Veterans - have you taken advantage of any freebies or discounts?

[cantdrv55]

So far I’ve used the 10% discount for vets at Lowe’s. I heard there’s free entrance to National Parks that intend to use next Spring. Do you know of any more?

[RNajarian]

First thing that comes to mind is a VA home loan. I waited 25 years to use it, big mistake. The rate is about 1/2 a point lower than what other financial institutions can offer.

USAA also comes to mind.

Check out this website. Chock full of deals.

https://www.veteransadvantage.com/

[porsche tech]

Bought my first house in ‘72 with a veteran GI loan. Also went through a useless apprenticeship auto mechanic course that VA paid me $125/month (or something) which I used to make payments on my first new car. That’s it. I did apply for the Lowe’s 10% thing but every time I’m in there I never remember to use it!

[Seahawk]

Too many to list:

https://www.veteransunited.com/money/military-veteran-discounts/

I always forget to ask!

[craigster59]

I do the Lowe's 10%

Got a VA home loan at 2.25%

1 year free Fox Nation (I only watch Tucker Carlson Today, he has 1 hour interviews with interesting people, not necessarily political)

Have NEVER had Veteran's Day off

[dw1]

The 10% discount at Lowe's is about it for me.

I also always check out the rates at USAA but they are about the same as my current insurance company (NJM).

I have mixed feeling about taking advantage of vets discounts because I know lots of guys who had a much rougher time than I did, and also because I remember getting a lot of grief for being in the service back in the day and shortly thereafter. Getting spit on (both literally & figuratively) kind of stays with you.

[mdj930]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

So far I’ve used the 10% discount for vets at Lowe’s. I heard there’s free entrance to National Parks that intend to use next Spring. Do you know of any more?

Get in the habit of asking. A good friend of mine is retired military and asks every time I'm with him. It's kind of a running joke but he gets a few bucks off more often than I would have thought.
Mike

[cantdrv55]

I’m glad I asked you guys!

[matthewb0051]

Lowes: No way would I do that. I was there and asked for the discount. Clerk asked if I was registered. I was not, nor will I ever. She literally goes into the computer and grabs another persons info and uses it for me. They have allllllll of your information loaded into their computer system. And at least at my local Lowes, they are happy to use the information freely.

Spec's Liquors 10%
Auto Zone
Home Depot

My fav recently was Bass Pro Shops. I was getting some 9mm ammo and got 10% off. I was stunned that they offer it on ammo.

I don't mind asking and in fact get in trouble with the missus is I don't.

But I don't go to the places like Krispy Kreme or Applebees on Veteran's day for a freebie. I have a friend that is the first guy to ask for a freebie or discount or even stands up to be acknowledged at a college football game. But he is also the first guy to cite reasons why he can't go to some of the more crappie assignment locations in the Army and thereby avoid servicing in places like Fort Campbell or Fort Drum NY.

[matthewb0051]

Others have mentioned USAA

I have found that their rates have increased and their service has decreased over the years. They are just another insurance company at this point.

The latest round of commercials state that they are for basically any person that has served, their children, and the children of their children. So they've opened the pool of eligible people to almost everyone and the pool contains people that are more at risk or high risk. I joke that if you have seen a USMC sticker on a pickup truck then you are eligible.

Plus they sponsor or advertise at everything under the sun. For example: English Premier League. I'm pretty sure that sponsorship isn't free.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Lowes: No way would I do that. I was there and asked for the discount. Clerk asked if I was registered. I was not, nor will I ever. She literally goes into the computer and grabs another persons info and uses it for me. They have allllllll of your information loaded into their computer system. And at least at my local Lowes, they are happy to use the information freely.

Spec's Liquors 10%
Auto Zone
Home Depot

My fav recently was Bass Pro Shops. I was getting some 9mm ammo and got 10% off. I was stunned that they offer it on ammo.

I don't mind asking and in fact get in trouble with the missus is I don't.

But I don't go to the places like Krispy Kreme or Applebees on Veteran's day for a freebie. I have a friend that is the first guy to ask for a freebie or discount or even stands up to be acknowledged at a college football game. But he is also the first guy to cite reasons why he can't go to some of the more crappie assignment locations in the Army and thereby avoid servicing in places like Fort Campbell or Fort Drum NY.

The local Texas Roadhouse in Lawton/Ft Sill gave away over 1000 meals last Veterans Day.

[cabmandone]

Anyone mention Home Depot?
With Lowes you can register and buy online.

Not a vet but I have two bros that are.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Anyone mention Home Depot?
With Lowes you can register and buy online.

Not a vet but I have two bros that are.

I think HD requires a military ID for the discount which means active duty or retired lifer.

[Wetwork]

Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabela's, Oreilly's auto parts and Home Depot I use the most often. I also get a free hunting and fishing license, and discount tags on different critters. Also life-time license plate so no more annual tags on my car. Got the lifetime rec's and parks pass also. In Oregon is says Veteran on your DL so that's all I've every shown. Very shortly I'll be building a custom home, that gets rolled into a VA loan after it's built.

I also reach down and pick up change laying on the ground. It's free money.-WW

[RS America]

I used the Stand By Flight benefit to go to Australia. Travis To Honolulu, then a empty C-5 to Townsville. Took about a week. Came back commercial.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I think HD requires a military ID for the discount which means active duty or retired lifer.

HD has a photo layout of all acceptable ID's at the register.

I noticed recently that they accept the VA id. It looks like any other DoD ID.

Reserves and Nat Guard also carry issued IDs. Pretty sure HD has them on their photo lineup.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by RS America

I used the Stand By Flight benefit to go to Australia. Travis To Honolulu, then a empty C-5 to Townsville. Took about a week. Came back commercial.

When was that? Pretty hard to find a C-5 these days.

My wife tried to fly Space a in the early 2000's when we lived in Germany. But the war(s) were really kicking off then and most of the planes were full.

They used to have the 'Rotator', a chartered commercial flight that flew from Frankfurt to Philly round trip or thereabouts. It was specifically for people on temp duty or moving to Germany or back CONUS. There was also Space A available on that but it was tight.

Pretty sure there was a Rotator to Korea/Japan. Was being operative. Not so sure those exist anymore.

As for Space A, there are categories of eligibility. Mission type movement was top and retiree at bottom. Everyone else squeezed in between.

I was stationed at a Tanker / Cargo base in the UK a million years ago. There was always a group of retirees w spouses that were in transit on Space A between Europe and the US. You could tell when they didn't get a flight, they looked pretty beat down as they stood in line to get Space A lodging on the installation.

[porsche tech]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Have NEVER had Veteran's Day off

Likewise. 42 year career and never had a Veteran’s Day off until I was retired! It just ain’t fair!

[flipper35]

Well all y'all get a 100% meal discount at the house of Dolphin, or any place of your choosing around here.