2026 military – A wide range of airlines, hotels, theme parks and cruise lines are offering discounts and benefits for eligible U.S. military members, veterans and their families heading into 2026—from 15% hotel savings and early boarding perks to military-themed attractions
For military families planning 2026, the travel calendar is starting to look a little lighter—at least when the offers apply. Across hotels. airlines. theme parks. train routes and cruises. businesses are laying out deals that range from percentage discounts and waived fees to onboard credits and free-entry promotions. often with specific rules on who qualifies and how to book.
Hotels and resorts are among the most straightforward places to start. B Hotels & Resorts is offering a “B Saluted” discount of 15% off regular rates. plus two welcome drinks per stay. for military members. veterans and their families. Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Curacao and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are running a 10% “Honoring Our Heroes” discount for eligible U.S. military members and veterans.
Several chains structure discounts through loyalty programs or booking menus. Best Western properties across the U.S. offer discounted rates for veterans, military members and government personnel. Through Best Western’s Service Rewards program—described as a free award program tailored to military and armed forces members—members can get an automatic upgrade to Gold status and bonus points on qualified stays.
Choice Hotels is offering discounted rates for official and leisure travel to active-duty and retired military personnel. their dependents and members of several military associations. When searching. travelers are directed to open the “Rate” drop-down menu and choose “Military/Veterans (Leisure)” for leisure travel or “Government/Military (Official Business Travel)” for work travel.
Some of the biggest headline numbers come from the size of certain hotel discounts. Great Wolf Lodge says it offers up to 40% off nightly rates for active. retired and veteran military members through its “Howling Heroes” offer. valid for up to four guests per room. Hyatt’s discount ranges from 10% to 15% off standard rate at participating hotels, with booking tied to the offer code “MILVET.”.
Elsewhere, eligibility and mechanics are built into how rates are selected. At Hilton. there are separate discounts for official and leisure military travel. with travelers told to check “Government and military rates” for official military travel. For leisure travel, Hilton points travelers to its Military Family Rate page and to search for destination and dates.
At IHG—brands including InterContinental. Holiday Inn. Crowne Plaza and Kimpton—a military rate is available at participating locations worldwide for active-duty military personnel. veterans. retired military personnel and their families. Marriott Bonvoy says government and military rates are available for government and military personnel. accessed by choosing “Government & Military” from the “Special Rates” drop-down menu when searching for a stay.
Other hotel deals include Motel 6 and Studio 6’s 10% discount on standard rates to active and retired military personnel; Red Roof’s 10% discount on official travel at any U.S. location for active-duty personnel. plus an additional 10% discount on leisure travel for all government employees and military members. veterans and retirees; and Wyndham’s discounts of up to 15% off best available rate for active and retired military personnel. veterans and their families. along with automatic Gold-level status for qualifying military personnel and their spouses when enrolled in Wyndham Rewards.
Airlines are leaning into both discounts and day-of-travel perks. Alaska Airlines. in some markets. offers discounted military fares to active-duty military personnel and dependents when travelers call 800-252-7522 to purchase tickets. and it also offers discounts through the WeSalute+ program. The airline’s uniformed active-duty benefits include early boarding. free checked bags up to five. 15% off inflight food purchases and complimentary day passes to visit an Alaska Lounge; other active-duty personnel can purchase a discounted lounge day pass for $30.
Allegiant Air’s Allegiant Honors program provides up to two pieces of checked baggage for free for U.S. active-duty and reserve military members. military veterans. National Guard members and dependents. and it waives typical fees for oversized checked baggage. a carry-on bag. printing a boarding pass at the airport. bringing a pet on board. seat assignments and change or cancellation fees due to a change in orders or directives. It also allows qualifying service members to board early.
American Airlines says government or military fares are available in some markets, but booking requires a call to 800-433-7300. Veterans and their families can access reduced fares through WeSalute+. while active-duty military members get Group 1 boarding privileges and up to five free checked bags when traveling on orders and up to three free checked bags for leisure. with weight restrictions applied.
Delta Air Lines offers discounted fares not available to the general public through Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 and also provides priority boarding and free checked baggage to active-duty military members. with allowed bag numbers depending on travel type and fare type and with size and weight restrictions to follow.
Frontier Airlines’ approach is different: it typically charges for carry-on and checked baggage, but active-duty armed forces, National Guard and Reserve members, their accompanying spouse and children can receive a free carry-on bag, two free checked bags and one free personal item.
JetBlue’s offer includes a 5% discount on base fares for active-duty military personnel traveling for business or leisure. and for government-sponsored business travelers. booking via 800-538-2583 to receive the discount and up to five free checked bags. Leisure travel military members can get up to two free checked bags. JetBlue says members enrolled in WeSalute+ can also receive a 5% discount on base fares and up to two free checked bags for eligible military and their families.
Even when discounts are modest, the operational benefits stand out. Southwest Airlines offers special fares for military and government travelers that require calling 800-435-9792 or visiting the airport ticket counter. Active-duty military traveling on active duty boards before Group 1 and is exempt from the two-piece baggage limit.
United Airlines adds priority boarding and United Club lounge access to active-duty military members traveling in uniform, while offering a 5% discount on United-operated flights for U.S. military veterans, active-duty military members, National Guard and Reserve members and their families.
