How to Book "Space-A" During Peak Season and at High Demand Destinations

In one word . . . flexibility!

Remember, AFVC is a "Space-A" style lodging program. You know how this works at military lodging facilities - active duty on orders gets priority over active duty leisure and retirees. At these privately owned resorts, this means that owners have priority. Once owner requirements are met, inventory is made available for AFVC use. Since owners use less frequently during off-season, long-range availability (90 to 360 days in advance of check-in) is in the off-season or in areas that may be over built (like the Canary Islands, Isla de Margarita, and parts of Mexico). But this doesn't mean that "Space-A" rentals are limited to off-season travel.

High demand destinations (like Las Vegas, Florida Keys, New Orleans, England, France, and Hawaii) don't really have an "off" season. When there are months long waiting lists of owners, very little inventory will ever reach the "Space-A" pool. What does will always be less that 14 days in advance of check-in dates. Not a lot of planning time, but more than the 24 hours advance time for making Space-A reservations at most military lodging facilities.

If you can travel on short notice and are very flexible about your destination, you can visit some great locations, even during peak season. However, not everyone has the option to be this flexible. School and work schedules often limit your vacation planning options. If you need to vacation during peak season and need to make specific plans in advance, you may still be able to find a "Space-A" rental, but you need a back-up plan.

We all know how that works with Space-A travel. You have a 10 day leave and you catch a hop from Dover to Rhein Mein on day 1. You plan on catching a return hop on day 9, but get bumped by someone on orders. Your options: either get your leave extended or fork out the money for a commercial airline ticket, usually wiping out everything you saved by going Space-A to begin with. But, at least you don't wind up on the AWOL roster.

Back-up plans with the AFVC needn't be quite so drastic. If you need to vacation during peak season, follow these simple steps:

1. Check AFVC availability on the web site: It's a long shot, but you might get lucky.
2. Make a conventional hotel reservation: Sometimes there is an military recreation facility in the area or check out the discount hotel rates offered through the AFVC. Click Here for more information on Hotel Discounts.
3. Now that you have a guaranteed place to stay, make your travel arrangements.
4. Periodically check the web site for new availability in the area you want to visit, particularly within 60 days of travel.
5. ALL available units are posted on the AFVC web site in near real-time (there may be a delay of up to 45 minutes for a cancelled unit to return to inventory). When you see a unit you want, reserve it immediately. If you have a US or APO/FPO address and zip code, you can register on the web site to do on-line reservations. This is the quickest way to hold and reserve that high demand unit. If you choose not to make an on-line reservation, call the Reservation Center as soon as possible. Remember -- availability is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
6. Look at our other rental opportunities. They cost a bit more, but are still great vacation values. They can be found at:
   • Last Call - Reduced rates on last minute rentals; studios for $199 per week, 1 & 2 bedroom condos for only $249 per week.
   • High Demand - Weekly resort condos in high-demand locations and during peak season; discounted commercial rental rates, variably priced by location and unit.
   • Vacation Homes - Privately owned vacation homes and condominiums in popular destinations; Orlando, Florida Keys, Myrtle Beach, Colorado, Cape Cod & more!
   • Nightly Getaways - The convenience and amenities of a resort condo on a nightly rental basis. Make it a long weekend or add days to a weekly rental!
   • More Savings - Independent hotels, B&B's, Campgrounds, car rentals, river cruises and more discounts for military personnel.