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Hi Military Bees!
I wanted to start this thread because I think this is a really useful topic for us. I'd love for us to share any specific military discounts that we've come across. Not just for wedding/honeymoon purposes, but for anything! Mr. K hasn't been active for long, but here is the information that I can pass along so far...
Sandals--I don't know the exact discount amount but a good friend of mine got a great military discount here.
Hilton Garden Inn--I know this isn't a swanky hotel, but it's my favorite budget-friendly hotel chain! It's a new chain so the rooms and facilities are really new and nice. We stayed at one recently for $60/night! What a steal! It was almost 50% off the list price!
Chick-Fil-A--I can't remember exactly, but it's either a 40% or 50% discount if you are in uniform.
Anyone else aware of great military deals?
Many movie theaters and hotels offer discounts - it never hurts to ask! I'm staying with my fiance in a Homewood Suites (part of the Hilton group) in August under a nicely discounted rate. Choice Hotels (Quality, Comfort, etc) also offer military discount with varying amounts and availability I believe. It's definitely something I try to keep a lookout for!
Ok so this is for all of Military Disney fan bees out there. The hubby and I were out in Orlando visiting his fam for a couple of weeks and we ALWAYS hit up Disney World when we're out there. And we made the greatest discovery. SHADES OF GREEN!!! If you've never heard of it, Shades of Green is one of the resorts on Walt Disney World property and it is exclusively for military personnel (reserves, active duty, and retired) and their family to stay at. Yep, if you don't have a military ID, you can't stay at this resort. The pricing there is great too. Room rates vary depending on pay grade (E1-E4 and E5+ have different room rates). PLUS, at this resort you can purchase discounted theme park/attraction tickets tax free. It's kind of like an MWR on Disney property. It's great! So if you're in Orlando and just need some discounted attraction tickets, head on over to Shades of Green resort to buy them.
And an FYI for this year, here are some of the current military discount programs going on at three of the theme parks in Orlando:
- Walt Disney World: Active Duty military get a FREE 5-day Park Hopper admission ticket good for all 4 parks. Also, they can purchase up to 5 additional 5-day 1 park/day admission tickets for family and friends, and it's only an extra $25 per ticket to add on the park hopper option. That's almost less than a one-day park hopper ticket purchased at the gate!
- Sea World: Active Duty military and one dependent can get in to Sea World absolutely free! You just have to pay for parking (which is like $12). I think additional tickets are discounted. Not sure about that one. The hubby and I got in for free, so I didn't ask any questions :)
- Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure: Active Duty military get a 7-day park hopper ticket for free. Dependent/companion 7-day park hopper costs only $89. This ticket MUST be purchased at Shades of Green Resort. They won't sell this discount ticket at the front gates of the theme park.
Those are all deals DH and I took advantage of during our stay in Florida.
One more military discount...Best Buy offers I think a 10-15% discount.
Lowes and Home Depot both offer 10% military discount, but you have to ask for it. They advertise it on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but it is actually valid all year long.
Wow, these are great tips ladies! Keep them coming! If anyone likes to ski, many ski resorts sell heavily discounted lift tickets to military personnel!
And on a personal note...I got my Military ID today! Waited for 3 hours, even though I was there 15 minutes before they opened for the day, but now I won't get harrassed anymore when I bring Mr. K his lunch (or whatever else he forgot that day!) on the base!
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3 hours? Ouch! My hubby was able to set up an appointment for me to get my military ID so I was at that office for less than an hour. I was so excited to get it though! Finally able to shop at the NEX and the commissary without having to drag the hubby along with me :) I guess that should count as a military discount too, now that I think about it. Shop at the exchange and the commissary on base for discounted products, and tax free!
And one more to add. Pick Up Stix offers a military discount too if you ask for it! Just went there the other night!
I'm not in the Military but pretty much the FI's whole family has been in the Military at one point in their lives and his eldest brother & SIL are still active in the AF.
I know Carnival Cruise Lines (yay!) gives significant discounts to military personnel. You only need one person that is military in the room when booking. IE the last time we went on a cruise we booked the FI & his brother in one room, military discounted. Then the SIL & I in another room, military discounted. Then when we boarded we just requested to swap rooms! :)
I just wanted to remind you girls that your military discount could help on your wedding day too! We rented a shuttle for our guests through ITT for about 50% cheaper than if we would have gone through a civilian company! We also bought our wedding jewelry from AAFES and the NEX.
Here are some that I know about:
Verizon: 20% off monthly rate
NY&Company: 10% off (I think) and you can use your AAA discount on top of that
Movie theaters: in Norfolk you get the student/military rate
There was a lady who used to post on the cinchouse.com (a military support web forum site) who offered free garter sets to active duty brides. Her post was in the Love forum and I have the hunch she's the same lady who runs The Garter Lady on Etsy (but I'm not 100% sure). Again, might be good to check out, but I didn't personally have one done by her.
