America's veterans and military retirees have earned a remarkable portfolio of travel related benefits through their years of service. From free military flights and exclusive resort access to discounted airline fares and the most comprehensive leisure travel portal in the federal government, the full scope of these benefits is something every veteran, retiree, and military family should understand. E-Safe conducted a thorough review of official federal law, Department of Defense policy, and Transportation Security Administration documentation to produce this complete guide.
Airport Security: TSA PreCheck, the VETS Safe Travel Act, and What Veterans Should Know
Airport security is often the first hurdle in any travel experience, and the federal government has established multiple programs to ease that process for the military community.
Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and Service Academy Students
Active duty military members, reservists, National Guard members, and students at U.S. military service academies receive TSA PreCheck expedited screening as a benefit of their service at no cost, covering both official and personal travel. Access is obtained by entering the DoD ID number from the back of a Common Access Card into the Known Traveler Number field when booking a flight. The benefit applies to every participating commercial airline and is valid for both personal and duty travel.
The VETS Safe Travel Act: Free PreCheck for Qualifying Disabled Veterans
In a bipartisan effort championed by members of both the Senate and the House, Congress passed the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, which President Biden signed into law on January 4, 2025. The law is commonly referenced as the VETS Safe Travel Act.
The legislation covers veterans enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system who have service connected disabilities resulting in loss or loss of use of an extremity, paralysis or partial paralysis, or permanent blindness, and who require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device. Under the law, the Department of Veterans Affairs certifies eligibility and TSA processes the application, granting access to PreCheck at no cost provided the veteran successfully passes the required background check and interview process. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that approximately 325,000 veterans meet the qualifications for the fee waiver. TSA and the VA are still finalizing joint implementation processes, and veterans who believe they qualify are encouraged to check the official TSA website at tsa.gov/precheck/military for the most current enrollment instructions.
Gold Star and Military Survivor Families
Gold Star and Military Survivor families are also eligible for free TSA PreCheck enrollment. Those seeking to enroll must meet eligibility requirements and present an eligibility verification letter of Gold Star status from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
Military Spouses
Military spouses are not covered under their partner's DoD ID and must obtain their own Known Traveler Number. A $25 discount on TSA PreCheck enrollment or renewal fees is available when presenting a valid Uniformed Services Identification card.
Veterans and Military Retirees
For military retirees, veterans, and those transitioning out of DoD service, TSA PreCheck benefits do not continue automatically after separation. Enrollment in the standard TSA PreCheck program upon retirement or separation is required to continue using expedited screening. The enrollment fee ranges from $78 to $85 for new applicants and provides five years of access. Many premium travel credit cards offer reimbursement of this fee as a cardholder benefit.
TSA Cares: Checkpoint Assistance for Disabled Veterans
Injured military members, veterans, and wounded warriors may request individualized assistance at security screenings through TSA Cares. TSA advises contacting the program at least 72 hours prior to travel to discuss screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the checkpoint. The TSA Cares hotline at (855) 787-2227 coordinates dignified screening assistance for travelers with prosthetics, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices.
Space Available Military Air Travel
One of the most powerful and underutilized benefits available to qualified veterans and retirees is Space Available air travel, commonly known as Space-A. This program allows eligible individuals to fly aboard Department of Defense aircraft at no cost, using surplus seating capacity that would otherwise go unfilled.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 provided eligibility for veterans with a permanent service connected disability rated as total to compete for travel aboard space available passenger transportation, opening a benefit that had previously been reserved exclusively for active duty and retired service members.
Who Is Eligible for Space-A Travel
Eligible groups include active duty service members, retired military members issued DD Form 2 and eligible to receive retired or retainer pay, family members with valid identification cards when accompanying a retired sponsor, surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty as well as retired military members and their accompanying dependents, and authorized veterans with a permanent service connected disability rated as total (100% DAV) and their dependents when accompanied by the veteran sponsor, traveling within the continental United States or directly between the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
To access Space-A flights, veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating must obtain a DD Form 2765 identification card. Dependents of 100% disabled veterans are not eligible for Space-A travel unless physically accompanying the veteran sponsor.
Priority Categories
Veterans with 100% disability ratings, along with military retirees, compete for Space-A seats in priority Category VI, meaning active service members with emergency leave and other higher priority transportation needs take precedence. Flexible scheduling and a backup commercial travel plan are essential for anyone using Space-A. Travelers should register at Air Mobility Command passenger terminals, monitor terminal social media pages for real-time flight schedules and seat availability, and be prepared to travel on short notice.
Retired Reservists
Retired reservists have access to Space-A travel similar to full active duty retirees. The key distinction is that until a retired reservist reaches age 60, Space-A travel to foreign countries is not authorized. Domestic destinations within the continental United States and U.S. territories remain accessible before that age threshold.
