We’re coming up on summer, and you know what that means: vacation. If you’re looking to celebrate, try something new, or just get your family out of the house, your military ID can help you do it without breaking the bank.
Here are nine military vacation deals that will help you plan your summer escape.
Armed Forces Vacation Club
The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a “space available” program that offers discount vacations to military and other Defense Department personnel. Membership is free to all service members, veterans, and DoD employees, and includes packages across the United States, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Many of the deals through the club are all-inclusive.
Related: 10 Restaurants With The Best Military Discounts
Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International boasts more than 6,300 locations globally. You might recognize them better by their subsidiaries, which include Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Comfort Suites, and Rodeway Inn. The company’s discount is 15% off booking for active-duty military, national guard, reserves, and military families.
Hard Rock Hotels
Hard Rock Hotels offer up to a 15% discount to military families depending on availability. Many of the deals are all-inclusive, and the resorts can be found all over the world. In fact, there are 191 Hard Rock locations in 59 countries, including 157 cafes, 22 hotels, and 11 casinos.
Southwest Airlines
A favorite among service members traveling domestically, Southwest reportedly treats the military very well. Though discounts are not shown online, they have a hotline at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA where you can call to confirm.
American Airlines
Like Southwest, American Airlines lets military families check up to three bags for free. It also offers discounts on tickets, which vary by city. It has a number, 1-800-433-7300, which allows service members, veteran, and military families to check for discounts in destination cities.
Hertz Rent A Car
While all rental car companies offer military discounts, Hertz is by far the most generous. For service members and veterans, it waives loss damage waiver and the collision damage waiver insurance, additional driver fees, unlimited mileage fees, underage driver fees, and gives space available upgrades.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival is the largest cruise line in the world. Discounted rates for military members currently start as low as $172 per person. What’s more, the company offers specials for Military Appreciation Month, although you’ll have to wait until next May to use them. The 25 ships in Carnival’s fleet boast Las Vegas-style decor with similar show styles. With Carnival, the cruises mostly travel through the Caribbean and the Bahamas, but also have some ships that venture to Alaska or Europe.
Disney Cruise Line
If you’re willing to book a cruise on a 30 to 60-day notice basis, Disney boasts some great deals. The military rates start at as low as $250 per person. This is a great vacation to consider if you have younger children. Meals are included, and there are parties for adults and clubs for kids. Some of the cruises even do a land and sea combination that allows you to spend days at Disney World.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean offers special prices for active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Prices for tours through the Bahamas start as low as $184 per person. The company also owns Celebrity Cruises as a subsidiary, which means if you choose this line, you might be able to sail with your favorite stars.