There are a lot of people who join the military to get the opportunity to travel and see the world. But you don’t need to wait until you’re stationed somewhere fun or deployed overseas to start traveling. While you’ll have a lot of work to do in the military, you’ll have enough opportunities to travel when you’re off-duty or on leave during your career.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the benefits you have when you’re traveling as someone in the military. After reading, you’ll be equipped with what you need to start planning your next adventure for you and your family.

Why You Should Try to Travel When You’re in the Military

Just because you’re in the military doesn’t mean you can’t travel. Traveling is an excellent way to broaden your horizons and connect with your loved ones as your family grows. Taking some time away from home can also relieve stress and make you feel happier.

Traveling has benefits for everyone, but you’ll gain even more benefits as a service member that goes beyond mental and cultural. Military personnel are offered many discounts and benefits during their travels that can help them and their families take trips they may have been unable to access before, allowing for more fulfilling and meaningful experiences. We’ll dive into some of these benefits below so you can start preparing for your next adventure.

Military Airline Benefits and Discounts

Many airlines offer discounts and benefits to service members and their families. The different airlines that often offer discounts or extra checked bags for military members include:

●Alaska Airlines

●Allegiant Airlines

●American Airlines

●Delta Airlines

●Frontier Airlines

●Hawaiian Airlines

●JetBlue Airlines

●Southwest Airlines

●United Airlines

The exact discounts will vary depending on the specific airline. For example, one airline may offer a certain percentage off the base fare and up to a number of checked bags for free. If you have official travel orders, you may have additional benefits you and your family can take advantage of, such as additional checked bags.

Keep in mind when planning a trip that some of these discounts aren’t advertised online, so you may want to consider calling the airline directly to see what they offer. Before committing to a purchase, compare your discount to other airlines to make sure you’re getting the best price possible.

On top of these discounts, many airlines also offer distinct benefits to service members. Active duty military personnel and their families can often board flights first and sometimes have a higher luggage allowance at little to no cost. You’ll also have access to some members-only lounges, though this varies by airline and you’ll need to have your military ID on hand to access these.

Lodging Discounts for Service Members and Their Families

On top of discounts on airfare, you’ll also find plenty of discounts for lodging once you arrive at your destination. A wide variety of hotels, motels, and resorts offer discounts, including:

●Hilton Hotels

●Super 8 Motels

●Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

●Red Lion Hotels

●LaQuinta Hotels

You can find discounts on websites like American Forces Travel, which offers discounts as much as 60% off on hotels. You can use what you save on lodging to dine out, buy event tickets, or pay for experiences for you and your family.

Other Travel Discounts Available to Service Members

When you’re in the military, you’ll have access to a wide range of discounts beyond just airfare and lodging. You can also find a wide range of discounts for different experiences on sites like American Forces Travel, where you can find discounted cruises and event tickets to make the most of your next adventure.

Consider Using Space-A Travel

In the military, you and your family have unique opportunities for travel through space-available, or Space-A, travel. You can use this method to travel at a reduced cost or for free, whether you’re looking to take trips in the country or overseas.

This program works by allowing service members and their families to travel on military aircraft of the Air Mobility Command when there’s extra space available. While these flights are usually unpredictable, they’re an excellent option for military families with limited budgets and flexible plans.

If you’ve never used Space-A Travel before, here are some tips to help you get started:

●Sign up for Space-A flights: Before you can even start taking Space-A flights, you’ll need to sign up by contacting the potential terminals you’d like to travel from. You’ll want to sign up as soon as 60 days before you'd like to travel. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you’ll board your desired flight.

●Prepare for potentially trading your time: You may not be able to catch the first flight that leaves for your destination. Ideally, you’ll want to keep a three-day window on each day of your travel plans to try to catch a flight and most of these flights are usually scheduled on weekdays rather than weekends.

●Consider flights that aren’t exact: It may be harder to find a flight heading to your exact destination with enough space for you and your family. Instead, consider taking flights that get close to your destination and use the local transportation system to get where you’re going.

●Remember to stay flexible: When you’re taking Space-A flights, you might encounter delays or a change of course. For example, a flight headed to Germany might be rerouted to France. Rather than seeing it as an inconvenience or hindrance, use it as an opportunity to do some spontaneous sightseeing or adventuring.

