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1) What is a cooperative and how does it work?
Marketing and distribution cooperatives have a long history in the U.S. Some cooperatives (milk, beef, etc) promote a single product by using the same resources to reduce advertising and distribution costs. Other cooperatives pool resources from various businesses to cost effectively get their message into a particular market.

The Government and Armed Forces Travel Cooperative (GAFTC or GovArm.com) joins travel and leisure service providers together with the goal of reaching this specialized market cost effectively.

2) Are GovArm.com's prices the lowest I can find?
GovArm.com looks for the best value and most flexible product, service or package, at the best price that can be negotiated. We offer a wide range of travel services with varying price points. Identifying yourself through the eligibility certification process as a member of the military services or as a government employee makes you eligible for special offers. Make sure you are comparing "apples to apples". Our travel providers will often provide additional benefits with their services or packages.

3) Why would travel providers give great deals to federal employees, military service members, and civil service and military retirees?
Two Reasons:

1. Almost 25 million people are government employees (federal, state, municipal, and military). These potential patrons generally retire earlier with better pension income than their private sector counterparts. Since they have more leisure time and disposable income at retirement, travel providers would like to create a customer relationship with them before they retire.
2. Most resort developments are in areas that attract large numbers of retirees. 50% of the federal civilian work force will become retirement eligible in the next 5 years. Marketing research shows that most retirees (over 80%) settle in a location that they discovered on a vacation.

4) How does MWR benefit from GovArm.com?
Travel providers pay affiliation and advertising fees to join GovArm.com. These fees pay for websites, attendance at travel shows, and advertising in military and government publications.

A portion of the fees that would normally go to travel agents are remitted to MWR. These commissions support the installation's recreational programs or the recreational support activities of the individual customer.

5) Who is eligible to participate in the program?

6) If my government agency or department isn't affiliated with GovArm.com, can I participate?
Government employees may participate on an individual basis without the sponsorship of their agency provided:

• They have a valid government ID card to present at check-in, and
• they are at least 18 years of age.

7) What if I have to cancel?
Travel partners have their own cancellation policies, and each one is different. Due to the variance of these policies, please read the policy of the respective travel partner thoroughly.

Each travel partner has an email and or toll free number listed on the site where you made your reservation. Please use their email or toll free number to discuss any of their offerings, existing reservations or questions related to their services.

8) What will GovArm.com provide in the future?
GovArm.com is currently negotiating with a host of adventure, regional, and specialty travel providers. We will make these packages and specials known through the members only section of our website and via opt-in e-mail announcements as they occur.