Cell phone companies are doing everything in their power to keep customers, and sometimes, it works out in the consumer’s favor, especially when it comes to discounts. Almost all of the major cell phone carriers offer military discounts on cell phone service to current, and former servicemembers.
It’s not often that veterans are eligible for military discounts, but this is one time when you may just qualify. Let’s take a look at some of the cell phone discounts available to military members and veterans, and some of the common rules to keep in mind.
Military and Veteran Discounts for Cell Phone Service
Rules and participation will vary by cell phone provider, so be sure to read the fine print, and ask to speak with a manager when asking for a discount.
Here are some common things to keep in mind:
Most cell phone companies offer a 15% discount (or greater) to active duty, Guard, Reserves, retirees. This sometimes includes veterans as well. These discounts are usually only for the servicemember, though many cell phone carriers will offer the discounts for multiple lines – as long as the service member’s name is the primary name on the account.
ID or proof of service is required. Many companies will approve discounts via email with a .mil or .gov email address. Otherwise, you may need a military ID card, Veterans ID Card, VA issued ID Health Card, drivers license with a veterans designation, or a DD Form 214.
Service agreement or Contract May be Required. Some cell phone carriers may require a 2-year contract when you sign up for their service. Be sure to read the full terms before you sign a contract. Also note that some carriers, such as T-Mobile, may be willing to pay early termination fees from another carrier if you switch to them.
Ask for a manager if the customer service rep doesn’t give you a discount. Some customer service reps may not be aware of the discounts, or may not have authorization to grant them. Politely ask to speak with a manager. Whatever you do, don’t make a scene. Being polite will get you much further, faster.
It may take one or two payment cycles to see your discount. This is common across all carriers.
Be sure to compare offers across all carriers. Don’t assume the company you have been with for years or the popular cell phone provider in your region has the best deals. Call around and see which deals are best for your needs. Some people may be better off with a family plan, while others may do better on a prepaid pr pay as you go cell phone plan.
Now let’s take a look at some of the deals offered through major cell phone carriers. if you don’t see your favored provider on this list, just contact them or search their site.
T-Mobile Military and Veterans Discount
T-Mobile offers the most generous military discount among the national cell phone service providers. T-Mobile offers a 20% discount to military members and veterans, with a 50% discount on additional lines. This is an excellent discount to pair with the T-Mobile unlimited plan with no contract.
Eligibility: Eligible persons include those serving on active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, veterans, and family members. Veteran owned small businesses are also eligible, for up to 12 lines. Proof of service required to obtain discount.
This discount is also available for family members when the lines are bundled on the same plan. The military member or veteran will need to keep his or her plan in place for family members to remain eligible for the discount.
T-Mobile Military Discount Features:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data.*
- Unlimited in Mexico and Canada. To include talk, text, and up to 5GB of 4G LTE data.
- In-Flight texting + 1 hour of data. On all GoGo®-enabled flights to, from, or within the U.S.
- Mobile hotspot data included. Keep all you data connected at max 3G speeds.
- Stream unlimited entertainment. Video at DVD quality, 480p.
- Taxes and fees included. (no surprise fees on your monthly plan bill).
- Texting and data abroad, including unlimited text and data roaming and flat-rate calling in more than 140 countries.
- Free Netflix Standard subscription – Standard 2-screen subscription for almost any device, even TV.
T-Mobile May Pay Early Termination Fees or Pay Off Your Phone:
Get a new phone and we’ll pay off your current phone and service contracts – up to $650 per line or $350 in early termination fees, via prepaid card when you trade-in your device. Visit the T-Mobile site for more info.
T-Mobile Military Discount Pricing (price shown with Autopay enabled; add $5 if you do not use Autopay):
- Line One – $55 (20% off standard pricing)
- Line Two – add $25 (50% off standard pricing)
- Lines 3-6 – add $10 each (50% off standard pricing)
How to apply for the 20% discount:
- Discount eligibility: Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Retirees, Veterans, and Family members (when military member or veteran is primary account holder)
- Visit the T-Mobile Military Discount Page for More Info, or to Sign Up.
Here is a full overview of the T-Mobile Military Discount plan.
