Armed Forces Vacation Club Review: How to Take Affordable trips
Our First R&R Certificate Experience
I’ll be honest—when I first heard about Armed Forces Vacation Club, I thought it sounded too good to be true. A week-long stay at a resort for $250-$399?
If you’ve been following along, you know we travel internationally multiple times a year. But domestic travel, especially resort stays, can be surprisingly expensive. That’s where AFVC came in. Last October, we took a chance on their R&R certificate program for a trip to Massanutten Resort in Virginia. We enjoyed it so much that we booked again for Orlando just a year later. These R&R certificates have opened up a new way for us to explore destinations within the U.S. affordably.
Full disclosure: This is a sponsored post, but everything I’m sharing is from our genuine experience using Armed Forces Vacation Club twice in the past year. The value is real, and I wouldn’t recommend it if I hadn’t seen it firsthand.
Table of Contents
- What is Armed Forces Vacation Club?
- Our First AFVC Trip: Massanutten Resort
- Our Second Trip: Orlando
- AFVC R&R Certificate Pricing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Honest Review: Pros and Cons
- Tips for Your First Trip
- Final Thoughts
What is Armed Forces Vacation Club? Understanding Military Family Vacation Deals
Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC) is a program that offers space-available resort accommodations to military families at a fraction of the regular cost. Their R&R certificate program is the standout feature—you pay a flat rate (typically $399, though we’ve snagged them on sale for as low as $250) for a 7-night stay at participating resorts across the country and even internationally.
Here’s who’s eligible:
- Active duty service members and their spouses and dependents
- Veterans and their spouses and dependents
- Retirees and their spouses and dependents
- DoD civilians
- National Guard and Reserve members and their spouses and dependents
- Gold Star families
- Medal of Honor recipients and their families
As an active duty spouse, I qualified easily. When I first stumbled across AFVC’s website, I started by browsing their general hotel listings. The interface wasn’t as polished as I was used to with other booking sites, which made me skeptical. But once I figured out the R&R certificate section, everything clicked.
Our First AFVC Trip: Massanutten Resort R&R Certificate Review
The Booking Process
I booked our Massanutten trip about two months out, which gave us solid availability. The booking process has gotten easier as AFVC updates their platform—now you just search your location and dates, then choose from available options. You can upgrade to more expensive rooms or properties if you want, but we stuck with the standard R&R certificate options.
My biggest initial concerns:
- “This deal seems too good to be true—is it even legit?”
- “Are we going to get roped into a timeshare presentation?”
- “Will the resort actually be nice, or is this glorified military lodging?”
Spoiler alert: It’s completely legitimate, there was zero timeshare pitch, and the resorts were beautiful.
Arrival at Massanutten
We arrived at night, driving up the mountain in pitch darkness. The next morning when we opened the curtains, the view took my breath away—we had no idea how beautiful our surroundings were until sunrise.
Our two-bedroom unit had a full kitchen, separate dining room, living room, and in-unit laundry. One bathroom had a huge soaking tub, which was perfect for the kids at bedtime. The accommodations themselves were comfortable and functional, though I’d describe them as pretty basic. What makes these stays special is the resort facility—that’s where the real value shines.
The resort itself sprawls across the mountain with multiple villages, which means you’ll want to drive between areas rather than walk. At first, this felt inconvenient, but it actually made the property feel less crowded and gave us easy access to everything.
What Made This Trip Special
The outdoor access combined with resort amenities was unbeatable. Massanutten offered the best of both worlds—we could step outside to hiking trails and mountain views, then come back to pools, a water park, spa, restaurants, golf, go-karts, and mini golf. It felt like having the amenities of a city vacation while being surrounded by nature.
Our kids were too young for the adventure park’s zip lines, which was disappointing because it looked incredible. They did love the giant slide, though they rode it over and over. When they got sad about missing out on the bigger attractions, we took them to the little market on property to make stuffed animals, which became their favorite souvenir.
The activities center became our daily stop. Unlike a typical hotel stay, the resort offered free and low-cost activities for guests. This kept our kids entertained without the hefty price tag of constant outings.
