Military Travel Tips and Tricks

Brad Baker

October 5, 2024
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Traveling for duty can be exciting, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re headed out for training, a PCS, or just a quick TDY, these Military travel tips and tricks will help make your travel smoother and more comfortable.

Hotel Travel Tips

  1. Laundry Hacks: Bring quarters for hotel washing machines, and pack laundry detergent sheets in a zip-lock bag to avoid spills. A lightweight laundry bag will keep your dirty clothes organized.
  2. Stay Connected: A Chromecast can turn any hotel TV into your personal streaming center. To boost the hotel’s spotty Wi-Fi, bring a Wi-Fi extender and set up your VPN (referral link) for secure browsing.
  3. Go Digital: Most hotels now offer mobile check-ins through their apps. This lets you skip the front desk and get a digital key sent directly to your phone.
  4. Save on Meals: To stretch your per diem, skip pricey hotel meals. Head to a local grocery store and grab a loaf of bread, lunch meat, and other simple groceries. You can prepare your own meals, saving you money.
  5. Get Hotel Perks: Many credit cards offer hotel status upgrades. Once you’ve got premium status with one chain, you can often request a status match with others, unlocking discounts and freebies.

Rental Car Tips

  1. Bypass the Line: Download the rental company’s app to skip the counter and head straight to your car.
  2. Manage Tolls: Before hitting the road, visit the local toll website and add your rental car’s license plate to avoid surprise charges later.
  3. Offline Maps: Google Maps lets you download maps in advance for offline use. You can also use Magic Earth to download entire U.S. maps, ensuring you never get lost due to poor service.

Smart Packing List

  1. Stay Hydrated: Bring a reusable water bottle to avoid buying expensive drinks at the airport.
  2. Snacks on Hand: Pack snacks and a few Stur packets (in a zip-lock bag) for quick, easy hydration on the go.
  3. Comfortable Flights: Bluetooth earbuds with a plane adapter, a good sleep mask, and a head strap can make even long flights more comfortable.
  4. Travel Light: For flights, pack a small backpack as your carry-on. Keep it under the seat so you have quick access without bothering anyone.
  5. Checked Bags: On orders, most airlines allow you to check up to 5 bags for free. Take advantage of this to avoid lugging large bags through the airport.
  6. Military Pre-Boarding: Show your military ID to board early on most airlines and avoid the crowds.
  7. Meal Prep: Pre-order your meals a day or two before your flight, and request special dietary options if needed.

Flying Tips

  1. Lounge Access: If you have an AMEX Platinum, Delta, or Hilton card, you may get access to airport lounges for free—plus discounts and upgrades. Check out the Priority Pass app for even more lounge options.
  2. Military Perks: Always add your DoD ID when booking flights for free TSA PreCheck. You can also ask for military discounts at airport shops.
  3. Clear & USO Access: Sign up for Clear to speed through security—AMEX offers it for free. Use the USO app to locate USO lounges in airports for free snacks, Wi-Fi, and relaxation spaces.

Travel Vouchers

As soon as you get receipts for travel expenses, use the Adobe Scan app to save them digitally. Check the local per diem rates before you go to make sure you’re budgeting properly.

Foreign Travel

  1. International Communication: Sign up for a free month of Google Fi to get free international calling. You can add an e-SIM to your phone right away. T-Mobile also offers free international data and texting.
  2. Stay Safe Abroad: Remember to keep your VPN active and download offline maps in case you lose service.

With these tips in mind, your next trip will be smoother and more efficient! Safe travels!