Difference between revisions of "Get Military Discount On Flights"
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===Finding Military Discounts=== | ===Finding Military Discounts=== | ||
#Search for military discounts on commercial airlines. Each airline offers a different discount program for military personnel. In order to take advantage of these discounts and find the airline with the best deal, you have to search each airline individually, either by phone or by using a special search engine tool. | #Search for military discounts on commercial airlines. Each airline offers a different discount program for military personnel. In order to take advantage of these discounts and find the airline with the best deal, you have to search each airline individually, either by phone or by using a special search engine tool. | ||
| − | #*A search engine specifically designed for military members looking for discount travel can be found at Militarytravel.com. This will save you the time it would take to contact each airline individually.<ref>http://militarytravel.com/ServicesWeOffer/BookaMilitaryDiscountFlight.aspx</ref> | + | #*A search engine specifically designed for military members looking for discount travel can be found at Militarytravel.com. This will save you the time it would take to contact each airline individually.<ref name="rf1">http://militarytravel.com/ServicesWeOffer/BookaMilitaryDiscountFlight.aspx</ref> |
#*The discount is usually in a percentage off your ticket price, or as a dollars-off amount. | #*The discount is usually in a percentage off your ticket price, or as a dollars-off amount. | ||
#Enroll in airline programs. To get some military discounts, individual airlines will require you to create an account. These accounts are usually free, but they help the airline keep track of who is accessing which discounts. Not all airlines require you to sign up for programs, however, so pay attention when you are viewing the discount or talking on the phone to an airline representative. | #Enroll in airline programs. To get some military discounts, individual airlines will require you to create an account. These accounts are usually free, but they help the airline keep track of who is accessing which discounts. Not all airlines require you to sign up for programs, however, so pay attention when you are viewing the discount or talking on the phone to an airline representative. | ||
| − | #*For example, United Airlines offers a Veterans Advantage Program. Members of the military and their families get a 5 percent discount on flights as well as other benefits. You need to enroll to get savings.<ref> https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/deals/veterans/default.aspx</ref> | + | #*For example, United Airlines offers a Veterans Advantage Program. Members of the military and their families get a 5 percent discount on flights as well as other benefits. You need to enroll to get savings.<ref name="rf2"> https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/deals/veterans/default.aspx</ref> |
#*Keep in mind that most of these discounts and programs have restrictions about both where you board the plane and its final destination, usually that you have to board in the US. | #*Keep in mind that most of these discounts and programs have restrictions about both where you board the plane and its final destination, usually that you have to board in the US. | ||
#Combine discounts. Once you have narrowed down which airlines offer military discounts and how much you are likely to receive off with each one, you can ask if you can combine discounts. For example, if you are a member of a frequent flyer program, you can inquire if your military discount would interfere with use of those points. | #Combine discounts. Once you have narrowed down which airlines offer military discounts and how much you are likely to receive off with each one, you can ask if you can combine discounts. For example, if you are a member of a frequent flyer program, you can inquire if your military discount would interfere with use of those points. | ||
#*You can also try to find tickets that are on sale, such as destination packages, and see if you can tack on the military discount. | #*You can also try to find tickets that are on sale, such as destination packages, and see if you can tack on the military discount. | ||
#Ask a travel agent. Talk to a travel agent who specializes in military travel. A travel agent will know about discounts that are available and can find you the most affordable flights available. Keep in mind, however, that a travel agent does charge a fee for the time they spend researching. | #Ask a travel agent. Talk to a travel agent who specializes in military travel. A travel agent will know about discounts that are available and can find you the most affordable flights available. Keep in mind, however, that a travel agent does charge a fee for the time they spend researching. | ||
| − | #*Travel agents are more worthwhile when you need a trip to be set up with an itinerary and booked rooms and restaurants, especially if you are flying with a large group.<ref> http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/09/25/travel-agents/16221261/</ref> | + | #*Travel agents are more worthwhile when you need a trip to be set up with an itinerary and booked rooms and restaurants, especially if you are flying with a large group.<ref name="rf3"> http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2014/09/25/travel-agents/16221261/</ref> |
===Deciding When to Use Space A Flights=== | ===Deciding When to Use Space A Flights=== | ||
