I always get excited to be able to use a military discount. Most places that do them offer about 10% off but there are a few that offer more. Sometimes bigger places like amusement parks will have free days or 50% off of tickets for those in the military.
Sometimes all you need is a military ID, it doesn’t matter if you are a military spouse or not. Other times the military discount is only for the service member.
We should thank businesses for having a military discount instead of getting upset at them for not offering the military discount to the military spouse too.
Most of the time I only ask for a military discount if I have heard that there is one at the location that I am in. Every once in a while I might just ask on a whim. Sometimes I feel a little odd about asking even though I know there is really no harm in asking for a military discount. Some people think asking is being greedy but I see it as a way to save money.
When I turn 55 I will start asking about a senior discount and I don’t see anything wrong with that either.
You would never demand a discount but asking for one politely shouldn’t be an issue.
The service member is benefiting from the money that is saved, whether they are using the discount themselves or not. And isn’t that the point of the discount? To give back to those who serve?
By giving the discount to the spouse too, the business is helping the service member save their money. Offering a military discount is a way to support military families and can make a spouse choose one restaurant over another because they offer the discount.
When I hear that a business only gives a discount to the person who has signed up to join the military, I don’t get mad at that policy, but in some cases it can be frustrating.
For example, if a company is giving out the discount and your spouse is deployed. There is no way for them to use the discount.
In those cases a military discount would be great if the spouse got the discount since the service member could not, especially if the reason is that they are deployed or away for any type of military training. A discount is a great way for a business to say thank you for your service and what better way to do that then to help save them money during a deployment.
I also can understand that offering a military discount can be hard to do if you have a business and having the military discount be only for the service member could be the only way they can even offer the discount in the first place. Since not every business offers them, complaining to the business about the details of their discount would be rude.
We should be thanking them for having one in the first place instead of getting upset at them for not giving the military discount to the spouse too.
I think asking for a discount is perfectly OK for a military spouse to do. Claiming a discount is a way to save a little money and we all know that military paychecks could be higher. The company might say no or they might have limitations on the discount so that it can not be used by the spouse.
Either way asking does not hurt and once you find out about a discount you will know to use it every time you go to that location.
I do not get upset if they do not offer it. They really do not have too. Some companies will offer it on the door sign. It will say discount applies for military spouses also. I think we are all in it together so I do not mind asking once in a while. It really helps out a lot especially if you have more than one kid. I definitely appreciate the stores that offer it.
I ask for the military discount. I’m always shopping for my husband, so I feel that even though I’m the spouse I am asking as his representative. I have yet to come across any business that only gives the discount the the service member only. Some businesses I’ve came across do have the military discount, and to those I always try to speak with a manager to emphasize my thanks for providing it. For businesses that don’t I just say, “that’s ok, I just like to check.” and will smile. I am a person that if a business will offer military discounts I will generally shop more there because I feel they are more supportive of military service members and what they do for our country.
I go ahead and ask. I don’t see it as any different from asking if there is a discount for paying cash, or making sure they add in your Tuesday 10% discount that some places do. That being said, I think it is important to be super polite when asking for a discount, because 1) they are giving us a gift and 2) we are representing the service when we do this.
I’ve felt uncomfortable at times when I have previously gotten a military discount no problem at a business and then later they tell me its for the service member only…it’s a little awkward since it used to be available. But most of the time I forget to ask!
I am a retired service member and seldom remember to ask for a military discount; but, I encourage all spouses to seek and enjoy any military discounts or perks the retailers offer. My wife recently discovered that the Military Lodging policies had changed and the sponsor was no longer required for the spouse to use the lodging. A military ID was the only requirement. It’s been a great benefit at Barbers Point and Bellows Air Station on Oahu. She has had wonderful trips with close friends without the sponsor (me) in tow.
I believe the spouse is in the military along with the service member and deserves as much or more recognition for his or her support of the service member and the military.
My husband served for over 30 years, sometimes for 1 year or longer. We have 3 beautiful children, but raising them 3500 miles away from family on an island is not an easy task. The whole family makes sacrifices. So I definitely think that spouses are entitled to the discount. They gave up many things for this country, so that active duty one could the mission at hand. This is 2015 spouses of active duty military may kiss them good bye in the morning & get a phone call in just an hour, saying I am leaving not sure for how long. Also I can’t tell you where my destination is. I will contact when I can. All my love to everyone!
I’m a Veteran and sometimes I too can get a military/veterans discount at stores, museums, on the train or Greyhound bus and at attractions. I too have been through the whole awkward bit about it being for active duty only. That is annoying since I do not get much money on disability after rent and utilities get paid for. Still I ask for it because it does save me considerable money when shopping or traveling. The most awkward moment was when I brought an old school friend to visit a museum in Boston and he gleefully sang out that I was not a military/veteran when I was paying for the entrance fee. I did not get a discount where I might have even though I had an ID. Closest I came to slapping my friend across the face. I quickly learned why I was the only kid at school who would remain his friend. Still like a spouse of the military I’ve been questioned or given a limited discount at some places. I mostly only shop at places that offer a full discount and little hassle. Let them benefit from my business opposed to places that refuse to give me the discount or cause an issue about it.
I am one of the lucky ones, My spouse is my dependent but she is retired in in own right. So if we get the member only she pulls out her blue card.
No i don’t get upset. Because i can use either my retured military id or my dependant id. Like you said be thankful that stores honor us period.
One way I have found to get around the blatant asking for a discount, is to show my ID when I use a credit card. Many store employees will stop the transaction, tell me there is a discount and add it into the order. This is to say, those stores I may not have otherwise known had a discount.
I believe that military spouses and even children should be eligible for the discount. We are lucky we have retired in a military community with 2 AF bases nearby. Most business here give the military discount to everyone even in the family but a few have told me only to Active Duty. I know they are the ones that went through the AF but what about retirees that served 30 years. Don’t they deserve to have the military discount also, the families give up a lot moving from base to base and we are there to support our guy/gal in the military, I think people just don’t realize the sacrifices that go along with the military for everyone in the family.
I ask. My husband is retired. Sometimes when you ask, they will tell you whether or not it’s only for active duty. If all you need is a military ID, that place will get more of my business. I appreciate the businesses that will give the discount to the service member’s family members also.