hotels Archives ~ The Military Move

Military Travel Discounts

December 27, 2018 1 Comment

A growing number of businesses in the travel industry honor U.S. service women and men by providing them with some pretty outstanding military travel discounts.

What is presented here is only a sampling of what currently is available from some of the major players in the travel industry when it comes to discounters for military service personnel.

Keep in mind that oftentimes these companies not only have discounts for military service women and men currently on active duty but they also have programs for vets as well.

*This post may contain affiliate links – if you purchase something from this post, I receive a small commission with NO extra cost to you. To see my full disclosure click here. Thanks for supporting us!

Sandals

Sandals is a travel industry leader when it comes to all-inclusive travel packages. Sandals resorts are located at luxurious tropical destinations.

At this time, Sandals is offering military service personnel with an across the board benefit. Active military service women and men get 10 percent off of any Sandals package. This discount applies to those packages that are already discounted.

In addition to a discount on all Sandals packages, different Sandals destinations oftentimes have special perks available for military service personnel. The company publicizes its ongoing commitment to thanking our troops for their service to our nation.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Lines is a travel industry leader when it comes to cruises. Norwegian Cruise Lines is also committed to honoring out troops.

The company offers active military service personnel with an array of different discounts on its multitude of cruises each year. Benefits include discounts on nearly every cruise the company offers throughout the course of any given year.

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers military service personnel added on-board benefits as well. These benefits for military service women and men and their families are in addition to discounts on cruise prices.

These different perks and benefits vary from one cruise to another.

Westgate Resorts

Westgate Resorts has consistently been dedicated to supporting the men and women who serve our nation in the armed services. Westgate Resorts rightly refers to these brave people as “our nation’s greatest heroes.”

Westgate Resorts offers a special discount packager to all military service personnel. Men and women from the U.S. armed forces receive special 10 percent military travel discount at any Westgate property.

The Westgate Resort discount program is one of the easiest to access and use in the travel industry. All a person needs to is make note that he or she is a member of the armed services when making a reservation and the discount automatically is applied. At the time of check-in, a service member need only present his or her military ID.

All Westgate Resort properties participate in the military discount program. Westgate has spectacular five-star resorts located across the United States.

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AARP

AARP is well-known for the array of discounts offered to its members. Veterans are not forgotten by the AARP as the organization offers many specialized programs for vets and their families. These include access to a variety of travel discounts.

There are AARP members who are still on active duty. As a result, the organization has additional discount travel benefits for men and women on active duty as well, benefits that extend to their families.

Expedia

Expedia is one of the largest comprehensive online travel services in operation today. Expedia provides a full spectrum of travel services, including booking air travel, hotel rooms, and so forth.

Expedia is also home to an array of travel bargains available in all sectors. Through Expedia, members of the military service can access an array of different types of travel discounts. These discounts include everything from airfare to lodgings and other travel related benefits.

Disney Resorts and Cruises

Over the course of many years, the Disney Company has been highly supportive of women and men in uniform. This remains the case today, including when it comes to special deals available from Disney at its resorts and on its cruises.

Members of the military service can obtain discounts for stays at any of the many Disney resort properties in the United States and elsewhere around the world. This includes discounts on lodging, admission to attractions, and many other offerings at a Disney resort property. A person on active duty, and his or her family, can also receive discounts on Disney package vacations. Want to see how one family was able to enjoy Disney on a budget? Click here.

In addition to discounts at resorts, Disney also offers military benefits on its cruises as well. Members of the military forces can obtain healthy discounts on the prices of cruise packages.

Many other enterprises in the travel industry offer discounts, special packages, and other benefits to military service personnel. When a member of the armed forces is planning a trip, it is always wise to ask what discounts or benefits may be available to a service member.

Wyndham Armed Forces Vacation Club

In order to honor men and women in the military service, Wyndham created the Armed Forces Vacation Club. The Armed Forces Vacation Club is open to all active members of the military branches.

One of the unique benefits offered via the Armed Forces Vacation Club is special access to Space-A stays. Space-A allows people, including families, rental options at travel destinations.

Military service personnel have access to $349 for weeklong Space-A stays in rental properties at different locations across the country. This truly represents one of the most affordable lodging options in the industry.

Getting ready to take a trip? Check out the most needed essentials here. Need some travel tips for your baby, click here. Have questions about traveling via airplane, check out this article on Airline Travel Tips.

If you found this advice, or any of my advice helpful, please consider buying from one of my affiliates at no additional cost to you and supporting The Military Move. When you click and make a purchase within 24 hours (at no additional charge), we receive a small donation. Thank you!

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The Best Hotels for Military Families with Pets

June 21, 2018 3 Comments

We just completed our 9 day (turned 10 day) cross country move from Georgia to Washington. There was a lot of prep work and a lot of lessons learned along the way.

