The holiday season can be an expensive one. It can be a compounding cost for the military family who just moved with the military in the preceding months. Use these tools and offers of military discounts to complete your holiday shopping this year to stretch the budget.
GovX
The GovX website offers discounts for military, first responders, medical personnel, government, and educators. Exclusive discounts are available, from deals on jewelry to shaving kits or brands like YETI, Gerber, and Brooks. There is also a travel and ticket section, with hotels like Wyndham brand hotels offering up to 20% off and Great Wolf Lodge offering up to 15% discount. Use these search tools if you are planning a holiday getaway or need a hotel when traveling to and for the holidays.
Create a free account and complete the identity verification to view the options. Start shopping early to spread out the purchases over a more extended period.
VetTix
VetTix is a service specifically for active-duty military and veterans and immediate family members of troops killed in action. The organization receives tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, and family activities across the nation. Create a free account online, verify your identity, and search your local area for options. If something interests you, request the tickets to the event. There is a small delivery fee to receive the free tickets. For the holidays, many local organizations offer free access to their holiday concerts or even The Nutcracker Ballet – explore the holiday offers to enjoy family time together, building strong family bonds and holiday memories.
Discounts Offered Year Round
Are you traveling this holiday season or live near a Busch Gardens or SeaWorld location? Consider using the Waves of Honor Program to plan a visit to their Williamsburg, Tampa, Orlando, or San Diego locations. Busch Gardens and SeaWorld offer Active-duty military, Reservists, and National Guard complimentary one-day admission for the service member and up to three direct dependents. Veterans can receive up to six discounted tickets. Verification of service is done online through ID.me. The Waves of Honor program allows for the utilization of these tickets once per year at one location.
The San Diego Zoo offers complimentary admission to active-duty military year-round.
Using online verification, Apple offers 10% off its products year-round to veterans and active-duty military. Check your local military exchange because it may be cheaper to buy on base without tax than with the discount.
Big Lots has announced they will offer a year-round 10% discount for active duty and veterans who are part of their Big Rewards program.
Home Depot offers a 10% discount in the store all year long.
Kohl’s has a “Military Mondays” program offering a 15% discount to active duty veterans and their immediate families on Mondays.
L.L.Bean offers 10% off for active duty, veteran, and reservist personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces—complete service verification on their website.
Lowe’s offers a 10% discount in-store. You can link your military service to your Lowe’s card.
Michael’s offers a 15% discount to those registered as military in their Michaels account, including family members. If you don’t have an account, you can show your ID at the register for the discount.
Microsoft offers up to 10% off select products to active, former, and retired military personnel and their families.
Old Navy and Gap offers a 10% daily discount in stores to active-duty employees, retirees, and family members with valid IDs.
Pottery Barn offers a 15% discount to military personnel, veterans, and their families for in-store purchases. Check your local store to see if this offer can also be utilized for curbside pick-up.
Rack Room Shoes offers a 10% military discount every Tuesday when shopping.
Layaway at the Exchange
The AAFES Military Exchanges offers a holiday layaway program without fees, waiving the $3 service fee. To start a new layaway, the shopper must pay a deposit of 15% of the total purchase price. Items must be paid in full at pick up, with the last pick-up day on December 24th. An additional bonus, the Exchange offers a price match policy and is tax-free year-round. It is important to note that Black Friday and Cyber Week deals will not be price-matched.
