We always hear about how many great deals and discounts there are for veterans, but it’s always talked about in this vague way without really knowing where and when to go to take advantage of specific opportunities. Sometimes the “deals” are so limited on what they apply to and when, it’s not particularly useful.
What follows are some of the most useful, no nonsense, obtainable deals and discounts readily available for veterans. To minimize the hurdles and nonsense, we’ve outlined which hoops you might have to jump through to take advantage of these discounts, and what the exact benefit is. We’ve read all the fine print and cut through the sales pitches to just find you the best deals around.
For many, you will require either a DD214, valid active duty or military veteran ID card, a driver’s license identifying you as a veteran, or a free online account with ID.me, SheerID, or GovX to confirm your veteran status. Which one you might need is clearly listed in each entry.
Do you know about a great, accessible discount for a nationwide service, retailer, or brand that isn’t listed? Has something changed at one of the items listed? Let us know so we can investigate and update the list!
Wireless Phone & Internet Service
Today, everyone generally needs internet in their home and a cell phone. Most carriers offer some benefit to veterans, but notably absent is Spectrum Cable.
AT&T Cable & Internet
One of the best military discounts available for wireless service. Also available for active duty and dependents. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 25% off AT&T Unlimited Plans and home internet plans
What’s the Catch?: Requires DD214 w/honorable discharge, takes 90 days to kick in, cannot stack with other offers, credits, or discounts
T-Mobile Wireless
One of the more misleading discounts, they advertise it as 40% off, but it really works out to roughly 5$ per line versus what they offer non-veterans. They just show a base inflated price which no customers actually pay to create the 40% selling point. Available to veterans, active duty, and gold star families. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 5$ discount off plans per line
What’s the Catch?: Requires uploading DD214 w/honorable discharge or “veteran status” driver’s license, takes 45 days to kick in
Verizon Wireless
Also available for active duty, dependents, and gold star family members. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 10$ discount off plans for 1 line, or 5$ per line up to 4 lines, 25% off select accessories, also a discount on Fios internet service
What’s the Catch?: Requires ID.me verification, takes 90 days to verify
Xfinity Cable & Internet
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and gold star families. Start Here
Deal or Discount: No plan discount, but free upgrade to their highest rewards program tier (Diamond), which has free movies and offers, like free Peacock Streaming (7.99/month value) and free NowTV (20$/month value), though activating those specific offers has proved occasionally frustrating or could require a cable television plan.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me.
Food
Everyone has to eat, and lots of restaurants and food services offer discounts. There are a lot of major restaurant chains that offer a 10% discount, but it’s very inconsistent, or varies by location. Still, it’s often worth asking if you have a valid ID that identifies you as a veteran on your person. We’ve limited the list to opportunities that apply and have locations nationwide (or close to it).
Further, most meal delivery services offer a heavily discounted introductory offer, but only those with long-term discounts are listed here.
Carabba’s Italian Grill
This nationwide chain of Italian restaurants also offers its discount to police and firefighters, discount applies to entire check, not just the servicemember’s items. Learn more.
Deal or Discount: 10% off with any visit.
What’s the Catch?: Requires military ID card or photo of servicemember in uniform, cannot stack with other offers or discounts, excludes all alcohol purchases and does not apply to taxes.
CVS
The nationwide convenience store offers a discount for online shopping. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 20% discount and free shipping.
What’s the Catch?: Requires enrolling in We Salute/Veterans Advantage.
Fuel Meals
This pre-cooked meal service delivers weekly. Also available to active duty, military dependents, and gold star families. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 20% minimum discount on price, the value can sometimes be as high as 40% off. Varies by week.
What’s the Catch?: Requires re-inputting a discount code via your GovX log-in. Website interface isn’t as clear or simple as it could be.
Home Chef
This meal service delivers ingredients and easy to make recipes weekly. Also available to active duty, first responders, and teachers. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount on recurring orders, 50% off first order.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification via ID.me. Can’t be used with other discounts, coupons, or orders.
Outback Steakhouse
This nationwide chain of Australian-themed steak houses also offers its discount to police and firefighters, discount applies to entire check, not just the servicemember’s items. Learn more.
Deal or Discount: 10% off with any visit.
What’s the Catch?: Requires military ID card or photo of servicemember in uniform, cannot stack with other offers or discounts, excludes all alcohol purchases and does not apply to taxes.
Travel & Events
These are basic services of the sort most folks have in their home.
National Parks Services
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and gold star families. Start Here
Deal or Discount: Free lifetime pass that covers entrance fees and day-use fees at lands managed by National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Force Service, and more for the veteran and up to three guests.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification in person or via the mail with a DD214 or veteran-status drivers license. Military Passes do not cover or provide discounts on other fees such as camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, fees for organized groups, or concession-operated facilities or activities..
Vet Tix
Veterans can get free tickets to major professional sporting events, concerts, comedy shows, and more. Start Here
Deal or Discount: Completely free tickets.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification via ID.me and setting up an account with VetTix. Some tickets are awarded via lottery system, some tickets have delivery fees from third parties.