I would say that a good rule of thumb is to always ask if there is a military discount - you'd be surprised how many companies/people offer one. That's a great tip about Home Depot and Lowe's! We just bought a house and are there every other day!
You've inspired me! We're going on two cruises this year (i think) and we like to save our money! Here are some more, ladies!
<span class="url">www.usuhs.mil/ssc/mildiscounts.doc
http://www.military-money-matters.com/military-discounts.html
Also the USO should have a comprehensive list, such as mine for Missouri: http://www.usostl.org/military-discounts-programs
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You can also get a discount on your marriage license. In Philadelphia we paid $60 instead of $80.
Oh yeah! we got a free copy of ours! Marriage License in StL county are only $45 tho
What I've learned while dating and being engaged to an Air Force officer is that it almost always pays to flash a military ID. Several times he's been paying for anything from a pizza to a ticket to Elvis's birthplace and the cashier has just happened to see his ID and given us discounts. It never hurts to ask!
I think most of you have mentioned almost all I can think of. However, being from Southern California, living in a military town and having my FI be a Marine I came up with a few more that are specific to this area:
San Diego Zoo: Free
Disneyland: Free
San Diego Wild Animal Park: Free
Knott's Berry Farm has a discount too (not sure how much) but on Veteran's Day you get in Free.
Also use the military bases ITT and event offices to get movie tix, baseball tix, them park tix and others at a great rate. Also, while your FI is still single if he's a Marine, have him look into the SMP (Single Marine Program) they give them free tickets to ball games and awesome deals to Hotels (when the SMP program books events). This program is meant to boost morale for the troops! So hey why not?
we got discounted movie tickets this weekend. It was only $15 for the two of us! hey, it adds up =]
But yeah, i've been known to flash it and ask if they offer a discount. sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes just b/c i asked and said it nicely =]
It never hurts to ask. We met with photographers that offer a military discount! Not all do, but some did.
That reminds me. We got $2 off/plate at our reception. And our photographer offers free portrait sessions. But not applicable to wedding packages. Oh well.
The interesting thing is that we do not get discounts at our venue. It's on a military base and the prices are already low and I mean low.
We ask all the time, the worst they can say is No. No harm done.
It was inevitable that in all my vendor interviews and subsequent meetings that I mentioned my finance couldn't be there because he was/is in Iraq right now. Now that I think about it I am completely floored that not one offered us ANY kind of discount. Granted, I never asked directly and we are within budget on all aspects but it still would have been nice of someone to offer. I don't know? Maybe I am expecting too much?!?
Always check with your local base ITT or MWR office. They offer discounted tickets to theme parks and cruises and sporting events etc. We always check with our local base website for prices first. And if we didn't get them there, we always show our military IDs when anywone asks for ID just in case. Oh - at Disney, they dont advertise it, but free parking with active id! :)
wow i've learned so much from this post. We will totally be hitting up disney world soon lol
There is also too a site called Brides Across America, or something to that nature that offers free wedding dresses to those engaged to a military person deployed or if they themselves are deployed. You just need to bring in the papers. Hope this helps!
WOW thanks ladies, i didnt even think to ask at so many places. especially our marriage license thanks!
I'm from a military family so I grew up with flashing the ID everywhere. We're planning on buying all of our alcohol at an upcoming case lot sale! If you ladies aren't familiar with those, they're when the Commissary or PX/BX/NEX sell things by the case out in the parking lot. They're pretty common down here and they'll sell a case of liquor dirt cheap!
Wow, you ladies have hit a lot of them. Always check out the Family centers(fleet and family, or whatever family resource centers on base) on base, they know of the local areas and discounts and what not. but uhh....<blushing> A really good one is LOVERS has like 10% i think, maurices is 10%, and a lot of the other ones I can think about I think have been said. I always show my active duty ID for when I am checking out if they ask to see ID or not, there has even been a time where I did that at a store (Maurices) and I had it out to show for ID and then did not even offer the discount until I ASKED if they did one because I heard, So your best bet is to just politly ask if they offer one there!
Here are some more that I've discovered:
Lowes: 10% off (even on appliances!)
American Airlines: Free checked baggage (usually $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second bag!).
I work nights at NY&Company and they do a 15% discount for military or military families but it can't be combined with coupons.
Oh sorry Miss Lamb posted it... it's 15% but to my knowledge you can't combine it with AAA.
my FI and I get discounted or free stuff all the time when he shows his id. Especially for drinks. We flew to florida to use our special free/discounted disney passes and on southwest airlines when he used his military id we got free cocktails on the flight. we've also gotten in to state parks and beaches for free and even some bars and concerts.
Nike Outlet always give us a discount. 10 percent, I think (even on sale/clearance merch.)
Alfred Angelo bridal offers a military discount- I believe it's 10% ?? Check their website for details. :)
Hey Ladies!
Thanks for all of the fantastic discount ideas! Question for you all - when dealing with wedding vendors did you ask for the military discount or did they just offer? If they don't offer do you think it is appropriate to ask anyway?
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