Your military ID card(known as Common Access Card-CAC) is more than just for work. It opens the door to access a wide variety of travel and vacation discounts on and off base. There’s a number of programs in the Army that helps you and your family to plan your next vacation and offset your travel costs.
Space A Travel
Space-Available Travel means that airmen can use the available space in military aircraft to travel for their holidays, usually at a lower rate than commercial flights. There are certain conditions when airmen’s family members/dependents( child up to age 23) are allowed to do space A travel with their military member accompanied or unaccompanied. Check this link to find out whether you’re eligible for Space A travel.
A short reminder before you board, there’s no guarantee that you will get selected seat on the military aircraft after signing up, in these cases, be ready to pay for the travel expense on a commercial flight.
Leisure Travel Office(LTO) /Information, Tickets and Tours Office (ITT)
Leisure Travel Office (also called Tickets and Tours Office) under the ArmyMWR program at your base should be your first stop when it comes to travel planning, as it offers information regarding tickets, transportation, attractions, pool, hotels, and other discounts you may not be aware of. Sometimes they offer LTO-only discounts that’s not even available elsewhere.
Army Morale Welfare and Recreation Program also offers outdoor recreation options such as campgrounds, fishing, kayaking, etc for you to enjoy nature without traveling far. See this handbook for a list of joint service campgrounds and facilities.
Lodging On Post
The army offers on post lodging spot for you and your family on vacation. Given the extensive network of Air Force all over the world, you will be able to have access to quality hotel rooms just like any commercial lodging facilities, but at a much lower, affordable price! Click here to check the photos and availability of army on post lodging nationwide.
Armed Force Recreation Centers (AFRCs)
There are a few Armed Forces Recreation centers that have nice hotel or resorts that provide tour packages, attractions, dining and local events for you and your family to have an all inclusive vacation experience without worrying about trip planning. Theses Armed Forces Recreations Centers are mostly owned and operated by the Department of Defense, and they understand what serves the military and their families best.
Dragon Hill Lodge – Seoul, South Korea
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Hale Koa Hotel – Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Shades of Green – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
The New Sanno Hotel – Tokyo, Japan
Okuma Beach – Okuma Beach, Japan
Seward Alaska Resort – Seward, Alaska
Note: Be sure to check out the DoD’s Morale Welfare and Recreation Program for travel deal that’s applicable to all active duty service members across all branches.