Taking the stress out of travel

Any day can be a good day to break from the norm – to head out on a new adventure to refresh the mind, body and spirit.

One of the last leisure travel offices in the Air Force is located at JBSA-Lackland where travel professionals are primed and ready to help the Department of Defense community book the perfect escape.

“We are a full-service travel agency offering a wide range of services to include air and hotel rates, vacation packages, fully guided and escorted vacations, and cruises,” said Crystal Reyes, 502d Force Support Squadron leisure travel specialist. “Our trips offer wonderful relaxation opportunities to get away and relax during the holidays, post-deployment, pre-deployment or any time you simply just need a break.”

Reyes and her JBSA leisure travel team members, Enriqueta Wetzel and Jeanette Quintanilla, have specialized training and over 50 years of combined experience. They can take over the most stressful parts of vacation planning for their customers while helping them stay within their budgets. All military members and DoD civilians, as well as their family and friends, can take advantage of their expertise.

“We do appreciate if customers can come in with a general plan or at least an idea of what they wish to do,” said Reyes. “Having travel dates and a few location options is a good start. Most of our customers’ travel plans requires research and planning except for those that just need airline or hotel accommodations.”

Air or hotel only reservations can be quoted for customers on a walk-in basis. Clients may even receive vacation quotes on the spot if they visit the office with a specific trip in mind.

The agents do their best to keep community members informed throughout the year by offering travel expos, Disney planning workshops, virtual Travel Talks and more. Event dates are shared on their Facebook page, Joint Base San Antonio Information Tickets and Travel. Customers can also follow the page to stay up to date on all the latest travel deals, offerings and ticket prices from the JBSA Information, Tickets and Travel offices.

“Our agents take great pride in providing some of the absolute best customer service in all of Air Force Services,” said Crystal. “Our repeat clientele are clear proof that we do amazing things.”

The summer and the last months of the year are some of the most popular times for travel, so why not reach out to the JBSA Leisure Travel Office and let them get started on the planning for you.

For more information, please call (210) 671-7111.

Lackland Gateway Club

Club Member Portal

Stay connected through the Club Member Portal eliminating the need for a credit card. The secure online management company, Member Planet, handles club member accounts. Patrons just need to create an account and select a preferred method of payment.

Gateway Grill

Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Check out the grill options which include hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, Philly steak and Reuben sandwiches and more. Combos include fries and a fountain beverage.

Thursdays • 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lunch special includes salad, choice of one entrée, one starch, one vegetable, dessert and beverage for only $14.95 per person. Sorry, no grill options on Thursdays.

Karaoke Thursday

March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

April 6, 13, 20 & 27 • 3-6 p.m.

Enjoy karaoke in the Lone Star Lounge featuring OMG Sounds.

Variety Night

March 3, 10, 24 & 31

April 7, 14 & 28 • 4-10 p.m.

The Gateway Club hosts Variety Night as DJ Tony Style plays a wide variety of music in the Lone Star Lounge. Relax in the lounge or enjoy the weather on the patio with pool tables and big screen TVs.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

March 17 • 4-11 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the club and listen to some great music by DJ Tony Style. The food special of the night is corned beef and cabbage with buttered new potatoes from 5-8 p.m. The cost for the food special is $8 for members or $10 for nonmembers.

Customer Appreciation Night

April 18 • 5-7 p.m.

The Gateway Club hosts Customer Appreciation Night in the Fiesta Ballroom with entertainment provided by DJ Tony Style. The price is $12.50 for members and $15.50 for nonmembers. No coupons accepted for this event. The menu features Southwest salad w/avocado dressing, lobster bisque soup, spicy grilled shrimp kabobs, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas (flour tortillas and condiments), Spanish rice, refried beans, fresh fruit salad, churro and sopaipilla bar with vanilla ice cream. For more information, call (210) 645-7034.

Fiesta Party

April 21 • 4-11 p.m.

Celebrate Fiesta at the Gateway Club and listen to some great music by DJ Tony Style. The food special is a fajita plate with two beef fajitas and Spanish rice with beans and is available from 5-8 p.m. The cost for the special is $8 for members or $10 for nonmembers.

Sunday Breakfast

April 9 • 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Head to the Gateway Club for a delicious Easter Sunday breakfast.

The menu includes an omelet bar, pancake & waffle bar, glazed ham, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, pork sausage, home fried potatoes, shrimp & grits, biscuits & country gravy, miniature chicken and waffles, crepes with fresh strawberries, fresh fruit salad, banana and lemon breads, Danish rolls, beverages, cupcakes and Easter treats.

This is a reservations-only event with limited seating. To make a reservation, call (210) 645-7034 between March 15 and April 5. Reservations will be paid at the time of the booking. No refunds after April 6 and no coupons accepted for this event. Club reserves the right to place reservation in seating area.

Members: $20.95 • Nonmembers: $22.95

Member’s child (5-11): $10.95

Nonmember’s child (5-11): $12.95 Children 4 and younger free POSITIONS AVAILABLE