Military Travel Tips

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT MILITARY LIFE IS THE CHANCE TO SEE THE WORLD, AND AS A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER YOU HAVE MANY WAYS TO!

 TO UTILIZE YOUR BENEFITS IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE CHECK OUT THESE MILITARY TRAVEL TIPS. 

• Consider off-season travel to popular destinations.For instance, January and September are typically light travel months.

• Travel though a Travel Now and Pay Later service.  United Military Travel provides military travel loans to all active duty/retired military and government personnel giving you more access to exotic destinations and leave more money in your pocket for your trip.

• Make lodging reservations early. Ask about availability as soon as you know your travel dates, especially if you plan to stay over a holiday or long weekend. But make sure you understand the cancellation policies in case your travel plans change.

• Have a back-up plan if you’re traveling on a space-available basis. Getting “bumped” from your room reservation or flight won’t disrupt your trip if you have back-up arrangements.

• Confirm that you have current information for installation lodgings and Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights. Visit the AMC Travel website for more information.

• Research military travel bargains online. There are many commercial websites geared to military leisure travel. Check them regularly for limited time cruise and travel packages.

• Ask about military discounts. You’ll find reduced rates on attractions, entertainment, and transportation in many parts of the United States, especially where there’s a large resident military community.

• Get reliable information for overseas destinations. For entry requirements, safety advice, and travel advisories, visit the Department of State website.

• Share and exchange travel tips with others. It’s fun to talk about trips, and you’ll get some of the best ideas from word-of-mouth recommendations.

MILITARY TRAVEL TIPS FOR PACKING

• If checking a duffle bag, pack all of your clothing and lighter items in the bottom, and then place your books, helmet, books, and other large heavy items on top.  This makes it easier for TSA to repack your bag if they search it.
• Make sure you use a TSA-recognized lock if you wish to lock your luggage, otherwise they could cut the lock.
• Traveling with weapons?  Visit this website first!
• TSA is going to investigate and search everything that looks suspicious so if it looks like a bomb, grenade, land mine, knife, gun etc., don't pack it!  You are going to make the screening process much, much more difficult and long for yourself and everyone else.  Don't be that person!

MILITARY FAMILY MEMBER GATE PASSES

If you want to accompany your military spouse to the boarding gate before deployment or meet them at the arrival gate you can receive a pass to enter the secure area of the airport.  To get them, contact their air carrier representative at the departure/arrival airport to learn the procedure.  Just remember, you will still have to be screened through TSA security check.

ASSISTANCE FOR VET'S: DISABLED, INJURED, AND WOUNDED WARRIORS

Once you book your flight, contact your airline provider so TSA can make arrangements for a speedy screening process at 1-855-787-2227

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Most Expensive Countries To Rent A Car

WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOU NEED TO RENT A CAR DURING YOUR VACATION DOES YOUR HEART PALPITATE AND DO YOU AUTOMATICALLY BREAK OUT IN COLD SWEATS?

Its ok if you freak out, totally normal!  To rent a car is pricey, but a lot of the time is the best way to get around and to explore.  I want to help you, and your blood pressure, while planning a vacation by sharing with your the most expensive countries to rent a car.

Ultimately, you have a couple of options...you can either avoid these places at all costs or you can use United Military Travel's Drive Now and Pay Later service that allows you to book your rental car, go on vacation, and pay monthly for it all!  It leaves so much more liquid cash in your pocket for all the exploring you are going to do!

According to the article, Cheapest and most expensive countries for car hire this summer, found in the British publication, The Telegraph, the USA ranks cheapest to rent a car for a week.  They compared five rental companies - Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar, then an average was taken for each country.  Also, the results are based on a family car rental with five "extras": excess waiver insurance, additional driver, car seat, and a navigation system, plus one tank of gas.  Which I think is useful information since majority of the trips are family vacations.

Country	Cost of car hire
1. USA (picking up from Orlando Airport, Florida)	£294
2. Turkey (pick up from Dalaman Airport)	£412
3. Holland (pick up from Amsterdam Airport)	£441
4. Belgium (pick up from Brussels Airport)	£484
5. Germany (pick up from Munich Airport)	£490
6. Greece (pick up in Crete)	£572
7. Ireland (pick up from Dublin Airport)	£573
8. France (pick up from Nice Airport)	£647
9. Spain (pick up from Barcelona Airport)	£683
10. Portugal (pick up from Faro Airport)	£686
11. Italy (pick up from Milan Airport)	£702
12. UK (pick up from London Heathrow)	£725

SOURCE

I ALSO FOUND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU RENT A CAR IN EUROPE FROM A SURVEY CHEAPCARRENTAL.NET CONDUCTED.  THEY COMPARED CAR RENTAL RATES IN OVER 100 POPULAR EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS FOR THIS MONTH.

