Parker and I just completed our first airplane trip with a baby (and lived to tell about it!), but this post isn't going to be about tips for traveling with babies. That would be a one-word post: survive. ;)
Today, I want to share some perks that military families can take advantage of in airports while traveling. These make life a little easier, and they are all free... you just have to know about them!
Two Free Checked Bags Per Person
The key to this one is you have to be traveling with the active duty service member. As a spouse, I don't get the free checked bags unless Parker is with me. If he is with me, we each can check 2 bags for free!
Free TSA Pre Check For Active Duty Military
All you have to do is register at the front counter by showing your military ID. This again is only for the active duty service member, so spouses have to pay the fee if they want to do TSA pre check. For spouses, it costs the normal $85 for 5 years.
Military Discounts
I have found that most of the restaurants in airports have military discounts. All you have to do is ask for it before you pay. Some don't, but you will be surprised at just how many do! It's usually 10%, but it's 10% you don't have to pay. ;)
USO Lounge
There is a USO lounge at the major airports, and they are awesome! They are for any military member or military family member, and the active duty service member does not have to be present in order for the family to enter. The people in the lounges are always super friendly and interested to hear about you. You can chat with them or take a seat in one of the awesome reclining chairs. A lot of them have little playrooms for children too! The best part... is the free food. Everything in these lounges is completely free for you to take. There are always great snacks (I have walked out with entire boxes of girl scout cookies before), and sometimes there are little toiletries like toothpastes and shampoos. If you have a layover, go spend it in the USO lounge!
There really are great benefits for military when it comes to traveling!
ReplyDeleteI visited my first USO lounge on my honeymoon! It was great, because it was literally one floor down from our connecting flight, and unlike the connecting flight gate, it wasn't crowded at all!!!! I'll have to think about getting TSA's precheck now that I will be flying home via Minneapolis all the time... which is super busy! I flew out of MSP once in college and it took like 1.5 hours to get through security!
ReplyDeleteI really need to go into the USO lounge, as well as the PSA pre-check!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about these! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about these! Thanks so much for sharing!
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