Free Flights For Military
Free flights for military, known as "hops" are a common way for both active and retired military to take advantage of open seats. While "free" is the operative word, there are also a number of military discounts for flights. In this article we will look at how you can take advantage of these free or reduced fares, provided you are enlisted in the armed forces.
Hops can be requested through the Space-A-Flight program (www.amc.ad.mil). A word to the wise: if you are planning a holiday with time to spare, then a free hop is the way to go. If you need to be somewhere at a certain time (like base) then you should not attempt a hop. Remember, you get what you pay for: in order to effectively catch a hop, the plane must arrive at its intended location, depart on time, and not be sent somewhere else along the way. Unlike commercial flights, you cannot expect to have a backup flight if the plane gets scrapped.
If time is of the essence, you are better off paying. There are many airlines that offer special rates on flights for military, and you a number of websites out there to help you. www.Militarytravel.com is a great site for active duty military to book discounted flights, and www.vettravel.com is great for (you guessed it) veterans.
There are more benefits as well. Military rates don't generally hold change fees, so you can save yourself hundreds, even thousands of dollars even if the rates were the same.
In conclusions, free flights for military, while common, should not be used for any trip that requires a deadline. It's like hitchhiking; you don't pay for it, so don't complain if you don't get a ride. If you have the time however, a hop can be a great way to save some serious cash.
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