Bank-issued credit and debit diminishing Airmen's return on investment

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The convenience and use of bank-issued debit and credit cards at BXs and PXs cost the military community dearly in 2008.

Last year alone, bank-issued card processing expenses at Dyess's Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facilities jumped 3 percent, ultimately sapping more than $374,000 from the Exchange and, in turn, critical Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs. Add it all up and AAFES shoppers worldwide have paid more than $500 million in fees to card-issuing banks since 2001, resulting in lost revenues for the military community.

While all purchases, regardless of the form of payment used, have the potential to help strengthen the exchange benefit, shoppers at Dyess who use the exchanges' exclusive MILITARY STARSM Card or pay cash maximize their individual impact on critical MWR efforts.

"A dual mission to provide quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support MWR programs means that something as seemingly insignificant as a credit or debit fee can add up to a major quality of life issue," said the Dyess BX's General Manager Sheila Miller. "Because banks charge an average of 1.49 percent of the transaction total when the credit or debit card is swiped, every purchase made with one of these cards impacts the exchange's ability to maximize the investment military Families are making in their community."

Unlike bank cards, profits generated from MILITARY STARSM Card purchases are shared with military communities through contributions to MWR efforts. These funds reduce the tax burden of all U.S. citizens and are used to fund Gymnasium, bowling centers, and the Golf Course.

"Using the MILITARY STARSM Card or cash is one of the easiest ways for authorized shoppers to directly impact their exchange and MWR benefits," said Miller. "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 in Bldg 7339 or logging on to www.aafes.com and clicking the MILITARY STARSM Card icon.