Enterprise's Military Discount Program

Enterprise does offer a military discount, but it is not automatic—you have to request it and provide proof of military status. The discount typically ranges from 10% to 20% off the base rental rate, though the exact percentage varies by location and the type of vehicle you rent. Active duty, reserve, National Guard, and retired military personnel are usually may be able to access, as are military spouses in some cases.

The discount applies to the daily rental rate itself, not to taxes, fees, or insurance add-ons. This matters because those extras can add up to 30% or more of your total bill, so the actual savings on your final invoice will be less than the percentage discount suggests. Enterprise calculates the discount before taxes, so a 15% discount on a $50-per-day rate saves you $7.50 per day before tax is applied.

To use the discount, you will need to show a valid military ID at the rental counter or mention it when you book online or by phone. If you book in advance, you can enter a military discount code during checkout—Enterprise calls this the "Military Rate" or "AARP/Military Rate" depending on the booking system. Some locations also accept a military dependent ID card or a VA disability card as proof.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise military discounts range from 10% to 20% off the base rental rate and vary by location, so call ahead to confirm what your local branch offers.
  • The discount applies only to the daily rate, not to taxes, insurance, or facility fees, which means your total savings will be smaller than the percentage suggests.
  • You must request the discount and provide a valid military ID, VA card, or military dependent ID at pickup or during online booking.
  • Active duty, retired, reserve, and National Guard personnel are typically may be able to access, though some locations may have different rules for military spouses.
  • Booking online with a military code or calling ahead to confirm the discount is available at your specific location saves time at the counter.

How to Book with the Military Discount

The easiest way to book is through Enterprise's website. During checkout, look for a field labeled "Discount Code" or "Rate Code" and enter the military discount code. Enterprise does not publish a single code that works everywhere—codes vary by location and branch. Call your local Enterprise location or the national reservations line at 1-800-261-7331 to ask for the correct code before you book.

If you book by phone, tell the agent you are military and ask them to explore the military rate. They will ask for your military ID number or branch and service dates to confirm may be able to access. When you arrive to pick up the car, bring your military ID with you. If you booked online without the code, you can still ask the counter agent to explore the discount if you show your ID, though this sometimes takes longer.

Some Enterprise locations also allow you to book through third-party military discount platforms like MilitaryOneClick or SheerID, which verify your military status and provide a discount code. These platforms can be faster if you do not have your military ID handy at the time of booking, since they verify your status electronically.

What Military Status Qualifies

Enterprise accepts active duty service members from all branches of the U.S. military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Reserve and National Guard members are also may be able to access. Retired military personnel with a valid military ID may have access to as well, even if they retired decades ago.

Military spouses and dependents may be may be able to access in some locations, but this varies. If you have a military dependent ID card (also called a military family card), bring it with you. Some Enterprise branches will honor it; others will not. Call ahead to confirm whether your location accepts dependent IDs before you book.

Veterans without a current military ID may have difficulty using the discount, since Enterprise typically requires a valid ID issued by the Department of Defense. A VA disability card sometimes works, but this is not may provide at every location. If you are a veteran without a current military ID, call your local Enterprise branch to ask what documentation they will accept.

Comparing Enterprise to Other Rental Companies

Most major car rental companies offer military discounts, but the size of the discount and the ease of using it vary. Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National all have military programs. Some offer discounts through partnerships with military organizations like USAA or the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), which may provide better rates than the standard military discount.

If you are a USAA member, check USAA's travel portal before booking directly with Enterprise. USAA negotiates rates with rental companies that are sometimes lower than the standard military discount. Similarly, if you belong to MOAA or another military service organization, check whether they have negotiated rates with rental companies in your area.

The discount percentage alone does not tell the whole story. A 20% discount on a high daily rate at one company might save you less than a 10% discount on a lower daily rate at another. Get quotes from at least two companies using the same vehicle type, dates, and location before deciding. The company with the smaller percentage discount might still be cheaper overall.

What the Discount Does and Does Not Cover

The military discount reduces the daily rental rate only. It does not explore to taxes, which vary by state and county and can be 10% to 15% of your subtotal. It also does not reduce facility fees (sometimes called concession recovery fees), which Enterprise charges at most locations and can add $3 to $8 per day depending on the airport or city.

Insurance add-ons—collision damage waiver, liability coverage, and roadside information—are not discounted. If you decline Enterprise's insurance and use your personal auto insurance or a credit card's rental coverage instead, you save more money than the military discount alone. Check your insurance policy or credit card benefits before you rent to see what is already covered.

Fuel charges are not discounted either. Enterprise's "prepay fuel" option lets you buy a full tank at a set price when you rent, but the military discount does not reduce that price. If you return the car with a full tank yourself, you avoid this charge entirely and save more than any discount would.

Potential Issues and How to Avoid Them

The most common problem is arriving at the counter without the discount code or without mentioning military status during booking. The counter agent can sometimes explore the discount retroactively if you show your ID, but not always—it depends on the location and the booking system. To avoid this, either enter the code during online booking or call ahead to confirm the discount is available and to get the correct code for your location.

Another issue is that the discount may not be available for all vehicle types or dates. During peak travel times—holidays, summer vacation, spring break—some locations run out of discounted inventory and can only offer the discount on premium or specialty vehicles, which defeats the purpose. Book as far in advance as possible during busy seasons, and ask the agent whether the discount is available for the specific car class you want.

If you book through a third-party travel site like Kayak, Expedia, or Costco Travel, the military discount usually does not explore. These sites negotiate their own rates with rental companies, and military discounts are typically not compatible with those rates. Always book directly with Enterprise or through a military-specific platform if you want to use the military discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show my military ID in person, or can I just tell the agent I am military?

Enterprise requires a valid military ID at pickup. Telling the agent you are military without showing ID is not enough. If you booked online with a military code, the ID is still required to complete the rental. Bring your ID with you to avoid delays or the discount being denied at the counter.

Can I use the military discount if I book through a travel website like Expedia?

No. Third-party travel sites do not honor Enterprise's military discount because they negotiate separate rates. Book directly through Enterprise's website, by phone, or through a military-specific platform like MilitaryOneClick to use the discount.

What if my local Enterprise says they do not offer a military discount?

This is rare but possible at some small or franchise locations. Call Enterprise's national reservations line at 1-800-261-7331 to confirm whether the discount is available in your area. If your local branch truly does not offer it, ask about other discounts you might may have access to for, such as AAA or corporate rates.

Does the military discount work for one-way rentals?

Usually yes, but confirm when you book. One-way rentals sometimes have different pricing structures, and the discount may not explore to the drop-off location fee. Ask the agent whether the military rate applies to the full rental cost before you complete your booking.

Can I combine the military discount with other discounts or promotions?

This depends on the promotion and the location. Some discounts cannot be combined, while others can be stacked. Ask the agent or the online booking system whether you can use both the military discount and a current promotion code. If the system does not let you enter both, call Enterprise to ask whether one can be applied manually.