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Military Discounts on Airline Travel & Other Travel Benefits

18 February 2015 by


There are many companies that want to extend their appreciation to the military community through a military discount.  One military discount that you may not have realized available to military members is through the airlines. 

If you are looking to travel be sure to check out the military discount fares offered by the following airlines.  I have found through personal experience that it is often a better deal to purchase your ticket through the website directly or through a company such as expedia.  However, I noticed if you need to plan a last minute flight or are flexible on your travel dates it seems as this is when the military discount comes in handy.  But, you never know so it's always worth checking!

1) SOUTHWEST AIRLINES:

Southwest Airlines offers military discounts to active military personnel and their families. They are available by contacting Southwest directly, not online, via a travel booking site or through your travel agent. Call Southwest at 800-I-FLY-SWA. This discount requires that you show a military I.D.

2) US AIRWAYS:

 

US Airways offers special rates to military personnel traveling on an officially excused absence and to discharged personnel within 7 days of discharge. The military passenger must carry valid active duty identification or separation papers.

Special rates do not apply to military personnel on temporary duty orders traveling to or from their temporary duty station. For more information about military leave travel, call us at 800-428-4322.
Military dependents-Special rates also apply to military dependents. Military dependents must be related to the military passenger. A military dependent must present a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card marked 'active.'
Unaccompanied minor rules and fees also apply for military dependents.  See unaccompanied minor rules and fees

3) UNITED AIRLINES:


United Airlines offers a Military leisure fare policy-These fares are for U.S. military personnel and their eligible family members who are traveling on leave. Military personnel and eligible dependents must have a valid ID and must use personal credit cards for payment. Authorized federal government credit cards will not be accepted for payment of military leisure fares.

Federal government YCA, -CA and DG fare policy-United Airlines strictly enforces rules regarding the correct form of payment for federal government contract YCA, -CA and DG fares. We will only accept authorized, U.S. government-issued Visa and MasterCard accounts as payment, and only employees of the federal government traveling on official business are eligible for these fares. Government contractors of any kind do not qualify for federal government fares.

Travel agents should ensure that proper government ID is presented and the appropriate U.S. government-issued Visa or MasterCard is used when booking government contract or DG fares. Improper issuance of these fares will result in a non-waivable debit memo for the difference of the contract or DG fare and the applicable unrestricted airfare. Non-waivable debit memos cannot be paid using federal government-authorized credit cards. Learn More.

4) AMERICAN AIRLINES:

American Airlines and American Eagle may offer U.S. military and government fares between some cities. For further information, please call American Airlines Reservations at 1-800-433-7300.

5) DELTA AIRLINES:

Delta offers a military discounts. It is not advertised or offered online. You must call 1-800-221-1212 to talk to an agent. Military identification must be provided.

6) JETBLUE AIRLINES:

JetBlue MIL fare product allows active duty service personnel and their immediate family (spouses or children) to fly on JetBlue. Immediate family members may travel on a MIL fare independently as long as they are able to present proper identification. The MIL fare may be utilized for non-duty travel using personal expenses.  The MIL fares are nonrefundable and contain the same rules on change fees/cancel fees as our normal, public nonrefundable fares.  MIL Fare has no advanced purchase requirement
The fare will always contain MIL in the resulting fare basis code MIL fares will NOT have last seat availability. Currently the fares are tied to availability in a single JetBlue fare class (M, R or V class). Once the fare class is no longer available then the MIL Fares for that flight won’t exist.  Customer must provide the below information in order to confirm the flight:  Name of the Active Duty Military Member, Branch of Service, Military Rank.  Learn more!

7) FRONTIER AIRLINES:

Frontier Airlines offers military to Active Duty Military. They may require ID cards and/or separation papers in certain markets. In order to get the military discount you must contact the Reservation Call Center, 800-432-1359, to book. As an added benefit, the fares are refundable, which allows the military passenger flexibility in case their orders change.

OTHER TRAVEL DISCOUNT OPPORTUNITIES & TRAVEL PERKS:

1) SPACE AVAILABLE FLIGHT (SPACE A/MILITARY HOP) TRAVEL:

Space A travel is one of the great perks military members and families enjoy.  To learn more about SPACE A travel and how to book your flight click here.

2) NORFOLK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:


The Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia offers special discounts on airfares for military service members and their dependents with valid military ID. These are fares that are unavailable on major booking sites. They are capacity controlled fares, which means that they are subject to availability and may sell out. Click here for more details and to create your account to start booking flights today!

3)  FREE BAGS ON AIRLINES

The majority of the airlines offer FREE BAGS when on Active Orders for both the active duty military member and dependents.  For leasure travel it varies, you just need to ask.

4)  USO CENTERS

USO CENTERS- I love the USO and all they do for military members and families!  Another great benefit the USO offers is USO lounges in many of the airports around the country.  There is nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of busy airports to enjoy a quiet lounge filled with snacks, drinks, and smiling faces!  If you have a a lay over be sure to stop by the USO center.  To find a list of all the airport USO centers click here!

 Please feel free to leave your comments on Military Travel Tips or add anything we may have missed below and Happy Travels.

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