PLAYpass gives Airmen up to $1,000 in discounts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --  Airmen projected to deploy or have recently returned from a deployment can participate in the PLAYpass Get out and Play Program and save $500 to $1,000 on installation programs.

The PLAYpass program is based upon discount cards which provide eligible Airmen and family members the opportunity to participate in force support squadron programs for free or at a reduced cost.

To obtain a PLAYpass card, eligible members must bring a copy of their deployment orders to the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"This program provides Airmen and Air Force families respite from challenges they face due to deployments and dependent restricted assignments," said Linda Weston, Air Force Personnel Center marketing specialist. "It offers users the opportunity to save hundreds with discounts in recreational and life skill classes."

Two types of PLAYpass cards are available - the family card and the single Airman card.

Family PLAYpass cards are available to Airmen who have a spouse or children with Department of Defense identification cards.

"Two PLAYpass cards will be issued to those who meet family eligibility requirements," Weston explained. "The first card, valued at $500, is issued to the family when the Air Force member is deployed or sent to a dependent restricted assignment for more than ninety days. The family can pick up an additional PLAYpass card within 90 days of the return of the Air Force member."

Single Airman cards are available to any active duty or Reserve Airman who does not have children, a spouse, or a sponsored family member, who is returning from a qualified deployment.

Each PLAYpass card contains 20 discount blocks worth $25 each. Card holders can use as many blocks as they like for individual transactions, excluding food, beverage, and resale.

"We reviewed previous participants' suggestions and implemented some of them to improve the program this year," said Weston. "Of particular note were customer requests to make the program more convenient for them. We adjusted the PLAYpass card to allow participants more freedom with their purchases."

Since its launch in 2011, PLAYpass has provided more than 71,232 eligible members at 80 installations discounts in recreational and life skills classes.

"Our goal with the PLAYpass program is to encourage members returning from deployment to reintegrate and reunite with friends and family through focused social recreational, fitness and learning programs," said Weston.

PLAYpass cards can be used at every Air Force installation and programs offered vary at each location.

These cards are nontransferable and can only be used by the sponsor or family identified on the card. When making a purchase, the sponsor must present the PLAYpass card and their Department of Defense identification card.

For more information about the PLAYpass program including program eligibility or how to obtain a PLAYpass card, visit www.myairforcelife.com or the nearest Airman and Family Readiness Center.