Should military discounts apply to just service members or should they extend to family members as well?

2014-06-19T23:28:46-04:00

Do you believe the military discount we receive should only be used by servicemembers or should it extend to family members who hold a dependent I.D. card? My example is that when my wife travels to Minnesota for school she uses Sun Country Airlines and has never been charged a baggage fee simply by showing her dependent I.D. card. Today my son flew to New York on Sun Country and he was charged baggage fees. The attendant told my wife it is only meant for those with a white card (meaning the servicemember) despite my wife telling her she uses this airline at least twice a year. Had I paid for his bag on line I would have saved $5. I am looking for your thoughts and input as to how you and your family use their I.D. card for military discounts.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 20 at 2014 3:59 AM

2014-06-20T03:59:22-04:00

While the policy of giving a discount to military, veterans, family members, or anyone else for that matter, is solely the discretion of the vendor (and should be), those that do should have a clear, concise, standard to avoid situations such as you described.

Response by SSG William Sutter made Jun 20 at 2014 4:01 AM

2014-06-20T04:01:03-04:00

Absolutely family members too. Even though the family don't put the uniform on they still serve.

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Jun 20 at 2014 9:53 AM

2014-06-20T09:53:30-04:00

While this thread seems to be more geared to military discounts, I get frustrated by those that offer veteran's discounts, because they require some form of ID. Since I am medically separated, but not retired, I no longer have a CAC card. I am not going to carry around a copy of my DD 214 on the off-chance that someone is going to give me 10% off on my purchase.

Response by TSgt Vince Grimes made Jun 20 at 2014 2:16 PM

2014-06-20T14:16:40-04:00

I have launched a new start-up called Zulupon (http://www.zulupon.com) that helps bring "Savings For Your Service" to U.S. Armed Forces members in their local areas of assignment. We work to not only seek out businesses that offer military discounts, but also work with and educated local merchants on how they can give back to their local military community. We find that sometimes it's a matter of the business just not knowing enough about the policies and procedures for the military members; for example not knowing that members are not authorized to visit locations in uniform if not on official business or along their "direct route" to and from "work" (we find this with restaurants that offer discounts only to military members in uniforms). At other times we also find that some businesses simply want to appear that they are "military friendly" by offering a discount by either offer a very low discount (say 3%) or make it very difficult for the member to actually utilize the discount (ex: only on Tuesdays between 7 and 8pm in uniform every odd year). Regardless, it is always refreshing to find businesses that welcome the chance to give back to our service men and women, and even better when they are willing to extend their benefits to family members.

Zulupon | A Colorado Springs Military Community Resource

Giving military members and their families a way to connect with their past, present and future assignments like never before.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 19 at 2014 7:56 AM

2014-07-19T07:56:25-04:00

Join this thread as well:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/why-do-spouses-feel-entitled-to-military-discounts?page=1&urlhash=181607#181607

The Professional Military Network | RallyPoint

Find service members and veterans like you, discuss military life, and share professional opportunities on the largest military network.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 19 at 2014 8:03 AM

2014-07-19T08:03:51-04:00

As MSG Wade Huffman stated, as long as everything is spelled out, there should be no issue. We should be grateful that there are companies willing to give us a little something extra, as it's a voluntary offering, and for individuals like TSgt Vince Grimes for helping us to navigate the system. Kudos to all who support us and go above and beyond to show it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2014 1:35 AM

2014-08-28T01:35:49-04:00

I wonder if all businesses stop giving out military discounts, will people still join the military? lol

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 11 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-01-11T11:50:33-05:00

I think they should, I have a Oreilly's here locally that flip flops from I can get a discount with my retired ID to I cannot, to I have to give them the last 3 of my SSN to its some random number they take off my ID card, all of this is done by the same manager, I guess it just depends on how good the sex was the night before? We have gone round and round with this issue and I have no problems with other stores , just this one and just her.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 15 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-09-15T13:32:33-04:00

I think sometimes the policy is not standard and while your wife shows her ID and get the free baggage for whatever reason the person working the baggage check in knew only to give the discount to active duty. While discounts are great I think for many companies that they don't get the word out to their employees correctly on how to handle the discounts for active, reserve, retired, or dependents.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:42 AM

2016-01-04T11:42:55-05:00

I think definitely family should receive some sort of discount. Heck they are the ones who have to 'put up' with our issues as well. Why shouldn't they receive one? If they are alotted a family miliitary ID card, then, hey, give them a little discount too.

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Apr 20 at 2016 3:20 PM

2016-04-20T15:20:41-04:00

absolutely family members serve right along with us and should receive what is offered to us

Response by Georgeann Carter made Jan 4 at 2018 9:49 AM

2018-01-04T09:49:03-05:00

I do believe that such discounts should be for all family members that have an ID. However, policies should be standard for all at each vendor. I appreciate any discount for sure, but consistency makes me want to return as a loyal customer time and time again.

Response by Anna Maria Johnson made Nov 11 at 2020 3:38 PM

2020-11-11T15:38:41-05:00

You might not think it but growing up military messes with our head big time. My dad got out in 1995 and I’m still looking to move every 2-3 years and can’t keep friends longer than that.