Discounted Summer Vacations for Veterans: Destinations with Reduced Prices for Your Next Holiday Retreat

Discounted Summer Vacations for Veterans: Destinations with Reduced Prices for Your Next Holiday Retreat

Unveiling a Trove of Travel Discounts for Veterans in the US

Traveling can be an exciting adventure, but the costs associated with it can often be a deterrent for many. However, for veterans and military families in the United States, a wealth of travel discounts and deals await, making their journeys more affordable and enjoyable.

Airlines

Many airlines extend special privileges to those who have served our country. Airlines such as United, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Lufthansa, and others offer military discounts or benefits, including exclusive military fares and free baggage allowances beyond standard limits for active-duty personnel and their families.

Theme Parks

Veterans can savour the thrill of major theme parks like Disney, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and Sea World with approximately 20% or more savings on multi-day tickets. At Disney, tickets purchased at a military base ticket office can be bought tax-free, adding another layer of savings.

Hotels

Hotel chains like Wyndham offer around 15% off their standard rates for active, retired military, veterans, and their families, with some blackout dates. American Forces Travel provides exclusive deals on hotels and rental cars specifically for military members.

National Parks

The National Park Service offers a free Military Annual Pass to active military members and their dependents, waiving entrance fees to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. America the Beautiful Pass, a pass that covers parking and admits up to three additional visitors at parks that typically charge entry fees, also offers free annual passes for active military and free lifetime passes for veterans, with a $10 processing fee.

Specialized Vacation Clubs and Travel Services

The Armed Forces Vacation Club offers resort rentals worldwide for $349 per week, catering to active, reserve, retired military, and their families. GOV Vacation Rewards grants access to thousands of cruises, hotels, and resorts with military discounts and additional travel credits.

Retail and Streaming Discounts

While not travel expenses directly, veterans also benefit from discounts on travel-related gear and entertainment. Retailers like Nike, The North Face, and entertainment platforms such as Disney+ and Paramount+ offer 10-25% off, helping reduce trip preparation and leisure costs.

Cruise Lines

Cruise bookings through American Forces Travel can result in savings of up to 50%, while cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin Voyages, Disney, and Princess all offer military discounts or perks. Military Cruise Deals allows browsing by destination and searching for last-minute deals for military members and their families.

Membership Clubs

We Salute (formerly known as Veterans Advantage) provides travel deals and discounts, including 25% off Avis and Budget car rental services, 10% off American Airlines vacation packages, and 5% off United Airlines flights, Jet Blue, and more.

In essence, veterans and military families have access to a broad range of travel discounts from lodging and transportation to entertainment and national park access, often requiring proof of military status to redeem. For best results, checking official military travel sites and membership clubs like Armed Forces Vacation Club or American Forces Travel is recommended.

1. Exploring exotic destinations via cruise lines can be both adventure-filled and financially feasible for veterans, as cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin Voyages, Disney, and Princess offer military discounts or perks.

2. Enhancing their vacations with a touch of luxury, veterans can savor the opulence of hotels like Wyndham, earning around 15% off their standard rates, while American Forces Travel offers exclusive deals on hotels and rental cars specifically for military members.

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