American Forces Travel: The DoD's Official Leisure Travel Portal
American Forces Travel, supported by Priceline and operated through the DoD's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program, is the official online leisure travel site for active military, Guard, Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard, retired military, and all eligible MWR patrons. The platform offers over one million deals across more than 71,000 destinations globally.
Authorized users can book domestic and international flights without booking fees, with reduced costs for changing or canceling reservations. Typical savings include discounts on cruises, hotels, and rental cars, with lodging deals reaching up to 50% off and cruise savings reported as high as 80% on select packages. Priceline does not charge booking or cancellation fees when using the American Forces Travel portal. A portion of all bookings made through American Forces Travel is returned to MWR programs to fund quality of life activities for the military community.
Who Is Eligible for American Forces Travel
Eligible users include active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, U.S. Coast Guard, retired military, all eligible MWR patrons, veterans with any service connected disability, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, and all honorably discharged veterans. Eligibility is verified through the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at login.
Armed Forces Recreation Centers: World Class Resorts for the Military Community
The Department of Defense operates a network of premier resort properties exclusively for the military community and authorized patrons, known as Armed Forces Recreation Centers, commonly referred to as AFRCs. These facilities are operated by the U.S. Army as executive agent for the Department of Defense and are designed to provide high quality, affordable resort style experiences to all uniformed services, their families, and authorized patrons.
Full eligibility for all four AFRC locations includes active duty members and their families, retired members of active duty, Reserves, and National Guard, Reserve and National Guard members, retired reservists, and honorably discharged veterans with a 100% service connected disability certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, under the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, which took effect January 1, 2020, veterans with any service connected disability rating gained access to Shades of Green and Hale Koa Hotel, along with Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and primary family caregivers of eligible veterans.
Shades of Green — Orlando, Florida
Shades of Green is a military owned resort situated within Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Guests receive transportation to all Walt Disney World attractions and early entry to select attractions, making it an extraordinary value for military families visiting the area. Shades of Green also operates two special programs. The Salute to Veterans program opens the resort to all honorably discharged veterans, regardless of disability rating, during the months of January and September each year. The Survivor's Family Program extends access to families who have lost a service member in the line of duty, with no restrictions related to the cause of death, including illness, accident, or suicide.
Hale Koa Hotel — Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
The Hale Koa Hotel, which translates from Hawaiian as House of the Warrior, is an oceanfront resort on 72 tropical acres at Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu. Amenities include two swimming pools, a full service day spa, fitness center, authentic island luau, and on-site dining showcasing Hawaiian cuisine, all at rates far below what comparable commercial Waikiki properties charge. The hotel is located approximately ten miles from the Honolulu International Airport.
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort — Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Edelweiss Lodge and Resort is located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in the Bavarian Alps near the Austrian border. The resort offers 258 rooms and suites, vacation cabins, a wellness club with pool and outdoor hot tub, a certified ski and snowboard school during winter months, and access to some of Europe's most iconic destinations. The expanded access granted to service connected disabled veterans under the 2018 legislation does not currently apply to Edelweiss, as the facility is subject to host nation laws and international agreements. Standard full military eligibility applies.
Dragon Hill Lodge — Seoul, South Korea
Dragon Hill Lodge provides affordable accommodations in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, for U.S. service members, DoD civilians, and authorized patrons stationed or traveling in the region. It is one of the few U.S. military resort facilities operating in Asia, offering a full range of amenities in one of the world's most dynamic capital cities.
On-Base Lodging
Disabled veterans and military retirees can stay in military lodging on U.S. installations on a space available basis. On-base lodging consistently offers clean, safe accommodations at rates significantly lower than comparable commercial hotels, particularly in high cost of living areas such as Washington D.C., San Diego, Honolulu, and the greater New York region. Military hotel brands operating on installations include Navy Gateway Inns and Suites, IHG Army Hotels, Air Force Inns, and Coast Guard Lodging facilities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. On-base lodging also provides convenient access to all MWR facilities, commissary, and exchange services during a stay.
Commissary, Exchange, and MWR Privileges
The ability to access on-base shopping and recreational facilities dramatically extends the value of any military travel experience, whether at home or at a destination installation.
Under Title 10, United States Code, Section 1065, as significantly expanded by the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 taking effect January 1, 2020, commissary, exchange, and MWR retail access was extended to a much broader group of veterans. All service connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and registered primary family caregivers may now present their Veterans Health Identification Card to gain entry to DoD and Coast Guard installations, commissary stores, exchanges, and MWR retail activities on the same basis as a member of the armed forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.
