Alot of dinning places in Pa offer military discounts. Usually you just show them your ID and they give it to you. I know chili’s offers a military discount but you have to be in uniform regardless if you have an ID. More places seem to be doing away with the military ID card discount and going with the uniform discount. Is this happening anywhere else? Whats the big deal about the uniform anyway?
#1 by Sandra M on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I think that the reason why they will only give the discount to only those in uniform is two fold:
1. It is for public relations – looks like they support the military.
2. Not a whole lot of soldiers wear their uniforms off base when they are going out to dinner. Remember that the economy is bad. A discount maybe wonderful for you but it is not great for the business.
Thanks for your service.
#2 by Carolin on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
yea the ihop back in the states started doing the same thing, it aint a big deal usually the discount aint really all that wonderful either…..
#3 by lisab on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I noticed alot of places are also doing discounts only for active duty military only now as well.
If I get a discount I’m happy but if I don’t it isn’t a big deal to me.
#4 by Tortuga on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
You are correct. Actually Major League baseball still offers free admission to games for active duty soldiers, however, as you’ve stated, they will not honor your I.D., you need to also attend the game in uniform.
#5 by pearl on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I’m on the west coast and have never run into this. My husband is active duty. I don’t see how a uniform signifies more than an ID. thats rediculous. when my husband is at work he wears his uniform but at home or out and about he doesn’t, why would he
#6 by gijoesigo on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I want a discount for GAS…I would wear my uniform for that!!
#7 by SomethingClever on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
Sounds like the uniform thing is that particular establishments rule. Probably to give out less discounts. I’ve personally never seen that, they usually only require ID. I’ve even been to places that just took my word for it.
I agree with Pearl. My hubby usually wants to get out of his uniform as soon as possible. It’s not often that he wears it while we’re out.
#8 by Sharla K on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I don’t know about being in uniform, but my friend and I went to the mall in Watertown, NY to get a smoothie. They offered military discount so we showed our IDs. They then informed us that it was only for the soldiers and not their wifes. I think that if they are going to offer a discount the wifes should also receive it. My husband is always asking if places offer a military discount, and we have never had them say you have to be in uniform. I don’t think that it’s very patriotic to do either of these things when you offer a military discount it shouldn’t matter if you are in uniform or a spouse.
#9 by Rich on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
Something apply to base, i know it happened to my base, if you wear uniform you had head of line privilege in chow line and haircut. Of course they assume you because you in duty not necessary all the time. My old command used to tell us you can’t wear your uniform in most public place unless is needed (gas station, fast food etc..) They said we might be a target even in our home country, but fact is they don’t wanted in the command get trouble off the base which might result the higher up of the command evaluation. Because any person got trouble in the command will hurt his superior chance of promotion or getting an award.
#10 by saintnick@sbcglobal.net on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
Yes this is becoming more common.
There are a couple of reasons:
1. If you are there in uniform, the other patrons can see that they are supporting the military.
2. If it is a tourist based business, then having you there in uniform makes it a more unique experience for the tourists.
3. A lot of people abuse the military discounts. By making you wear your uniform they make it inconvenient enough to keep you from abusing it, but they still get to advertise that they offer a military discount.
Keep in mind that most businesses do not offer this discount because they love the military. They do it to show the community what a great business they are and so they can advertise "Military Discount!" in the base newspaper.
I frequently also see ads with military discount in huge bold letters, but when you get to the business there is nothing posted. You have to ask for it then the worker has to go ask the manager to find out if they really do offer a military discount.
And for the person that hasn’t seen it on the west coast. Visit the San Diego Zoo – "Free for military in uniform". The San Diego Padres and Chargers normally have a military appreciation night each year with the same deal. And numerous restaurant establishments in San Diego offer a small discount if you just show ID and a much bigger discount if you are in uniform. (Tyler’s in El Cajon is 15% with ID, 30% in uniform).
Personally, I don’t care about the discount. I think there is plenty of other people that deserve a discount more than me.
#11 by Rachel on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
They shouldn’t be doing that. Why should you have to wear your uniform everywhere! I hate taking my husband’s to the dry cleaners! I have never heard of that. I’m a military spouse, and I get discounts w/ my ID card. They never ask to see my husband in uniform. They really shouldn’t do that. But whatevs. I appreciate that they give me a discount regardless. Must be an eastern US thing or something. At Camp Pendleton (and even back home in Idaho) they never do that.
#12 by tankers_lil_angel on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
We’ve never had any issues even at the places people have mentioned while not in uniform. We’ve always just shown out ID’s and got the discount if they give it.
We’ve gone to games before and he hasn’t been in uniform and still gotten him in free and the kids and I at the Mil rate. Hmmmm…. maybe we’ve just gotten lucky
#13 by Fred B on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I haven’t used my military discount at restaurant establishments, but I have never had a problem at the theater. I agree, it is ridiculous to accept the uniform solely as proof of service. It is much easier to get a uniform than it is to get a government issued or active duty ID card. I would assume that it looks wonderful for these places to have us in uniform so that they can say, “look, we support the military.”
#14 by brandim3135 on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
I think places are getting cheap personally. They want to give out as few discounts as they have to so they will profit more. They know most people don’t dine in their military uniforms, but always have their ID on them so they changed their rules to benefit them instead of the military. A lot of places here still offer the discounts but you have to go to the base to buy the admission tickets or whatever to get it, it’s very inconvenient and they know most of the time people will leave or just pay full price.
#15 by manda on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
We are at camp pendelton in so. cal and if you wear your uniform in public it can get you in trouble they passed a base rule you are only to wear your uniform to and from work , no stopping to eat at a restaurant establishment or grocery store, I’m sure if you wanted to wear your "dress " uniforms they wouldn’t say much but I agree in that my husband woants out of his clothes and into some jeans as fast as posssib;e.
#16 by bailie28 on December 31, 2009 - 10:24 am
nope, most places will give them….in south georgia