No, unfortunately people in the military do not generally fly for free. Depending on the particular airline, many offer discounted airfare for members of the military. For example, some airlines offer discounts of up to 10% for active-duty personnel, veterans, and their dependents.
Also, most airlines waive their checked baggage fees for those carrying official military orders, and in some cases, depending on the airline, military personnel may get access to priority seating or other exclusive benefits.
However, military members must typically still purchase a ticket at the discounted rate, and cannot fly for free.
Do soldiers have to pay for their flights?
In most cases, soldiers do not have to pay for their flights. The US military typically covers the costs associated with flights, including the airfare, taxes and fees, and other related expenses. However, there are several scenarios in which a soldier may be responsible for some of the financial costs associated with a flight.
Generally this would be due to a soldier’s personal preference such as in the case of soldiers who want to fly in a higher class or business class, or if they want to fly with a family member. In some cases, a soldier may be required to pay for their personal travel if the reason for the travel is unrelated to the military mission.
Additionally, if a soldier opts for personal accommodations after arriving to their destination, they may be required to pay for these out of pocket.
How do I know if a soldier is real?
Knowing whether or not a soldier is real can be a difficult task, and it is important to be able to identify potential impersonators, scam artists, or frauds. And it is advisable to conduct a thorough background investigation on the individual in question.
One way to verify a soldier’s authenticity is to check if they are listed in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Manpower Data Center (MDC). An MDC search provides public information on active duty military personnel, which includes their rank, branch of service, job title, and more.
It is worth noting that reserve and National Guard personnel may not be included in the information found on the MDC.
Additionally, service members can obtain a DD Form 214, which is a document that provides a detailed account of an individual’s military service. The form outlines such pertinent information as awards and decorations, places of duty, educational and career training information, and other related details.
If a soldier has a DD Form 214 that can be verified and the information on it matches the about the individual provided, it can help confirm the legitimacy of a soldier’s service records.
In addition to verifying the individual’s information in the MDC, conducting some basic due diligence is a recommended course of action. A soldier should maintain a degree of professionalism with the general public, be knowledgeable of the military’s regulations, and adhere to the code of ethics and standards that the military imposes on its members.
Moreover, a request can be made to contact their Commanding Officer or Military Personnel Flight (MPF) to confirm their status.
In the end, determining whether or not a soldier is real involves researching and verifying the individual’s self-reported service-related attributes. It is not a task that should be taken lightly, and all efforts should be made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
How can military fly free?
Active-duty military members, reservists, retired service members and their families can fly on commercial airlines for free or at a greatly reduced rate through a program called the Military Voucher Program, which is sponsored by the Department of Defense.
This program allows military personnel to fly on a space available or stand-by basis. A few organizations, such as Operation Comfort, can arrange that military members’ families can fly to their destination for free by allotting donated miles.
Many people donate unused miles for this purpose. In addition, some organizations provide non-reimbursable note of authorizations that allow military members to fly on government aircraft. All members of the U.S. military, including National Guard and Reserve members, can take advantage of this program.
Active-duty personnel and certain members of the National Guard and Reserve components who are on active duty can also fly on military cargo or passenger airlift whenever available. Before traveling with any of these programs, members must ensure they comply with the rules and regulations offered by their respective service.
How much is military flight pay?
The amount of military flight pay a service member may receive depends on their rank and the number of flight hours completed in any given month. Generally, military flight pay ranges from $125 to $660 per month.
Enlisted personnel of ranks E-1 to E-6 can receive up to $225 per month based on their flight hours, while officers of ranks O-1 through O-3 may receive up to $450 per month. Officers of ranks O-4 and higher may be eligible to receive up to $660 per month depending on their flight hours.
To receive flight pay, aircrew personnel must fly regularly and complete a certain number of flight hours in a given month. The number of hours required to qualify for flight pay can vary depending on one’s rank and military branch.
Do soldiers need money when deployed?
Yes, soldiers will need money while they are deployed. While they are away, they may need to purchase items or services that are not available on the military base. Depending on the country and base, military members may be able to access banking, but not always.
Most military bases have the ability to facilitate a direct deposit for soldiers, so it is important for them to have the ability to access their money if needed. Additionally, soldiers may have family or other personal financial obligations that need to be taken care of while they are away.
Money can also be transferred from the soldiers’ home country to their base location, which is often needed to pay for goods and services on base that cannot be provided by the military. There are a variety of options for soldiers who need money while deployed, and it’s important for them to be aware of all of their options.
Does military leave cost money?
The cost of military leave depends on the specific service branch and the agreement between the employer and the employee. For members of the United States military, active duty members may be granted up to 10 days of nonchargeable leave with full pay for the purpose of training or military exercises each fiscal year.
This leave may be used for holidays, for additional training, or for other personal reasons.
In some cases, active military members can receive up to 30 days of leave for the purpose of training or additional service with approval from their commanding officer. During wartime, an active duty military member can be granted up to 45 days of leave under certain circumstances.
