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May is Military Appreciation Month
Back in 1999, the United States Congress declared May as National Military Appreciation Month.
Although it is not recognized as a national holiday, it does give the public the opportunity to show their appreciation to both active troops and veterans.
Many businesses choose to show honor to our military by offering discounts.
Civilians choose to hold parties, enjoy picnics, visit, and shake hands with soldiers in their communities.
Here are some businesses offering special discounts on or around Military Appreciation Month.
1-800-Flowers
Military members, veterans and family get 20 percent off of flowers and gift baskets.
AARP
AARP offers a discount membership for veterans and military members.
Adidas
Military members can enjoy 30 percent off online and in store or 20 percent off at factory outlet stores.
Advance Auto Parts
Active duty and reserve military, plus veterans with at least 20 years of service or receiving Veterans Affairs benefits, and their immediate family can take 10 percent off regularly priced items in stores.
Amtrak
Active-duty military personnel, veterans and their dependents can receive 10 percent off the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. Uniformed members are welcome at the head of the ticket line.
Apple
Active-duty, National Guard and Reserves service members, veterans and their families get 10 percent off products and accessories after verifying military status with ID.me.
AT&T
Military and veteran families can receive discounts beginning at $26.25 a month per line when you get four lines.
Beaches by Sandals
Current and former military, Federal Emergency Management Agency employees, firefighters and police save 10 percent after purchasing an all-inclusive vacation, applicable only to one room.
Best Western
Government personnel, military service members and veterans receive a minimum 10 percent discount at hotels and resorts across North America.
BJ’s Wholesale
All active military personnel receive more than 25 percent off a new membership, plus a $10 coupon with identification and enrollment in automatic renewal.
Blue Star Museums
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families. The 2024 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day (May 18) and ends on Labor Day (September 2).
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is providing free one-day admission for U.S. military veterans and up to three guests to its parks. Veterans can redeem their complimentary single-day ticket(s) online at www.WavesofHonor.com through May 12, 2024 and have until July 7, 2024 to visit the parks with their free tickets.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Active and retired military can check Carnival’s calendar to find best military fares, reduced deposits and upgrades.
Cincinnati Zoo
Active and retired military receive free admission on Memorial Day. The offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family.
Cinemark Theatres
Active duty, retired, and dependents may be eligible for a discount at the box office at certain times or on certain days. Call your theater for details.
Costco
Upon becoming a new member, active or retired military members and their spouses or dependents receive a $20 shop card.
Crocs
Offers an everyday 25% off all full-priced styles to our American heroes.
CVS
Those enrolled in Veterans Advantage can take 20 percent off all online orders with free shipping.
Disneyland / Disney World
Active-duty, National Guard, Reserves and retired military personnel can buy discounted park tickets.
Current military members, veterans and their families are eligible for an extra 10 percent off private label goods, including Fred Meyer, Kroger and Simple Truth, at the grocer in four western states.
Geico
Active-duty, National Guard, reserves or retired military receive a 15 percent discount on insurance premiums. Members of select military associations also can get the discounts.
Great Wolf Lodge
Active-duty or retired military, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters and law-enforcement officers save up to 30 percent with the promo code HEROES.
Hertz
Veterans, active-duty, National Guard, reserve members and their families enrolled in Veterans Advantage can take up to 10 percent off Hertz base rates.
Honda
Active-duty military, veterans, spouses and Gold Star families can receive a $500 discount toward any 2020 or newer.
Hyatt Hotels
Military personnel, government employees, defense and some other government contractors can select “government” from the special rates drop-down menu in the booking window for special deals.
Home Depot
Home Depot gives active military, veterans, and their spouses 10% off eligible purchases, up to $400 annually.
Indianapolis Zoo
Current and former military members receive free admission on Memorial Day. Bring a form of military ID to receive the discount.
Jeep
Active-duty service members, retired military or honorably discharged veterans within 12 months of separation are eligible for a $500 military bonus on select 2020 and 2022 purchased or leased vehicles.
Kohl’s
Active military, veterans and their families can receive 15 percent off in stores on Military Mondays.
Members of the military community are eligible for one year of free access to LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning.
Lowe’s
All military members and veterans get 10 percent off eligible purchases.
Michaels
Registered military members with a Michaels Rewards account can take 15 percent off their entire purchase.
