Key takeaways
- Check three things: the rental company’s own military or veteran page, your USAA rate code if you are a member, and the verification platform the company names, such as ID.me or WeSalute.
- Honorably discharged veterans generally qualify at Enterprise, Hertz, National and Avis, according to reporting, but the exact definition of eligibility varies by company and program.
- USAA membership is free to eligible service members and families, and its car rental benefits are available at several large brands, though discounts and perks differ by company.
- Do not trust a pasted discount code or corporate number from a website; codes expire, and some belong to employer programs you cannot use.
- Always compare the discounted rate against the best public rate for the same dates, because savings depend on the base price.
- Read what the discount covers: base rate only, or also taxes, fees and add-ons.
Veterans can lower the cost of a rental car, but there is no single “veteran rate” across the industry. Savings usually come from three places: a rate code or membership tied to USAA, a verification platform such as ID.me or WeSalute (formerly Veterans Advantage) that the rental company recognizes, or the rental company’s own military program that may be limited to active-duty members. Reporting from AutoSlash and others describes discounts that range from a few percent to a quarter off base rates, but sources disagree, and a plain public rate can beat a “discount” on a higher base price. This guide shows how each route works, who qualifies, and how to compare before you book.
Quick answer
- Check three things: the rental company’s own military or veteran page, your USAA rate code if you are a member, and the verification platform the company names, such as ID.me or WeSalute.
- Honorably discharged veterans generally qualify at Enterprise, Hertz, National and Avis, according to reporting, but the exact definition of eligibility varies by company and program.
- USAA membership is free to eligible service members and families, and its car rental benefits are available at several large brands, though discounts and perks differ by company.
- Do not trust a pasted discount code or corporate number from a website; codes expire, and some belong to employer programs you cannot use.
- Always compare the discounted rate against the best public rate for the same dates, because savings depend on the base price.
- Read what the discount covers: base rate only, or also taxes, fees and add-ons.
Ways to save on a rental car as a veteran
| Method | How it works | Who qualifies | Limits/notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA rental car benefits | Book through USAA’s partner page or with its rate code | USAA members, which includes eligible service members, veterans and families | Perks may include damage-waiver terms and fee waivers for eligible insurance members; confirm details |
| ID.me verification | Verify once, then access rental brand offers | Veterans, active duty, Guard, Reserve and some family | Only for brands that partner with ID.me |
| WeSalute (formerly Veterans Advantage) | Membership gives access to partner rental offers | Veterans and active duty who enroll | Program tiers and fees change; confirm current terms |
| Company military page | Book through the rental company’s own page and show ID at pickup | Often active duty and sometimes veterans | Read who is covered; some pages are active-duty only |
| Membership clubs (AAA, Costco, AARP) | Use a club rate instead | Members | Often competitive with military rates |
| Rate-comparison and tracking tools | Search and track prices and apply discount codes you are eligible for | Anyone | Compare final totals, including fees |
| Prepay or pay-later rates | Choose the cheaper booking type | Anyone | Prepaid rates may restrict changes and refunds |
USAA: who can use it and what it covers
USAA membership is open to eligible service members, veterans and certain family members, and joining the association is described as free. Its rental car page links to major brands. Reporting from the AutoSlash blog and other sites describes percent-off figures that vary by company, plus extra protections on reservations made with USAA’s code, such as a cap on responsibility for damage and waived loss-of-use charges. These details are secondhand, so confirm on USAA’s own page.
USAA also waives the underage driver fee at some rental companies, but reporting indicates that benefit is for members who also hold USAA insurance. If you are under 25, that can be worth more than the base discount itself, since the fee can be a significant daily cost. Check the fine print before relying on it.
Booking tip: make the reservation through the USAA path or enter the code at the time of booking. Adding the code after the reservation is made often does not work, and you may have to cancel and rebook.
ID.me and WeSalute
Both platforms act as verification hubs. You prove your status once, and partners can show you offers. ID.me is widely used by retailers; WeSalute (the program formerly called Veterans Advantage) offers veteran-specific partner discounts, including rentals. The sources found describe Veterans Advantage codes available for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Thrifty, but codes and eligible brands change, so go through your dashboard rather than copying a code from a blog.
Expect verification to take some time on the first use. After that, the benefit is easy to reuse. Be careful about which tier you sign up for, since some programs have free and paid tiers.
Rental company programs
Several brands have military pages with their own rules. Reporting describes Enterprise as offering a military discount that does not require a membership, with on-base locations and a USAA partnership, and Hertz as offering a percentage off base rates for military and veterans through a program code. Avis and Budget are described as working with partner programs including WeSalute. These descriptions come from third-party roundups, and percentages differ among them. Treat them as a starting point and read the brand’s page for the current wording.
Two practical points often get missed. First, a program may be limited to active-duty personnel, so a veteran needs to check the wording. Second, the discount may apply to the base rate only, which means taxes, airport fees and add-ons are not reduced.
Step by step: booking a veteran-friendly rental
- Price a baseline. Search the dates and car class with no discount and note the total for the cheapest option you would accept.
- Check eligibility. Open the brand’s military or veteran page and read who qualifies.
- Verify. Set up USAA, ID.me or WeSalute access before you need it.
- Book through the right path. Use the partner link or enter the rate code at booking.
- Compare totals. Line up the discounted total against the baseline and other public rates, including fees and taxes.
- Choose pay-later when plans may change. Prepay only when you are certain.
