Military families are among the most active travelers in the country, and they are generally also among the least able to afford the expenses of travel. Because the military is aware of both these problems, it has designed ways to ensure cheap military travel for its members and families.
Space-A Flights
If you don’t have a fixed schedule, space-available flying could be the best cheap military travel deal for your family. It can be complicated to arrange, so you definitely want to talk to your MWR’s Tickets Travel and Tours office, where they can give you realistic advice for what to expect, as well as the local offices to call for your space-A travel.
Space-A is free travel for military members and certain of their family members (accompanied or unaccompanied by the military member) designed to take advantage of open slots on regularly and specifically scheduled flights. You won’t travel in a cargo hold; these are passenger flights on airplanes comparable to commercial flights. You will run a higher risk of being bumped from a flight, though, so your schedule must be flexible.
The best amenities and prices awards both go to the Air Force Inn system, which is simply outstanding in every way. The Navy Lodge and Army Lodge systems both vary widely in cost and quality. The Marine Corps Lodge system tends to have lesser amenities but also lower prices. If you’re fortunate enough to stay in a city with several different bases, compare prices as well as locations; you’ll find a good deal somewhere.
The most important thing to remember – call and reserve your on-base lodging room as early as you can before your military family travels. During some seasons, these rooms fill up fast. And if you have a pet, ask about staying at a pet-friendly room; because they cater to families that are moving, you can often find pet-friendly quarters.
Check Ahead For Free and Reduced Rates
Rates vary by season in some parts of the country in the military lodging system as well as in the civilian world. If you call ahead before you travel, you might be able to save a lot of money simply by booking a week or two later or earlier. The best source of information on this is the MWR at the base you’re traveling to, and at the lodges you’re considering staying. (If you suspect you’ve gotten bad information, wait an hour or two and call them again; staff varies wildly in quality, and the next staffer might be the resident helpful expert.)
Stop By Local MWR Tickets & Travel Offices
Once you’re in town, your first step should be the MWR. They’ll have any special ticket offers, information you couldn’t get over the phone about places to go, and friendly people who will offer you advice on things you must do while you’re in town. Ask especially for any booklets or information sheets they have detailing their negotiated discounts locally, and for a list of restaurants they know of which offer military discounts.
Even in the sleepiest bases, special events can fill up military lodges fast. And some of the most out-of-the-way bases may have the best amenities for your vacation. Instead of assuming you’ll have a room, or that the tiny base in the remote mountains of Appalachia is too far out of the way to offer anything, call ahead and shop around. The military has hidden gems all over the world. Take advantage of all of them.