Eligible veterans and caregivers have access to DoD and Coast Guard MWR retail activities including entertainment venues, clubs, recreational lodging and resorts, special interest activities, bowling, golf, restaurants, marinas, equipment rental, movie theaters, vehicle storage, kennels, and the American Forces Travel online portal. Even with the statutory five percent surcharge applied to commissary purchases, patrons receive average worldwide savings of approximately 23.7% compared to commercial grocery store pricing. All honorably discharged veterans, including Reservists, are eligible to register and shop at online exchange outlets regardless of disability rating.
Airline Discounts and Private Sector Travel Benefits
Beyond official government programs, a number of major U.S. airlines and travel organizations offer dedicated discounts for veterans, retirees, and active duty personnel. These discounts are generally not listed on standard travel booking websites and require direct contact with the airline or enrollment in a veteran discount program such as WeSalute, formerly known as Veterans Advantage.
American Airlines offers discounts of up to 10% on domestic and international tickets for qualifying military members. United Airlines offers discounts of up to 5%. Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and Frontier Airlines each maintain programs with varying terms for active duty personnel, retirees, and veterans traveling through authorized channels. Several airlines also provide generous checked baggage waivers, with some offering five complimentary bags for service members traveling on official orders and two complimentary bags for personal travel.
For international travel and expedited customs re-entry, Global Entry from U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides pre-approved travelers with expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States and automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits. The application fee for Global Entry is $120, and membership lasts five years. No government fee waiver exists specifically for veterans or retirees for this program, though many premium travel credit cards reimburse the enrollment fee as a cardholder benefit.
Information, Tickets, and Travel Offices
On-base Information, Tickets, and Travel offices, commonly referred to as ITT offices, provide one-stop access to discounted tickets for theme parks, concerts, sporting events, theater productions, and local attractions at military pricing. American Forces Travel serves as the online equivalent of the brick-and-mortar ITT office, available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Veterans and retirees eligible for MWR programs have access to ITT benefits both in person at installation offices and through the American Forces Travel online portal.
Key Identification Documents for Travel Benefits
Understanding which identification document to carry is critical to accessing these benefits smoothly and without complication.
DD Form 2 (Blue Card)
Issued to military retirees receiving retired or retainer pay and their eligible dependents. It grants the broadest access to military travel benefits, including full Space-A eligibility to worldwide destinations.
DD Form 2765 (Tan Card)
Issued to honorably discharged veterans with 100% service connected disability ratings who are not retirement eligible, as well as veterans with 100% ratings through Total Disability Individual Unemployability. It grants commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges, as well as Space-A travel eligibility within the continental United States and specified U.S. territories.
Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Issued by the VA to enrolled veterans. This is the primary credential for in-person commissary, exchange, and MWR access for service connected disabled veterans who do not hold a DoD issued identification card. The card must display an eligibility status of Service Connected, Purple Heart, or Former POW to be accepted at DoD facilities.
Summary: Benefits by Status
| Status | Key Travel Benefits | Disability Rating Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Military Retirees (Retired Pay) | Full Space-A worldwide, all four AFRCs, on-base lodging, commissary, exchange, MWR, American Forces Travel, airline discounts | None required |
| 100% P&T Disabled Veterans | Space-A (CONUS and U.S. territories), all AFRCs, commissary, exchange, MWR, on-base lodging, American Forces Travel, VETS Act PreCheck (if qualifying disability) | 100% Permanent and Total |
| Veterans with 0%–90% Service Connected Rating | Commissary, exchange, MWR retail, American Forces Travel, on-base recreational lodging (space available), Shades of Green and Hale Koa access | Any service connected rating |
| All Honorably Discharged Veterans | Online exchange shopping (AAFES), Shades of Green Salute to Veterans program (January and September) | None required |
| Purple Heart Recipients / Former POWs | Commissary, exchange, MWR retail, American Forces Travel, Shades of Green, Hale Koa, on-base lodging (space available) | Not applicable; award or status based |
| Military Spouses | American Forces Travel, $25 TSA PreCheck discount, ITT access when sponsored | None required |
| Gold Star / Survivor Families | Free TSA PreCheck enrollment, Shades of Green Survivor's Family Program | None required; status based |
Sources
- Transportation Security Administration. "TSA PreCheck for Uniformed Service Members." https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/military
- Transportation Security Administration. "Military and Veterans." https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/military-travelers
- U.S. Congress. H.R. 7365, Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act (VETS Safe Travel Act). Signed into Law January 4, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7365/text
- Senator Todd Young. Press Release: "Young, Colleagues VETS Safe Travel Act Signed Into Law." January 8, 2025. https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-colleagues-vets-safe-travel-act-signed-into-law/
- Congressional Budget Office. Cost Estimate, H.R. 7365. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60851
