I got the following from the Personal Finance Management Program here in Iwakuni; tips on restaurants, stores and others who offer military discounts in the States. 

It never hurts to ask.  I remember once I was shopping at Kragen auto parts, I had a bunch of oil & other supplies. The cashier saw my retired ID card in my wallet and volunteered that they had a 10% military discount.  Who knew?  I ended up saving about $10. 

I almost always ask this at hotels, and often in restaurants; it works more often than you might think.  Not every branch of each vendor will offer a discount.  Also, as the article says, military discount doesn't always mean the cheapest price (esp airlines).  There are times when a special sale price is lower than military discount, or AAA, or other discount.

Check it out...

http://www.military-money-matters.c...ounts.html

I ask all over. In fact, last year when we were clothes shopping for our three children at our local outlet mall in California, I asked at EVERY store where we made purchases. I would say about 3/4th of them said yes that day. I ended up saving over one hundred dollars. I figure it never hurts to ask.

I've also had great luck since I returned back stateside with vendors finding out we were military. Our rental car was upgraded to a nicer model with GPS. We received an upgrade on our hotel room, etc etc. it's really heartwarming when people say "thank you for you service". And unexpected when they take care of you.

A lot of the stores you'd never think would offer the discount do. Like hot topic --you can even use your star card online and get the discount. Every little bit helps, right?

Thanks for the information! I never thought to ask at retail stores.

I always ask. Most stores do not advertise but they will typically give you approx 15% off. It never hurts to ask.

Gaiijin,  Just bought your book on Main base and I LOVE it already.  I was recomended by a friend.  I actually bought 2.  Sending one to the family we are sponsoring that is coming in this summer.  Thanks for all the time and effort you put into it.

always ask....I have been told by a few places....Fossil, Bose, Coach....that they do not offer a military discount because they offer their products at the Exchange, so I try to use that rule of thumb......however, my husband still asks....they can only say no!

Posted By Orthomom on 05-31-2012 8:31 AM
Gaiijin,  Just bought your book on Main base and I LOVE it already.  I was recomended by a friend.  I actually bought 2.  Sending one to the family we are sponsoring that is coming in this summer.  Thanks for all the time and effort you put into it.

what book is this?!  I didn't know a JB member wrote a book that's for sale here.... I'm curious! 

Heres good info, United Airlines will automatically upgrade you to Economy Plus if you show your military ID. Even leaving Narita.

hmmm... I'm a retiree flying out of Guam on Sunday on UA. I'll see if they will do it for me too. Great tip! Last time, they wouldn't even give me the exit row.

I've done it twice in the last week, and since no one wants to pay to fly Economy Plus, I had whole rows to myself. It was great. Make sure to ask. Good luck.

NavyWife86, the Gaijin Guide is at Tukusan Treasures on the main base. It is 14.95 (I think). It's a great book. The store might still be open today (Thursday).

Through 31 DEC 2012, any member of active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman will receive free admission to one of the Anheuser-Busch
parks across the country through the Here's to the Heroes program. The offer is valid for one complimentary single- day admission per person, per year, to one of the following SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment parks:

- SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Williamsburg
- Sesame Place
- Adventure Island
- Water Country USA

This offer is not valid at Discovery Cove or Aquatica parks or for separate ticketed events including Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Tampa, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa and A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place. You must register, which can be done at the park entrance or online ahead of time at the website http://www.herosalute.com . Up to three dependents may accompany the servicemember. Valid military identification reflecting active status and dependent ID(s) are required.

Service members and their families will be able to enter all of America's national parks free of charge for a year under an initiative announced 15 MAY. The pass – the
America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass, which normally costs $80 – became available to service members and their dependents on Armed Forces Day, 19 MAY. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made the announcement, along with National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, at a ceremony at Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Va., the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. The area surrounding the park hosts installations from all the military services, including the world's largest naval base. "I think when one goes into Virginia and you see all the sites, the Yorktown battlefield and the whole history of the country, it's important that those who have fought in the tradition of making sure the nation's democracy and freedom are protected also have access to these wonderful sites there," Salazar said yesterday in a conference call with reporters.

The passes allow the holder and passengers in a single private vehicle access to some 2,000 sites that charge per vehicle. At sites where entrance fees are charged per person, it covers the pass owner and three adults age 16 and older.

Posted By Justanotheryokosailor on 05-31-2012 1:27 PM
Heres good info, United Airlines will automatically upgrade you to Economy Plus if you show your military ID. Even leaving Narita.

Hmm, I'm curious to know if this applies to dependents as well

btw, I tried it with United flying from Guam to Narita. My bad luck -- the plane had no Economy Plus seats so it didn't work. I tried smooth-talking my way into Business Class, which gave the ticket agent a good laugh. :-(

Ok, here is an ANTI-discount. I'm looking to rent a car for 8 days in July at Honolulu airport. I go on Expedia, and with no special codes or discounts I get a compact for $372 at Thrifty including taxes & fees.

Then I remember, hey USAA has a member discount shopping program! I visit my friendly USAA website, find their car rental deals page (they have 4 companies to choose from), choose Budget which is usually the cheaper of the four, enter the special BCD number (discount code) and presto! That same compact is $515.75.