●Take steps to make it a comfortable flight: Space-A planes aren’t known for their first-class service and comfort. While they’re convenient, you’ll want to make some preparations to make the trip more comfortable. For example, you may want to bring a blanket, sleeping bag, or pillow in case you want to sleep. Noise-canceling headphones may also be a good choice as well as gloves or hat in case the plane gets cold.

●Prepare for all climates: While you might be on a flight originally headed to a warm climate, it could be rerouted in an emergency to somewhere cold and damp if it aligns with the flight’s primary mission. You should pack for nearly every climate so you don’t feel uncomfortable once you reach your destination.

●Don’t expect a traditional civilian flight: Most Space-A flights will be on large military cargo planes, which include the five-point harnesses you’ll need to wear when you take off and land. There are some flights through Patriot Express that use civilian airlines to move service members, but there is an extra charge of up to $30. However, you don’t want to expect to fly on a civilian airline when taking a Space-A flight.

Tips for Traveling While You’re in the Military

While you’ll share a lot of similar experiences with civilians while you’re traveling, some unique factors affect our military personnel. Whether you’re traveling on official orders or heading out on a personal adventure outside of work, check out some of these unique tips for traveling while you’re in the military:

1. Research Your Benefits and Discounts

Before you start booking flights and hotel rooms, make sure you’re doing plenty of research into your benefits and discounts as a service member. For example, many airlines allow you and your family to board first as long as you’re an active duty service member. Some hotels may even offer upgrades at a reduced cost.

You’ll want to research as many discounts and benefits as you can beforehand so you’re saving as much as possible. The money you save can go into experiences you can enjoy with your family, such as theme parks, dinner shows, concerts, and more.

2. Choose the Right Travel Luggage

Whether you’re traveling on official orders or just for fun, your luggage matters. Poor-quality bags or suitcases may not offer the protection your belongings need, and they could fall apart prematurely, putting a damper on your trip.

Rather than roll the dice with a low-quality bag, invest in the safety and security of your belongings with a high-quality bag. A good bag is more likely to last for longer periods, meeting your performance expectations for numerous trips away from home.

We offer a wide selection of bags, packs, and cases, whether you’re using them for military operations and travel or casual use. Choose from duffles, backpacks, garment bags, toiletry kits, and other products that would help you during your travels.

3. Make Plans Ahead of Time But Stay Flexible

When you’re in the military, you tend to lead a busy life. Unless you’re traveling on official military orders, you’ll want to schedule your personal travels ahead of time so you can take leave. Before you embark on your trip, make sure your leave is approved. This process requires several signatures, so it’s best to start this process ahead of time before you even purchase plane tickets or book your lodging.

However, keep in mind that things in the military change. Just because you have a trip coming up doesn’t mean something won’t happen that will prevent you from going on your next adventure. Leave can be revoked, you can be sent to school or training, or your unit might receive surprise deployment orders.

Instead, remain flexible and know that you may need to change your plans at a moment’s notice. Flexibility is especially beneficial if you want to travel through programs like Space-A.

4. Invest in Travel Insurance

Since you never know when you might need to cancel or reschedule a trip, you should invest in travel insurance whenever possible. If your leave is revoked, you won’t have to worry about losing everything you invested in your upcoming trip. While traveler’s insurance won’t cover everything, it covers things like sudden illness, work responsibilities, and poor weather. This insurance is especially important if you’ve spent a lot of money on tickets or accommodations.

5. Have a Backup Plan When Traveling With Space-A

While Space-A is a convenient and affordable way to travel, there’s always the chance that your return flight home may be canceled or your priority isn’t high enough to board. Without proper planning, you could be left at your travel destination for multiple days.

Rather than leaving it to chance, come up with some sort of backup plan, such as a ride to the airport, lodging with friends, or another flight to get you home. You can usually find military airports on social media sites like Facebook, where they’ll post anticipated dates for Space-A flights so you can plan appropriately.

Find the Luggage You Need for Your Travels Here at MLC

Whether you’re traveling with official military orders or taking a trip with your family, you need the right bags to help you transport your belongings to your destination. If you’re looking for new luggage or just want an upgrade, Military Luggage Company has you covered.

We offer an impressive selection of bags for all your travel needs, whether you need a Backpack for your carry-on, a duffle for your belongings, or other bags you might need for your unique travel experience. Shop our entire selection to get started, or contact us with any questions!