| − | #Find out what Space A seats are. Space Available Flights, or Space A flights, are also known as “military hops” because you are “hopping” on a military flight when you are on leave. Active and retired members of the military can fly for free when there are empty seats available on a flight. Their dependents are also eligible.<ref> http://www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,SAF_overview,00.html</ref> | + | #Find out what Space A seats are. Space Available Flights, or Space A flights, are also known as “military hops” because you are “hopping” on a military flight when you are on leave. Active and retired members of the military can fly for free when there are empty seats available on a flight. Their dependents are also eligible.<ref name="rf4"> http://www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,SAF_overview,00.html</ref> |
| − | #Be willing to do a lot of searching to find Space A seats. Since September 11, 2001, and the Twin Tower attacks, Space A seats have become difficult to locate even for military personnel. As such, you have to do a lot of digging and calling around to find one. <ref | + | #Be willing to do a lot of searching to find Space A seats. Since September 11, 2001, and the Twin Tower attacks, Space A seats have become difficult to locate even for military personnel. As such, you have to do a lot of digging and calling around to find one. <ref name="rf4" /> |
#*There is no online search engine dedicated to finding Space A flights, so it might be matter of who you know and keeping an ear out. | #*There is no online search engine dedicated to finding Space A flights, so it might be matter of who you know and keeping an ear out. | ||
| − | #Find out what airlines offer Space A flights. Since Space A seats are for Department of Defense airplanes (DoD) only, no commercial airlines offer them. You can find schedules of flights by contacting individual military bases to help you find Space A flights, but to keep America safe in the face of increased terrorist activity, flight schedules are no longer published online.<ref> http://www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,SAF_gateways,00.html</ref> | + | #Find out what airlines offer Space A flights. Since Space A seats are for Department of Defense airplanes (DoD) only, no commercial airlines offer them. You can find schedules of flights by contacting individual military bases to help you find Space A flights, but to keep America safe in the face of increased terrorist activity, flight schedules are no longer published online.<ref name="rf5"> http://www.military.com/Travel/Content1/0,,SAF_gateways,00.html</ref> |
| − | #Determine if you have time to wait for Space A seats. As the name suggests, you have to wait for a seat to become available to sit in a Space A seat. This means that you must remain extremely flexible once you find a flight. <ref> http://www.militaryhops.com/</ref> | + | #Determine if you have time to wait for Space A seats. As the name suggests, you have to wait for a seat to become available to sit in a Space A seat. This means that you must remain extremely flexible once you find a flight. <ref name="rf6"> http://www.militaryhops.com/</ref> |
#*You may need to camp out at the airport or military base for a while. | #*You may need to camp out at the airport or military base for a while. | ||
#Plan to fly at unpopular travel times. To aid your efforts in finding a Space A seat, aim to fly at unpopular travel times. For example, flights leaving at 5:30 a.m. are a better bet than those that depart at 10:00 a.m. because mid-morning is a much more comfortable time to travel than having to get up early or stay up very late. | #Plan to fly at unpopular travel times. To aid your efforts in finding a Space A seat, aim to fly at unpopular travel times. For example, flights leaving at 5:30 a.m. are a better bet than those that depart at 10:00 a.m. because mid-morning is a much more comfortable time to travel than having to get up early or stay up very late. | ||
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#Compare military and non-military discounts. Most airlines offer commercial flight sales at different times of year, such as vacation packages or rates that go down during off-peak hours. Shop around and compare these deals with the military discounts that you have access to. You may not be able to combine the discounts, but it is wise to make sure you use the one that saves you more money. | #Compare military and non-military discounts. Most airlines offer commercial flight sales at different times of year, such as vacation packages or rates that go down during off-peak hours. Shop around and compare these deals with the military discounts that you have access to. You may not be able to combine the discounts, but it is wise to make sure you use the one that saves you more money. | ||
#*Before going with one discount or the other, make sure that you can’t combine them by calling the airline directly, or reviewing the FAQ page on their website. | #*Before going with one discount or the other, make sure that you can’t combine them by calling the airline directly, or reviewing the FAQ page on their website. | ||
| − | #Find government fares. There is another type of discount that goes unadvertised with most airlines: government fares. These fares area negotiated by the government to leverage cheaper seats for government personnel. These seats are usually for business use only.<ref> http://militarytravel.com/ServicesWeOffer/BookaMilitaryDiscountFlight.aspx</ref> | + | #Find government fares. There is another type of discount that goes unadvertised with most airlines: government fares. These fares area negotiated by the government to leverage cheaper seats for government personnel. These seats are usually for business use only.<ref name="rf7"> http://militarytravel.com/ServicesWeOffer/BookaMilitaryDiscountFlight.aspx</ref> |
#*These seats are often available to military personnel on leave. | #*These seats are often available to military personnel on leave. | ||
#*These seats do not charge you for changing the flight times. | #*These seats do not charge you for changing the flight times. | ||
