Best Buy offers a 10% military discount on most purchases, both in-store and online

Best Buy's military discount gives active-duty service members, veterans, and military families a 10% reduction on most products and services. You can use it when you shop in person at a Best Buy store or on their website. The discount applies to computers, phones, televisions, appliances, and most other merchandise — though some items like gift cards, used products, and a few brand-specific deals are excluded.

To use the discount online, you verify your military status through ID.me, a third-party verification service. In-store, you show a valid military ID or other proof of service. The process takes just a few minutes either way, and once verified online, the discount applies automatically to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy's military discount is 10% off most items and works both online and in stores with proper verification.
  • Online verification happens through ID.me and takes a few minutes; in-store you show a military ID or discharge papers.
  • The discount does not stack with most other promotions, so you choose the better deal on a per-purchase basis.
  • Best Buy's My Best Buy membership program offers additional discounts and rewards that may combine with the military rate on certain items.

How to verify your military status online

Visit bestbuy.com and look for the military discount option, usually found in the account or rewards section. Click the link to verify through ID.me. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, then upload a photo of your military ID, discharge papers (DD Form 214), or veteran health identification card.

ID.me uses facial recognition to match your photo to the document you upload. The verification usually completes within minutes, though some applications take up to 24 hours. Once approved, your account is flagged as military, and the 10% discount applies automatically at checkout. You do not need to enter a code or take any additional steps on future purchases.

What the discount covers and what it does not

The 10% military discount applies to most of Best Buy's inventory: laptops, tablets, phones, gaming consoles, televisions, kitchen appliances, smart home devices, and accessories. It also covers services like Geek Squad installation and protection plans on may be able to access items.

Items excluded from the military discount include gift cards, used or open-box products, clearance items already marked down, and certain brand-specific promotions that the manufacturer runs directly. Some high-end appliances and certain electronics may have restrictions depending on current promotions. Best Buy's website shows which items are may be able to access before you add them to your cart.

Using the discount in-store versus online

In a Best Buy store, bring a valid military ID, veteran health identification card, or DD Form 214 (discharge papers) to the register. The cashier verifies your status and applies the discount at checkout. No pre-registration is needed for in-store purchases.

Online, you must complete the ID.me verification process first. After that, the discount applies automatically to every order you place from that account. If you shop both ways, you can verify once online and still use your physical ID in stores — the two methods work independently, so you have options depending on how you prefer to shop.

How the military discount interacts with other promotions

Best Buy does not stack the military discount with most other ongoing sales or promotions. When an item is on sale, you get either the sale price or the military discount — whichever is larger — but not both. This means on a heavily discounted item, the military rate might not save you anything extra.

The My Best Buy membership program (Best Buy's free rewards program) works differently. Members earn points on purchases and get exclusive member-only deals. In many cases, you can combine the military discount with My Best Buy member pricing, though this varies by product. Check the item's details page to see whether both discounts apply, or ask a store associate before you buy.

Who qualifies for the military discount

Best Buy's military discount is available to active-duty service members from all branches of the U.S. military, veterans with any length of service, and military family members with a valid military ID. National Guard and Reserve members also may have access to if they have proper identification.

To verify online, you need a military ID, veteran health identification card, or DD Form 214. If you are a family member shopping on behalf of a service member or veteran, you will need their military ID or discharge papers to verify. Best Buy does not require you to be the person named on the ID — a spouse, parent, or adult child can verify using a family member's documentation.

Comparing Best Buy's military discount to other retailers

Best Buy's 10% military discount is competitive but not the highest available. Target offers 10% for active-duty members and veterans. Amazon Prime members with military status get a discounted Prime membership but not a blanket discount on all purchases. Lowe's and Home Depot both offer 10% military discounts on in-store purchases, though online policies vary.

For electronics specifically, Best Buy's discount is straightforward and applies broadly. Other retailers may limit military discounts to certain categories or require membership in a military-specific program. If you are shopping for appliances or home goods, comparing the final price across retailers after applying each store's military rate often yields the best result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the military discount on items that are already on sale?

No, Best Buy applies whichever is larger — the sale price or the military discount — but not both. On heavily discounted items, the military rate may not save you additional money. Check the item's price before and after the military discount is applied to see the actual savings.

Do I need to renew my military discount verification?

Once verified through ID.me online, your military status remains active on your Best Buy account indefinitely. In-store, you simply show your ID each time you shop. You do not need to re-verify unless Best Buy asks you to update your information.

Can a family member use my military ID to shop with the discount?

Yes. A spouse, parent, or adult child can verify using your military ID or discharge papers during the ID.me process. In-store, they can show your military ID at the register. Best Buy does not require the person shopping to be the ID holder.

What if my military ID is expired?

An expired military ID still works for verification purposes at Best Buy. If you do not have a military ID, a DD Form 214 (discharge papers) or veteran health identification card works both online and in-store.

Does the military discount work on Best Buy's website sales and clearance items?

The military discount does not apply to clearance or open-box items. On regular sales, you get the better of the two discounts. Check each item's product page to confirm whether the military rate applies before you add it to your cart.