemember.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
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James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.
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