Those who prefer trains have a clear option: Amtrak offers a 10% discount on the lowest available fare in select fare classes for active-duty U.S. military personnel, spouses and dependents. Travelers are told to select “Military” for each eligible passenger during Fare Finder searches. and Amtrak says it welcomes uniformed military personnel to the front of the ticket line.
Theme parks and attractions are also building military-focused access and pricing. SeaWorld. Busch Gardens. Aquatica and Sesame Place parks offer discounted tickets through the Waves of Honor program to active-duty military members and veterans. Disneyland offers discounted one-, three- and four-day Disney Military Promotional tickets for active and retired U.S. military personnel. with three- and four-day tickets including access to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure each day. and a one-day ticket valid for entry to one park only excluding blackout dates. Pricing starts at $98, and tickets must be purchased at a participating U.S. military base ticket office or through govx.com. with theme park reservations required and an additional note that hotel discounts are available by calling 866-309-9737.
Universal Orlando Resort offers a Military Freedom Pass promotional ticket to all active-duty and retired service members. with ticket prices starting at $220 for unlimited admission between now and Dec. 18. 2026. blackout dates apply. each eligible service member can purchase up to six promotional tickets and the purchase must be made through a participating authorized military ticket and travel office. It also says military members can purchase discounted tickets to the new Universal Epic Universe park.
Walt Disney World’s offers include discounted hotel rates and specially priced theme park tickets. with military members able to purchase a Military Salute ticket starting at $409 for a four-day ticket. $429 for a five-day ticket and $449 for a six-day ticket using Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus. A special ticket valid for multiple visits through Dec. 18, 2026 starts at $499, blackout dates apply, and theme park reservations are required. Tickets must be purchased at a participating U.S. military base ticket office.
Other parks add time-bound and anniversary-style perks. Silver Dollar City. honoring America’s 250th anniversary. says active duty military personnel can enjoy unlimited visits to Silver Dollar City and the adjacent White Water water park for all of 2026 with the free Active Military Passport. Silver Dollar City also offers a ticket discount to active or retired military personnel. veterans and military reservists. along with spouses and dependent children (ages 4-17) living in their households. It adds that the park invites all military members and veterans to help raise the American flag during the park’s daily opening ceremony and gives service members a red. white and blue ribbon to wear in the park.
Vail Resorts is tying its discount to National Military Appreciation Month with an Epic Military Pass discount. Prices start at just $215 for unlimited skiing at more than 40 Vail Resorts. with discounts on family passes. food. lodging. gear rentals and more. The booking deadline is May 25, 2026, for the deepest discount.
Cruises round out the picture with onboard credits, discounted rates and, in some cases, free fare programs. AmaWaterways says it offers active and retired service members either $250 off a river cruise or two-for-one cruise fares on select 2026 sailings when using the code “MIL250” or “MIL2FOR1” when booking.
Carnival Cruise Line offers discounted cruise rates, onboard credits and reduced deposits for active and retired members of the armed forces, and it notes some ships have a Heroes Tribute Lounge and that every ship holds a military appreciation gathering for service members and their families.
Celebrity Cruises lists savings of $25 on inside and ocean-view cabins and $100 on veranda cabins and above on select sailings, with the discount combining with other current promotions and applying to the first and second guests in the cabin.
Disney Cruise Line offers special rates to all military members. active and retired. and their spouses. available only on select sailings. For America’s 250th anniversary, Disney Cruise Line says it is offering a $250 onboard credit for eligible U.S. military personnel on select Disney Wish and Disney Dream sailings in 2026.
MSC Cruises offers discounted fares to all active and retired U.S. military personnel and family members traveling with them, with a 5% discount on interior and ocean-view cabins, 10% on balcony and suite cabins, and a “kids sail free” promotion on select sailings.
Margaritaville at Sea says it honors active and veteran military members with a free cruise through the Heroes Sail Free program. On select sailings. military members and an additional guest in the same cabin can get a free fare. with taxes and fees not included; a third and fourth guest can be added at the regular fare. On all other sailings, military members can save 20% off the retail fare for the first four guests in the cabin.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Military Appreciation program provides exclusive benefits, with members receiving up to a 20% discount on select sailings. Princess Cruises offers up to $250 free onboard spending money on select Princess Cruises sailings for veterans and active. retired and disabled military personnel. with the onboard credit usable for specialty dining. onboard boutiques. shore excursions. spa treatments and more.
Royal Caribbean offers military rates to active and retired personnel. veterans and their spouses. with discounted rates also applying to friends and family members staying in the same cabin as the eligible service member; it says the best way to access the discounted rate is booking through a travel agent or booking directly by phone.
A final word sits plainly at the bottom of the broader offer list: eligibility rules vary. and requirements for family members. spouses and dependents can differ from deal to deal. The message is consistent across hotels and airlines as well—proof of eligibility is often required. and travelers are encouraged not to leave home without military ID. veteran ID. dependent ID. orders and/or other documentation.
Between the hotels that ask travelers to select specific menu options and the airlines that require booking by phone. one theme keeps surfacing: the discount exists. but it isn’t automatic. With 2026 travel plans already in motion. the practical task for service members and their families is to match the right booking path to the right offer—before the trip date arrives.
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