In a recent post on SpouseBuzz, airforcewife was lamenting the fact that her local Home Depot store no longer honors a military discount (it's up to each individual store). After reading her post, we were inspired to begin this page, to list places where you can still find discounts offered to military members and military families.
We ask you to help us build a comprehensive list where other military families can find businesses that recognize the sacrifices our military families make, and express their thanks in the form of a discount, however large or small. You can submit companies offering military discounts using the form at the bottom of this page.
As those who posted comments to airforcewife's post indicated, it's not the amount of the discount that matters, but rather just the fact that there IS a discount offered, an acknowledgment of the quiet sacrifices our military members and their families make on a daily basis.
Everyone likes to be appreciated, and our military spouses are no exception. They quietly go about their daily lives, and unless you're another military spouse, you're unlikely to ever hear them mention a complaint. So, if you ARE part of a military family, please accept our gratitude, and enjoy the discounts offered by the businesses listed here. And remember to make it a habit everywhere you shop to ask if they offer a military discount. It may be that they've just never thought of it, and your question might prompt a new policy.
Remember, especially when you're dealing with hotels, that their military rate may not be the lowest rate. Many hotels in locations with a large number of military guests will set their military rates at the per diem rate for that location. Sometimes, you may find a AAA discount, AARP discount (for retirees), or other special promotion rate that is less than the military rate (especially on weekends). So don't just assume that the military rate is the lowest -- ASK! Sometimes, the hotel reservations clerk will tell you there's a lower rate available, but not always. So just make it a habit to ask if the military rate is the lowest available rate, or if there's some other discounted rate for which you might qualify.
And if you're traveling with your family, remember that you'll save money by staying in hotels that offer free breakfasts, such as Courtyard by Marriott and others.
If you're NOT part of a military family, please take every opportunity to thank those who are. Their families endure hardships you would never even think of, so that your family can enjoy all the benefits of being American. Let them know you appreciate that, and their quiet courage.
For special military discounts on a wide variety of goods and services, including travel, insurance, computers, etc.:
Discounts on new General Motors vehicles. (Thanks to Sharon Ellis at Coggin Pontiac GMC Buick of Orange Park, in Jacksonville, Florida, for alerting us to this program.)
Listing of more than 700 companies who show their appreciation by offering discounts to military
The following companies offer discounts, but you may find that not all locations participate:
New information and links we believe you'll find helpful are being added continuously. There are two easy ways to stay current:
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