The range and depth of military and veteran discounts available in the United States is quite impressive, but only useful if you know about them and know how to access them. Many service members and veterans leave significant savings on the table simply because the process of finding and verifying the discounts isn’t always obvious.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what military discounts are, who qualifies for them, how to verify your status and where to look so you can start using a benefit you’ve already earned many times over. (And you can also check out our rundown of the over 800 Rakuten partner stores that offer military and veteran discounts.)

Read on to learn more about military discounts, a tiny way for the rest of us to say thank you for your service.

What Is a Military or Veteran Discount?

A military or veteran discount is a reduced price on a product or service offered specifically to current or former members of the U.S. armed forces and, in many cases, their immediate families. The discounts can take several forms:

• A percentage off the regular retail price
• A flat dollar amount off a qualifying purchase
• Free or discounted shipping
• Reduced subscription or membership rates
• Exclusive pricing tiers available only to verified military customers

Unlike sale events or promotional codes that expire after a certain amount of time, military discounts are standing offers that are available year-round to anyone who qualifies, not just during Veterans Day or Fourth of July sales.

Who Qualifies for a Military or Veteran Discount?

Military discount eligibility varies from store to store, but the most common qualifying groups include:

• Active-duty service members in any branch of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force)
• Veterans with honorable discharge
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Retired military personnel
• Military spouses and dependents (at many, but not all, retailers)
• Gold Star families (at select retailers)

When in doubt, check the eligibility terms listed on each store’s military discount page. Some programs are more inclusive than others, and it’s worth verifying before assuming you don’t qualify.

How Do Military Discounts Work?

Most military discounts operate through a verification step: You prove your status and the discount is unlocked. Online purchases typically verify digitally through a third-party platform. In-store purchases often accept a military ID or discharge documentation presented at checkout.

The discount is then delivered as a promo code emailed to your verified account, applied automatically through your account settings or activated at checkout once your status is confirmed. For subscription services, military pricing typically replaces the standard rate for the duration of your verified enrollment.

How Do You Find Military and Veteran Discounts?

Use ID.me

ID.me is the primary digital verification platform for military discounts in the United States. It’s free to create an account, and, once your military status is verified, you can use your ID.me credentials to unlock discounts at hundreds of participating retailers without reverifying at each one. Most major brands that offer military discounts connect their discount portal directly to ID.me.

Check the retailer’s website directly

Most brands with military discount programs list them on a dedicated page, often linked from the site footer under “Discounts” or “Military and Veterans.” A quick search for “[brand name] military discount” will usually surface the program if one exists.

Look for in-store signage

Many retailers with military discount programs post them at the register or in the customer-service area. If you’re shopping in person and don’t see it advertised, it’s worth asking.

Visit GovX

GovX is a members-only discount platform for military, veterans, first responders and government employees that aggregates exclusive deals from participating brands. Membership is free for verified qualifying groups and the platform surfaces deals that may not be advertised on individual retailer websites.

Are Military Discounts Free?

Yes. Accessing a military discount costs nothing. ID.me is free to use. GovX membership is free for qualifying groups. No retailer with a legitimate military discount program charges you to verify your status or access the offer.

What you’re providing is proof of service, typically through a military ID, a DD-214 discharge document or digital verification through ID.me. There is no fee, no subscription and no minimum purchase requirement attached to accessing the discount.

Are There Any Obligations?

Minimal. Military discount programs generally require only that you:

• Maintain qualifying status. Discounts specifically for active-duty members apply as long as you’re serving. Veteran discounts typically apply for life once verified. Some programs require annual reverification to confirm your status is still current.
• Verify when prompted. Some retailers ask for reverification periodically, particularly for subscription-based discounts. It typically takes a few minutes through ID.me.
• Use the discount for personal purchases. Military discounts are intended for the individual and their household, not for commercial resale.

