Military Spouses Share Travel Tips

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With airfare and hotel costs on the rise, family vacations are becoming more challenging, especially for military families, but military spouses are finding ways to keep trips affordable.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, airfare rose nearly 6 percent in August while hotel rates also increased, putting added pressure on household travel budgets.

Military spouses Jen and Kirst, co founders of the blog Wives of the Armed Forces, say military families often face additional hurdles when planning trips. 

Unpredictable leave schedules, children’s activities and coordinating with extended family can make timing and budgeting difficult.

One strategy they recommend is choosing a meeting location that serves as a halfway point for everyone involved. This can reduce travel costs and save time, especially for families spread across different states.

“We’re used to having to manage leave schedules you know just because you ask for time off doesn’t necessarily mean you’re gonna get it or even when they say you can go sometimes it gets pulled away last minute, so you just never know what to expect on that front. We also have to manage our kids schedules extended families schedules to try to find that perfect date and then the cherry on top is always budget and how to be thinking forward.”

They also point to military focused travel resources, including vacation clubs and benefits like USO lounges, as ways to make trips more affordable. 

They say thoughtful planning and flexibility can help military families continue to travel despite rising costs.