3 Military Travel Benefits You May Not Know About

For military families across the world, travel isn’t always synonymous to a vacation.  If we want to go home, it isn’t typically “just down the street” or “across town”.  Going home while stationed OCONUS is even more terrifying for the wallet.  Finding ways to help lower the cost for vacations, PCSing and simply traveling home is our passion and we’ve compiled 3 amazing benefits related to travel that you may not know about. 

1. Airline Perks

Many airlines offer discounts for active-duty military, veterans, and their families.  The availability and details can vary, so it’s a good idea to check with the specific airline and review their policies. Here are a few major airlines that have been known to offer various discounts: 

• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• United Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue
• Alaska Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Allegiant Air

Remember that the availability of discounts may change over time, so it’s a good idea to check with the specific airline for the most up-to-date info on their policies.  Additionally, many airlines may require you to provide proper identification or proof of military service when booking discount fares, so be prepared to provide the necessary documentation. 

2. VetTix

While not 100% travel related, we think this is worth mentioning since it’s not widely known.  We like to take advantage of this when stationed in a new city and wanting to explore. Or, while on vacation, or traveling home, this helps us find inexpensive ways to create some fun. 

Vet Tix, short for “Veteran Tickets Foundation,” is a nonprofit organization in the United States that provides free or heavily discounted event tickets to veterans, active-duty military members, and their families as a way to show appreciation for their service and to help improve their quality of life. The organization partners with a wide range of organizations and event venues, including sports teams, concert promoters, and entertainment venues, to make these tickets available.

Here are some key points about Vet Tix:

Ticket Distribution: Vet Tix distributes tickets to a variety of events, including sports games, concerts, theater performances, family events, and more. These tickets are made available to eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel.

• Eligibility: Eligibility typically includes veterans of all eras, currently serving military personnel, and the immediate family members of these groups.
• Cost: Vet Tix provides these tickets at little to no cost to the recipients. In many cases, the tickets are offered for free, and veterans and military members only need to pay a small delivery fee.
• Verification: Users of Vet Tix must verify their military service or veteran status to access the ticket offers. This verification is generally done through the Vet Tix website.
• Events: Vet Tix partners with a wide variety of organizations and venues, so the types of events available can vary widely. Users can browse and request tickets for events they are interested in attending.

Vet Tix aims to give back to the military community by providing opportunities for veterans and military families to enjoy entertainment and live events that they might not otherwise have access to. It’s a way of showing appreciation for their service and helping them create positive experiences and memories.

3. Waived CC annual fees for BOTH the service member and their spouse

If you follow Military Travel Hackers at all, you know we talk about this ALOT. Yet, we continuously have people shocked when we tell them the annual fee for their American Express or Chase credit cards are waived for BOTH the active duty service member and their spouse. We’re not talking about the authorized user card either. We’re talking a full on second account which translates to DOUBLE the benefits. 

Being able to hold cards that offer incredible perks (we’re talking free hotel nights, airport lounge access, hundred of dollars in travel credits, food credits, shopping credits…etc) without actually paying the fee for those perks is SO valuable.

We always advocate for responsible credit card usage and have a lot of great tools to help you manage this. TravelFreely.com is a favorite for us! 

The travel benefits available to military families are not only a token of appreciation for their dedicated service but also a lifeline to create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds. Whether it’s discounted airfares, special lodging rates, or the support of organizations like Vet Tix, these benefits open doors to new horizons. As military families navigate the challenges of service life, these travel opportunities serve as a reminder that, no matter where duty calls, the gift of exploration and adventure awaits.