The military also recognizes an additional type of leave termed “Family Care Leave”. This leave is granted to military members who have immediate family members with serious health issues or to those with a family member on active duty who requires their presence.
This type of leave can range from four hours to up to five days depending on the circumstances.
Though the military provides some financial benefits for those on military leave, dependent upon their service and the nature of the leave taken, military leave typically does not cost the servicemen and women anything directly, depending on the nature of their agreement with their employer.
Can my family use my military discount for flights?
Yes, in most cases your family can use your military discount for flights. Depending on the airline, the details for who can use a military discount may vary. Generally speaking, family members, such as your spouse, dependents, and sometimes other relatives, are allowed to use the discount.
It is important to check with the specific airline or travel provider to find out the exact details for their military discount program so you can make sure your family is eligible and to see what documentation is required.
Additionally, you may have to be present during the booking process or reservation for the discount to be applied for your family.
Who qualifies for military flights?
In general, active duty military personnel and their dependents, Reserve and National Guard personnel, retired military and their dependents, and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian personnel and their dependents qualify for military flights.
Air Mobility Command (AMC) allows priority travel, which generally includes retirees and dependents, military personnel on emergency leave, DoD personnel, and certain other authorized passengers on a space-available basis.
Space-A is the popular colloquial term used to describe the service which allows active duty military, retired military and their families, and DoD civilians and their families to travel on U.S. military aircrafts and commercial carriers at a discounted rate or even for free.
What airlines give active military discounts?
Veterans, and their families. These include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and more.
American Airlines offers discounts of up to 7% for active duty members of the military and their families, as well as for veterans with a valid military ID. Active duty members who are part of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard may be eligible for discounts online and at the airport.
Alaska Airlines offers discounts of up to 10% off all flights for active duty members of the military, veterans, and their families with a valid military ID.
Delta Air Lines offers up to 10% discounts on most fares for active duty members of the military, veterans, and their families with a valid military ID.
Frontier Airlines offers exclusive discounts of up to 25% off select fares for active duty members of the military and their families, as well as veterans.
Hawaiian Airlines offers discounts of up to 10% off nonstop flights for active duty members of the military, veterans, and their families with a valid military ID.
JetBlue provides discounts of up to 10% to the military through its “Armed Forces Discount Program” for active duty members and veterans.
Southwest Airlines offers active duty members of the military, veterans, and their families with a valid military ID discounts of up to 10% for both domestic and international travel.
United Airlines offers active duty members of the military discounted fares of up to 5% with a valid military ID.
In addition to these discounts, most airlines offer additional priority boarding and other benefits to active duty members of the military and their families.
What is a military golden ticket?
A military golden ticket is a special benefit afforded to members of the military and their families. This benefit provides veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families with free or discounted admission to certain entertainment or educational venues.
Examples of facilities includes amusement parks, museums, and movie theatres. This program helps to provide veterans and military personnel with a way to relax and enjoy their leisure time. The golden ticket also helps to lessen the financial burden of families of those serving in the military, who may often find it difficult to afford leisure activities.
In addition, this program supports businesses that provide services to members of the military, helping to ensure the economic growth of communities with a military presence.
Does the military pay for your flight to basic training?
Yes, the military will pay for the individual’s flight to basic training. In most cases, the military pays for the individual’s airfare to get to the basic training location. Travel arrangements are usually coordinated through the serviceperson’s unit’s personnel office.
Depending on the type of service, the military may also provide a flight or a reimbursement if travel is paid for out of pocket. Prior to flying to the basic training location, the serviceperson must first complete a travel authorization form.
The individual should also consult with their commander or unit personnel office to find out detailed instructions on how to book their flight. It is important to note that only certain airlines may be used for reimbursement purposes, so make sure to check with the military prior to booking.
Do Army soldiers get flight discounts?
The U.S. Army offers a series of discounted airline tickets specifically to Army members. These tickets can be used by active-duty Military personnel, retired military members, Military Reservists, National Guard members, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, and siblings).
The USO and other Military Services also have Flight Discount Programs.
The U.S. Air Force offers special discounted fares for Brigadier General, Major General, and Lieutenant General and their accompanying family members, as well as former Air Force Chiefs of Staff, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and ICAO Designated Diplomats traveling OCONUS.
The U.S. Coast Guard offers discounted fares for members of their Aviation Rate and other members traveling to various domestic locations.
The Department of Defense (DOD) Space-A program offers free flights to active-duty service members on a space-available basis. The Military Airlift Command coordinates these flights on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to the military-specific airline discounts, there are also discounts offered by commercial airlines that extend to members of the military as well. Airlines such as United, Delta, and American Airlines all offer discounts on select flights.
The availability, amount, and how to book the flights can all be found on the individual airline’s website.
To summarize, yes, Army soldiers do get flight discounts. These discounts range from discounted fares specifically for Army personnel, to flights coordinated by the Military Airlift Command, to discounts offered by commercial airlines.
