Veterans Day 2024 offers a wide variety of freebies and discounts for military personnel, veterans, and their families across the United States. These offers are designed to honor the service and sacrifice of the military community, providing complimentary meals, retail discounts, travel benefits, and other special promotions. The available offers span multiple categories, including dining, automotive services, retail, entertainment, and travel. Most participating businesses require valid proof of military service or veteran status, such as a military ID, and many deals are valid specifically on or around November 11, 2024. Consumers are advised to verify participation and specific terms with local franchises before visiting, as availability may vary.
Dining and Restaurant Offers
A significant portion of Veterans Day freebies focuses on complimentary meals and dining discounts. National restaurant chains and local eateries participate by offering free meals, discounted menu items, or special deals for veterans and active-duty service members.
Free Meal Deals Several prominent chains offer completely free meals on Veterans Day. Applebee’s provides a free meal from a select menu for veterans and active-duty military personnel who dine in on November 11, 2024. Similarly, O’Charley’s offers a free meal from a special menu with valid ID between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Veterans Day.
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que offers a free choice of select meals and a $10 thank you card for dine-in customers with valid ID on November 11. Bandana’s Bar-B-Q provides a free Budget Buster Meal for veterans and active military on Veterans Day. Biscuit Belly offers a free breakfast sandwich (choice of Bacon Egg & Cheese, Sausage Egg & Cheese, or Chicken Biscuit Sandwich) and a hot drip coffee or fountain drink on Monday, November 11, requiring a military ID and MVP Card at checkout.
Other restaurants offering free meals include: * Krispy Kreme: Free doughnut and coffee with proof of service on November 11. * Kolache Factory: Free Kolache and any size fresh brewed coffee with dine-in and valid ID on November 11. * Pilot Flying J: Free meal with app, store visit, and verified proof of service via ID.me through November 11. * Bar Louie: Free craft burger for active duty or veterans with proof of service. * Baker’s Square: Complimentary "2-2-2" breakfast with military ID on Veterans Day.
Discounted Meals Many establishments offer percentage-based discounts on food purchases. Kona Grill provides 50% off food for dine-in visits with valid ID between November 8 and November 11. Qdoba offers 50% off regular entrées with military ID on November 11. La Madeleine offers a 30% discount with military ID on November 11. Max & Erma’s provides a 25% discount for the entire table with dine-in and proof of service on November 11. Rainforest Cafe offers 20% off the bill, and Piccadilly offers a 10% discount (ongoing).
Combination and Special Deals Outback Steakhouse offers a free Bloomin’ Onion and a choice of any Coke product or 16 oz domestic draft with the purchase of an adult entrée from November 9 through November 11. Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub offers a free lunch from the Veterans Day Menu with the purchase of any entrée and military ID on November 10 from opening through 5:00 p.m. Aspen Creek Grill offers a $15 meal voucher to veterans and active duty military on November 10-12 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Retail and Home Improvement
Retailers offer discounts on merchandise ranging from home furnishings to automotive parts.
Home Goods and Furniture IKEA offers 15% off in-store home furnishing items for veterans and active duty service members with valid ID on November 10-22. The discount applies to purchases up to $3,000 pre-tax. Lowe’s offers 10% off to all veterans and active duty service members every day by signing up for a MyLowe’s card.
Automotive and Car Care Several automotive service providers offer free or discounted services. 4Patriots is offering a free $29 72-Hour Survival Food Kit on November 11 for veterans and active duty military who register on the 4Patriots Veterans Day Celebration Event page. AutoNation provides a 20% discount on all services in-store and via Mobile Service from November 11-16. Delta Sonic offers a $30 savings on any oil change for veterans and active duty service members throughout November.
Garber Dealerships provide free oil changes for local veterans and active duty service members on November 9. Goodyear Auto Service offers free tire, brake, battery, and fluid checks, plus 10% off tires. Great Clips offers a free haircut card to give to an active/inactive/retired military member; veterans can also get a free haircut on November 11 or pick up a card for later use. Grace for Vets is a program where car washes around the world offer free car washes to veterans and service members on November 11.
Other Retail Premium Outlets in Norfolk & Williamsburg offer everyday military discounts and additional savings for Veterans Day.
Travel, Entertainment, and Attractions
Travel and entertainment venues provide free admission and discounted tickets for veterans and their families.
Theme Parks and Museums LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers a free 1-day ticket to active duty military and veterans from November 1-30, 2024, plus savings for guests and lodging discounts. LEGOLAND New York offers the same free 1-day ticket promotion from November 1-30. Knott’s Berry Farm offers discounted admission for Active, Retired, and Veterans and up to 5 guests on select dates in November 2024.
Historic Jamestown and Yorktown Battlefield offer free admission to National Parks and Federal sites on November 11. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation offers free admission at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown for veterans, active duty, reserve, retired military, and up to three direct family members on November 11. The museums also host a program of music and an artillery salute.
Lodging and Travel The B&Bs for Vets program offers free lodging for one night on or around Veteran’s Day for active duty service members and veterans across the U.S. and Canada. Armed Forces Vacation Club offers $299 Resort Vacation Certificates ($100 off) until November 21, 2024. AARP offers special membership offers for veterans.
Proof of Service and Eligibility
Most offers require valid identification to verify military status. Commonly accepted forms of identification include: * Military ID (CAC card, Dependent ID, Veteran ID Card) * VA Card * Driver’s License with Veteran Designation * DD214 Form * Proof of service via ID.me (specifically noted for Pilot Flying J)
Some offers, such as the Tonal Veterans Day Deal ($1500 off for military), require a specific promo code. The 4Patriots free food kit requires registration on their specific event page on November 11 only. The MilitaryBridge website notes that some listings are sponsored or contain affiliate links.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2024 presents a broad spectrum of freebies and discounts for the military community. The offers detailed above represent a cross-section of the dining, retail, automotive, and entertainment sectors participating in these holiday promotions. While many deals are valid on November 11, consumers should note that some offers extend over a multi-day period (e.g., November 8-11 or November 10-12). Verification of participation at local franchises and possession of valid military identification remain critical steps in successfully redeeming these offers.