Avis Car Rental Military Discount: What Active Duty, Veterans, and Military Families Need to Know

If you're active duty military, a veteran, or part of a military family, you may qualify for reduced rates when renting through Avis. The discount program exists, but how much you save — and whether it actually beats other available rates — depends on several factors worth understanding before you book.

Does Avis Offer a Military Discount?

Yes, Avis has a standing military discount program available to eligible service members. The discount is typically accessed through a specific Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) code designated for military personnel. This code is entered at the time of booking — online, through the app, or by phone — and applies the negotiated rate to your reservation.

The program is generally available to:

• Active duty military members (all branches)
• Veterans and retired military
• National Guard and Reserve members
• Military spouses and dependents (eligibility can vary)
• U.S. Department of Defense civilians (in some cases)

Avis also participates in several third-party military benefit platforms — including military association programs and government travel channels — which may carry their own AWD codes and negotiated rates.

How the Military AWD Code Works

An AWD code is a pre-negotiated discount identifier tied to a specific organization or affiliation. When you enter a military AWD code during booking, Avis's system pulls up rates pre-set for that group rather than standard retail pricing.

A few things to understand about how these codes work in practice:

• The discount applies to the base rental rate, not necessarily to taxes, fees, surcharges, or optional add-ons like GPS or insurance
• AWD codes don't always guarantee the lowest available price — Avis's general promotions or prepay rates sometimes come in lower, and the AWD code won't automatically stack with other promotions
• It's worth comparing the military AWD rate against Avis's current public pricing before finalizing

🎖️ The AWD code is the mechanism — but it's not always the cheapest option on any given date or location.

Where to Find the Military AWD Code

Avis doesn't always publish the military AWD code on its main website prominently. Common sources include:

• Military benefit portals such as Military OneSource, USAA, or Veterans Advantage
• Military association membership programs (VFW, American Legion, DAV, etc.)
• Base travel offices (ITT/ITR offices) on military installations — these sometimes negotiate additional discounts beyond the standard AWD code
• Government travel platforms like the Defense Travel System (DTS) if traveling on orders

Base travel offices in particular are worth checking. They often have access to rates that aren't available through public booking channels.

What the Discount Actually Looks Like

Avis doesn't publish a fixed percentage off for its military rate — the savings vary by:

In practice, the military rate often represents a meaningful discount off walk-up or standard online pricing — but the real-world dollar amount changes constantly with market pricing.

Renting on Military Orders vs. Personal Travel

If you're renting a vehicle on official military orders, the process is different from personal leisure travel:

• Government travel typically routes through DTS or a contracted travel management company
• The government rate through official channels may be separate from the standard military discount AWD code
• Reimbursement rules — what vehicle classes are authorized, what insurance coverage is required — are governed by your branch and applicable federal travel regulations, not Avis's standard terms
• Personal credit card coverage and Avis's offered collision damage waiver (CDW) interact differently in a government travel context

If you're renting for personal use — vacation, a move, visiting family — the standard military AWD code process applies.

What the Discount Doesn't Cover 🚗

Military rates apply to the rental itself. Several items typically remain at standard pricing regardless of the AWD code:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and supplemental liability
• Fuel purchase options
• Additional driver fees (some military programs waive this for spouses — worth checking)
• Young driver surcharges if the renter is under 25
• Airport concession fees and local taxes
• GPS, car seat, or other equipment rentals

These line items can meaningfully change the total cost of a rental, so looking at the full-price breakdown rather than just the base rate gives a clearer picture.

Verification and Documentation

Avis may ask for proof of military status at pickup. What qualifies as acceptable documentation can include a military ID (CAC card), DD-214, veteran ID card, or other official credential. The specific documents accepted can vary by location, and policies do get updated.

Carrying a current military ID or appropriate documentation to the counter avoids delays regardless of how the booking was made.

The Part That Varies

Whether the Avis military discount represents the best available rate on any specific rental depends entirely on where you're renting, when, what class of vehicle you need, which AWD code you're using, and what other promotions Avis happens to be running at that moment. The same is true of competing rental companies — several offer their own military programs, and rates shift constantly.

The discount is real and worth using as a starting point. How it compares to everything else available on a specific date at a specific location is a calculation that changes every time you check.