- Bring ID. Rental counters can ask for a military ID or proof of the program at pickup.
- Recheck before travel. Prices can drop; if you can cancel for free, rebook at a lower rate.
Insurance, fees and add-ons: where the real money goes
A rental car price is only part of the cost. Taxes, airport concession fees, underage fees, additional driver fees, fuel policies, toll devices and optional waivers can change the total more than a discount of a few percent. Before you accept the counter’s coverage offers, check what your auto insurance and credit card already cover. Many people pay for protection they already have, and many others assume coverage they do not.
For military members relocating, extended rentals are sometimes needed. Ask about weekly and monthly rates, which can be lower per day, and whether the discount applies to long rentals. For deployment or leave travel, confirm where you can return the car, since one-way fees can be large.
Which route fits your situation
| Your situation | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| USAA member renting for a short trip | USAA rental page | Possible rate plus damage and fee terms described by the program |
| Veteran who is not a USAA member | ID.me or WeSalute | Verification gives access without needing insurance or banking with USAA |
| Renting for a move or a long stay | Weekly or monthly rates, then ask about the discount | Per-day rates drop with length, and discounts may not stack the same way |
| Driver under 25 | USAA path if you qualify, then compare fees | Underage fees can outweigh the base-rate savings |
| Flexible dates and location | Public rates at non-airport branches | Lower fees can beat a percentage off an airport rate |
| Frequent renter | Free loyalty program plus best verified rate | Points and upgrades add up across trips |
Renting during a move or a long trip
Veterans relocating for school or a new job often need a car for days or weeks rather than a weekend. For longer rentals, ask the branch whether the weekly or monthly rate is available and whether the discount program applies to it. Some discount programs only apply to standard daily rentals. If the long-term rate is lower without a discount, take it. Also ask about mileage limits, which can appear on longer rentals, and about one-way fees if you will drop the car somewhere else. A cheap daily rate with a large drop-off fee is not a bargain.
If you only need a car for a few days after a flight, compare picking up at the airport with taking a ride to a neighborhood branch. The rental may cost less at the neighborhood branch because airport fees are included in airport rates, but the ride and the time may cancel the saving. Do the arithmetic with the ride cost included.
Rebooking when prices drop
Rental prices move. If you booked a pay-later rate with free cancellation, check again a week before pickup and the day before. If the price has fallen, cancel and rebook at the lower rate, making sure your verification or rate code is applied again. Tracking tools can automate this, and some are free, but confirm that any discount code you use is one you are eligible for. Never keep a code you are not allowed to use just because a tool suggested it.
Prepay rates often show a lower number, but they can be hard or impossible to change. Choose prepay only when your dates are fixed and the savings are meaningful. If a trip involves flights that might change, pay-later gives you room to adjust.
Dealing with the counter
At pickup, the agent may offer upgrades, fuel plans, toll devices and coverage. Decline what you do not need, and ask the agent to show the final total before you sign. Check that the rate on your contract matches your confirmation, including the discount program. If the discount is missing, ask the agent to correct it before you leave the counter, since fixing it afterward can be slow. Take photos of the car’s condition at pickup and return; that is general good practice for any rental.
Stacking and timing
- Most rate codes cannot be combined. Choose the best single rate rather than assuming two discounts add together.
- Loyalty programs from the rental company are often free and can be used alongside a discount rate, earning points even when you book through a partner.
- Holiday weekends and school breaks raise prices. Book early when your dates are fixed, then check back for drops.
- Airport locations usually cost more than neighborhood branches because of fees. A short ride to a non-airport branch can save money when you are not in a hurry.
- Midweek pickups can be cheaper than weekend ones in many markets, but that is a general pattern and should be checked for your dates.
Coupon and promo code mistakes to avoid
- Using a corporate code you do not qualify for. Counters can ask for proof, and the rate can be canceled.
- Copying an old rate code. A code from a blog may expire or belong to a former program. Use the official page.
- Skipping the baseline price. A discount from a high price may not beat a public rate.
- Assuming veterans qualify for active-duty perks. Read the eligibility wording.
- Paying for duplicate insurance. Check your existing coverage first.
- Using sites that offer to sell codes. Do not pay anyone for a rental discount.
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
- AutoSlash blog, military discounts for rental cars
- USAA, car rental benefits information
- WeSalute (formerly Veterans Advantage), partner offers
- ID.me, rental brand military and veteran offers
- Military Wallet and other independent roundups of rental car programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do veterans get a discount on rental cars?
Often, but it depends on the program. USAA, ID.me, WeSalute and some rental company pages offer rates for veterans, and the amount varies. Compare against the public rate.
Which rental companies work with USAA?
Reporting lists Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz, with some sources adding National and Alamo. Check USAA’s page for the current list.
Do I need to be a USAA member?
To use USAA’s rental benefits you need to be a member. Membership is described as free for eligible service members, veterans and families.
Can I use a military discount code from a website?
Be careful. Codes can be expired or tied to programs you cannot use. Book through the official partner page or verification platform.
Does the discount cover taxes and fees?
Often only the base rate. Compare the total including taxes and fees.
Is there an underage fee waiver?
Reporting says USAA waives it for eligible insurance members at some brands. Read the terms.
What if a club rate is cheaper?
Use the cheaper one. Memberships like AAA or Costco can match or beat a military rate.
Do I need ID at pickup?
Be ready with a driver license and, if asked, military ID or proof of the program used.
Last updated: October 2026