Verizon Wireless Military Discounts
Verizon offers discounts to military servicemembers and veterans on all plans $34.99 and up. You may also be eligible for discounts on data plans and accessories (up to 25% off Verizon branded accessories). You may be able to add up to five lines on the bill, so long as they are under the service member’s name and they all go to the same address.
Verizon Wireless offers military discounts on select cell phone plans, including the Go, Beyond or Above Unlimited plans. You can save $15 per month on a ingle line plan, $35 per month with two lines, and up to $40 per month with three or more lines. Other plans offer a 15% discount.
How to get the military discount:
- Discount eligibility: Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Retirees, Veterans, and Federal Employees
- Visit the store in person: Bring your military ID, retiree card, DD Form 214, or other official ID showing proof of service. Ask to speak with a manager if you are not able to get help from the customer service rep.
- Existing customers applying for the discount online: Submit a copy of your pay stub, employee ID card, Veterans ID Card, or DD Form 214. Do not send a copy of your military ID.
Visit the Verizon Wireless Website for more information about the Verizon Wireless Military Discount.
AT&T Military and Veteran Discounts
AT&T offers a 15% discount for military members and veterans on qualified AT&T unlimited plans (member must be the primary name on the account). Proof of service required, and it make take 2 to 3 months to see the discount show up on your account.
Eligibility: Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Retirees, Veterans, and spouses of active-duty and deceased service personnel.
Required Proof of Service:
- Active Duty members can verify their service eligibility by using their .mil email address on this page (this page can also be used to verify corporate discounts).
- Guard / Reserves can use their .mil email address or visit a local store or participating dealer.
- Military Veterans can bring their Department of Defense Form DD214 indicating an honorable discharge, a valid retired military ID, a veteran designated driver’s license, Veterans ID Card, Veteran Health Insurance card, or a current AMVETS membership card are also acceptable.
- Spouses of active duty or deceased military service personnel will need to provide a valid Department of Defense sponsorship card.
Visit the AT&T Military Discount Page for More Information.
Sprint Military and Veteran Discount – Save 50% Off Family Lines
Sprint 50% Off family lines when current and former military members sign up for the Sprint Unlimited Military Plan.
Eligibility: The military and veterans discount is available to current and former members of the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard through the Sprint WorksSM Program, or through the Sprint Company discount program.
Proof of service is required in order to qualify for the Sprint military discount. Accepted forms of ID include a military ID card, VA issued Veteran’s ID Card, discharge paperwork, or DD 214. To qualify online, you must send them an email from your .mil address, or provide another proof of service. You may also be able to show your ID in person if you visit a Sprint Retail store. You can also send in required proof of service via fax or email.
Discount details:
- Members pay full price for the first line, then save 50% for each additional line. So the savings grows as you add more lines to your account.
- Enrollment in Sprint AutoPay is required to receive discount
- It may also take a cycle or two before you see the discount applied to your bill.
Sprint Unlimited Military Plan Features:
- Unlimited data, talk and text nationwide
- TV, with Hulu subscription ($7.99 monthly value)
- 500 MB mobile hotspot
- DVD-quality streaming
- Global roaming in more than 185 worldwide locations
- Unlimited talk and text in Mexico and Canada
- and 5GB of 4G LTE data.
Visit the Sprint Military Discount page for more information.
U.S. Cellular Military Discounts
U.S. Cellular offers a 15% discount to active duty service members. U.S. Cellular is one of the few companies listed that only offer the discounts to active duty servicemembers. Retirees, part time Guard and Reserves, and veterans aren’t eligible (though it wouldn’t hurt to ask; you never know!).
- Discount eligibility: Active Duty, including active duty Guard and Reserves. Part time Guard and Reserves are ineligible.
- To receive the discount: Call 1-888-944-9400 or 611 from your U.S. Cellular phone.
- More information.
Cricket Wireless Heroes Discount – Grandfathered
Cricket Wireless previously offered a 15% discount for eligible military members and community servicemembers such as policemen and firefighters. Eligible military members include active duty and retirees. Discount only available in stores; no contract required.
