The Flamingo Wing Association: August 2023

Thursday, August 10, 2023

How to Find Cheap Military Flights and Baggage Discounts

Military families are always on the go. That's why they're always on the lookout for cheap airline flights to make travel easier on their bank accounts.

One cheap way to fly is Space Available, or Space A. However, these flights frequently change and seats aren't always available, so your schedule has to be very flexible. Visit Air Mobility Command for more information on Space A flights.

Related: Expedia can be used to search for and book all sorts of travel, including hotels, airfare, rental cars, cruises, activities, attractions and vacation packages.

Fortunately, there are several airlines that offer military discounts on airfare. Keep in mind that some of these discounts are unadvertised and may not be available online, so be prepared to call the airlines directly to ask about their military rates.

Whether you're traveling on orders or for leisure, you can find discounted rates on flights as well as discounts on checked baggage with the following airlines.

(And don't forget that TSA also salutes the military by offering expedited screening. Learn more at the TSA website.)

Airfare

Delta

For active-duty service members, Delta offers savings on flights not available to civilian customers. They also offer early boarding and special military policies on pet travel along with vacation packages through Delta Vacations. To make a reservation call Delta directly.

JetBlue

JetBlue offers special discounts and fares, airport assistance and other unique services for active-duty military and their immediate family (spouses or children). Call 1-800-JETBLUE.

Southwest

Southwest offers military discounts to active-duty military personnel and their families. Contact Southwest directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or visit a Southwest ticket counter to take advantage of the discount.

Norfolk International Airport

The airlines serving Norfolk International Airport offer discounts to military travelers and their dependents. Call the airlines directly for information about schedules and fares and to make reservations.

Baggage

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers active-duty military up to five free checked bags. This discount also applies to military dependents on travel orders.

Allegiant Airlines

Allegiant offers active-duty military, Reservists, National Guard and veterans up to two pieces of checked baggage under 100 pounds for free and no charge for oversized checked baggage. Spouses and dependents qualify for the same benefits if they're traveling on the same itinerary with the eligible military traveler.

American Airlines

Active-duty military personnel traveling on orders can check up to five complimentary bags (up to 100 pounds). When traveling for pleasure, you can check up to three complimentary bags (up to 50 pounds). Military dependents traveling on orders have the same privileges as military personnel.

Delta

Active-duty military personnel traveling on orders can check five free bags that are up to 100 pounds. On military orders, your bags can be 80 inches (total length plus width plus height). For personal travel, active military are able to check three free bags in first class, Delta Premium Select and Delta One (up to 70 pounds) and two bags in Basic Economy, Main Cabin and Delta Comfort (up to 50 pounds). For personal travel, your bags can be 62 inches.

JetBlue

Active-duty military personnel and their dependents traveling on military orders are allowed to check five bags each at no additional cost. Active-duty military personnel and their dependents traveling for leisure are allowed to check two bags each at no additional cost.

United

Active-duty military personnel traveling on official orders or for pleasure can check extra baggage free of charge, excluding military pet shipments. Military dependents are included In some cases.

Travel the Land You Love, For Less

Red Roof is proud to honor active military and veteran guests as well as government employees with exclusive travel discounts accepted at any Red Roof location nationwide. As a thank you for your service, Red Roof welcomes you to use these discounts when you're traveling on business or on vacation.

Why You Should Get a Veterans Designation on Your Driver's License

Most states offer a free veteran's designation on their driver's licenses, and if you want to get your full benefits as a veteran, you will want to make sure you get yours.

Having your driver's license updated with your veteran status ensures you easily can get special veteran’s-only discounts and other benefits that are offered by private businesses as well as state and local governments.

For What Kind of Discounts Are Veterans Eligible?

You may have visited our discounts section and have seen the hundreds of discounts that businesses offer to veterans. These discounts cover almost every type of business you can imagine: from golf courses to drugstores to theme parks. However it can be cumbersome to carry your DD-214 with you all the time in order to get these discounts, and that really isn't something you should be doing.

See: Military Discount Center, Deals and Freebies

To make it easy to get these discounts, you can apply for a veteran's ID cardfrom the Department of Veterans Affairs, but the VA only gives this card to honorably discharged veterans, and having to carry an extra ID card with you can be a hassle. That's why it's always good to get that veteran's designation on your driver's license.

Either your VA ID card or your state-issued ID or license with a veteran designation is usually all you need to take advantage of the many discounts listed in our discounts section as well as other discounts. These "other" discounts can be extremely beneficial if you take advantage of them.

What Other Veterans Discounts and Freebies Are Available?

Besides the usual discounts that national retailers and other businesses offer, many local companies offer veterans discounts. While most of these discounts are usually around 10% on goods and services, they can be worth a lot of money depending on the company. Sure, a 10% discount on breakfast isn't necessarily something that will make a big difference in your life, but if you are purchasing a big-ticket item, that discount can be a game changer.

Buying a new refrigerator? That 10% discount can be over $200. Just found out you need a new $10,000 furnace? That 10% discount is $1,000. How about home improvement? Many contractors offer 5% or 10% discounts on construction services like siding or a new roof. Those savings can add up very quickly.

So, all things being equal, you always should seek out the business that offers a veterans discount if you want to save money. It never hurts to ask whether the business offers a veterans discount when you are shopping around for services.

Also, many states offer a ton of discounts and other benefits for veterans that you may not be aware of, and having an easily accessible veteran’s ID card can make it much simpler for you and your family to receive them.

For example, most states offer veterans some type of discount for admission to state parks or state fairs; others offer free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses. One thing you may not know is that many states offer these discounts to non-resident veterans.

So if you're planning a vacation this summer, or staying in and doing some home-improvement, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars just by using your veterans discount.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Hotel Booking Information for the October BOD/Activities in Fort Myers and Also for the Spring Reunion in 2024

Attached is information on booking for the October meeting and next year's April reunion.

Your group is now set up in our system for arrival 10/19-10/22 of 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers. Your guests have until 9/19/23 to make their reservation at the group rate. Below are a couple of ways they can reserve their room:

Call In:

Crowne Plaza Direct Number – (239) 482-2900

Ask for the Flamingo Wing Reunion group rate

Rate is $139 per night plus 11.5% tax for king bed with sleeper sofa or two queen beds

Rate includes a hot plated breakfast daily

Book Online:

https://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=FMYSO&_PMID=99801505&GPC=FLA&cn=no&viewfullsite=true

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Your group is now set up in our system for arrival 4/19-4/21 of 2024 at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers (soon to be DoubleTree by Hilton). Your guests have until 3/19/24 to make their reservation at the group rate. Below are a couple of ways they can reserve their room: