18 Places Retired Veterans Waste Money Forgetting to Ask for Military Discounts
Thousands of businesses, including restaurants, gyms, retailers, and hardware stores, offer military discounts to active duty service, retired, and Veteran members.
The caveat that many people forget is that they need to ask everywhere they hand over cash or swipe their card. Most places won’t ask you despite having military discounts.
Does Costco Offer Military Discounts?
Costco doesn’t offer a military discount on in-house purchases. However, active duty, Veteran, and retired military members, their spouses, and dependents will receive a Costco Shop Card for $40 on Executive Membership sign-ups or $20 on New Gold Star membership sign-ups.
Retailers With Military Discounts for Retired Veterans
While major retailers like Target and Walmart don’t offer year-round military discounts for retired Veterans or active duty and reserve members, many do. Here are some popular places where Veterans can enjoy military discounts if they remember to ask.
1. BIG LOTS
Sign up for the Big Rewards Program for a 10% military discount for active-duty military, Veterans, and family members. You’ll also receive year-round exclusive offers and birthday surprises. The cashier will need your Rewards email, phone number, and valid military or Veteran ID.
2. Kohl’s
Kohl’s retailer sells clothing, fragrances, shoes, accessories, home goods, and holiday decor. Kohl’s offers active military personnel, retirees, Veterans, and their immediate families a 15% discount on in-store purchases on Mondays.
If you pay with Kohl’s cash, your payment will be processed before the discount is applied to your remaining balance.
3. Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops has a strong affinity for people in the armed forces and offers a 10% discount daily on almost anything in store for Veterans, active duty service members, law enforcement, firefighters, and wildlife agents. The discount is reduced to 5% on firearms and ammo.
4. Cabela’s
Upon acquiring Cabela’s in 2017, Bass Pro Shops implemented the same policy for their military members and first responder customer base.
That’s a 10% discount daily, in-store, on most purchases. Ammo and firearms receive a 5% discount.
5. JOANN
JOANN is a leading fabric and craft store where many retirees waste money without requesting military discounts.
All current and former members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard and reservists, can use a JOANN Military Rewards Discount Card to get a 15% discount on total in-store purchases at JOANN daily.
6. Michaels
Michaels is another popular arts and crafts store where retirees forget to ask for savings. Michaels offers a 15% military discount on in-store purchases for all active duty and Veterans. Sign up for the Michaels Rewards Program to also enjoy your military discount on online purchases.
Hardware Stores With Military Discounts
Hardware stores are one of the more popular places for retirees to take a shop and stroll, and two of the big ones ensure military discounts for service members and Veterans who remember to ask at the time of purchase.
7. Lowe’s
Lowe’s is a popular nationwide hardware store known for its incredible gardening center. As a way of saying thank you to active duty, retired, and military Veterans and their spouses with a 10% discount on eligible items.
Additionally, after creating a MyLowe’s Reward account, you will receive free Silver Key status, a program earning quicker rewards, plus free standard shipping.
8. Home Depot
Home Depot salutes military service by providing a 10% discount to active service members, veterans, and their spouses.
Home Depot also has a service partnership with the Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES), offering tax-free online shopping with special prices on major appliances.
The Navy Exchange Partnership also offers military families tax-free shopping on select Home Depot merchandise through NEX.
Military Discounts on Cellular Service and Phones
Many cell service companies offer discounted military service plans for active members and retired vets. However, most require a minimum of two lines.
Depending on the circumstances, an individual may find the best rate on a single service line through Mint Mobile, starting at $15 monthly. However, at this point, they offer no military discount. So, families may benefit from military plans at major cellular retailers.
9. Verizon
Verizon has discounts for active duty, retired, and Veteran members on cellular service and home internet. Verizon’s plans are subject to change.
However, currently, they offer four Unlimited Welcome lines for $25 per line on autopay plus taxes and fees. Fios home internet starting at $45 monthly.
10. T-Mobile
Active-duty military members and Veterans receive 40% off family lines with T-Mobile’s Go5G unlimited plan, which includes 5G access.
The 40% discount is off the additional price for 2-6 lines with an AutoPay discount setup. Plans start at $30 a line with unlimited talk, text, and data.
11. Apple
Apple Veterans and Military Purchase Program offers a 10% discount to current and Veteran members of the United States Military, National Guard, and Reserves. The discount also extends to immediate family members residing in the residence.
Restaurants With Military Discounts
Restaurants are known for honoring United States veterans and service members with discounts, typically ranging from 10-15%. Numerous chain restaurants and fast-food joints offer them if you ask for them.
12. Denny’s
Denny’s, America’s Diner, offers a 10% discount for all active duty, retired, National Guard, and reserve military personnel on all dining. Veterans and military members also receive an Original Grand Slam Breakfast, free every Veterans Day.
13. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is a family grill restaurant with over 2,000 locations nationwide. Applebee’s offers active duty and Veterans 10% off their bills at all locations. Additionally, all Veterans receive a free meal (8 options) annually on Veterans Day, November 11th.
14. Bob Evans
Bob Evans is a popular restaurant that operates in over 500 locations in 18 states. Bob Evans farmhouse kitchen, famous for its fresh farm breakfast, grants active duty, retired, and military Veterans 10% off daily.
15. Boston Market
Known for its mouthwatering chicken and homestyle cooking, Boston Market has over 322 restaurants located in 23 states and 244 cities.
Boston Market has a deal with WeSalute, formerly Veterans Advantage that gives a 20% discount when you present your military ID at any participating Boston Market locations.
Travel Military Discounts
Retired Veterans enjoy discounts on travel accommodations when they ask, including airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental cars, and theme parks like Disney and Universal Studios.
16. American Airlines
Before booking your next flight, American Airlines offers up to 10% discounts on domestic and international flights to U.S. Military Veterans and their families.
Start by enrolling in VetRewards. Then, book flights through WeSalute. The program provides free bag service for active military personnel for required and leisure travel.
17. U.S. National Parks
Did you know the United States has some of the most beautiful National Parks, drawing over 325 million visitors annually?
Military Veterans can receive a lifetime Military Pass, which allows free park access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas. A free annual Military Pass is available for active military members and their dependents.
18. Budget Car Rentals
Budget Car Rentals provides a military discount on car rentals to recognize the service of U.S. military veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and Reservists, and their immediate family members.
With a WeSalute membership, active-duty and retired armed forces service members and military spouses can enjoy up to 35% off Budget car rental rates.
Key Takeaway
Countless restaurants, businesses, and other establishments offer military discounts to retired Veterans and active service members. Remember, the people behind the counter typically will not prompt you to save money by asking if you’re military. So don’t forget to ask!