For the most part, our hotels were great and one was, well…not the best!

However, everywhere we stayed accommodated dogs for a reasonable price with some preparation beforehand.

Making Cross Country Travel Plans

If you read any of my social media posts about our crazy cross country trip, you will know that we had quite the adventure.

On day 3 of our adventure, we had to spend an extra night in Texas, and I spent 2 hours calling 6 hotels and rescheduling our entire trip.

Most hotels kept us locked at our original rates, and a few changed it to match their current daily rate.

So as a military family (or any family that meets challenges on the road), you want a hotel that is flexible.

When you are traveling – there are a number of things you want to plan.

Create a travel plan. I used Google Maps and put in the starting and final location.

Remember that traveling with children and pets will add to your travel time.

Also, if you are driving a moving truck – you will need to account for the moving truck.

When we went through the Rockies, my husband could only go 40mph climbing those mountains.

Plan for multiple breaks.

Decide on your route. I chose locations that were about 4-6 hours from each other.

When I chose my locations, I did it thinking that we would need to add an additional 90 minutes to fuel, grab food, and use the restroom.

I did this by looking at the map and gauging how far apart each location was.

I started moving the map to find towns that would fit the time span, had a decent selection of hotels, and was outside of downtown major cities.

This is why Google Maps works perfectly (it shows distance and time between two points).

You can choose your route however you please – quickest route, sightseeing route, family route, etc.

I have always wanted to see Colorado. So we planned our trip around that.

It was well worth it!

Start booking hotel reservations. Be sure to have a calendar of your dates. I used Expedia to look at hotels in an area.

When I started making plans, I had my Google Calendar out (hard copy works great here if you use one).

I jotted down each location that was expected for each day. As you saw from above, I started playing with towns close to each other on the map based on the hotel selection.

I would check out the hotels in each place based on our budget and user reviews and pictures.

For me, safety and convenience was key. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too remote nor did I want it right off the interstate.

I would take the address of the hotel and Google it, then look at the street view of the maps to see what was around it.

Surprisingly, I made a lot of decisions this way. Especially when the price point was similar.

We also avoided big cities like Dallas and New Orleans and opted to stay right outside to avoid the traffic.

Book the hotel by calling them individually and asking for a military rate. I saved tons this way and sometimes got an upgrade.

So even though I used a travel website to look for hotels around an area (and as a way to know where to stop), I did not make the reservations this way.

Get on the phone with each hotel and ask them for a military rate (you could even say that you are traveling on orders).

Do not call the number on the travel sites though, as this is THEIR call center to make reservations.

I google the hotel (based on the address given on the travel site) and on the right side of the screen, it will give the map, phone number, and address.

Call that number!

I paid on average $20 cheaper than any listed price.

Also, be sure to ask the hotel if they can accommodate your moving truck size.

This was a problem at one of the hotels we stayed at, but luckily they owned a sister hotel that let us park there.

We loved staying at the hotel above – if you are in the Colorado Springs area, give it a try. Click here for their website.

Write down your confirmation numbers (I had mine in a small notebook I carried with me in my purse) and ask them to email you a copy.

After speaking to the front desk about your reservation, be sure to ask them them for your confirmation number.

You should also get them to email it to you and go ahead and print out that copy.

Print out your confirmations and put them in your PCS notebook.

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Now see the best hotels here for traveling with pets.

We stayed at a Sheraton, two La Quinta’s, an Extended Stay, two Colorado resorts, two Best Western Plus’, and a Holiday Inn Express.

So which hotel was the best for the budget?

La Quinta was the only hotel we consistently found to have $0 pet fee.

That’s right, nada!

Most of their hotels are pet friendly.

As long as Starsky and Hutch don’t make a mess or damage the room, you will not incur any additional costs.

Most of the pet fees are either pet pet, per day, or per accommodation (per room for length of stay).

Be sure to ask!

Many of the fees ranged from $10 to $50 depending on the hotel we stayed at.

Resorts are typically more expensive , so keep that in mind.

If you have dogs that are barkers, and you planned on sightseeing, you may want to look into a doggie daycare as the hotel can ask you to leave.

Other Helpful Tips

If you are traveling or in the middle of a big move, don’t forget quarters for laundry. Be sure to pack a laundry bag. We found that after about day 6, we just wanted to have some clean extra clothes.
Most hotels with pools have complimentary towels at the pool, so no need to waste your bath towels.
When you book your reservations, be sure to give them any accommodations you would prefer (ground floor, near ice machines, near stairs/elevators, etc.).

About the Author

Kelsey Ramirez is a Real Estate Broker in western Washington. She is also a veteran elementary school teacher, military wife, and mom to two daughters. She is the founder of The Military Move, a military-based website to help families in the PCS process. Kelsey loves to travel, write, and create amazing content. She has her Masters in Technology, which she uses to learn all new things digital.

