The Ultimate Guide to Car Discounts for Military Members
As an appreciation for your service in the military, almost all of the manufacturers offer a cash bonus savings that can be applied towards a purchase or lease. Most deals are around $500 but can go as high as $5,000 on certain models.
Nearly all manufacturers offer discounts and offers to those currently stationed overseas, but BMW and Volvo have very comprehensive incentives for military personnel in Europe. Volvo will offer to ship the vehicle to the nearest possible local dealer or port or have it directly shipped to your next destination. Volvo will take care of the shipping and marine fees and make all the arrangements to ship it back to the U.S. if you drop it off at one of the 20 home shipment locations in Europe.
Let's take a closer look at how to qualify and the requirements for each of the military savings programs. At the bottom we also list all the current discounts for military personnel offered by each manufacturer.
Table of Contents
How to Qualify for a Military Discount
To qualify for a military discount you typically have to be active duty or retired armed services.
Military Status Requirements
The eligibility for the military incentive programs is generally the same for most manufacturers, with differences on restrictions on how long a veteran has been separated from military service (1-3 years). These bonus deals generally apply to:
- Active Duty
- Reservists
- Retired
- Veterans
A majority of manufacturers specify active duty as someone who is full-time in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. About a third of the manufacturers make these programs eligible to members of the National Guard:
BMW only offers its program to active military stationed overseas, but USAA members and their families living in the U.S. are eligible. Some programs like Honda and Ford’s extend their offers to military personnel and their spouses.
Ford and Lincoln are the only manufactures that offer military incentives to members of the Honor Guard. While Lexus is the only one to offer its program to Gold Star families. A few manufacturers do require a qualifying salary in addition to getting a credit approval through their financial services.
Related: Police, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare professionals should look for first responder discounts.
What to Bring to the Dealership
The military incentive programs are recognized nationally so any authorized dealership should acknowledge the discounts.
Accepted forms of proof for military status varies for each manufacturer but they generally will accept:
- Leave and Earning Statement (LES)
- Military ID card
- DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- Retiree Account Statement (eRAS)
- Retiree Separation Orders
If purchasing or leasing with GM Military Discount, you will need to get an authorization code from their site. It uses ID.me to verify your eligibility for the program so you only need to bring your driver’s license and authorization number.
Best Deals for Military Personnel and Veterans
Out of the many military programs GM Military Discount and Lexus stand out as the better deals. GM Military Discount allows for a generous 3-year period in which the veteran has left service while Lexus’ is 2 years. They both offer their programs to a wide range of military or related personnel.
| Manufacturer | Program Name | Special Offers & Discounts | Eligibility & Requirements | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura | Acura Military Appreciation Offer | $750 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Coast Guard, Active Reserve, Veterans (within 1 year) | 3/31/20 |
| BMW | BMW Military Program | Eligible for lease/purchase deals on 2016 or newer | Military Personnel | Ongoing |
| Buick | GM Military Discount | Up to $2,000 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 3 years) | 1/4/21 |
| GMC | GM Military Discount | Up to $3,500 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 3 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Cadillac | GM Military Discount | Up to $5,000 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 3 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Chevrolet | GM Military Discount | Up to $3,000 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 3 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Chrysler | Chrysler Military Incentive Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2018/2019 | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 1 year) | 1/4/21 |
| Dodge | Dodge Military Incentive Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2018/2019 | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 1 year) | 1/4/21 |
| Ford | Ford Military Appreciation Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2019/2020 | Active Duty, National Guard, Honor Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Honda | Honda Military Appreciation Offer | $500 off purchase/lease on 2018 or newer | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 1 year) | 3/31/20 |
| Hyundai | Hyundai Military Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2019/2020 | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans | 1/4/21 |
| Infiniti | Infiniti Military Program | Eligible for discounts on all models | Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | Ongoing |
| Jaguar | Jaguar Military Sales Program | Eligible for discounts on select models | Military Personnel | Ongoing |
| Jeep | Jeep Military Incentive Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2019 or newer | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 1 year) | 1/4/21 |
| Kia | Kia Military Specialty Incentive Program | $400 off purchase/lease on all models | Active Duty, Retirees, Veterans | Ongoing |
| Land Rover | Land Rover Military Sales Program | Eligible for discounts on select models | Military Personnel | Ongoing |
| Lexus | Lexus Military Reward Program | $1,000 off purchase/lease | Active Duty, Gold Star families, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Lincoln | Lincoln Military Appreciation Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2018/2019 | Active Duty, National Guard, Honor Guard, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | 1/4/21 |
| Mazda | Mazda Military Appreciation Bonus Cash | $500 off purchase/lease on 2018 or newer | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | Ongoing |
| Mitsubishi | Mitsubishi Military Rebate | $500 off on select models | Ongoing | |
| Nissan | Nissan Military Program | $500 off purchase/lease on 2019/2020 | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | Ongoing |
| Subaru | Subaru Military Discount Program | $500 off purchase/lease | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 1 year) | Ongoing |
| Toyota | Toyota Military Rebate | $500 off purchase/lease | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | 3/31/20 |
| Volkswagen | VW Military Bonus | $500 off purchase/lease | Active Duty, Reservists, Retirees, Veterans (within 2 years) | Ongoing |
| Volvo | Volvo Military Sales Program | Eligible for discounts on overseas delivery | Military Personnel | Ongoing |
These offers may vary based on location, credit score, and financing terms and are not guaranteed. So use my free service to Check Discount Car Prices to get the best prices that include current manufacturer offers and incentives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car companies give military discounts?
Buick, Chevy, Chrysler, GMC, Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and many others have discounts.
How much is a military discount?
Discounts range from $500 to as high as $5,000 depending on the brand.
What types of service personnel qualify for a military discount?
Active Duty, reservists, veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines all qualify. Some car brands include the National Guard as well.
How long must you be in the military to qualify?
Length of employment does not matter as long as you can prove you're currently in the military or have been separated from service within the past 1-3 years.
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