traveling 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.

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Travel

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

Spouses, Travel

Airline Travel Tips

August 14, 2017 2 Comments

A big part of being in the military is traveling. Whether it is traveling to newly assigned units or to visit family, it’s important to know travel policies so your trip goes hassle-free. Airports and each airline has varying policies so these are only some tips that cover a broad range.

Arrival Time

Airports are insane (if you didn’t already know that). From parking to check-in to the biggest time killer – security. Depending if you are flying through a major hub like in Atlanta, or a smaller airport such as in Richmond, VA – your timing can vary.

Since most airlines are allowed to over sell their seats (due to no-shows, cancellations, weather delays, connecting flight delays, etc.), it is better to be at the airport for longer than desired than to find your seat being given away.

Many airlines have policies that coincide with one another. However, it will also depend on if you are flying domestically (within the country) or internationally (out of the country).

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends arriving 2 hours before your scheduled flight.

Delta Airlines suggests being at the airport 2 hours prior, checked in 30 minutes prior, and at the gate 15 minutes prior or change fees may apply. Their website, found here, provides minimum arrival times for listed airports that may require additional time. This can account for a higher travel volume, security waits, and check-in times.

*Note the website has estimated check-in times not arrival time to the airport.

Southwest Airlines recommends having your passport verified by the ticket agent at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure for international flights. Their website also provides many airports with their suggested arrival times (in minutes) that you can check here.

American Airlines recommends to check in 45 minutes for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. Their website, found here, also provides a detailed list for other airports and their minimum check-in times to ensure your seat is available.

If you are traveling by another airline, check their websites for advised times. For your convenience, I have listed some of the other websites: United (click here), Allegiant Air (click here), Spirit (click here) or check Seat Guru which provides a comprehensive list of other airlines (click here).

Better to be at the airport longer than to find your seat being given away

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Baggage Policies (and Active Duty Personnel)

So once upon a time in a land far far from here…baggage used to be free (like included in your ticket). Which was great except the airlines couldn’t continue to carry you and your 12 bags. I love my family because they remind me of this (no not 12). When they fly internationally, they always have an empty bag for things they bring back with them (which is quite clever).

However, that is now going to cost you if you are in excess of your allotted baggage.

Let’s review some of the airlines baggage policies (which are subject to change). Check websites for baggage dimensions.

Delta Airlines (policy) states that regular customers (not their Medallion members for example) pay $25 for their 1st bag under 50 lbs and $35 for the 2nd for domestic flights. Active Duty receives 2 checked bags for free (each up to 50 lbs) for personal travel and 5 bags (each up to 100 lbs) on government orders. This is for their main cabin tickets (first class is 70 lbs for personal travel and 100 lbs on government orders).

Southwest Airlines (policy) states that passengers are allowed 2 bags per ticket (within 50 lbs) and then will pay $75 for each additional bag (one-way). Military is exempt from baggage allowances as long as each piece is not bigger than 100lbs. Check out their special luggage page if you are flying with Fido.

American Airlines has a lot of different variables for their baggage (see policy). First bag is $25 and goes up from there. Active Duty military members receive 3 complimentary bags on personal travel and up to 5 bags on government orders (as well as dependents with IDs). Main cabin bags are 50 lbs while first class, business class, and Brazil destinations are 70lbs.

TripAdvisor has a comprehensive overview of all major (and smaller) airlines and their baggage policies with their associated costs. Check here for those rates.

Traveling with Children

When I was 19, I traveled to London with my step-mother and 2 year old sister. As we were getting off the plane in Gatwick, my sister decides she wants to throw an epic tantrum right there in the aisle.

Face it, children are unpredictable when they travel. You are removing them from order and putting them into a tiny little vessel that messes with their ears and can smell funky. So keep these tips in mind.

Formula, breast milk, and juice are allowed despite the liquid limits. Let the TSA agent know that you have them and they will typically screen them.
Children under 18 do not have to provide identification with a companion.
Children under 12 can keep their shoes on – yay for one less thing to do!
Remove babies from their carriers (if you wear your baby) and carry them in your arms.
Biggest tip – bring LOTS of snacks and things to do.

TSA Pre✓®

Active Duty members are eligible for TSA Pre✓^®without having to pay the $85 membership fee.

Safe time by not having to remove your belts, shoes, laptops, or liquids.

Check it out here.

Or check out the United States map to see which airports and airlines allow it.

Additional Tips

Check out these great tips from Million Mille Secrets (domestic or international arrival policies, seasonal travel considerations, and airport security lines and passport control) – click here
Always ask the gate agent if your seats are not together if there are empty seats. When other passengers have not “selected” their seats or have not been assigned – they may be able to put your party together if you are split.
Understand the airline’s contract of carriage. Included will be the reasons they airline will refuse to transport you (for example if you have a communicable disease, are intoxicated, or fail to allow the airline and their workers do their job).
The more flexible you are with your travel dates – typically the cheaper your ticket can be. Traveling midweek is usually the cheapest.

Traveling can be a stressful or relaxing. Check out my travel essentials to ensure your trip is as smooth as possible.