The Kitchen Changed Everything
Having a full kitchen was a game-changer for our budget and schedule. With three kids under 8, we established a routine: breakfast and lunch in our room, dinner out. This saved us hundreds of dollars and gave the kids downtime during the day.
I’d make pancakes in the morning while my husband got things organized. The kids would eat at the dining table in their pajamas, and we’d plan our day. It felt comfortable and stress-free.
We Loved It So Much, We Went Back: Our Second R&R Certificate in Orlando
Vacation Village Parkway
Our positive experience at Massanutten made booking our October/November 2025 Orlando trip a no-brainer. We stayed at Vacation Village Parkway, and once again, we had a spacious two-bedroom suite with all the same amenities—full kitchen, laundry, multiple bathrooms.
Vacation Village had seven pools, an arcade, an activities center, sports courts, and more. The property was massive (again, driving between areas was necessary), but the facilities were well-maintained and the kids never got bored.
The Halloween party was a highlight. It was completely free for guests, and our kids are still talking about it. Having these kinds of included activities sets AFVC resorts apart from standard hotel stays. You’re not just getting a place to sleep—you’re getting an experience.
Theme Park Access on a Budget
One of the things we discovered for our Orlando trip: AFVC now offers vacation packages that include theme park tickets at savings beyond even the direct military discount. We took the kids to Gatorland and Legoland, and bundling those tickets through AFVC saved us even more money.
For families planning Orlando trips, this is huge. You’re already saving over $1,000 on accommodations compared to booking the resort directly, and now you can stack additional savings on park tickets.
AFVC R&R Certificate Pricing: The Real Cost of Military Family Vacations
Here’s what everyone wants to know—what does this actually cost?
R&R Certificate: $250-$399 (we’ve gotten both sale pricing and regular pricing)
Additional Fees: About $60 in resort fees for the week (this is charged separately at the property, not during booking—more on this later)
Total Accommodation Cost: $310-$460 for 7 nights in a two-bedroom suite
What we saved: Over $1,000 per trip compared to booking the same rooms directly with each resort
For perspective, a two-bedroom suite at these resorts typically runs $150-$250+ per night. We paid less for an entire week than most families pay for two nights.
Armed Forces Vacation Club Review: Addressing Your Questions About Military Resort Vacations
“Space-available sounds unreliable. What if I can’t get the dates I want?”
I was worried about this too. Here’s what I learned: if you book 2-3 months out and have some flexibility with your dates, you’ll have plenty of options. Peak seasons (summer, major holidays) book up faster, but we traveled in October/November and had no issues.
The key is to search early and be open to a few different date ranges. The inventory is real, and it’s substantial.
“What fees are there besides the certificate cost?”
Here’s what to expect beyond the R&R certificate:
- Resort fees: About $60 for our week-long stays (varies by property)
- Activities and amenities: Some included, some cost extra (the Halloween party was free; mini golf was a small fee)
- Parking: At some properties (not all)
- Taxes: Usually minimal
The resort fees are paid directly to the property upon check-in or checkout, not through AFVC. Make sure to read the property description carefully—they list these details.
“This seems too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
I thought the same thing! Here’s the reality: there’s no timeshare pitch, no bait-and-switch, no hidden agenda. AFVC partners with resorts to fill rooms that would otherwise sit empty. The resorts benefit from having guests who spend money on food, activities, and amenities. Military families benefit from affordable vacation options. It’s a genuine win-win.
The only “catch” is that you need to be affiliated with the military in some way, and you need to be flexible enough to book space-available accommodations.
“Can I bring my whole family?”
We’re a family of five, and our two-bedroom units accommodated us perfectly. The base R&R certificate typically covers standard occupancy, which varies by room type. Check the specific property details when booking to ensure the unit works for your family size.
“What if I need to cancel?”
R&R certificates must be booked within one year from purchase, though your actual stay can extend beyond that year. Cancellation policies vary by property, so review these carefully before booking.
