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Military personnel are no strangers to traveling in service of our country, so when it comes to leisure time, you deserve to be rewarded. Knowing which car rental companies offer discounts for military personnel will not only save you money, but it will mean you can quickly find the best deal. That will let you get on with more important things like spending quality time with your friends and family.
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Key Takeaways
- There may be differences between government leisure travel and official government travel discount rates. Always advise the car rental company if you have official orders as it may score you an extra discount.
- Some also offer additional perks along with the discount on the actual rental. Look out for extra things like discounts on insurance coverage and fees that may apply if your spouse drives the vehicle.
- At some companies, additional charges may be applied to younger drivers, sometimes up to the age of 24 years.
- Not all discounts are available at all times, and some companies have black-out periods. There may also be limitations on the car classes available.
What To Know About Military Discounts On Car Rentals
The most essential thing for military members to understand while looking for the best car rental deal is that they need to read the fine print. While some companies may offer impressively large discount percentages at face value, there may be specific qualification requirements, like affiliations or memberships.
The one constant you will always need with all the companies listed below is a valid military ID when collecting your vehicle. If you are on official travel, you may be eligible for additional discounts, so be sure to let them know if you have traveling orders and produce copies if requested.
We have listed ten car rental companies that offer military discounts and summarized the basic information. There is, however, a lot of additional information you must check, for example, the liability insurance on each deal and details about pick-up and drop-off locations. Not all discounts are applicable at all locations.
1. Avis
- Available To: Active duty military, veterans, retired personnel, reservists, and National Guard and their families
- Discount: A 25% discount applies off base rates if enrolled in Veterans Advantage.
- Sign-up required: Discount only applicable if enrolled in Veterans Advantage.
- Limitations: A daily surcharge may apply to renters under 25 years of age.
- Check offer details: Avis Car Rental Military Discount
The deal from Avis is pretty much as good as it gets – however, there are a few Ts&Cs that you need to be aware of. Firstly, the discount only applies if you are a member of Veterans Advantage.
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Avis car rental military discounts are only available at locations within the United States or Canada. This discount doesn’t apply to all vehicle groups and is subject to vehicle availability. There may also be some black-out periods.
2. Enterprise
- Available To: Active duty, veterans, retired personnel, Reserves, and National Guard
- Discount: A 5% discount applies off base rates.
- Sign-up required: No, but a valid military ID must be provided. USAA Members will receive additional member benefits within the United States.
- Limitations: You must be aged 21 years or older to book Government Leisure Travel
- Check offer details: Enterprise Car Rental Military Discount
Enterprise was founded by Jack Taylor, who named the company after the WWII aircraft carrier that he served on. This car rental company has a long and proud association with the United States military.
Enterprise offers a standard discount if military ID can be provided and a lot more for USAA members. Discounted rates will be applied at Enterprise locations worldwide, so they can be used whether you travel locally or abroad.
3. Hertz
- Available To: Discounts are available to active duty personnel and veterans. Reserves and National Guard should check eligibility.
- Discount: No set discount rate. The amount is dependent on the purpose of travel and factors like availability. Hertz can be contacted to get a quote. Customer service can be contacted on 800-654-3131.
- Sign-up required: No, but a valid military ID must be provided when collecting the vehicle. Veterans Advantage Members will receive up to 10% off car rentals.
- Limitations: Some age limitations may apply and should be confirmed when booking.
- Check offer details: Hertz Car Rental Military Discount
Hertz is a global leader among car rental companies. The black and yellow logo is a familiar sight at airports and destinations globally. Although military discounts are available, rates are calculated according to dates, availability, and type of vehicle required.
Veterans Advantage members will, however, receive their discount at any Hertz car rental counter anywhere in the world. Hertz has an impressive fleet of vehicles, so whether you need a trendy sports car or a large family vehicle, you are sure to find what you are looking for at Hertz.
4. Sixt
- Available To: Valid active military or veterans ID holders.
- Discount: 5% off car rentals
- Sign-up required: No – simply click the ‘book discount’ option when reserving a vehicle. Valid military ID will be required when collecting the car.
- Limitations: This offer is only valid for online bookings. Offer is subject to location and availability.
- Check offer details: Sixt Military Discount
Established in 1912, Sixt is one of the oldest car rental companies in the world. It is also the best place to go if you want to spoil yourself and rent a luxury ride. Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and BMWs are among their magnificent fleet of cars. Of course, you should use your automatic 5% military discount but note it is only valid for online bookings.
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5. Thrifty Car Rental
- Available To: US Troops, Veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their families
- Discount: 5% off car rentals to Veterans Advantage members. Additional perks like car-class upgrades may be available for official travel.
- Sign-up required: No, but a valid military ID must be provided.
- Limitations: Only available to Veterans Advantage members. For official travel, the minimum age requirement is 18, and for leisure travel, it is 20.
