Pro Tips for Maximizing Military Discounts
- 1. Set up ID.me — Most online military discounts verify through ID.me. Create your account once and verify your status. Works at Nike, Samsung, Under Armour, and dozens more.
- 2. File SCRA with every credit card — If you are active duty, file SCRA benefits requests with every credit card issuer. Annual fees are waived by federal law. The Amex Platinum alone saves $695/year.
- 3. Use base ITT for entertainment — Base Information, Tickets & Travel offices consistently offer the best prices on theme park tickets, often 20-50% off gate prices.
- 4. Stack military + general coupons — Many military discounts stack with seasonal sales, credit card cashback, and shopping portal rewards. Always check for stackable offers.
- 5. Check VA disability benefits by state — Property tax exemptions alone can save $3,000-$10,000+ per year. If you have a VA rating, research your state's specific veteran benefits.
- 6. Take CLEP/DSST exams while active — These are completely free for military and each exam can earn 3-12 college credits. At $250+ per credit hour, this is worth thousands.
This directory includes only discounts we have researched from company websites and official military sources. Restaurant discounts vary by franchise location and are excluded for reliability. Veterans Day (November 11) offers the most widespread one-day deals not listed here. Always carry your military ID or have ID.me verification ready. State benefit details may vary — contact your state's Department of Veterans Affairs for current eligibility requirements.
About this entitlement
What you need to know — straight from the regulation
Where this directory comes from
Each discount listed links to the merchant's own military-discount page or to the official program that authorizes it (e.g., ID.me, SheerID, or a specific federal program). Non-sourced community-reported discounts are excluded.
Federal eligibility for consumer protections that often unlock discounts — the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA) — is governed by 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq. (SCRA) and 10 U.S.C. § 987 (MLA). Active-duty members can exercise SCRA benefits (interest-rate caps, lease termination, etc.) by submitting an SCRA letter to the creditor or landlord.
50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq. (SCRA) · 10 U.S.C. § 987 (MLA)
Commissary, exchange, and MWR
The Defense Commissary Agency (commissaries) operates under 10 U.S.C. § 2481–2490. Military exchanges (AAFES, Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange, Coast Guard Exchange) are non-appropriated fund instrumentalities authorized under service regulations. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) tickets and travel benefits are administered under DoD Instruction 1015.10.
10 U.S.C. § 2481–2490 (Commissaries) · DoDI 1015.10 (MWR)
Source & references
- Primary source
- Merchant military-discount pages; SCRA/MLA federal statutes; DeCA, AAFES/NEX/MCX, and DoD MWR program materials
- Regulatory reference
- 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq. · 10 U.S.C. §§ 987, 2481–2490 · DoDI 1015.10
- Effective date
- Directory last reviewed April 2026
Military Toolkit is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, DFAS, DTMO, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. Rates and rules on this page are pulled directly from the publications cited above. Always verify with your finance office, TMO, or the official rate page before making financial or planning decisions.