Supporting Military Families Traveling this Summer

By Kristen Jowers, MS MFT

Summer is a universal term for family fun. For many, school is out for the summer, and personal financial managers (PFMs) are gearing up to provide families with summer planning support including summer camps, and vacations. As you engage with your clients around their summer plans, consider sharing these three resources:

Planning a Trip- While financial service providers are not synonymous with vacation planners, you can connect Service members and military families with experts at the ITT office for help planning their upcoming trip. Military OneSource highlights the benefits and services provided by the Information, Tickets, and Travel (ITT) offices for military Service members and their families. The ITT office provides information and assistance on various travel options, including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. They can also help with planning and booking trips, whether it’s for personal leisure or a family vacation. The ITT offices may have discounted tickets and deals for attractions such as theme parks, concerts, sporting events, and local activities, allowing Service members and families to enjoy recreational activities at reduced prices. These discounted tickets can significantly contribute to family fun this summer while staying within budget.
Travel Insurance- As your Service member’s trip begins to take shape, consider discussing travel insurance so they can make informed decisions. Travel insurance is designed to protect travelers from financial losses and provide assistance in case of unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
Avoid Travel Scams- Included in a family’s financial protection plan should be aware of common travel scams and ways to avoid them. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers valuable tips to travelers on how to protect themselves from scams. It highlights common travel scams such as fake travel deals, identity theft, and hotel scams, and provides guidance on how to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent activities. The FTC advises travelers to research and book with reputable companies, secure personal information, be cautious of unexpected requests, and stay vigilant throughout their trip to ensure a safe and scam-free travel experience.