However, Cricket no longer offers this discount to new customers once they migrate to the new Cricket account. Customers will need to choose a new Cricket (GSM) rate plan. Plans start at $25/month including all taxes and fees. Plans starting at $40 per month offer additional discounts: a $5 Auto Pay credit each month or Group Save discounts. Find a location near you.
Final Notes about Cell Phone Discounts
Keep in mind corporate policies may change frequently. We do our best to ensure these are accurate at the time of publication, but some policies change without notification. Be sure to verify the deals before signing any agreements, and like joining the military, always get it in writing!
If an employee doesn’t give you the discount, be sure to ask nicely to speak with a manger. Finally, many cell phone providers have begun requesting verification to remain in discounted programs. Most companies will ask you to resubmit verification of employment every 24 months or so. Don’t take it personally, it’s just their policy. And in this case, most of the cell phone providers still offer the discounts for veterans, so you most likely wouldn’t lose your discount if you leave active duty. You would just need to provide a copy of your DD Form 214 – which you should always maintain.
Related topics:
Tim Heberling says
I asked my cell company about this, Credo uses the Sprint network. This is their “progressive” reply:
Dear Mr. Heberling,
Unfortunately CREDO does not participate in this offer at this time. Instead of offering discounts for specific groups or employees, we frequently send discount offers to our members for renewal offers.
If you were eligible for renewal offers as such, you would notice banners saying “loyalty rewards” on your online member services, you would receive e-mails and you may even find information about it on your bill.
I hope this helps and I hope you have a great day!
Thanks for choosing CREDO, America’s only progressive phone company.
Regards,
Customer Relations
CREDO Mobile
MrMilitaryMoney says
AT&T also allows you to cancel your contract if you have orders overseas. I was able to cancel out of two iPhone 5s even though the contract was only a few months old. They even unlocked the phones so I could use them overseas.
Chuck says
Believe me when I tell you that Verizon has no intention in allowing us veteran to apply for a discount. I have gone to the Verizon store and faxed in my DD214. We have uploaded it 4 times now on the website and every time we get a notice that it has been rejected because the date is illegible and not within 60 days. We have spent hours on the phone with absolutely NO results. Well, I was discharged in the 1960’s so yes it is over 90 days. I have tried to register for this discount for 3 months with 0 affect. So, my plan is to now get this information and my experience out over the internet to as many sites and reviews as I possibly can. Although the attempt by Verizon is to look patriotic, the reality is that they have made this process for veterans discount impossible so they can claim they offer it but really do not. Chuck
Bob says
I have had a similar experience with AT&T . I was told that I was eligible for a 15% discount as a veteran (Vietnam) but with my senior plan they would not provide the discount – only after I called customer service since I did not see the discount on three bills. I was told by two AT&T sales reps initially that I was eligible and that the discount would appear on my next bill. I also received a text from AT&T stating that my discount had been applied. This is discriminatory, because we are not on a high cost plan.
Bob
Em says
You should add that t-mobile probably won’t ever actually give you the discount. I’ve been waiting for four months and have had no luck. Every time I call customer service they just say there’s nothing they can do, I have to wait. In store the employees and managers assure me that I just have to fill out the online form; I’ve tried numerous stores.
DON’T PICK TMOBILE
Debora Green says
Today Cricket said to me; The military discount we don’t have it available at the moment, we are working on it so we can have it soon in the future. We don’t have an specific time yet, but you can keep checking our website so you can know when this promotion comes.
Thanks
William Rodriguez says
sprint only applies it to the data portion of the bill and if they remove it, forget any reimbursement. i had that happen when i purchased my own phone, the next manager forgot to continue my 15% discount so I have been paying full price for close to two years and i just discovered it. they indicated they would put it back on my data plan but, no reimbursement and it would not apply to my entire bill. i have been with sprint for 18 years but, when my contract expires in 6 months, i will be looking as some of the other plans out there as where i live the customer service is terrible and corporate waves the “wish we could do more but, we cannot flag”.
Bill says
Can I get Both aarp and Military phone discounts at the same time
Ryan Guina says
Hello Bill, you would need to contact the cell phone provider. However, most companies only allow one discount to be applied at a time. So I recommend contacting the cell phone company and asking about their policy. Then apply whichever discount is higher if you can only use one.