Military Deals on Accommodation

When military personnel and their families travel for something other than military business, they can still get discounts on accommodation in a variety of ways. In some cases, it’s as simple as asking whether a hotel offers discounts to servicemen and women – but as a member of the US military you will also have access to some accommodation options (and deals) that civilians won’t.

While the specifics of the military travel deals available to you will depend on which branch of the military you’re in, there are some overall categories of military lodging deals that you should know about so you can investigate further. Here is a rundown on the ways to get military travel deals on lodging.

This should go without saying, but just in case it’s not obvious – these military travel deals are for people who are in the US military, veterans of the military, and their families. This isn’t an article about how to get deals you’re not entitled to.

How to Get Military Travel Deals on Accommodation

Stay on Military Bases
One of the cheapest options when it comes to accommodation for traveling military personnel is to stay on other military bases when you travel. This is called “on-base lodging” and temporary accommodation cost less than $20 per night. It’s not guaranteed, as it’s on a space-available basis, but it’s absolutely worth looking into. You’ll have to call in advance to make a reservation, so you don’t show up and find there’s no space left.

Military bases aren’t necessarily located right in tourist centers, so this option may not be ideal for anyone who wants to set up a homebase for a week of visiting an area without having to drive too much – but if you don’t mind driving from the base to the nearby attractions it’s a good option.

A member of any branch of the military can stay at any military base of any branch, provided there’s space, and it’s a good idea to pick up a current guide to the military bases so you know where they all are and what the on-base lodging opportunities are for each. The Military Travel Guide to the USA from Military Living is currently $31.55.

Stay in Timeshare Condos through the Armed Forces Vacation Club
The Armed Forces Vacation Club offers not only basic travel agent services to members of the military, it also has access to special discounts on condominium rentals and other timeshare accommodation options that military personnel can take advantage of.

You can choose from several options with the timeshares and condos, from per-night stays to weekly rates, and from locations that are in high-demand (and therefore will cost a bit more) to those that have space available (and therefore may be cheaper options, especially for last-minute trips).

Although you’ll get a better rate than non-military people are getting at these resorts around the world, you’ll save even more money if you plan your trip for a less-popular time of year like a shoulder season around the world.

Stay at Armed Forces Recreation Centers
Unlike the resorts you can book through the Armed Forces Vacation Club, which are regular resorts for which the military can get you special discounts, the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRCs) are actually run (in part) by the US military. There are only five AFRCs around the world, but they’re in several excellent vacation destinations.

You’ll find AFRCs in the following locations:

• Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany – Edelweiss Lodge & Resort
• Honolulu, Hawaii – Hale Koa Hotel
• Orlando, Florida – Shades of Green in Walt Disney World Resort
• Seoul, Korea – Dragon Hill Lodge
• Virginia Beach, Virginia – Cape Henry Inn on Fort Story

Stay at Hotels Offering Military Discounts
Many regular hotels have discounts available to military personnel and their families, although these discounts are not typically advertised since the general public can’t take advantage of them. This means you have to do a bit of research in advance of your trip, or – if you’re just on a “winging it” road trip and stopping wherever you see a hotel – making sure you ask at every reception desk whether there are military discounts.

Unfortunately the Army’s MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) site is “reworking” the page that once had the list of commercial hotels offering military discounts, but it’s worth checking back to see if they’ve updated it or contacting them via the email address listed if you can’t wait that long.

A quick online search reveals that big hotel chains like Best Western, Marriott, and Choice Hotels all offer military discounts, but it never hurts to ask other hotel chains when you’re calling them for rates and availability.

photo by Fire Horse Leo