There are no purchase-frequency requirements and no obligation to remain a customer after using the discount.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Any site charging a fee to access military discounts. Legitimate programs don’t cost money to access. A site that asks for payment in exchange for military deal access is not a real program.
• Requests for your full Social Security number or financial account details. Verifying your military status requires proof of service, such as a military ID, DD-214 or ID.me verification. It does not require your SSN, bank account or credit card information upfront.
• “Military discount” sites that are actually lead-generation forms. Some websites present as military discount aggregators but are primarily collecting contact information for marketing purposes. ID.me and GovX are the trusted platforms; use them rather than unfamiliar third-party sites that ask for personal information.
• Discounts that require you to purchase a membership first. A legitimate military discount doesn’t require you to buy anything to unlock the savings. If a site says you need to sign up for a paid plan before accessing the military rate, look elsewhere.

Other Things Worth Knowing

1. Veterans Day and Memorial Day bring enhanced deals. 

Many retailers who offer military discounts year-round increase the depth of those discounts or run special promotions around Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and Memorial Day (late May). It’s worth timing your larger purchases around those windows when possible.

2. Your DD-214 is your most important document. 

For veterans, a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty) is the primary proof of service for most discount programs. Keeping a digital copy accessible through a secure cloud storage service makes in-person and online verification much faster.

3. Military discounts sometimes stack with other offers. 

Some retailers allow military discounts to apply on top of existing sale prices. Others exclude already discounted items from the military rate. Check the terms before assuming the discount stacks with every promotion.

4. Always check on spouses and dependents. 

Many shoppers assume military discounts are for service members only. A significant number of programs extend eligibility to spouses and dependent children, sometimes at the same discount rate. It’s worth checking eligibility before skipping a program.

Stack Rakuten Cash Back on Your Purchases

Military discounts reduce what you pay. Rakuten Cash Back earns money back on what you spend. At participating Rakuten partner stores, both can work on the same transaction simultaneously; the military discount adjusts your price at checkout and Cash Back is earned on the resulting amount.

Activate Rakuten Cash Back through the app, website or browser extension before completing your purchase at a participating retailer. The Rakuten browser extension does this automatically; it recognizes participating stores, activates Cash Back and surfaces any available verified coupon codes at checkout, all without any additional steps on your end.

For service members and veterans making regular purchases across tech, clothing, travel, home goods and more, that Cash Back adds up to a meaningful amount over time on top of the military savings you’re already earning. (One note: Although most stores allow you to stack Cash Back on top of military discounts, the occasional store doesn’t. Make sure to check the terms and conditions before you make your purchase.)

FAQs About Military and Veteran Discounts

What is ID.me and how does it work for military discounts?

ID.me is a free digital identity-verification platform used by hundreds of retailers to confirm military status. You create a free account; verify your service through a military ID, DD-214 or other qualifying documentation; and then use your ID.me credentials to unlock military discounts at participating brands without verifying at each store individually.

Do veteran discounts expire? 

Most veteran discounts do not expire. Veteran status is permanent and most programs recognize it for life. Some subscription-based programs require annual reverification to confirm your veteran status is documented correctly, but the eligibility itself doesn’t lapse with time.

Do military discounts apply online and in-store? 

Most military discount programs are available both online and in-store, although the verification process differs. Online purchases typically verify through ID.me or a brand’s own digital portal. In-store purchases usually accept a military ID or printed DD-214 at the register. Check each store’s terms for specifics.

Are military spouses eligible for military discounts? 

Many retailers extend military discounts to spouses of active-duty service members and veterans. Eligibility varies by brand; some require the service member or veteran to be present, while others allow spouses to verify independently through ID.me. Always check the program’s specific eligibility terms.

Can I use Rakuten Cash Back with a military discount? 

Yes, at participating Rakuten partner stores. Military discounts reduce your checkout price and Rakuten Cash Back is earned on the amount you spend, and both may apply to the same purchase. A few stores, however, may not allow you to stack Cash Back with a military discount. Make sure to check the terms and conditions before you finalize your purchase.