Key takeaways
- For personal or off-duty trips, Enterprise offers a Government Leisure Travel discount that reporting puts at 5 percent off the base rate.
- Eligibility reportedly includes active-duty military, veterans, retired federal employees and current U.S. federal employees, with no military association membership needed.
- The percentage applies to the base rate only, so taxes, fees, surcharges and optional extras are not reduced.
- Official travel on orders uses a separate set of contracted government rates with their own benefits.
- You select the government rate when you book and may be asked for military or government ID at pickup.
- Enterprise does not publish a leisure promo code for this program; a “code” on a coupon site is not how it works.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car does offer a military discount, and it is built into the booking process rather than handed out as a coupon. Reporting based on Enterprise’s own program description says military members, veterans and federal employees can choose a Government Leisure Travel rate, which takes a percentage off the base rental rate, while service members traveling on orders use separate Official Government Travel rates. This guide explains the difference, how to book each one, what the discount does and does not cover, and where people tend to go wrong.
Quick answer
- For personal or off-duty trips, Enterprise offers a Government Leisure Travel discount that reporting puts at 5 percent off the base rate.
- Eligibility reportedly includes active-duty military, veterans, retired federal employees and current U.S. federal employees, with no military association membership needed.
- The percentage applies to the base rate only, so taxes, fees, surcharges and optional extras are not reduced.
- Official travel on orders uses a separate set of contracted government rates with their own benefits.
- You select the government rate when you book and may be asked for military or government ID at pickup.
- Enterprise does not publish a leisure promo code for this program; a “code” on a coupon site is not how it works.
Ways to save at Enterprise
| Method | How it works | Who qualifies | Limits/notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Leisure Travel rate | Select the government leisure option when booking a personal rental | Active duty, veterans, retired and current federal employees, per reporting | Base rate only; ID may be checked at pickup; rental age rules apply |
| Official Government Travel rate | Book with the contracted rate for official or temporary duty travel | Travelers on official orders | Orders or a government payment card at the counter; rules set by the contract |
| USAA member benefits | USAA members get additional rental benefits described separately | USAA members | A separate program; compare the quote |
| Weekend and long-rental pricing | Compare package and weekly rates | Any renter | Prices vary by location and date |
| Pay Now versus Pay Later | Compare prepaid and pay-at-pickup rates if offered | Any renter | Prepaid rates may have change or cancellation terms |
| Local branch versus airport | Price the same dates at a neighborhood branch and an airport branch | Any renter | Airport fees can raise the total |
| Membership and card perks | Check travel card or club benefits that include rental discounts | Members of the program | Terms differ by program; confirm before booking |
Two programs under one name
People searching for an Enterprise military discount often mix up two different things, and the difference matters for what you can expect.
Government Leisure Travel
This is the one most readers want. It is for personal or off-duty rentals: a family trip, a weekend away, a move between duty stations when you are paying yourself. Reporting that draws on Enterprise’s own program page describes a discount of 5 percent off the base rate, available worldwide, for active-duty military, veterans, retired federal employees and current U.S. federal employees. It does not require membership in a military association. The key words in the description are “base rate”: the rate before taxes, fees and extras.
Official Government Travel
This is for travel on official business or temporary duty. It uses contracted government rates and, according to reporting on the program, can include benefits such as unlimited mileage in the continental U.S. or Canada, built-in damage and liability protection, and approved additional government drivers. You may be asked to show official orders or a government-issued credit card at the counter. If you are traveling on orders, book through the official travel channel your unit or agency uses, because personal leisure booking is not the right path.
How to book the leisure rate
- Go to Enterprise’s booking page or app and enter your pickup location and dates.
- Look for the option to add a discount or rate type. Choose the government or military leisure rate rather than entering a code you found elsewhere.
- Compare the quote with the standard rate for the same dates. The percentage is based on the base rate, so the total saving after taxes and fees is smaller than the headline number.
- Read the rental terms for the minimum renter age, payment method and any location-specific rules.
- At pickup, bring a driver’s license, a payment method, and military or government ID, since you may be asked to show eligibility.
If you are not sure the government option appears for your location, call the branch. The branch can confirm how the booking will be handled at the counter.
What 5 percent really means on your bill
A discount on the base rate is only part of the final total. Taxes, airport concession fees, surcharges, optional protection products, fuel and extras like a child seat are usually calculated separately. So a headline 5 percent on the base rate comes out to a smaller percentage of the all-in price. Reporting makes the same point, noting the actual percentage saved on the final bill is considerably less than 5 percent. The practical response is to compare all-in totals, not percentages. A different pickup location, a different pickup day, or a longer package can change the base rate by more than the discount does.
Age, ID and eligibility
Reporting on the program says leisure renters generally need to be at least 21, while official government travelers can rent from 18. That is an important difference for younger service members, and it is why a personal trip and an official trip should be booked through the right channel. Enterprise may ask for military or government ID at pickup for the leisure rate, so bring it. Retired federal employees and current federal employees are described as eligible in addition to military members and veterans, so those who are not service members may still qualify.
Individual locations can have their own policies about payment cards, debit cards and insurance proof, so read the rental terms before you arrive.