Are you serious? I guess USAA just doesn't have that much buying power or something. I'll stick with my Expedia deal.

Here's a little known secret............

Call the Enterprise office on HICKAM AFB and reserve the vehicle, it's so much cheaper.

1.  Military discount
2. You don't get nailed with the HNL taxes

The downside is they have no shuttle service to Hickam so you have to catch a cab for about 20.00 but the cars are much - much less.

Please check it out if you want to save some money.


http://www.enterprise.com/car_renta...mp;cnty=US

<form>>

1. Dates & Times

• Start http://www.enterprise.com/car_renta...mp;cnty=US#" id="calendarIconStart">
  End http://www.enterprise.com/car_renta...mp;cnty=US#" id="calendarIconEnd">  Loyalty Programs

</form>

Thanks for the trip. I meant to ask about car rentals on base but forgot.  Anyway, I followed your link, plugged my dates, and here's what I got.  If you can read the fine print, my compact car comes to $321 with taxes and fees.  Add to that $50 for 2 cab rides (to pick up & drop off) and it's the same prices I get from Expedia.  If you factor in the inconvenience compared to an airport pickup, it's not a bargain at all.

I'll keep checking back cuz rates change all the time.  I remember one time saving a hundred bucks when I found a better rate a week later so maybe I'll end up with a better deal. Anyway, my main point is I'm kinda P-O'd at USAA offering such a horrible deal on their Member's Only page.  I'm glad I compared.

Hey Thaiguy - what about the insurance? USAA rate includes the insurance (full coverage) & additional drivers iirc, which Expedia doesn't. I mean it doesn't really matter if you have car insurance that covers you stateside AND in a rental car, but I don't so I usually go with the USAA.

My credit card gives me full insurance. I always decline the optional rental insurance.  Still, it's a good point when comparing apples to oranges.  If you did have to buy insurance, perhaps USAA is a better deal. 

Does the economy plus apply to dependents as well?

Posted By Akakmg on 11-27-2012 6:38 PM
Does the economy plus apply to dependents as well?

I think yes, if they are traveling with the sponsor.  If traveling alone, you can always ask.

As long as we're on the the subject, did anyone know that it's always been Home Depot's policy to give a 10% discount to military, including retirees? I found out by accident when a cashier saw my ID card and told me. It was great, but annoying to think of all the thousands I've spent at HD over the years and never knew about the discount.

Here is Hawaii there is a chain of family restaurants called Anna Miller (great pie!) They have a sign right by the cash register stating a 10% discount for military (active & retired). There is one in walking distance from my house so we get the discount often.

Anyone who recently purchased a ticket with military discounts? Where? Where can you purchase a cheap airline ticket?

This is worthy of an entirely different discussion. Anyway, I rarely use military discount. I usually find I can find cheaper fares just from shopping on Expedia.

Posted By Akakmg on 12-01-2012 5:12 PM
Anyone who recently purchased a ticket with military discounts? Where? Where can you purchase a cheap airline ticket?

Militaryfares.com booked a compared prices for an upcoming flight and saved over $800. 

Posted By Gaijin Detail on 12-01-2012 7:51 PM

Posted By Akakmg on 12-01-2012 5:12 PM
Anyone who recently purchased a ticket with military discounts? Where? Where can you purchase a cheap airline ticket?

Militaryfares.com booked a compared prices for an upcoming flight and saved over $800. 

Gaijin, could you please post details of that flight, and the price?  I'm intrigued and would like to compare.

I just ran the numbers against some tickets I recently purchased and I don't see any savings there.

Best price using that website:

US$

5482.80

I paid a little less when I booked the same flight through ITT back when they booked leisure travel.

You can get 10% off daily at:

Michaels (in most of them some are only 1 day a week)
Express
J. Crew
Gap
Levi (20% at some!)
White House Black Market Outlets
The Limited
Victoria's Secret (most of them)
Talbots
Hobby Lobby
Ann Taylor
The Loft

And these are just some of the retail stores here in South Carolina that do it.  There are many more.  I always just show my military ID instead of my licsense when paying with my card, that way I don't have to ask and they normally just offer!

Posted By KatM on 06-13-2012 10:23 AM

Posted By Justanotheryokosailor on 05-31-2012 1:27 PM
Heres good info, United Airlines will automatically upgrade you to Economy Plus if you show your military ID. Even leaving Narita.

Hmm, I'm curious to know if this applies to dependents as well

It applies to any booking made via official DOD channels.  United, Delta and AA offer it.  Most o them do it automatically.

How did I find this out?  I was on a code-share flight where JAL was the operating carrier and they did it automatically.  Every flight since then, I've mentioned it to UA, DL, AA, JAL or ANA counter workers when it appeared it didn't happen. And everytime... they did the upgrade for me.

Be careful of Delta though.  They are sneaky.  Counter workers will tell you they can't do that.  Just go to the check-in kiosk, select 'change seat', and select one of the "plus" seats.  When the time comes for the upgrade payment, you'll notice the charge is $0.00.  Done this twice since I learned of it.

My spouse, twice traveling alone and without me, had it happen as well.  Doesn't matter the traveling status, the key appears to be "travel booked by an official DOD" agent (CTO, SATO, etc.)