<p>Could anyone from AFA (parent or cadet) tell me when 2010 cadets are allowed to leave for holiday visits. Would you recommend a parent to start watching for low fares? Does the Travel Agent that booked the flights to the academy assist parents with flights? Are cadets offered any discount fares for visits home?</p>
<p>The problem with making reservations early is that things change all of the time. The cadets qualify for military fares, but they are very hard to get--it doesn't hurt to check when looking into fares--If you are able to get the military fare, it is easier to make changes if your cadet's itinerary changes. Last summer our son thouhgt that he would be done on a Saturday for his summer leave. I booked his flight home based on that information only to have him complete his training by Wednesday. When I called the airline (NW) I was lucky enough to get a reservation clerk whose husband was an instructor at the Naval Academy. She was willng an dable to help me make the change to get him home 2 days earlier. Other times we have not been so lucky. </p>
<p>The last 2 years I have been able to get our son booked on a flight out of Denver on Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving. I believe they are released after LMD on Tuesday. Christmas is differrent because it depends on their final exam schedule which they won't know until classes start. </p>
<p>If you attend parent's weekend they usually have some information regarding leave during the parent's briefing by the Supt.</p>
<p>Here's a big tip: Do NOT purchase tickets until your kid's leave period is FINALIZED (which does not equate to "hey mom, I saw on a calendar that leave's supposed to begin this day and end this other day").</p>
<p>HUGE tip -- Uncynical. Thanks!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I will sit tight and wait.</p>