1.The Azores (Portugal) €75

2.Bergen (Norway) €74

3.Reykjavik (Iceland) €70

4.Trondheim (Norway) €69

5.Oslo (Norway) €68

6.Porto (Portugal) €64

7.Menorca (Spain) €57

8.Crete (Greece) €56

9.Athens (Greece) €53

10.Thessaloniki (Greece) €52

11.Corfu (Greece) €52

12.Faro (Portugal) €50

13.Lisbon (Portugal) €49

14.Helsinki (Finland) €49

15.Madeira (Portugal) €48

16.Rhodes (Greece) €47

17.Split (Croatia) €44

18.Cagliari (Italy) €43

19.Dubrovnik (Croatia) €42

20.Vienna (Austria) €42

Visit travelpluse.com to see the full article about European Rental Cars 

I HAVE ALWAYS TOLD ME READERS THAT AN INFORMED TRAVELER IS A SMART AND SAFE TRAVELER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING SURVEYS LIKE THESE SO YOU ARE EDUCATED IN THE RATES OF THE WORLD BEFORE PLANNING A VACATION.

 MY GOAL FOR MY FELLOW TRAVELERS IS WHEN YOU RENT A CAR YOU DO SO CONFIDENTLY, SMARTLY, AND HAPPILY.

DO NOT LET A CAR RENTAL STRESS YOU OUT, RATHER LET IT CREATE EXCITEMENT IN THE ADVENTURES YOU ARE ABOUT TO HAVE!

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UrbanCampsite, Amsterdam

WHEN I THINK OF AMSTERDAM A FEW THINGS COME TO MIND....

ASIDE FROM THE OPENLY PUBLIC USE OF DRUGS AND SEX, I THINK OF ART, URBANISM, AND TALENT.

THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL FIND AMONG THE LOCAL PEOPLE - THEY HAVE CREATED A COMMUNITY OF RESTAURANTS, GALLERIES, BOUTIQUE HOTELS, SPECIALITY SHOPS, AND FUNKY ACCOMMODATIONS TO DISPLAY THEIR INDIVIDUALITY TO THE WORLD.

IF AMSTERDAM FINDS A WAY INTO YOUR FUTURE, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER A DIFFERENT STYLE OF LODGING...AT LEAST FOR ONE NIGHT.  BREAK AWAY FROM THE INNER CITY AND HOTELS TO SPEND A COUPLE OF NIGHTS UNDERNEATH THE NETHERLAND SKY AT URBANCAMPSITE AMSTERDAM. 

UrbanCampsite Amsterdam is a publicly accessible open-air exhibition of artworks in an unlikely place in Amsterdam. The exceptionality of these artworks is the fact that they can serve as accomodation, whereby the exhibition acts as a temporary campsite at the same time.The arrangement of the artworks in a special location of Amsterdam such as this underused area offers the visitors a different view of the city and the place itself. Where nothing has been before, art and life suddenly bloom. UrbanCampsiteAmsterdam shows that even the most remote place can receive an exciting dimension.

The same is true for the artworks: due to the fact that they also serve as accommodation the usual distance between viewer and artwork is eliminated, which paves the way for a new view of the works. Thus the use adds another layer of significance, both for those sleeping inside and those coming to look at the objects.

Besides from being an exhibition and temporary settlement UrbanCampsiteAmsterdam is also a gathering place for local residents, tourists, architects, artists and kids. With a lively framework programme the site is always lively and active. In various workshops visitors are encouraged to actively participate in the appropriation and transformation of this place. Different performances aim to continually attract new groups to grace UrbanCampsite with their visit.

UrbanCampsiteAmsterdam brings a broad public into contact with contemporary art and shows this art’s potency to transform a location. This transformations revolves both around the visitors’ experience and the physical location. source

LOCATED JUST 20 MINUTES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, ON AN ARTIFICIAL ISLAND, OUTDOOR LOVERS ARE INVITED TO COME STAY IN ONE OF 12 FUNKY ART INSTALLATIONS, AKA CAMPSITES, CREATED BY LOCAL DESIGNERS.   THE CAMPSITE IS PORTABLE TOO - EACH YEAR IT IS SET UP AT A DIFFERENT CAMPSITE!

AMMENITIES

Each pod comes with a comfortable bed and just like traditional camping there is no electricity.  But it is maintained like a hotel so you will be provided clean sheets, and romantic lighting.  On sight you will find bathrooms, showers, hammocks, fire pits, and a small kitchen.

