A Complete Guide to Veteran and Military Retiree Travel Benefits

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.

Note: DD Form 2765 and TSA PreCheck
A widely circulated claim suggests that 100% Permanent and Total disabled
veterans can use the DoD ID number printed on the back of their DD Form 2765
as a Known Traveler Number to access free TSA PreCheck. TSA’s system verifies
current enrollment status rather than service record, and a separated DoD ID
number does not reliably generate the PreCheck indicator on a boarding pass.
Some veterans have reported success with this approach, while others have not.
The TSA does not formally list DD Form 2765 holders as a guaranteed, fee-free
PreCheck category. Veterans in this category are best served by using the
formal enrollment pathways described in this guide for consistent, reliable
access.

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