Benefits of Membership

AFSA is pleased to offer a variety of exclusive benefits to our members to enhance the value of membership in the association. We are always looking into ways to increase the number of these benefits, and welcome ideas.

(Note that not all benefits are available to every membership category. Which benefits are available to which member category is indicated in the table below. AD = Active Duty Membership, RT = Retired Membership, and AS = Associate Membership.)

Benefit AD RT AS

Voice of the Foreign Service

As the professional association of the Foreign Service since 1924, AFSA works to strengthen our profession and is ever vigilant for threats to the career Foreign Service.

 

The Foreign Service Journal

Our monthly magazine offers provocative articles that will keep you current on developments in the foreign affairs profession. The AFSA News section highlights issues impacting your daily life.

Labor Management Relations

AFSA negotiates the regulations affecting employees' careers. We work to make the Foreign Service a better place in which to work, live, and raise a family. Our network of AFSA Post Reps provides on-site assistance to overseas members.

   

Congressional Advocacy

AFSA is your advocate before Congress on issues affecting the careers of active members and the annuities of retired members.

 

Counseling and Advice

AFSA assists members with problems related to annuities, claims, health care and other retirement issues.

   

Legal Services

Free legal advice and assistance on employment issues, including security and OIG investigations.

   

Grievance Assistance

AFSA's legal staff provides hands-on assistance with grievance proceedings when your rights are violated.

   

Ombudsman

We work to resolve member problems with pay, allowances, claims, annuities, health care, and many other issues.

 

AFSA Retiree Newsletter

AFSA produces a bimonthly newsletter targeted to retired members.

Outreach

AFSA communicates the views of the Foreign Service on professional issues to the news media and directly to the general public.

 

Events and Discussions

AFSA coordinates a speakers program nationwide of top Foreign Service officials and other distinguished experts who discuss key issues and how they relate to U.S. foreign policy.

Esprit de Corps

AFSA works to build a sense of common cause and professional pride between all Foreign Service members -- active and retired; officer and specialist; junior and veteran.

 

AFSA Website

Provides online guidance and information for Foreign Service professionals.

Daily Media Digest

A daily news digest of news stories, opinion pieces and blog posts about issues affecting Foreign Service members.

AFSA Scholarships

AFSA grants around 100 merit and financial need scholarships a year to Foreign Service family members.

 

AFSA Awards

Unique awards program honoring constructive dissent, outstanding performance and lifetime contributions to American diplomacy.

 

AFSA Memorial Tribute

The online AFSA Memorial Tribute offers a place to honor all Foreign Service members, those who died while on active-duty as well as those who died after retirement, and to recognize their service. We invite you to share your memories and stories of your deceased colleagues, family members and friends.

Magazine Discounts

Member-only discounts to major foreign affairs journals.

Retiree Directory

Annual directory of AFSA's retiree members, mailed to each retiree member around the beginning of each year.

   

Retiree Groups

AFSA helps bring retirees together by assisting Foreign Service associations throughout the country.

   

Vendor and Retailer Discounts

  • 1-800-Flowers.com: There's no better place to order flowers online than 1-800-Flowers.com. AFSA members can now order the best blooms at 15% off by using the promo code CORPSHOP when placing your order and in the payment section.
  • AVIS Car Rental: AFSA Members can save up to 25% off base rates at Avis. To receive the discount, click here or call (800) 331-1212 and use discount code AWD#: D134100.
  • Brooks Brothers: AFSA members receive 15% off purchases in stores, online and by phone. To enroll, click here. (Enter organization ID# 11232 and Pin Code# 79186).
  • BUDGET Car Rental: AFSA Members can save up to 25% off base rates at Budget. To receive the discount, click here or call (800) 455-2848 and use discount code BCD#: Z408900.
  • Ford's Theater: AFSA members get a 20% discount on tickets to performances at Ford’s Theatre. Contact green@afsa.org for discount code
  • GOVX: AFSA members can now access GOVX, a privileged, e-commerce destination for active duty, reserve and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and related government agencies. To gain access to discounts on travel, sports and fitness products, home goods and more, register on GovX.com as “Government”, select the affiliation “Federal Government” and branch "Department of State- Diplomatic Security" or “DSS”.
  • HERTZ Car Rental: AFSA Members can save up to 25% off base rates at Hertz. To receive the discount, click here or call (800) 654-2210 and use discount code CDP#: 1742729.
  • Hotels.com: AFSA Members can save 8% off select hotels at Hotels.com. To receive the discount, click here.
  • Dell Member Purchase Program (MPP): Click here for details on exclusive discounts and benefits on Dell products. Contact Lucas Shiver at (800) 289-3355 extension 6182981 or email him at Lucas_Shiver@Dell.com for pricing and discounted orders.
  • Modus Hotels: AFSA Members can now enjoy 13% off rooms at Modus Hotels. The River Inn and Avenue Suites are conveniently located just a few blocks from the State Department. Modus Hotels offers unique amenities at each hotel, such as fully-equipped kitchens, grocery programs, residentially-styled suite or studio apartments, and both short and long-term rental options.

AFSA Bookstore

AFSA provides an online purchase service in association with Amazon.com! Though many of these books may be found elsewhere on the Internet and in local bookstores, we encourage you to use the AFSA Bookstore as each sale made through our links to Amazon.com creates revenue for AFSA at no extra cost to the buyer.