Eglin AFB Airmen doing their part to strengthen return on exchange investment

  • Published
  • By Michele Ware
  • Army & Air Force Exchange Service
EGLIN AFB, Fla. --  While the use and expense of bank-issued cards continued to climb at BXs and PXs across the globe last year, shoppers at Eglin bucked the overall trend and did their part to maximize their individual impact on military quality of life efforts.

In fact, bank-issued card processing fees at Eglin Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facilities in 2007 were down 10.50%, from $1,279,885 in 2006 to $1,145,490.

While all purchases, regardless of the form of payment used, can help strengthen the exchange benefit, shoppers who use the exchanges' exclusive Military StarSM Card maximize their individual impact on critical MWR efforts. Last year AAFES returned $574,160.57 in MWR dividends to Eglin AFB.

"Exchange shoppers who pay smartly keep more money in the military community because banks charge an average of 1.85 percent of the transaction total when accepting their credit or debit cards," said the Eglin BX's General Manager Ronald Daugherty. "Traditionally, two-thirds of earnings generated from sales at the exchange are paid to Morale, Welfare and Recreation, while the other third is invested in improvements that enhance the shopping experience. With 100 percent of AAFES earnings going back to exchange patrons, decreased fees can quickly add up to additional arts and crafts supplies, reduced greens fees or even a new aquatic center."

Since 2001, AAFES has paid more than $384 million in fees to card-issuing banks, resulting in lost revenues for the military community. Unlike bank cards, profits generated from Military StarSM Card purchases are shared with military communities through contributions to MWR services. These funds reduce the tax burden of all U.S. citizens and are used to enhance local programs and facilities including the Eglin Golf Course, Bowling Alley and Outdoor Recreation.

"Using the Military StarSM Card is one of the easiest ways for troops to directly impact their Exchange and MWR benefits," said Daugherty. "Reducing unnecessary expenses such as bank fees not only go a long way in strengthening the overall exchange benefit, but also the dividend operations annually generate for the military community."

The Military StarSM Card is accepted at all AAFES, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Exchange activities, as well as the Exchange Catalog and the Exchange Online store at www.aafes.com .

Authorized exchange shoppers can learn more about the Military StarSM Card by visiting the BX at 1757 Memorial Lake Trail or logging on to www.aafes.com and clicking the Military StarSM Card icon.