CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston members have the opportunity to join the base club and earn extra perks at the same time during the 120 days of members summer annual membership drive running through Oct. 15.
The club held a membership drive event Sept. 15, an occasion styled after the MOJA festival, where club members enjoyed free food and entertainment based on the Charleston African-American and Caribbean cultural tradition.
With a month left in the membership drive there is still a chance for base Airmen to gain additional benefits along with the standard club membership benefits, said Laura Abell, 437th Force Support Squadron marketing director.
Those who sign up during the membership drive will receive six months of free dues. Also, after submitting an application, new members are given an instant scratch-off ticket valued at $5, $10, $25 or $100 that can be redeemed immediately at the club. Those who signup online can bring their online registration acknowledgment to the club to receive the scratch-off ticket.
New members receive a tear-off portion from the ticket that directs them to a Web site where they complete a short survey and become eligible to receive an additional six months free of dues. Winners are selected at random by the Air Force Services Agency.
In the new member package, which includes club coupons worth $20, a T-shirt, club coffee mug and an Air Force Clubs car decal. Club members displaying the decal on their car are eligible to be stopped by a "secret decal spotter." People who are stopped could win a gas card, a free car wash or other prizes.
New club members now have two membership cards they can choose from.
"We are pleased that the Air Force has responded to the requests of Air Force members and has implemented the card choice program," said Donna Basnett, the Charleston Club manager. "Now, new and current club members have the choice of a Mastercard or a proprietary card. Current members can stop by the club for details."
The new proprietary card can only be used on base, has a $500 maximum limit and is available through Chase bank.
In addition to traditional club benefits, such as discounts on every meal, special functions and free admission to club events, members receive a valuable added bonus. It's called the Military Free Cash Program, provided through their Air Force Club Membership MasterCard. Members can save money by using the card and receive extra savings for on-base purchases such as Child Development Center fees, groceries at the commissary, base exchange purchases (except gas) and at other base activities like the golf course, Arts and Crafts Center and the bowling center. On-base purchases earn 2 percent back and off-base purchases earn 1 percent back.
Team Charleston Airmen who are already club members can also win prizes during the membership drive. By visiting the Air Force Clubs' Web site, members can take a short survey which will register them to win one of 10 $1,000 payouts.