There are hundreds of resources available to US veterans and active military members. But they’re not always easy to find and use, especially when it comes to travel offers.
But there are plenty of resources out there designed to simplify the process of finding and using military discounts for flights, tours, hotels, and more.
You might be thinking about the Armed Forces Vacation Club or WeSalute Club (both are solid options). But there’s no need to join a formal club to access savings.
In fact, you can find dozens of offers without joining a travel group.
Below, I cover the best travel deals for military personnel.
The focus is on flights and hotels, which are usually the priciest part of booking a trip. These deals are available from official state-sponsored initiatives and informal discounts offered by leading travel brands.
Let’s dive in.
American Forces Travel: Priceline Meets the DoD
The first stop for all active and retired military members is American Forces Travel. This platform works just like any classic booking site, letting users seek out flights, car rentals, and bundled deals.
There are specific experiences available, too, including cruises and events. This makes it similar to a military travel club—aside from one primary difference.
This platform is the brainchild of the Department of Defense and Priceline’s affiliate program. (It isn’t Priceline—just a partner.) As far as I can tell, this makes it the most robust travel resource for retired and active military members, especially when it comes to flights.
But before you dive in, make sure to read the fine print on the FAQ page. Despite the diverse range of options on American Forces Travel, there seem to be quite a few terms.
Airline Discounts
Airlines (like many other US businesses) show their support for the military by offering discounts to active and retired members. You can find these using platforms like WeSalute—or you can explore for yourself using this list.
Here are the US airlines that offer discounts for active and retired military members:
- American Airlines: up to 10% off international and domestic tickets
- Alaska Airlines: up to 5% off international flights leaving US and Canada
- Hawaiian Airlines: up to 5% off economy seats from US to Hawaii
- JetBlue: up to 5% off international and domestic tickets and free phone bookings
- Lufthansa: up to 5% off transatlantic flights, plus 5% discount with Austrian, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines
- Southwest: Lowest fares offered to veterans and active members
- United Airlines: up to 5% off international and domestic tickets
Hotel Discounts
Hotel discounts are varied. They change depending on factors like the height of the season and availability. In other words, companies might not be able to offer discounts when they’re fully booked during the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve.
That being said, retired and active military members do have quite a few options. Here are some of the best:
- Best Western: discounts for military and government personnel in US & Canada
- Hilton: Hilton offers discounts to active and retired military, and military families
- IHG Hotels (Intercontinental Hotel Group): This massive parent company owns brands like Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, and many more. There are over 6,000 IHG hotels worldwide—most of which offer discounts to miliary members and even military families
- Radisson Hotels: Radisson is part of the US’s Military 1st Program, which means active and retired members get discounts and room upgrades
Additionally, you might want to look into resorts that are part of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers program. These are easily accessible to families of active and retired military members.
Choose from four locations:
- Dragon Hill Lodge (Korea)
- Edelweiss Lodge and Resort (Germany)
- Hale Koa Resort (Hawaii)
- Shades of Green (Walt Disney World, Florida)