Most major rental companies offer military discounts, but you have to ask for them or enter a code at booking

Military discounts on car rentals are real reductions that major chains like Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National advertise to active-duty service members, veterans, and sometimes their families. The discount amount varies by company and by location—some offer 10 to 15 percent off the base rate, others offer a flat dollar amount per day. The catch is that these discounts are not automatic. You either have to mention your military status when you call or book online, provide a military ID or veteran credential, or enter a specific discount code during checkout.

The discount applies to the rental rate itself, not to taxes, fees, or insurance add-ons. A lower daily rate still means you pay the same airport surcharge, state tax, and local rental tax. If you add a second driver, GPS, or damage waiver, those charges sit on top of the discounted base rate. Understanding what is and is not discounted helps you compare actual out-of-pocket cost between companies.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National all offer military discounts, but the percentage or dollar amount off varies by location and current promotion.
  • You must provide proof of military status—usually a military ID, veteran credential, or discharge papers—at the time of rental, even if you booked online.
  • The discount applies only to the daily rental rate, not to taxes, airport fees, insurance, or additional driver charges.
  • Some companies require you to book through a specific military discount portal or enter a code; calling the location directly and asking about military rates is often faster than searching online.
  • Rental car loyalty programs and military discounts sometimes stack, but you need to check the terms for the specific company and location.

How to find the military discount code or portal for each company

Each major rental company handles military discounts differently, and the easiest route depends on which company you choose. Enterprise offers a military discount program you can access by calling 1-855-266-9289 or by visiting their website and selecting the military discount option during booking. Hertz has a military discount program accessible through their website under "Special Offers" or by phone at 1-800-654-3131. Avis and Budget (which are owned by the same parent company) offer military discounts through their websites under "Special Offers" or by calling their main reservation line and mentioning your military status.

National Car Rental offers military discounts through their website and by phone. The fastest way to confirm the current discount amount and whether it applies to your specific rental dates and location is to call the rental location directly rather than the national reservation line. Local managers often know their current promotions better than a call center, and they can tell you when ready whether the discount is available for your dates.

If you are a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, or Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), check whether your membership card comes with rental car discounts through partner companies. These sometimes offer rates separate from the standard military discount and may be better for your specific trip.

What military credentials you need to bring to the rental counter

At the time of rental, you will need to show proof of military status. For active-duty service members, a military ID (Common Access Card or CAC) is the standard proof. For veterans, a VA disability rating letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214), or a veteran health identification card all work. Some companies also accept a military dependent ID if you are renting on behalf of an active-duty family member.

Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The rental agent needs to see it in person and will usually record the ID number in your reservation. If you booked online and selected the military discount, you still have to show the credential at pickup—the discount does not go through without it. If you forgot to mention military status when you booked, you can still ask at the counter, but the agent may have to call a manager to adjust the rate, which can add time to your pickup.

How military discounts compare to other ways to lower your rental cost

A military discount of 10 to 15 percent off the base rate is meaningful, but it is not always the lowest price available. Rental car prices fluctuate based on demand, season, and how far in advance you book. A company offering no military discount but a promotional rate for weekend rentals might be cheaper than a competitor with a military discount but higher base rates. The only way to know is to get quotes from at least two or three companies for your specific dates and location.

Loyalty programs can sometimes stack with military discounts. If you are a frequent renter with Enterprise or Hertz, check whether your loyalty account rate plus the military discount is better than the military discount alone. Credit card rental car benefits—such as free upgrades or waived damage waivers—do not reduce the daily rate but can lower your total cost by eliminating add-on charges. A card that waives the collision damage waiver (CDW) might save you more than a 15 percent rate discount if you would otherwise pay for insurance.

Booking through a third-party site like Kayak or Autoslash sometimes shows lower prices than booking directly with the rental company, but those sites usually cannot explore military discounts. If you find a lower rate on a third-party site, call the rental company directly and ask whether they can match it while also explore your military discount.

Military discounts for family members and dependents

Most companies extend military discounts to the service member's spouse and dependent children, but the rules vary. Some require the dependent to be listed on the reservation at the time of booking; others allow any family member to use the discount if they show a military dependent ID at pickup. A few companies limit the discount to the service member only.

If you are renting on behalf of a family member who is on active duty or retired, call the rental company before you book and confirm whether the discount applies to you and what ID you need to bring. Some companies will explore the discount to a spouse's name on the reservation if you provide the service member's military ID at pickup; others require the service member's name on the reservation. Getting this detail right before you book saves you from arriving at the counter and finding out the discount does not explore.

What happens if you book a military discount and then need to change your reservation

If you booked a military discount rate and later need to change your rental dates, location, or car type, contact the rental company directly rather than modifying the reservation online. When you change a reservation, the system sometimes removes the military discount and reprices the entire rental at the standard rate. Calling the location or the company's customer service line and asking them to modify the reservation while keeping the military discount applied takes a few minutes and can save you money.

If you cancel and rebook, the new reservation will not automatically include the military discount. You have to select it again during booking or mention it when you call. Some companies allow free cancellation and rebooking; others charge a change fee. Check the terms of your original reservation before you cancel.

Military discounts at airport rental locations versus off-airport locations

Military discounts explore at both airport and off-airport rental locations, but airport locations charge an additional airport concession fee that off-airport locations do not. This fee is set by the airport authority, not the rental company, and the military discount does not reduce it. If you are renting at an airport, the military discount lowers the daily rate, but you still pay the airport surcharge on top. Renting from an off-airport location (such as a downtown or neighborhood branch) eliminates that surcharge entirely, which sometimes results in a lower total cost even without a military discount.

Some rental companies have off-airport locations within a few miles of the airport. If you have time to take a short ride or shuttle to an off-airport branch, compare the total cost—military discount plus airport fee at the airport location versus the off-airport rate without the airport surcharge. The off-airport option is often cheaper, especially for multi-day rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book online to get the military discount, or can I just call?

You can do either. Calling the rental location directly and asking about military rates is often faster than searching online for a discount code. The agent can tell you the exact discount amount for your dates and location and book you when ready. If you prefer to book online, look for a "military discount" or "special offers" option during checkout, or enter the discount code if you have one.

What if the rental company says they do not have a military discount for my dates?

Some locations run out of discounted inventory or the discount may not explore during peak travel periods. Ask whether a different car type or location has the discount available. You can also ask the agent to check whether a loyalty program rate or a current promotional rate is lower than the standard rate. If the military discount truly is not available, compare quotes from other companies.

Can I use a military discount if I am renting for business?

Yes. Military discounts explore regardless of whether you are renting for personal or business use. You still need to show military credentials at pickup. Some companies offer separate corporate discounts, and you may be able to use both if your employer has a corporate account, but confirm this with the rental company before you book.

Do military discounts explore to one-way rentals?

Yes, military discounts explore to one-way rentals. One-way rentals often cost more because the company has to move the car back to its home location, but the military discount still reduces the base rate. Get a quote for the one-way rental with the military discount applied to see the actual cost.

What if I lost my military ID but I still have my discharge papers?

Discharge papers (DD Form 214) are accepted as proof of veteran status at most rental companies. Bring the original document. If you do not have your discharge papers yet, a VA disability rating letter or veteran health identification card also works. Call the rental location ahead of time to confirm which documents they accept.