• DALLAS

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has made sure that deployment orders come with a built-in financial help for Military Star Card members, who can lock in exclusive protections before deploying. Card members, including activated mobilized or activated Reservists and National Guard members, deploying to qualifying locations, are eligible for a temporarily reduced 6-percent interest rate with deferred monthly payments during their deployments.

“Service members carry enough on deployment, but the Military Star Card is designed to remove some of that financial weight,” said Exchange Credit Program (ECP) Senior Vice President (SVP) Joseph Todd. “These protections exist because the military community deserves a card built with their livelihoods in mind.”

HOW IT WORKS

To be eligible for deployment benefits, the Military Star Card account must be in good standing — no more than one payment past due — and the card member must provide a copy of deployment orders or a letter from the unit commander. The deployment orders or letter must contain: full name; Social Security number; and length of deployment or dates of deployment. Card members can submit their orders to the Exchange Credit Program at Deployment@aafes.com, and card members must include an image of the orders or letter. Card members can also mail their deployment orders or letters to: Exchange Credit Program, ATTN: Deployments, P.O. Box 650410,

Dallas, TX 75265-0410 If the deployment is extended, card members should notify the Exchange Credit Program at Deployment@aafes.com. For any questions about the deployment benefit, card members can contact the Exchange Credit Program contact center at (877) 891-7827.

THE PROGRAM

The Military Star Card is accepted at all Exchanges, including contingency locations, making it a practical financial tool at home and the tip of the spear

In 2025, qualifying card members saved $1 million from the reduced-interest, no-payment deployment policy.

The Military Star Card, an exclusive line of credit for active-duty service members, their families, veterans, retirees and Department of War (DoW) and Coast Guard civilians, is accepted at all exchanges, commissaries and other facilities on installations.

For more information or to apply for a Military Star Card, see a store associate or visit the Exchange Community Hub.

Source: AAFES

Edited by Larry Lapka