USAA and other add-ons
USAA members receive additional benefits through a separate arrangement with Enterprise. Reporting describes things like waived young-driver fees, waived additional-driver fees and included primary liability coverage, but the details belong to USAA and Enterprise and can change. If you are eligible, get a quote both ways and compare totals. The same applies to credit cards that include rental car coverage or discounts and to travel clubs. The best price is not always the one labeled “military.”
Stacking and timing
Enterprise does not describe a stackable code system for the leisure rate, and a coupon from a third party is unlikely to combine with a government rate. Expect to choose between the government leisure rate and any other promotion, then compare the totals. Prepaid options, if offered, may have different change and cancellation rules, so weigh a small saving against flexibility.
For timing, rental prices move with demand. Holiday weekends, school breaks and big local events tend to push rates up, while midweek rentals in non-peak weeks can be cheaper. Booking early and rechecking before you travel is a common approach because many reservations can be changed or canceled without a fee, depending on the rate; confirm yours. If the price drops, rebook at the lower rate.
Neighborhood branch or airport?
Airport rentals often carry extra fees and higher base rates than neighborhood branches. If you are traveling for leisure and have an option, price the same dates at a branch a short ride away. Enterprise’s neighborhood locations may also offer pickup help within a local area, though availability varies by branch. The government leisure rate works on any eligible booking, so you can compare apples to apples by checking both locations with the rate selected.
Fees and coverage decisions that change the total
With rental cars, the biggest swings usually come from add-ons you choose at the counter, not from the base rate. A few to think about before you pick up the car:
- Damage and liability protection. Official Government Travel rates are reported to include built-in protection, but a leisure rental generally does not. Check what your own auto policy and any travel card already cover, and decide on purpose instead of at the desk.
- Additional drivers. Extra drivers are often charged per day. USAA members are described as receiving waived additional-driver fees; otherwise, ask what the charge is.
- Young-driver surcharges. If anyone under 25 will drive, ask about the fee before you book, since it can outweigh a 5 percent base-rate discount.
- Fuel. Compare prepaying for fuel with refilling the tank yourself before you return the car.
- Tolls and equipment. Toll devices, child seats and navigation add-ons are priced separately.
- One-way and drop-off fees. Moving between duty stations may mean returning the car in a different city, so confirm the one-way charge in the quote.
Moving between duty stations or a long trip
A permanent change of station often involves renting a car for days or weeks while a vehicle ships. Whether that rental counts as leisure or official depends on who pays and what your orders authorize, so check with your unit’s travel office or finance office before you book. If you are paying yourself, the leisure rate applies to the base rate, and a longer rental period can bring a lower daily rate on its own. Compare a weekly package against a daily rate for the same dates. If the entitlement covers the rental, the official channel may be the right one and could include benefits that the leisure rate does not.
A quick pre-trip checklist
- Decide whether the trip is personal or official, and book the matching rate.
- Price at least two pickup locations with the same dates and the government rate selected.
- Compare the all-in total, including taxes and fees, with the standard rate and any USAA quote.
- Check the minimum age, payment method and ID rules in the rental terms.
- Pack military or government ID with your license.
- Choose coverage deliberately, using what you already have as a starting point.
- Recheck the price a few days before pickup and rebook if it falls and the rate allows changes.
Coupon and promo code mistakes to avoid
- Typing a code you found online for a “military rate.” The leisure program is selected as a rate option; Enterprise does not publish a code for it.
- Booking the leisure rate for an official trip. Official travel on orders has its own contracted rates; use the right channel.
- Assuming the discount covers the whole bill. It applies to the base rate only.
- Skipping ID. You may be asked for military or government ID at pickup.
- Paying a third party for a code or for membership in a “military club.” Enterprise’s program does not require that.
- Overlooking age rules. Leisure renters generally must be 21 or older, per reporting.
How we researched this
This guide is based on the brand’s official pages and independent reporting named below; offers change, so confirm on the brand’s site or app before ordering. We do not publish unverified codes.
Sources
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car government and military discount information
- Operation Military Kids, Enterprise military discount guide
- MilitaryBridge, Enterprise rental car military discount
- Navy Week, Enterprise military discount overview
- Enterprise Holdings background (public encyclopedia entry)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Enterprise have a military discount?
Yes. Reporting on Enterprise’s program describes a Government Leisure Travel rate that takes a percentage off the base rate, plus separate rates for official government travel.
How much is the Enterprise military discount?
Reporting puts the leisure discount at 5 percent off the base rate. It does not reduce taxes, fees or extras, so the saving on your total is smaller.
Who qualifies for the leisure rate?
Active-duty military, veterans, retired federal employees and current U.S. federal employees are described as eligible, with no military association membership required.
Do I need a promo code?
No. You choose the government rate during booking. A code on a coupon site is not part of the program.
What ID do I need at pickup?
You may be asked to show military or government ID, along with your driver’s license and payment method. Check the rental terms and ask the branch if you are unsure.
What is the minimum age for a military rental?
Reporting says leisure renters generally need to be 21, while official government travelers can rent from 18. Confirm with Enterprise for your rental.
Is USAA better than the military rate?
It depends on your quote. USAA members receive separate benefits, so get both and compare the all-in totals.
Can I use the military rate for a trip on orders?
No. Travel on orders uses Official Government Travel rates, which require orders or a government payment card at the counter.
Last updated: October 2026