Apparel
Some clothing manufacturers and retailers offer some sort of veteran discount.
Adidas
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and police, fire, nurse, and first responder workers. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 30% off online and in stores, 15% off at factory outlet stores.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me, there are a number of exclusions the discount doesn’t apply to.
Asics
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and police, fire, nurse, and first responder workers. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 25-30% off.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID, only applies to qualifying shoes and clothing.
Bass Pro Shops
Also available to active duty. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% off “almost everything”, 5% off firearms and ammo.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID, or “proof of service” in store.
Carhartt
Also available to active duty and military dependents. Read More Here (webpage is not great about information, but we chatted with an online agent to confirm info).
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me. Click the “TroopID” button during checkout to verify the first time, automatically applies to future orders.
Champion
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me.
Converse
Also available to active duty and military dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
Dickies
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and gold star families. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 20% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID. Only 1 discount can be redeemed every 30 days.
Dockers
Also available to active duty. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 25% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
Eddie Bauer
Also available to active duty, dependents, and first responders. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Valid in store only, requires valid ID or “other official identification”.
Foot Locker
Also available to active duty and military dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online and in store.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID, $100 maximum savings per 30 days. In store only requires a valid photo/military ID.
Hanes
Also available for active duty. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
Kohl’s
Also available for active duty and dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount on store on mondays.
What’s the Catch?: Requires a military ID card, state-issued ID indicating veteran status, or DD214, only valid on Mondays in store. Works with Kohl’s cash, but some restrictions apply.
Levi’s
Also available for active duty. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
L.L. Bean
Also available for active duty and dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID. Must re-verify every 5 times you use the discount
Lululemon
Also available for active duty and spouses. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID. Spouses should verify separately
NFL Shop
Also available for active duty, dependents, and first responders. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me. Verification happens during the checkout process, can be easy to miss.
Nike
Also available for active duty and dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online and in stores.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID. Can only be used once every 7 days, requires a new promo code with each purchase to get discount. $500 maximum savings per purchase.
Swiftwick socks
Also available for active duty, retired, and First-Responders (including fire, law enforcement and EMS). Includes their Lifetime Performance Guarantee. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: Up to 20% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via GovX ID. Once verified, you’ll receive a single-use discount code. For future purchases, login to GovX ID to unlock new discount code. Limit one discount code a day.
The North Face
Also available for active duty and spouses. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
Reebok
Also available for active duty and spouses. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 50% discount online. While the discount seems large, Reebok goods are generally discounted heavily (30-60%) from sticker price already, so the value of the savings varies.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me.
Sunglass Hut
Also available for active duty and dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 15% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me.
Timberland
Also available for active duty and dependents. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount online.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID.
Under armour
Also available to active duty, military dependents, and police, fire, nurse, and first responder workers. Read More Here
Deal or Discount: 20% (increased to 40% for the holidays).
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me.
Home Entertainment
These are basic entertainment services of the sort most folks have in their home
Apple Store
The Apple online store and in person stores offer a military discount to current servicemembers and veterans, as well as immediate family that resides in the same household. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount on all purchases.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me. Some products like Apple Vision Pro and Apple Card Monthly Installments don’t work with the discount.
Peacock Streaming Service
Also available for active duty. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 60% off. Special $2.99/month price for Peacock Premium (normally $7.99/month) for 12 months.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification and annual re-verification online via SheerID.
Hulu Streaming Service
Available to anyone able to get a MyExchange online store account. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 25% discount on their primary $9.99 plan.
What’s the Catch?: Requires creating an account with the exchange online shopping platform, which has its own verification process. Does not work with any special bundles with ESPN or Disney+, or the no ads version of Hulu.
Paramount Plus Streaming Service
Also available to active duty and military dependents. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 50% off any Paramount+ plan for the life of the subscription.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification and potential re-verification online via SheerID.
Home Goods
These are basic entertainment services of the sort most folks have in their home
Ghost Bed
Mattresses, bedding, and accessories. Also available or active duty and dependents. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 5% discount on all online purchases (advertises as 55%).
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via ID.me. Everything on the website is already discounted 50% to everyone. Military discount advertises itself as 55% off, but it’s really 5%.
Home Depot
Also available for active duty and spouses. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount on select purchases both online and in store.
What’s the Catch?: Requires verification online via Sheer.ID. Maximum $400 savings via the discount per year.
Lowe’s
Also available for active duty and spouses. Start Here
Deal or Discount: 10% discount on select purchases both online and in store.
What’s the Catch?: Requires a Lowe’s account online and further verification online. In store also requires a valid photo ID.
Target
Deal or Discount: No flat discount, but there are special deals.
What’s the Catch?: Requires a free TargetCircle Rewards online account and you must verify your military status online via Sheer.ID.
Don’t Forget to Shop Veteran Owned!
With all the savings on these home and life basics, consider supporting a veteran-owned business with all that extra cash in your pocket. IVMF has put together a giant list of veteran-owned companies offering unimaginable varieties of goods and services (many of which also offer a military discount). Why not browse the list and make a purchase to support a veteran’s entrepreneurial dreams today?