You've served your country. You've been deployed, relocated, and spent holidays away from family. You've earned every single vacation day that exists, and then some. So why are vacations so dang expensive for military families?
Good news: they don't have to be. Timeshare vacation deals are already cheap for everyone, but military families and veterans often get additional perks that make them even cheaper. We're talking extra discounts, waived resort fees, and in some cases, completely free stays through military appreciation programs. Check out military-friendly deals here and start planning some well-deserved R&R.
1. Military-Specific Deal Advantages
Beyond standard vacation deals, military families have access to some exclusive benefits:
- Additional discounts: Some brands offer 10-20% off the already-discounted promotional price for active duty and veterans with valid military ID.
- Waived resort fees: Several timeshare resorts waive the $10-$25/night resort fee for military guests.
- Extended booking windows: Military families sometimes get priority access to holiday and peak-season dates that sell out quickly for civilian deal hunters.
- Relaxed qualifications: Some brands are more flexible with income requirements for active duty military, recognizing that military compensation includes housing allowances and other non-salary benefits.
- Veterans Day specials: Many brands release special promotional packages around Veterans Day (November 11) with even deeper discounts.
2. Best Brands for Military Families
Not all timeshare companies offer the same level of military appreciation. Here's how they stack up:
| Brand | Military Discount | Special Programs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyndham Destinations | 10-15% off deals | Military appreciation weeks | Excellent |
| Westgate Resorts | Up to 20% off | Free stays for wounded warriors | Excellent |
| Marriott Vacation Club | Military rate available | Government employee pricing | Good |
| Hilton Grand Vacations | Hilton Honors military rate | Points bonuses for military | Good |
| Bluegreen Vacations | 10% military discount | Flexible cancellation | Good |
Pro Tip:
Westgate Resorts has one of the most genrous military programs in the industry. They've given away thousands of free vacations to military families through their Military Weekend program. Check their website directly or call and mention your military status — they often have unadvertised deals for service members.
3. Using Military Travel Resources
Before booking a civilian vacation deal, check these military-specific travel resources that might offer even better pricing:
Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC): Offers resort stays for $369/week at participating properties worldwide. Available to all branches, active duty and retired. This isn't technically a timeshare deal, but the pricing is comparable and there's no presentation required.
MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation): Your base MWR office often has discounted vacation packages, theme park tickets, and rental car rates. Always check before booking independently.
Veterans Advantage: A membership program ($59.95/year) that provides travel discounts, including hotel and resort deals. The discounts usually pay for the membership within one trip.
Military.com Travel: Aggregates military-exclusive travel deals, including timeshare promotional offers specifically marketed to military families.
4. Destinations Near Military Bases
One smart strategy for military families: book deals near your duty station or near bases where friends and family are stationed. This lets you combine a vacation with visiting people you miss. Here are popular military-adjacent deal destinations:
- Virginia Beach/Williamsburg, VA: Near Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Eustis, Langley AFB. Deals from $59-$99.
- Orlando, FL: Near Patrick SFB, MacDill AFB. Deals from $79-$149.
- San Antonio, TX: Home of Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston). Deals from $79-$129.
- Myrtle Beach, SC: Near Shaw AFB, Fort Jackson. Deals from $79-$129.
- San Diego, CA: Near Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar. Deals from $149-$249.
5. PCS Move Vacations
Here's a strategy that military families use brilliantly: combine a vacation deal with a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move. When you're driving cross-country to your new duty station, book a vacation deal at a resort along your route. Instead of staying at a depressing highway motel, spend 3 nights at a resort, let the kids swim and decompress, and break up the drive with an actual vacation.
Your travel days allowance from the military covers the driving time, and the deal cost ($79-$129) is often comparable to what you'd spend on motels anyway. The difference? Your kids are at a resort with pools and activities instead of jumping on a Holiday Inn Express bed watching cable.
Fun Fact:
The average military family moves 6-9 times during a service member's career. That's 6-9 opportunities for PCS vacation deal stops. If each stop saves $200-$500 compared to hotel stays, a military family could save $1,200-$4,500 on moving trips alone over a full career. That's a pretty solid return on 90-minute presentations.
6. R&R and Block Leave Deals
When you finaly get that block leave approved, the last thing you want is to spend your precious time off worrying about vacation costs. Vacation deals are perfect for block leave because:
Predictable pricing: The deal cost is locked in when you book. No surge pricing, no hidden fees, no "actually it's $200 more during that week" surprises. Military budgets are tight — predictable costs matter.
Flexible booking windows: Most deals can be booked 2-12 months out, which works with the uncertainty of military schedules. And many brands offer free date changes (with notice), which is crucial when leave gets moved around.
Family-friendly accommodations: Military families tend to be larger than average, and the 2-3 bedroom suites in vacation deals fit everyone without booking multiple hotel rooms.
7. Deployment Homecoming Celebrations
Welcome home trips after a deployment deserve to be special. A vacation deal gives you the celebration your family deserves without the financial guilt. Here's how to plan a perfect homecoming vacation:
Book the deal 4-6 weeks before the expected return date. Choose a drivable destination (you don't want flight cancellation stress on top of deployment anxiety). Pick a resort with lots of kid-friendly activities so the whole family can reconnect in a fun environment.
Mention to the resort that it's a deployment homecoming trip. Many resorts will add special touches — upgrades, welcome packages, or additional amenities — for military homecomings. People genuinely want to support military families, and front desk staff are no exception.
8. Veteran-Specific Considerations
If you're a veteran (not currently serving), you still qualify for most military discounts with proof of service. Here's what to bring:
- DD-214 (discharge papers)
- VA health card
- Veterans ID card (VIC)
- State driver's license with veteran designation
- Retired military ID
Not all brands accept all forms of military ID. Call ahead and ask what documentation they need. The last thing you want is to arrive at the resort and get told "we can't verify your veteran status." Bring multiple forms of ID just in case.
9. VA Disability and Accessibility
For veterans with service-connected disabilities, accessible accommodations are essential. Request accessible rooms when booking — not at check-in. Be specific about your needs:
- Roll-in shower vs. tub with grab bars
- Ground floor vs. elevator-accessible upper floor
- Visual or auditory alert systems
- Proximity to the pool, restaurant, and parking
Most modern timeshare resorts are ADA compliant, but quality varies. Read reviews from other disabled veterans if possible. The TUG (Timeshare Users Group) forum has an active community of veterans who share accessibility experiences at specific resorts. Check our brand comparison page for more details.
10. Building Your Military Vacation Strategy
Military families are uniquely positioned to maximize vacation deals. Here's your strategic plan:
- Identify 3-4 timeshare brands that offer military discounts (see our table above)
- Create a 12-month rotation schedule — one deal every 3-4 months with a different brand
- Combine deals with PCS moves, block leave, and deployment homecomings
- Check AFVC and MWR for non-presentation alternatives when you want a break from sales pitches
- Stack military discounts with shoulder-season pricing for maximum savings
- Use VacationDeals.to to track prices and find new offers
You served your country. Now let vacation deals serve you. You've more then earned it.
Pro Tip:
Military OneSource (militaryonesource.mil) occasionally partners with resort companies for exclusive deal offers. It's a free resource for active duty, Guard, and Reserve families. Check their "Recreation & Travel" section quarterly for new partnerships and deals. It's one of the most under-utilized military benefits out there.