Last checked: September 15, 2026. Standing resource, updated as programs change. “Published” means the merchant states the discount on its own site. Most programs verify through ID.me or SheerID; in-store programs typically accept a military ID, VA card, DD-214 or Veteran ID Card. Eligibility (active duty only vs. veterans vs. spouses and dependents) is set by each merchant and is the detail that most often trips people up.
Military discounts are the oldest and broadest category of standing discount in American retail, and also the most inconsistently applied. Two stores may both advertise “10% military discount” and one will include veterans and spouses while the other means active duty in uniform. This list groups published programs by category and flags eligibility where the merchant defines it. Where we have a full page on a program, it’s linked.
How verification works
ID.me is the most common gateway for online military discounts; it verifies service status once and is reused across merchants. SheerID is the alternative for some brands. In store, a physical ID is the norm. Programs typically define eligibility as one of: active duty; active duty + veterans; active duty + veterans + spouses/dependents. Assume the narrowest until you read the merchant’s definition.
Home improvement and auto
| Merchant | Military discount | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | 10% off eligible purchases, online and in store, with an annual cap | Active, veterans, reservists, spouses | Enroll once via Home Depot account + verification. Details |
| Lowe’s | 10% off eligible purchases, online and in store | Active, veterans, spouses | MyLowe’s account + verification. Details |
| Tractor Supply | Military discount on select days/events; standing Neighbor’s Club perks | Varies by event | Details |
| AutoZone, O’Reilly, Advance Auto | Standing military discounts (typically 10%) in store with ID | Varies; ask | Exclusions on sale items and some parts |
| Jiffy Lube, Firestone, Valvoline | Franchise-level military discounts at many locations | Local | Not guaranteed nationally |
Apparel and outdoor
| Merchant | Military discount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Under Armour | 20% off (also first responders and teachers) | Active, veterans, spouses via verification. Details |
| Nike | 10% off via verification | Active, veterans, dependents |
| Columbia, Carhartt, YETI, Oakley, 5.11, Vineyard Vines | Published military discounts (10–20%) via ID.me/SheerID | Varies by brand |
| Academy Sports | Military discount events and standing policy | See Academy page |
| REI, Bass Pro/Cabela’s | Periodic military discount events rather than standing percentages | Event-specific |
Travel
| Merchant | Military offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Baggage and boarding benefits; no general fare discount | What’s real |
| Delta, United, Southwest | Baggage benefits and specific military fares/policies | See each carrier’s military page; Delta |
| Amtrak | 10% off most fares for active military and veterans (and family in some cases) | Details |
| Hotels (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Wyndham, Choice) | Government/military rate on many properties | Rate visibility varies; ID at check-in |
| Car rental (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise) | Military discount codes and waived young-driver fees on government orders | Check each company’s military page |
| Theme parks (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Six Flags) | Military ticket programs (Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, SeaWorld Waves of Honor, etc.) | Program-specific; often base-ticket-office purchase |
Technology and services
| Merchant | Military offer |
|---|---|
| Apple | Military and veteran pricing store (roughly 10% off) |
| Microsoft, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung | Military stores/programs with member pricing |
| Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | Military plan discounts with verification |
| Planet Fitness | No standing national military discount. Details |
Restaurants
Standing daily military discounts are franchise decisions at most chains; the national programs are mostly Veterans Day free meals and specials (November 11), which we compile with sources each year on the Veterans Day deals page. Chains with published standing policies include Golden Corral (Military Appreciation Night, annually) and various local franchises. Ask — the discount is frequently unadvertised.
Retail and membership
- Costco, Sam’s Club: periodic new-member offers for military (shop card with a new membership).
- Lowe’s and Home Depot are the standout standing programs for households, because of purchase size.
- Michaels, Joann: military discount programs at times; check current status.
- Kohl’s, Target, Walmart: Kohl’s runs periodic military Mondays events; Target and Walmart run Veterans Day promotions rather than standing discounts.
Finance and insurance
USAA (membership) and Navy Federal (membership) offer military-specific banking and insurance; GEICO and USAA publish military auto-insurance discounts. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) caps interest on pre-service debts at 6% for active duty — not a discount program, but the largest financial benefit on this list for those it applies to.
How to set up once
- Create an ID.me account and complete military verification. Most online programs route through it.
- Enroll in Home Depot’s and Lowe’s programs through their accounts — these are the highest-dollar standing discounts.
- Carry a physical ID for in-store programs.
- Calendar Veterans Day (Nov 11), Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May) for the event-based promotions.
What we could not verify
Franchise participation at restaurants and auto-service chains, current percentages at apparel brands (shown inside verification platforms), and whether periodic membership offers are running today. Linked merchant pages carry the specifics we have checked.
Sources: each merchant’s own military discount page; ID.me and SheerID program directories. See how we verify, our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure (no affiliate relationships with any merchant listed). Companion lists: students · teachers. Know a published program we’re missing? Send it.