Microsoft
Active, former, retired military members and their families can take up to 10 percent off select products and services.
Motel 6
Active or retired military personnel and their families can save up to 10 percent at all Motel 6 and Studio 6 locations.
National Park Entrance
In 2020, the Department of Interior temporarily allowed free access to national parks and other public lands to our veterans and Gold Star families, but this act which was just signed into law makes it permanent.
Places, such as the Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and more are now totally free for our veterans and Gold Star families to visit.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union is celebrating Military Appreciation Month with special offers for its members. Earn $50 bonus when joining Navy Federal and opening a credit card within 14 days of account opening, get $200 bonus when refinancing current auto loan from another lender that’s at least $5,000 and get 0.25% APR discount on select loans for active duty and retired military members with direct deposit at Navy Federal and 4.70% APY on an 18-month EasyStartSM Share Certificate with a deposit of as little as $50.
Nike
A 10 percent discount is provided to active duty, retirees, reservists, veterans and their families.
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Active-duty, Reserve, retired and veteran service members, plus immediate family, get 10 percent off in-store purchases with the exception of antifreeze, motor oil and sale items.
Outback Steakhouse
Military personnel and veterans may take 10 percent off their entire check, excluding alcohol, with their immediate family.
Penske
Rack Room Shoes
Every Tuesday veterans, military personnel and their families get 10 percent off their entire in-store purchase.
Red Lobster
Active-duty service members receive 10 percent off their meals on Military Mondays.
Regal Cinemas
Active and retired military members qualify for a military discount offered at a variety of Regal locations. Call your local theater for details and availability.
Rosetta Stone
Active-duty and retired service members get 10 percent off, after verifying military service with ID.me.
Royal Caribbean
Military personnel, firefighters, police and seniors are offered discounted fares available on select trips.
Sam’s Club
Active or retired military personnel and their spouses will receive a $10 gift card when they join or renew their membership.
SeaWorld
Its Waves of Honor programs in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego allow active-duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel free admission once a year with up to three guests. Veterans discounts vary among SeaWorld locations.
SiriusXM
Active-duty, Reserves, retirees and veterans receive a 25 percent discount.
Sherwin Williams
Active-duty and Reserve service members, veterans and their spouses get 15 percent off paints, stains and supplies.
Six Flags
A one-day general admission ticket is eligible for a 20 percent military discount at the park’s guest services center.
Sleep Number
Sleep Number is offering exclusive military discounts, including an extra 5% to 10% on most Sleep Number smart beds and bases through June 2.
Sprint
Get up to 40% off at Sprint.
T-Mobile
Discounted cellphone service plans are available for all military members, veterans and Gold Star family members, stating at $25 a line when you get four lines.
Tiffany & Co
Active duty, reservists and veterans may take 10 percent off engagement rings and wedding bands.
Timberland
Military members can save 20 percent on their online and in-store orders once service has been verified.
Toyota
All military personnel, retirees and veterans within two years of discharge can take advantage of a $500 military discount toward any purchase or lease made through Toyota Financial Services.
TurboTax
The company offers its software for free or at a reduced rate, depending on taxes being filed. A military W-2 form is used to verify status.
Universal Studios, Hollywood, California
Active-duty, National Guard, Reserves and retired military personnel, as well as 100 percent disabled veterans and their spouses or dependents, can receive specially priced offers when purchased in advance from Military Ticket Offices.
U.S. Cellular
Veterans and active-duty military members may take 15 percent off calling plan charges, single lines or family plans.
Verizon Wireless and Fios
Military, veterans and their families can qualify for a discounted rate on a variety of phone plans.
VetTix
Free tickets to a variety of events are made available to active military, veterans and Gold Star families
Volkswagen
First responders, service members and those within two years of discharge can receive $500 toward the lease or purchase of a new VW.
Walgreens
Walgreens offers veterans, service members and their families 20% off eligible regular price items with myWalgreens in store only May 24 through 27.
Wyndham Hotels
Military service members, veterans and their families receive up to 20 percent off the best available rate at participating locations. First verify your service through ID.me.
Yankee Candle
All active and retired military members and their immediate families may take 10 percent off their purchase.
Yeti
Discounts are offered to current service members, first responders, government employees and veterans on select products after verification through ID.me.
Our military deserves these discounts and more. If you are a business that offers discounts to our military, please leave your information in the comments.
Thank you to all of our American heroes!
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