With three decades of military support, Kelsey’s mission is to help new and existing military families in their unique adventures through all military topics including PCSing, budgeting, school choice and rights, housing, and especially just being a military spouse.

Travel, Travel Guide

San Diego Travel Guide

August 21, 2017 14 Comments

San Diego is one of my favorite cities in the United States. I mean like #2 in my top 5. My dad often had training on Coronado Island in his F-16 back in the 90’s, and me remember my stepmother driving my sister and me in our Cadillac DeVille from Tucson, Arizona to San Diego.

We would bike all over Coronado, stop at local mom and pop places and eat ice cream, and enjoy the parks and beaches.

When my dad became a commercial pilot, I begged to go on one of his San Diego layovers. When I did go, I made him take me all over. I had some of the best cheesecake in a delightful cafe in the Gas Lamp Quarter, walked around Seaport Village, shopped in Westfield Horton Open Plaza, and even casually had a drink in the famous Top Gun Diner, which is Kansas City Barbeque.

*This post contains affiliate links – if you purchase something from this post, I receive a small commission with NO extra cost to you. To see my full disclosure click here. Thanks for supporting us!

As you start planning your trip, look over the options in the provided infographic below. These are some of the top rated restaurants, hotels, things to do, and tours. When you find what you want to do, click on my CityPASS below, and you can save up to 50%.

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San Diego Travel Guide

With a father that flys for a major airline, I am aware of travel necessities. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the whole family.

Also be sure to check out the airline and airport travel tips YOU NEED in order to have a smooth trip. It will keep you up-to-date on the following:

specific airport arrival times,
baggage costs,
traveling with children, and
a way to get through security quicker.

Do you have a favorite place in San Diego that you love to visit? Tell us in the comments below!

About the Author

Travel Guide

Charleston Travel Guide

July 18, 2017 No Comments

My Charleston Story

In 2004, when I was fresh out of high school, I made the best decision to attend college in one of the most historic cities in the United States – Charleston.

Driving up to my dorm, the first thing I saw was…BOYS! And no, not from the college because the College of Charleston has a crazy girl to guy ratio in favor for the guys, but the Citadel boys in their uniforms.

You guys know I am a military brat, so it should be no surprise that I am a sucker for those uniforms.

Beyond that, I experienced four years of all the treasures Charleston has to offer. It is a beautiful city with amazing food, sights, history, and opportunities.

So much so that I have been dying to get stationed there again. Why? My husband and I met while he was on the now decommissioned Dallas.

We love visiting the city so much we had to take our oldest daughter A.S. to see mommy’s alma mater (College of Charleston)

That was her when she was 18 months walking across the historic Cistern (4.5 years ago).

Charleston’s Popularity

Many popular movies and tv shows have used the beautiful landscape within their filming. The Notebook took place downtown off King Street (the part where they lay down on the street as teenagers) and Broad Street (where Noah is on the bus and sees Allie) as well as Boone Hall Plantation.

Dear John and The Patriot both have scenes at the Cistern on the College of Charleston’s campus – I actually walked across the grassy part for my college graduation. Even Die Hard With a Vengeance features the old Cooper River Bridge.

The popular drama television series Army Wives was filmed on the old Navy Base (interestingly enough).

There are countless more, but it goes to show what the city has a lot to offer.

Charleston Travel Guide

Travel Plans

I highly recommend Charleston for anyone who wants a classy city with a lot of great restaurants, historic preservation, and things to do. It is hard to make a comprehensive list as there are so many things that did not even make this list (such as the Charleston Children’s Museum, found downtown).

If you plan on booking a trip to Charleston, get your activities discount here.

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Find the Best tours, Excursions & Activities with City Discovery

With a father who flys for a major airline, I am aware of travel necessities. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the whole family.

Have you visited Charleston? What was your favorite hotel, restaurant, or thing to do? Let us know in the comments below!

About the Author

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Key West Travel Guide

June 12, 2017 No Comments

Are you feeling drinks on tropical beaches? But you haven’t applied or renewed your passport. I am totally in this boat with you. After months of teaching and then being pregnant, I could use a vacation on the beach. However, the Caribbean is not on my list! Key West – although is!

Look at that!! Do you see it? I see a perfect place for a hammock!

Key West is known for their beaches, tours, and nightlife on Duval Street. Spend the morning watching dolphins or taking an aerial tour, followed by a few hours of sunshine on one of Key West’s sandy white beaches, and then go have drinks at popular places such as Irish Kevin’s or Sloppy Joes.

*This post contains affiliate links – if you purchase something from this post, I receive a small commission with NO extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us! To see my full disclosure – please check here.

