With all of the online ticket sales, it's not surprising that most people order all of their tickets for travel, shows, exhibits, museums and other attractions in Vegas online through various tourism web sites.
However, there are better deals to be had by military travelers who visit Las Vegas. The trick is making sure you don't pay full price when you can get the military discount.
How do you get your military discounts in Las Vegas?
- Don't go to the ticketing web sites. Visit the official web site for the attraction itself or the venue that hosts it. Sometimes they will have discounts published on their web site, including a locals discount, seniors and children.
- Don't order the ticket online or through a service. Call the venue that hosts the show directly and ask about their military discount rate. Not all Las Vegas attractions offer a military discount, but most of them do and will know exactly what the rate is. Order your tickets over the phone. Make sure you have your credit card handy to reserve your tickets to be picked up at the ticket office of the attraction you've ordered.
- Bring your military ID card with you to the attraction. The ticketing office will require you to verify your military status by providing photo identification issued by the military before you can receive your tickets. Be sure to arrive a little early in case the line is long, and have your military ID ready when you approach the counter.
Which attractions in Las Vegas have a military discount?
The attractions and shows in Las Vegas rotate on a rather frequent basis, so it's hard to say which venues will offer a military discount. Many shows, such as Penn & Teller, offer a very generous military discount of roughly 50% off, while attractions such as the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay offer no military discount benefits what-so-ever. It's important to always call ahead and ask before waiting in a long line at the ticketing counter so you know exactly how much you'll be expected to pay for a particular Vegas attraction.
Additionally, some attractions will run specials for locals and military, offering bigger discounts than usual during certain times of year. Different Cirque du Soleil shows are known for offering bigger deals and discounts during the slower tourist seasons.
Virtually all movie theaters in Las Vegas have military discounts. However, some require that the active duty member purchase the tickets, and not their dependents who have military identification. The same is true for the Lied Discovery Children's Museum and some other attractions off of the strip. While they offer a military discount, only active duty members with a valid military ID card may get the discount. Family members, with or without valid military ID, are not permitted to get the military discount and would be required to pay full price without their sponsors present.
Can I purchase tickets for Vegas attractions on Nellis AFB?
All military ID card holders are able to purchase tickets for various attractions and shows on Nellis AFB, which is about a 45-minute drive from the Las Vegas strip. There are discounts for military members offered through the base ticketing office that you may not get from the venue directly.
For example, at the time this article was published, the Celine Dion concert did not offer a military discount directly from the venue, but Nellis AFB could sell tickets at a $9.00 discount to military ID card holders. Additionally, some discounts on the Air Force base will be a better deal, while other discounts aren't as impressive as those offered by the venue directly. It's important to call around ahead of time to ensure you get the best deal and also to make sure that the trip to Nellis is worth it.
Jennifer Kilkenny - Jennifer Kilkenny is a freelance writer & web designer, holding a degree in Web Technologies.
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