OCTOBER 20, 2025 – Veterans have a home for life at the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, enjoying tax-free shopping, military-exclusive pricing, national name brands and more.
Whether it’s keeping up with fall school shopping, decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving or getting an early jump on winter holiday gifts, the Exchange has our Nation’s heroes covered.
Since 2017, honorably discharged Veterans of all armed service branches, including Army, Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, have been eligible to access their hard-earned benefit through ShopMyExchange.com.
“The Exchange has been right there with me my whole time in the military,” said Prentice Massey, a retired Army captain and chapter commander for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Louisiana. “It’s been great to see how the Exchange has evolved and continued to move forward with the benefits for former service members—it’s a personal goal of mine to share that with my fellow Veterans and how using their benefit helps support the whole military.
Any time we can purchase something through the Exchange that helps make our military community stronger, we want to do that. It truly makes a difference.”
In 2020, all Veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary caregivers were authorized to also shop in-person at PXs and BXs. Since 2024, access to installations was made easier for disabled Veterans with the implementation of an electronic verification process, requiring only a VA-issued Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), REAL ID driver’s license or ID card.
In-person shopping privileges can vary in OCONUS due to Status of Forces Agreements. More info about Exchange shopping authorizations in Europe, Japan and Korea can be found here.
All Veterans also have access to the MILITARY STAR® card, a military-exclusive credit solution administered by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service. The card features an industry-low APR regardless of credit score, no annual, late or over-the-limit fees, unlimited rewards, free shipping on online orders, 10% off at participating Exchange restaurants and more. For more information visit MyECP.com.
Exchange shoppers enjoy tax-free shopping, military-exclusive pricing and access to 6 million items online, including The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Apple, Samsung, Under Armour, American Eagle, Columbia, The North Face, Serta, Purple and Sunglass Hut along with top beauty brands such as Bath & Body Works, Lancome, Shiseido, Clinique, Kylie cosmetics and more.
“Extending the Exchange benefit to Veterans for Life honors their service while strengthening readiness and resilience,” Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull said. “By shopping the Exchange, Veterans save while continuing to contribute directly to our Nation’s military mission.”
100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value, including support of critical military Quality-of-Life programs.
For more information on Veteran shopping benefits and to register for online shopping access, visit aafes.media/paveterans.
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 51st-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion in value to the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of War and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on X at https://x.com/ExchangePAO.
Story by Travis Day
Army & Air Force Exchange Service HQ