Beginning today, November 10, 2017, all honorably discharged veterans will be eligible for tax free shopping via the Army and Air Force Exchange Service's online portal, The Exchange. By way of explanation, on November 1, Exchange Director and CEO Tom Shull published the following editorial:
In a matter of days, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with our sister exchanges, will give our Nation’s Veterans the homecoming their distinguished service deserves. This Veterans Day, the lifetime online military exchange shopping benefit will be a reality for 18.5 million heroes who raised their right hands, took the oath and served with honor.
We are making history. The Veterans online shopping benefit marks the first expansion of exchange benefits in nearly 30 years. This Nov. 11—a day that has been five years in the making—is a great cause for celebration for the Exchange, Veterans and all who wear the uniform today. All Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guard members who served with honor, no matter their length of service, can turn to ShopMyExchange.com for military-exclusive pricing and tax-free savings on name-brand products.
Shull continued:
For all of us, it’s finally time. Thank you for spreading the word about the Veterans online shopping benefit. Thank you for working tirelessly to prepare for this milestone. Thank you for your commitment to serving Soldiers, Airmen, families, retirees—and now, all honorably discharged Veterans. We couldn’t cross this finish line without you. On Nov. 11, we finally will.
Access to AAFES's brick and mortar stores on military bases will still be limited to active duty, retired, and medically retired personnel; however, prices online are still anticipated to be substantially discounted compared to other retailers and, as mentioned above, tax free. If you are a veteran who served honorably and are interested in registering for this benefit, you can do so at this link.