Key West is also known for their fishing.

More of the history buff – check out Fort Zachary.

In this week’s travel guide – you will find something for everyone. However, you may want to include a stay at one of the many bed and breakfast locations on the island.

Check out:

Key West Bed and Breakfast

The Conch House Heritage Inn

Key West Travel Guide

Military Links and Information

If you are military – check out the various helpful links that will help you in Key West from my friend’s website UJ Space A Info including Space-A information, military lodging, medical centers, and base guides.

Discounts on Activities

Find deals on activities with City-Discovery by clicking below.

As an avid traveler, I have had the pleasure of traveling to many countries. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the whole family.

Traveled to Key West? What are the must-sees, dining, and hotels? Tell me in the comments below.

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Seattle Quick Guide

June 2, 2017 No Comments

Sleepless in Seattle, Grey’s Anatomy, Frasier, An Officer and a Gentleman.

All cinematic or television that may come to mind when you think of the beautiful city of Seattle.

It could be the Space Needle, the Puget Sound, Starbucks, or Pike Place. Whatever it is, Seattle has many treasures within the beautiful city that is known for it’s rainy weather. Surrounded by mountains, water, and forests, many locals enjoy the scenery of this Washington town.

Becoming a local? You can benefit from different services found at the Seattle Government website found here.

The Quick Guide below is a list that will help you navigate the city on your next vacation or upcoming move to the city.

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Ferry boat riding is a MUST. Take a trip to Bainbridge Island, Kingston, or Bremerton.

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However, in downtown Seattle, you must check out a few places. The Space Needle has multiple things to do for couples and families. Pike Market has an assortment of vendors and restaurants to check out.Save

There is a hidden alley, I like to call the “Gum Wall.” It is one of those things you see once and go “Okay, I’ve seen it!”

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The Quick Guide below is a list that will help you navigate the city on your next vacation or upcoming move to the city.

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CityPass will get you all the best deals on the most iconic spots of Seattle with savings to you! Click above to save!

With a father that flys for a major airline, I am aware of travel necessities. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the whole family.

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Be sure to check out my airline and airport travel tips before you go to make sure your trip goes smoothly. You will find airport arrival times, baggage information for each airline, tips for flying with children, and a tip for Active Duty to get through security fast.

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Boston – Quick Guide

May 15, 2017 No Comments

Boston Travel Guide

Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Additionally, it is home to the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, and New England Patriots, it also hosts academics such as Harvard and Boston College. One of the most well known events is the Boston Marathon, which is held on the third Monday of April.

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Boston played an important role in the American Revolution, which can be seen in the museums that surround the area. Paul Revere, a revolutionary fighter, was instrumental in the war against the British famously riding on horseback to warn colonists.

If you are traveling or moving to the area, find things that may interest you, your family, or your possible guests.

CityPass will get you all the best deals on the most iconic spots of Boston with savings to you! Click above to save!

With a father that flys for a major airline, I am aware of travel necessities. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the whole family.

To reserve one of the hotels above or any number of hotels in the area – I recommend Hotels.com. Create an account and earn free stays – my husband and I have done this through our military and personal travels.

Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!

Receive up to a 25% discount for booking on your mobile device at Hotels.com.

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Flying to Boston? Airport travel is one of the most stressful parts of people’s trips. Check out the airport and airline tips that provide specific airport arrival times, baggage information for each airline, and helpful info on traveling with children.

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New Orleans – Quick Guide

April 24, 2017 No Comments

In the Coast Guard world, orders are cut from winter until spring typically. One of my friends, a fellow Coastie wife, had the unfortunate circumstance of her husband’s orders being pulled three, yes three, separate times. Long story short, he ended up qualifying for Warrant Officer and was finally given official orders to New Orleans – I believe these will stick.

As a part of a new series, I will be highlighting a military city for those visiting or moving to the area. Perhaps, it will even help those that currently live there discover their new “home” town. I have heard such amazing things about this city and base all of my information off of reviews.

Travel Guide – New Orleans

New Orleans is known best for their annual Mardi Gras festival in February. To start planning for next year’s festival – visit here. However, the city has many exciting things to do all throughout the year including many other festivals, such as the Jazz and Heritage Festival, NOLA Music and Arts Festival, or one of the many inspired cajun events. For a full calendar of events, check out this website.

To request your city or one you are interested in – contact me with the subject – City Quick Guide.

With a father that flys for a major airline, I am aware of travel necessities. Be sure to check my guide on travel essentials for the adults in the family.

Also, check out the tips for airlines and airports that can help make your trip smoother.

Check out the activities you want to do in New Orleans by booking below with CityDiscovery.

If you have visited New Orleans and have a favorite hotel, restaurant, or thing to do not listed – leave it in the comments below.