Military-Paid Vacations: For the Adventurous and Patient

I often get Europe "cravings" ever since I spent some time there in college. The history...the architecture...the culture ahhhh! The travel bug has bitten me BAD. My husband and I even got the opportunity to travel to Europe for our honeymoon and he fell in love with it just as much as I had. Since our honeymoon, we've both been itching to go back. So you may ask, what's the hold-up? Well, to be straightforward - it ain't cheap. Airfare, hotels, food, car rentals, obligatory daily gelato and cappuccino...it all adds up! After doing some simple addition, the odds of a return trip to Europe for us in the near future weren't looking good. Until... (cue harp and Angels' singing), we heard about this awesome travel opportunity for military families: Space A!

What Is Space A?

Space A (Space-Available) or military hops, is a program that allows eligible passengers to fill unused seats on a military aircraft once all the required (duty) passengers and cargo have been accommodated. If you have the time and flexibility, Space A offers incredible discounts for air travel (fees will vary by destination and which base you fly out of, but I've heard of people flying for a measly $30!)

The inside of a Space A aircraft

Since 9/11, most information regarding Space A travel times and schedules has been removed from the internet. The best way to get information regarding schedules and times is to call a Space A Gateway. There's a number of bases that have Space A travel, for a complete list click here. 

How does it work?

Each passenger is categorized by his/her priority of travel and by sign-in time - these two factors will determine the precedence you have of getting on the flight versus other passengers. In terms of your category, each passenger is placed in one of six categories based on your status (i.e. active duty, reserve, etc.) and your situation (i.e. emergency leave, ordinary leave, etc.). The closer your category is to 1, the greater of a chance you have of getting on a Space A flight (i.e. a category III would board before a category IV). For a list of the different categories by status and situation, click here. In terms of sign-in time, you will get higher priority if you registered for the flight earlier or before another passenger. The date and time you sign-up is valid until your destination and then a new date and time will be assigned to you for your return travel. So to sum it up, your category and sign-in time both play into how likely it is you'll get on a particular Space A flight. 

That is some serious baggage

Another bonus! Each passenger may check two pieces of checked baggage at 70 lbs each (for an overpacker like myself, this is wonderful information). You can also bring hand-carried luggage as long as it fits under your seat or overhead compartment, if available. However, be sure to check this information with your Space A Gateway as baggage weight may change due to type of aircraft and other restrictions. 

How do I register?

At most bases, there are four ways to sign up:

1) A completed AMC Form 140

2) Online registration via email

3) Fax

4) In person 

If your spouse is active duty, he/she MUST be on leave or pass status at the time you register for Space A travel. 

The following information is generally required for a successful sign up:

• Name
• Rank/Grade
• Social Security Number (of all travelers) 
• Branch of service
• Start and stop dates of leave (for active duty only)
• Category number (I-VI)
• Number of passengers you're traveling with
• Destination (up to five may be chosen)

Sponsors who register in person for family members traveling with them should present the following documents:

• Identification cards 
• Passports
• Immunization records
• Visas when required by the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide 

For more Space A travel tips, click here.

I hope this post provided a nice overview for you on how Space A works. It's a complicated, unpredictable process, but if you have time and patience then it's well worth any frustration it may cause! And hey, you may end up going on an even bigger adventure then you originally planned!