Our Honest AFVC Review: Pros and Cons of R&R Certificates
What We Love
The value is excellent. We’re taking vacations as a family of five for less than $500 in accommodations.
The resort facilities are impressive. While the rooms themselves are comfortable but basic, the resort amenities are where the real value shines—pools, activities, sports facilities, and entertainment.
The space and amenities. Having multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and laundry facilities makes traveling with kids much easier.
Variety of locations. From mountain resorts to beach destinations to theme park areas, AFVC offers options for different types of vacations.
Great for different groups. These properties work well for families with young kids, multi-generational trips, or even adults-only getaways.
What to Know Going In
The websites could be more user-friendly. AFVC has improved their booking platform, but it’s not as polished as major hotel booking sites. Take some time to familiarize yourself with how to search specifically for R&R certificates.
You’ll need to drive on property. These resorts are large, and walking everywhere isn’t practical. Factor in having a vehicle.
Resort fees are separate. Unlike typical hotel bookings where everything is included in your total, resort fees are charged separately at check-in or checkout. Budget for this.
Peak season requires advance planning. If you want to travel during summer or major holidays, book as early as possible.
Who This Is Perfect For
- Military families on a budget who want real vacations
- Families who value space and kitchen facilities
- People who can plan 2-3 months ahead
- Anyone who wants resort amenities without resort prices
Who Might Want Other Options
- Last-minute travelers who need to book within a few weeks
- People who prefer boutique hotels or unique accommodations
- Travelers who want everything walkable
Tips for Your First Armed Forces Vacation Club R&R Certificate Trip
Start with R&R certificates. Don’t get overwhelmed by all of AFVC’s offerings. The R&R certificate program is the standout value and the easiest place to start.
Read the property descriptions carefully. Look for details about resort fees, parking, and what amenities are included versus extra cost.
Book 2-3 months out. This gives you the best selection and flexibility with dates.
Take advantage of sales. We got our first certificate for $250 during a promotional period. Sign up for emails to catch these deals.
Use the kitchen strategically. Even if you don’t love cooking on vacation, making breakfast and lunch in your room will save significant money (and time with kids).
Research bundled packages. AFVC’s vacation packages for theme parks and attractions can offer additional savings beyond the accommodation discount.
Bring your patience with the website. It’s not the smoothest booking experience, but the savings are worth the learning curve.
Plan for resort fees. Have a credit card ready at check-in/checkout for these separate charges.
Think beyond just a place to sleep. Choose resorts with amenities and activities your family will enjoy, because you might end up spending more time on-property than you expect.
Beyond R&R Certificates
While R&R certificates are AFVC’s standout offering, they also have various hotel booking options at different price points. However, for pure value and variety, the R&R certificate program is hard to beat. This year they also introduced vacation packages and cruises.
Our Next Adventure
We’re already planning our next AFVC trip. The kids keep asking about beach destinations, and I’ve been eyeing some of the coastal properties in the Carolinas. With the money we’re saving on accommodations, we can actually afford to make this a regular thing instead of a once-every-few-years splurge.
That’s what AFVC has really given us—not just two vacations, but a sustainable way to create memories as a family without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts: Is Armed Forces Vacation Club Worth It for Military Families?
If you’re military-affiliated and looking for affordable vacation options, Armed Forces Vacation Club’s R&R certificate program delivers solid value. The website could be more intuitive, you need to plan ahead, and there are resort fees to budget for.
But for $250-$399 plus fees, we got week-long stays at resorts with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and facilities that would cost us over $1,000 more if we booked directly. We saved thousands of dollars across two trips and created memories our kids will talk about for years.
The Halloween party, the mountain views, the giant slides, the stuffed animals from the market, the Legoland adventure, the family dinners after long pool days—these are the moments that matter.
Ready to try it yourself? Visit the Armed Forces Vacation Club website and search for R&R certificates in your desired location. Start with destinations you’ve been curious about, be flexible with your dates, and give yourself time to navigate the booking process.
Have you used Armed Forces Vacation Club? What was your experience? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your trips!
