Is American Forces Travel Legit? An In-Depth Guide to Official Military Travel Discounts

By Alexander HamiltonLast Updated September 19, 2025

Photo by Bravo Prince on Unsplash

Introduction: Understanding American Forces Travel

Military personnel and their families often seek ways to save on travel, especially when stationed far from home or planning a well-deserved vacation. American Forces Travel is promoted as the exclusive, official military travel booking site, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and powered by PricelineÂ®. But is American Forces Travel legit? This guide provides a comprehensive, fact-based assessment, explains eligibility, and walks you through safely accessing these official benefits.

What Is American Forces Travel?

American Forces Travel is an online travel booking platform established through a joint initiative by the U.S. military’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs and powered by PricelineÂ®. Its mission is to provide the military community with access to exclusive travel discounts not available to the general public. Every booking helps support MWR programs, which are designed to enhance service members’ quality of life [1] [3] .

Unlike other travel sites that might market military discounts, American Forces Travel is the only official online leisure travel portal for the military community, endorsed by all branches of service and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy [3] .

Who Is Eligible?

The program is available to:

Active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members
Retired military personnel
Eligible family members
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability
Certain Department of Defense (DoD) civilians

This eligibility covers an estimated 9 million individuals, including Medal of Honor recipients and eligible Red Cross and USA paid personnel serving outside the United States [2] .

To verify eligibility, users must enter their last name, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and date of birth. This information is checked against official Department of Defense records, and Priceline does not store or use this data beyond verification [2] .

What Services and Discounts Are Offered?

American Forces Travel provides discounted rates on:

Hotels (domestic and international)
Flights
Car rentals
Cruises
Vacation packages (bundled savings on flights, hotels, and car rentals)

According to multiple sources, hotel discounts can reach up to 60% off, and cruise deals can be as high as 80% off standard rates. The platform boasts access to more than 1.2 million hotels in over 71,000 destinations worldwide [1] [2] .

In addition to travel bookings, American Forces Travel may expand to include discounts on theme parks and attraction tickets in the future [2] .

How to Book With American Forces Travel

The booking process is straightforward, but you must follow specific steps to ensure eligibility and gain access to discounts:

Go to the official American Forces Travel website. (Search for “American Forces Travel” or use the verified site through official MWR channels.)
Log in and complete the eligibility verification process by entering your details as prompted.
Once verified, browse through the available travel deals, including hotels, flights, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages.
Compare prices and options. Select your preferred itinerary and complete the booking process online.

Because the site is powered by PricelineÂ®, you can expect a user experience similar to major travel booking platforms, but with access to military-only discounts [1] [3] .

Is American Forces Travel Legitimate?

Multiple reputable sources-including official Army MWR communications and independent financial publications-confirm that American Forces Travel is a legitimate, Department of Defense-endorsed service exclusively for the military community [3] [1] . The site is operated through a no-cost contract with PricelineÂ®, a recognized leader in the travel industry, which adds another layer of credibility.

Every booking made through American Forces Travel generates revenue that supports MWR programs, providing additional benefits to the military community. No other travel site is officially recognized by all military branches for this purpose [3] .

Comparing Savings: Real-World Experiences

While advertised discounts can be significant, actual savings may vary depending on your destination, travel dates, and what other deals are available. Some users have reported that American Forces Travel provides substantial savings compared to mainstream travel sites, particularly for bundled packages or cruise deals. For example, bundled packages can sometimes save travelers an average of $240 per person [4] .

However, some reviews suggest that not every search will yield the best price. In certain cases, other booking sites may occasionally offer lower rates or more flexible booking options. It’s recommended to compare prices across multiple platforms before finalizing your purchase [4] .

In summary, while American Forces Travel is legitimate and can provide exclusive deals, travelers should still do their due diligence to ensure they are getting the best rate for their needs.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Some users have reported a few challenges when using the site:

Limited options for certain destinations: Not every hotel, airline, or rental car company may be available.
Room occupancy restrictions: Some hotel options may display confusing occupancy limits. Double-check room details before booking.
Eligibility verification hiccups: If your information does not match DoD records, you may have to follow up with your personnel office or the site’s customer service.

To address these challenges, users should:

Compare deals across several sites before booking
Contact the American Forces Travel customer service for clarification if options seem limited
Ensure your DoD records are up-to-date if you experience verification issues

Alternative Approaches

Although American Forces Travel is the only official DoD-endorsed travel portal, other travel sites do offer military discounts. It’s possible to find competitive rates on mainstream travel booking sites, especially for flights and hotels. However, these are commercial offerings and may not include the full range of benefits or the MWR support that American Forces Travel provides [4] .

To maximize your savings, consider these steps:

Begin your search on American Forces Travel for bundled deals and exclusive offers
Check mainstream travel sites for comparison
Review airline and hotel policies on military or government rates directly; some major brands offer additional discounts with valid ID

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step Instructions

If you are eligible and wish to explore American Forces Travel:

Search for “American Forces Travel” via your preferred search engine, or access it through your installation’s official MWR website
Prepare your identifying information (last name, last four of SSN, date of birth) for eligibility verification
Review the terms and conditions on the site before booking
Compare your options with other reputable travel portals if maximizing savings is crucial
Reach out to your base or installation’s Leisure Travel Services office for additional guidance and support if needed

Key Takeaways

American Forces Travel is a legitimate, official resource for military members and their families. It provides access to exclusive travel deals, supports the military community, and is easy to use with the right eligibility. For the best results, verify your eligibility, compare rates, and use official MWR channels for guidance. Remember, never provide sensitive information to unofficial sites and always confirm you are on the genuine portal before booking.