| Exchange Credit Card Fees Impact Entire Military Community Oct. 27 , 2011 Exchange Media Contact: Chris Ward DALLAS – Military shoppers patronizing their local Exchange probably don’t give a second thought as to which credit card to use at checkout. What they may not be aware of, however, is that the use of bank-issued cards at the Exchange ultimately costs the military community millions annually. This year alone, bank-issued card processing expenses at Army & Air Force Exchange Service facilities are already up nearly 12 percent, sapping more than $50 million from the Exchange and, in turn, critical funds that could be used for morale, welfare and recreation programs. Last year, total fees topped the $89 million mark. One way military families can help reduce costs and strengthen their Exchange benefit is to take advantage of the Exchange’s exclusive MILITARY STAR® Card. Unlike bank cards, profits generated from the MILITARY STAR® Card are shared with military communities through contributions to the military service’s quality-of-life funds. “Using the MILITARY STAR® Card is one of the easiest ways for troops to directly impact their Exchange and morale, welfare and recreation benefits,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. “Reducing these unnecessary expenses can go a long way in maximizing the dividend the Exchange annually returns to the military community.” The MILITARY STAR® Card is accepted at all Army and Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Exchange activities, as well as the Exchange Catalog and the Exchange Online store at: www.shopmyexchange.com. Authorized exchange shoppers can learn more about the MILITARY STAR® Card by visiting www.shopmyexchange.com and clicking “Credit Services.” ————— MilitaryConnection.com thanks you for your patronage. This web site is a portal of all things military, and we are quickly becoming the “go to” web site for all things military. We are constantly adding resources, content and features to benefit our audience. Our web site and all of the resources are free to users, and there is something for everyone. Additionally, we feature articles like this to keep you informed. If you belong to a group or organization, we will post your press releases, special events, newsletters, professional conferences and seminars, reunions, job fairs, and videos to help spread the word. One of the areas of our focus is connecting candidates from the military community with outstanding government and civilian employers. We know that candidates from the military community across the board have a work ethic second to none. They make highly valued employees. MilitaryConnection.com has a multitude of employment resources including a Directory of over 30,000 employers, Job Tips, Columns, our new and improved Job Board, Virtual Job Fair and much more. We understand the importance of education. Please check out our new Education section, featuring the most up to date information on the new GI Bill, Education Articles, Education Benefits, and the Scholarship Directory featuring thousands of scholarships. When the next tour is back home, it’s on MilitaryConnection.com. |