- Check offer details: Thrifty Car Rental
Thrifty’s military car rental discount is only offered to Veterans Advantage members. Special rates are, however, available at any time. You must provide copies of your official travel orders to claim the official government discount if traveling on official business.
6. Budget Car Rental
- Available To: US Troops, Veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their families
- Discount: 25% off car rentals to Veterans Advantage members.
- Sign-up required: You must be a Veterans Advantage member to get this discount.
- Limitations: Only available to Veterans Advantage members. Daily surcharge may apply to renters younger than 25 – this may vary by location. It is also only available for rentals in the US and Canada.
- Check offer details: Budget Car Rental Military Discount
Budget car rental offers a massive 25% savings to military staff who are Veterans Advantage members. If you are a member, use the online booking form to see if your intended travel dates are available. There are some black-out dates, as well as non-participating locations, which occasionally make this discount unavailable.
7. Alamo
- Available To: Active duty military and veterans
- Discount: Unspecified discount amounts
- Sign-up required: No, valid military ID is required, and official orders if booking official travel.
- Limitations: Minimum age to book a car for leisure travel is 21
- Check offer details: Alamo Car Rental Military Discount
It is really important to read the Ts &Cs on the Alamo website as it contains a lot of additional information that may be useful. There are two very distinct rental categories for the military – you are either on official business, or you are in leisure mode. The discounts offered differ and depend greatly on where you need the car and the dates. Bookings can be made online or at any of the 550 participating Alamo locations worldwide.
8. Dollar Car Rental
- Available To: Active duty military personnel or veterans
- Discount: Special discount amounts apply for official travel. 5% off leisure travel reservations, a free car-class upgrade, and unlimited mileage.
- Sign-up required: No, but only redeemable with traveling orders.
- Limitations: When on official travel, the minimum rental age is 18. Leisure travelers must be 20.
- Check offer details: Dollar Car Rental Military discount.
Dollar Car Rental has a wide range of vehicles in its fleet, from compact cars to SUVs and minivans. The only downside of their discount is that there is an additional charge applicable to add other drivers. The military discounts apply at Dollar Car Rentals in all countries where they have sites.
9. Budget Truck Rental
- Available To: Active duty military personnel
- Discount: 20%
- Sign-up required: No, but only redeemable with traveling orders.
- Limitations: Available for US Residents only. Daily surcharge applies to renters under 24 years of age.
- Check offer details: Budget Truck Rental Military discount.
Budget Truck Rental is not a regular car rental, but most military families are no strangers to moving, and it is good to know that there is a company that will help you out with a significant discount on truck rental.
Budget has four moving truck sizes, from small cargo trucks to 26’ large trucks. In addition, they also offer towing equipment like car carriers and tow dollys so you can get all your belongings and your car to your new home in one trip.
10. Penske Truck Rentals
- Available To: Active duty, retiree, and veterans
- Discount: 10% off
- Sign-up required: No, but show your military or veteran ID when you collect the truck.
- Limitations: None listed
- Check offer details: Penske Truck Rental Military discount.
There are more than 2500 convenient locations nationwide. Penske has a specialized call center to assist military personnel and their families with do-it-yourself moves. They have trucks available, from high-roof cargo vans suitable for small one-room moves to 26-foot trucks that can accommodate items from around seven rooms.
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The toll-free number to call is 1-844-4TROOPS (1-844-487-6677). Bookings can be made online, and to receive the 10% military discount, the code: MILITARY* should be entered.
Do Car Dealers Offer Military Discounts?
If you have rented a car and fallen in love with the model, you may want to start shopping around to purchase your own. Over a dozen car brands offer discounts to military personnel, including veterans and retirees. In some instances, spouses and close family members in the same household may also be eligible for the discounts, but this needs to be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.
Getting a military discount when purchasing a vehicle is usually relatively straightforward. It either entails an immediate purchase price discount, or a rebate may be available in addition to other offers. CarsDirect has a comprehensive list of brands that offer military discounts when purchasing a new car.
Do Veterans Get Discounts On Car Rentals?
Most car rental companies also include military veterans in their discount offers. In some cases, veterans need to be members of the Veterans Advantage discount program to qualify for discounts.
One exclusion to this is Budget Truck Rental. This discount program is specifically aimed at active duty military personnel who are moving. Veterans, retirees, or military leisure travel is not included.
Which Car Rental Company Has the Best Discount?
Budget and Avis offer up to 25% military discount, provided individuals are enrolled in the Veterans Advantage Program. Most major car rental companies are linked to this rewards system, but these two companies offer the highest discount.
When choosing a car rental company, going through the Ts and Cs is essential because the discounts may not apply to all vehicle models, and some dates or locations may be excluded. Also, check aspects of the offers related to who will be allowed to drive the vehicle. If you are traveling overseas, make sure your military discount applies, as some are only valid in the United States.
