Travel is growing up fast — flights, bags, hotel nights, rental cars. The good news is that U.S. active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and often their families can knock a meaningful chunk off that total, provided they know where to look and how to verify their status. Here’s a practical rundown of what’s actually available in 2026, who qualifies, and how to claim it.
Best Airline Discounts
Most major U.S. carriers don’t advertise a flat “military fare” the way they used to, but nearly all of them offer real savings in the form of waived baggage fees, priority boarding, and fee-free changes — and a few still offer discounted fares on request.
Alaska Airlines — Offers special military fares to active-duty personnel and dependents on select routes (also valid on Horizon, SkyWest, and PenAir). These fares apply to service members on official travel, reservists on active duty, and recently discharged veterans.
Delta Air Lines — Delta reserves special fare discounts for active-duty members of the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, along with extra free checked bags. Delta also has a program supporting the immediate family of service members injured in combat.
United Airlines — Offers special fares and benefits for retired military members, including discounted baggage and early boarding.
American Airlines — Frequently extends discounts to both active-duty and retired personnel, along with reduced baggage fees.
Southwest Airlines — Doesn’t run a discounted fare program, but its standard free-checked-bag policy and flexible, fee-free cancellation policy make it a favorite for military travelers. Active-duty members, spouses, and children also get priority boarding.
JetBlue, Hawaiian, Sun Country, Allegiant, Frontier — Baggage perks vary but are common: expect 1–2 free checked bags for active-duty travelers, with policies differing by airline for dependents.
Spirit Airlines — Ceased operations in May 2026 following financial restructuring; travelers should disregard older references to Spirit’s military baggage policy.
Best Hotel Discounts
Hotel military rates tend to be more consistent and easier to book than airline discounts, and most run 10–20% off flexible rates.
Hilton — The Hilton Military Family Rate covers active-duty, retired military, veterans, and their families for U.S. and Canada stays. No online ID.me verification is required for this rate — you show a valid military ID at check-in. Book online under “Special Rates” (plan code MFR), by phone at 1-800-HONORS, or through the Hilton Honors app. Hilton separately offers an All-Inclusive resort military discount that is verified through ID.me.
IHG (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and 20 other brands) — The Military Appreciation Leisure Rate guarantees a minimum 5% off the Best Flexible Rate (often more, depending on the property), verified through ID.me. These are full qualifying nights, so they still earn IHG One Rewards points and elite-status credit.
Marriott — Offers a dedicated military rate at participating properties; book directly through Marriott.com and select the military/government rate option.
Wyndham (Days Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Wyndham Garden) — Up to 20% off the best available rate for service members, veterans, and family, verified via ID.me.
Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Clarion, Quality Inn) — Military and government rates at participating locations, sometimes paired with a complimentary loyalty-status upgrade.
Best Western — A Military Discount program spanning more than 5,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada, bookable through the official site.
How to Claim These Discounts
- Go to The Military Travel Discount from here.
- Select the store you want to get a discount from; there is a complete guide on how to get a military discount from this brand online and in-store.
- Verify your status — this happens one of two ways depending on the company:
- ID.me or SheerID (used by IHG, Wyndham, Hilton All-Inclusive, and others): create a free account, upload proof of service, and the discount unlocks automatically online.
- In-person ID check (used by Hilton’s core Military Family Rate and several airlines): no online step — you simply present a valid military ID or DD214 at check-in or the ticket counter.
- Keep proof of service on hand even after online verification, since front-desk or gate staff may ask to see it again.
Who’s Eligible
Eligibility varies by company, but the common thread is:
- Active-duty service members across all branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force)
- National Guard and Reserve members
- Veterans and retirees, often with a DD214 or VA-issued ID as proof
- Immediate family/dependents, in many hotel and some airline programs — though this varies significantly, so confirm before booking
- Government employees on official travel, who typically qualify for a separate per diem rate rather than the leisure military rate
Also Read: 5 Best Military & Veterans Discount Car Rentals in 2026 | How To Get
Also Read: 5 Best Military Discount Flights Airlines & Save Upto 20%