Showers

It reminds me of a hostel but outside........basically this is Glamping at its quirkiest!

  

You can book your stay at UrbanCampsite Amsterdam through Airbnb or if you are in the military United Military Travel can provide you with a #travelnowpaylater vacation!

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Most efficients ways to save money for travel

SAVING MONEY FOR THE BIG TRIP CAN BE A CHALLENGE, BUT IF YOU COMMIT TO IT 100% AND ARE SERIOUS IT WILL BE A WALK IN THE PARK!

It will be fun too - everyone likes a challenge so create goals for yourself...

For example: each week have a specific amount of money you want to put away and when you reach it reward yourself!   Then, when the money really starts to add up I bet your motivation will to!  You will start to imagine what you can do with the money and then figure out how much more you need to have the most rockin' vacation ever!

 For the most efficient ways to save money for travel keep reading!

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FUN FACT: 

STATISTICALLY, ONLY ABOUT 36% OF AMERICANS OWN A PASSPORT WHICH MEANS THE OTHER 64% PROBABLY DO NOT TRAVEL MUCH AT ALL.  BECAUSE GENERALLY SPEAKING, IF YOU ARE A REGULAR TRAVELER THEN YOU WILL OWN A PASSPORT. 

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The biggest piece of advice I can give you to save money for travel is figure out what you spend each month to live, then categorize your spendings with totals.  Start marking off the categories that you can cut out but remember the totals of each because you will then start putting that amount into a savings account.  In a nutshell, you will be using the same amount of money each month but instead of using it for purchases you will putting it away.  Since you are already used to not having the extra cash, you won't even miss it!

MOST EFFICIENT WAYS TO SAVE MONEY FOR TRAVEL!

1.  OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT THAT YOU CAN TRANSFER $$ INTO BUT NOT TAKE OUT.

2. EACH TIME YOU ARE ASKED IF YOU WANT CASH BACK - SAY YES!  TAKE OUT $5 TO $10 EACH TIME AND IMMEDIATELY TAKE IT TO THE BANK.

3. CREATE AN AUTOMATIC WITHDRAW, SCHEDULED FOR RIGHT AFTER YOU GET PAID, IN A FAIRLY LARGE AMOUNT.  WHATEVER THE HIGHEST AMOUNT IS YOU CAN AFFORD...DO IT!

4. CUT BACK ON DRINKING, GOING OUT, EATING OUT!  BASICALLY, CUT ANY EXTRA COSTS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY - IF THIS PART KILLS YOU JUST REMEMBER IT IS JUST TEMPORARILY.

5. ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IF THEY NEED HELP WITH YARD WORK, CLEANING THEIR HOUSE, BABYSITTING, ETC.  START MAKING CASH IN YOUR SPARE TIME.

6.  START USING ONLY CASH WHEN MAKING PURCHASES, THAT WAY YOU CAN SAVE ALL THE $1'S, 5'S, AND CHANGE.  USE THIS MONEY AS CAB FARE, LUGGAGE FEES, TRAIN TICKETS, ETC.

7. PURGE YOUR JUNK - WHAT IS JUNK TO YOU MAY BE GOLD TO OTHERS.  SO POST TO CRAIGSLIST, EBAY, IN YOU LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND START SELLING!

8. MAKE YOUR OWN LUNCHS AND COFFEE.  NO MORE RUNNING OUT FOR A QUICK BITE TO EAT OR A MID AFTERNOON PICK ME UP!  INSTEAD TOTAL UP YOUR WEEKLY $$ AMOUNT FOR WHAT YOU USUALLY SPEND ON FOOD/COFFEE AND PUT IT IN THE BANK.  YOU ARE ALREADY USED TO SPENDING IT SO YOU WON'T EVEN MISS IT!

9. IF YOU ARE SUPER SERIOUS ABOUT WANTING TO TRAVEL CUT YOUR CABLE BILL.  I WAS PAYING $120/MONTH FOR DIRECT TV BASICALLY FOR CRAP TV SO I GOT RID OF IT AND SWITCHED TO NETFLIX.  HANDS DOWN THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE!  I NOW PAY $8/MONTH FOR MORE OPTIONS THAN DIRECT TV EVER GAVE ME PLUS IT LETS ME PUT $100 AWAY EACH MONTH.

10. CUT YOUR UTILITIES IN 1/2 OR AS LOW AS YOU CAN GET THEM.  TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS, BUNDLE UP IN THE WINTER, AND OPEN THE WINDOWS WHEN YOU CAN.  YOU WILL BE SURPRISED YOUR SAVINGS IN A YEARS TIME WHEN YOU CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS!

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