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Commissary and Exchange Privileges for Veterans." https://www.va.gov/resources/commissary-and-exchange-privileges-for-veterans/
- U.S. Army Benefits Website. "Space Available Travel for Soldiers." https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Space-Available-Travel-(Space-A-Travel)
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA News. "Disabled Veterans Can Fly Space Available Flights for Free." https://news.va.gov/60642/eligibility-disabled-veterans-space-available-flights/
- Military.com. "Who Is Eligible for Space-A Flights?" https://www.military.com/travel/space-available-flight-eligibility.html
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA News. "Veterans Eligible for Travel Deals, Airfare Discounts." https://news.va.gov/97057/veterans-travel-deals/
- American Forces Travel. Official DoD Leisure Travel Site. https://www.americanforcestravel.com/
- Military OneSource. "About American Forces Travel." https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/american-forces-travel/
- Army MWR. Armed Forces Recreation Centers. https://www.armymwr.com/travel/armed-forces-hotels-resorts
- Shades of Green Resort. Eligibility. https://www.shadesofgreen.org/about-shades-green/eligibility
- Hale Koa Hotel. Eligibility. https://www.halekoa.com/about-hale-koa-hotel/eligibility
- Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. Eligibility. https://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/your-stay/eligibility
- DoD Military OneSource. "Expanding Access Fact Sheet." October 2023. https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/expanding-access-fact-sheet.pdf
- U.S. Code, Title 10, Section 1065. Commissary and MWR Eligibility. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section1065
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "Global Entry." https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
- The Military Wallet. "Travel Discounts for Military Members and Veterans." https://themilitarywallet.com/military-and-veteran-travel-discounts/
- Poppin' Smoke. "Recreation and Travel Benefits for Disabled Veterans." https://www.poppinsmoke.com/travel-benefits-for-disabled-veterans/
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
You will need three things: a VA letter confirming your 100% service connected disability rating and entitlement to commissary and exchange privileges, your original DD Form 214 showing an honorable discharge, and two valid forms of government-issued identification. Bring all three to any Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (RAPIDS) office, which are located on most military installations. You can find the nearest site at the DoD ID card office online at idco.dmdc.osd.mil. Your DEERS record will be updated to reflect your status as a Disabled American Veteran Permanent (DAVPRM) or Temporary (DAVTMP) depending on whether future VA medical evaluations are scheduled. If your rating is permanent and total with no future exams required, the card will be issued with an indefinite expiration date.
First, you must be enrolled in VA health care. If not yet enrolled, apply at va.gov. Once enrolled and after receiving your VA welcome call, you can request a VHIC either online through va.gov or in person by contacting the enrollment coordinator at your nearest VA medical center and arranging to have your photo taken. The card is issued free of charge and typically arrives by mail within 10 days. The "Service Connected" designation prints automatically on the front of the card when the VA's records show you have a service connected disability, regardless of the percentage. That designation is what qualifies the card for use at commissary stores, exchanges, MWR retail facilities, and AFRC resorts such as Shades of Green and Hale Koa Hotel.
Yes, dependents of 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans may fly Space-A, but only when physically accompanying the veteran sponsor on the same flight. They cannot travel unaccompanied under the veteran's eligibility. Additionally, 100% disabled veterans and their accompanying dependents are restricted to travel within the continental United States (CONUS) and directly between CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Unlike full military retirees, 100% disabled veterans who are not also retired from military service are not authorized to fly Space-A to or from foreign countries. Children and dependents aged 14 and older traveling on Space-A must have their own valid identification card.
AFRC resort rates are set on a sliding scale based on military rank or pay grade — lower ranking service members and lower-grade retirees pay less, and rates increase with rank. This means an E-5 and an O-6 stay at the same resort but pay different nightly rates. For 100% disabled veterans holding a DD Form 2765, Shades of Green assigns them to Rate II, the same tier as those with a DD Form 1173 or DD Form 2. At Shades of Green, nightly room rates have historically ranged from approximately $79 to $275 depending on season, room type, and rank tier. Reservations at all four AFRC locations can be made directly through each resort's website or by phone, and rooms are subject to availability. Popular periods, particularly at Shades of Green and Hale Koa, can book out months in advance.
Veterans with any service connected disability rating, even as low as 0%, gained meaningful access under the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, effective January 1, 2020. With a VHIC marked "Service Connected," they can access commissary stores, military exchange facilities (AAFES, NEXCOM, MCX), MWR retail activities, recreational lodging on installations on a space available basis, American Forces Travel for discounted leisure travel, and AFRC resorts Shades of Green and Hale Koa Hotel. What they do not qualify for at sub-100% ratings is Space-A flight eligibility aboard DoD aircraft — that requires a permanent and total 100% rating. Free TSA PreCheck under the VETS Safe Travel Act also requires a specific qualifying disability (loss of limb, paralysis, or permanent blindness) rather than a general disability percentage.
