Veterans can find year-round discounts

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Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

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Veterans Day comes only once a year, but active and retired military personnel can find travel discounts that recognize their service year-round. Here’s a round-up in honor of the holiday.

The Veterans Advantage Card offers discounts from a multitude of travel providers year-round. With the card, which costs about $60 a year, you can get a five-percent discount on Continental Airlines flights, 15 percent off Amtrak tickets, plus discounts from Delta Shuttle, US Airways Shuttle, Club Med Vacations, various car rental agencies, and attractions such as zoos and aquariums.

Discounts for active military and veterans crop up everywhere, so it’s worth inquiring whenever you make a booking. Active members of the military can find discounts at B&Bs around the country through BnBfinder.com, and a number of cruise lines also offer special rates to past and present members of the U.S. and Canadian armed forces.

Carnival is running a promotion throughout November in honor of Veterans Day. The deal allows active and retired members of the military to book up to three “Fun Ship” staterooms for themselves, friends, and family members at discounted rates as low as $189 per person. You’ve got to reserve your three- to 12-day cruise by November 30 and depart by the end of the year.

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