Discover the PERKS of being a military family!

Before you Leave: Free TSA Precheck for Military

Once you have your confirmation number, pull up the reservation on the airline app or website, add your DoD id number under the Known Traveler Number (KTN) for free tsa precheck. Do it before checkin so it appears on your boarding pass. bring your CAC; you can use it as a REAL id & you need it for all the other perks

Military Checked Bags: Who Waives Fees on Leisure Travel

AirlineFree checked bagsWeight / sizePolicy
Alaska2Standardalaskaair.com
Allegiant2 + free carry-onUp to 99 lb and 115 linear in, no oversize feesallegiantair.com
American350 lb each, standard sizeaa.com
Breeze2 + free carry-onUp to 99 lb and 80 linear in, no oversize/overweight feesflybreeze.com
Delta2 (Main/Comfort), 3 (Premium Select or First)50 lb; 70 lb in First; 62 linear indelta.com
Frontier2 + free carry-onOversize and overweight fees waivedflyfrontier.com
Hawaiian250 lb / 62 in, standardhawaiianairlines.com
JetBlue2 (plus 5% off fares)50 lb eachjetblue.com
SouthwestUp to 20 bagsUp to 100 lb and 80 linear in, no overweight/oversize feessouthwest.com
Spirit2 + free carry-onStandardspirit.com
Sun Country2 + free carry-onUp to 100 lb each, oversize fees waivedsuncountry.com
United370 lb each, 62 in, all classesunited.com

The majority of airlines require you to use the check-in counter to get your free military bags vs the kiosk.

TSA Military Lanes: Front of the line access

Another cool tsa perk is their new military lanes. This is an alternate to tsa precheck. It cannot be used in conjunction with it. I'd choose Precheck unless the line is huge. 33 airports have dedicated military lanes. Uniforms are not required, you just have to show your CAC. If your airport isn't on the list, you can show your CAC to the TSA agent at the beginning of the line and they will guide you to the front. Please beware that this perk is Very new. you may see old signs or run into agents who are unaware. If you intend to use this perk, I would have the TSA policy pulled up so you're prepared.

Military Airport Lounges: USO

USO has great airport lounges. You can find their available locations here and be sure to check if they are before security, many of them are. That means they're great for arrivals and not for layovers. 

United Airlines & American Airlines offer access when traveling on duty. technically, You can pay $29 (discounted) to access a United airliness lounge day pass but i'd skip it unless you have a very long layover. 

If you want to board early, all 12 major US airlines have early boarding for Military. How early depends greatly, but the best thing to do is just listen for the announcment.

Early Boarding for Military