New FSS gift card program begins AF-wide

  • Published
  • By Airman John D. Partlow
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  In June, the Air Force Services Agency initiated an Air Force-wide gift card program to give customers a convenient way to spend at participating force support squadron locations.

"Air Force bases all over have conducted various coupon programs locally for many of their FSS activities," said Amanda Watson, 374th FSS marketing supervisory marketing specialist. "This is the AFSVA's way of pulling those attempts into a cohesive collective."

The gift cards are sold at FSS facilities and are sometimes given away as prizes at FSS events or activities.

The program is an expansion on the FSS Smart Money and FSS Bucks programs. These programs used gift that had an expiration date and a set monetary amount. Two major advantages of the gift card is its ability to be reloaded and ease of use, like that of a credit card.

The cards can be loaded with any amount in $5 increments. To check the available balance on the card, customers can look online at www.myfssgiftcard.com or on any receipt given when using the card. Also, unlike gift certificates, the cards do not expire.

Having the flexibility to use the gift card at any participating FSS facility is a key selling point for this sort of program.

"FSS is a huge resource for servicemembers and their families, especially overseas," Ms. Watson said. "An FSS gift card can buy you anything from trips at Outdoor Recreation to supplies at the Arts and Crafts Center."

With this new program in effect, marketing officials think the cards will be much more effective than the older, out-dated gift certificates.

"The military lifestyle doesn't always afford the option to work within the time and usage constraints that exist with gift certificates," said Sarah Jackson, 374th FSS writer and editor.

Since there will only be one gift card for overall use and the card never expires, there is no rush for the customer to use it."

To learn more, visit www.myfssgiftcard.com.