PLAYpass, just in time for summer fun

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Air Force Personnel Center recently announced the launch of a new discount services program in an effort to ease the strain of deployments on active duty Air Force members and their families.

PLAYpass is a spin off the "DePlayment" program, which was created in 2010 as part of the Year of the Air Force Family campaign.

Though there are many similarities between the two, PLAYpass is different from DePlayment in one major aspect. The new program benefits both single Airmen who are returning from deployment and eligible dependents of active duty members, whereas the former only served the dependents.

"Air Force active duty members with qualifying family members and single Airmen qualify for the benefits, as well as deployed Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and DoD civilian personnel with qualifying family members," said Amanda Watson, 374 Force Support Squadron, supervisory marketing specialist. "We also offer the program to Air Force Wounded Warrior members with or without qualified family members, as well as family members of Fallen Warriors with DoD ID cars and active duty Army, Navy and Marines who are officially assigned to a tenant organization hosted on an active duty Air Force base where the moral, welfare and recreation programs are operated by the Air Force FSS."

The card offers families and returning Airmen discounts at various locations around their local base.

The Tomodachi Lanes bowling center, Information, Tickets and Travel (ITT) and the Natatorium are just a few of the places family members and Airmen stationed at Yokota can use their PLAYpass cards. The cards can be used at other bases around the world, but opportunities may vary and are subject to liability.

The ITT office provides PLAYpass cardholders with free or discounted trips when they bring in their ID card and proof of membership at the time of their booking.

"You can use the card for the local bus tours, excluding the overnight ones," said Kengo Kimura, ITT manager. "Each card holds two "explore" blocks for ITT trips, not to exceed $50 per use."

Mr. Kimura also mentioned that there are no reimbursements to the card if a trip is scheduled and the members are unable to attend.

Qualifying dependents and Airmen can pick up their PLAYpass at the Airman & Family Readiness Center where they will check the sponsor's orders for eligibility.

Airmen and families can find eligibility rules and obtain more information about the program by visiting www.myairforcelife.com.