Planning an adventure this summer and considering space-available (or Space-A) travel to save on the trip? You’re not alone: A recent MOAA webinar on the basics of this earned benefit topped out our virtual platform, with more than 1,000 eager travelers looking for expert guidance.

The May 28 webinar – hosted by Stephanie Montague, founder and president of the military travel-focused Poppin’ Smoke website – served as an introduction to the benefit. One of the many topics tackled: How to sign up (or register) for the benefit.

When to Register

Travelers have priority within their Space-A category based on when they sign up to travel, explained Montague, who is married to an Army retiree.

“If my husband signed us up for Space-A travel 50 days ago, even if an active duty family signed up yesterday, they’re still a higher priority than we are,” she said. “On the other hand, if other Category 6 passengers signed up two weeks ago, we’re higher priority than them if we’re competing for the same flight.”

Retirees can sign up at any point, with their registration valid for up to 60 days. Those on active duty can only sign up during their leave, and their registration can last through the end of their leave period.

[FROM POPPIN’ SMOKE: Military Space-A Flights]

For a breakdown of the Space-A eligibility categories from Air Mobility Command, click here.

Where to Register

Do you have multiple options for departure points? Sign up for all of them, Montague said.

“There’s no downside to signing up for a terminal and never trying to fly from there. You can sign up for every terminal in the world, if you want to,” she said.

If you’re living on the East Coast of the U.S. and planning a European vacation, for example, don’t limit your selections to the nearest airport or installation – you can register at locations from Charleston, S.C., to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., to keep all your options open.

How to Register

Montague outlined multiple options:

In person: Perfect for those who live near a terminal. Be sure you get printed confirmation of the registration.

Online: The Air Mobility Command sign-up form allows travelers to register virtually, but only at one terminal per form submission.

Email: Montague recommends this method, where travelers can sign up at multiple terminals at the same time. Air Mobility Command offers an email directory of its passenger terminals (click here and scroll down); send the required information to the right addresses, and your sent email becomes your proof of registration.

“Do not sign up more than once, because your most recent sign-up is the one that’s applicable,” Montague said. “If you sign up a month ago and you think … ‘I want to be sure that they got it,’ and you send it again, you’ve just lost your place in the virtual line.”

More to Know

Check out the full webinar for details from Montague on:

• Eligibility: A breakdown of the Space-A categories, and how they factor into geographic restrictions and travel-priority levels.
• Scheduling: How to find flight schedules and track flights.
• The Day Of: What you need to do in the 24 hours before departure – everything from check-in procedures to luggage rules.

Already an experienced Space-A traveler? MOAA Premium and Life members can check out Montague’s 2024 webinar on advanced Space-A tips via MOAA’s webinar archive (MOAA.org login required).