T-Mobile Military Discount Program: Big Savings for Military Members, Veterans and Their Families

T-Mobile has been named the Best Mobile Network in the United States by Ookla® Speedtest®. They have the largest, fastest, and most advanced 5G network. They also happen to offer the best military discount on cellphone plans. The T-Mobile military discount is available to both current and former military members, as well as to their family members when the additional phones are included on the military member or veteran’s plan.

Perhaps the best part about the T-Mobile military discount is that it applies to all three of their consumer cell phone plans: Essentials, Experience More, and Experience Beyond. These plans all offer unlimited data, unlimited talk and text, nationwide 5G coverage, exclusive perks, and dedicated customer care.

Let’s take a look at the T-Mobile military discount, including features, cost and eligibility.

T-Mobile Military Discount on Phone Plans

T-Mobile offers a military discount on their three tiers of plans: Essentials, Experience More, and Experience Beyond. Each plan is priced for one phone line, but additional lines can be purchased. Taxes and fees are not included in the listed price.

Essentials Military Plan Features – $50/month

• Unlimited talk and text
• 50GB of premium data*
• Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data
• Nationwide 5G coverage
• Exclusive perks with T-Mobile Tuesdays
• Dedicated customer care

Experience More with Military Savings Plan Features – $75/month

• 5 Year Price Guarantee
• Upgrade-ready every two years
• Unlimited premium data on the Best Mobile Network
• Netflix Standard with ads ON US
• Apple TV+ ON US
• 60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data included
• Unlimited text, 30GB of high-speed data in Canada & Mexico
• Unlimited text, 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries & destinations
• Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available
• New T-Mobile customers and existing customers get the same great phone deals every two years
• Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data
• Nationwide 5G coverage
• Exclusive perks with T-Mobile Tuesdays
• Dedicated customer care

Experience Beyond with Military Savings Plan Features – $90/month

• 5 Year Price Guarantee
• Upgrade-ready every year
• T-Satellite included
• Unlimited premium data on the Best Mobile Network
• Netflix Standard with ads ON US
• Apple TV+ ON US
• Hulu ON US
• Watch & tablet lines just $5/month
• Unlimited mobile hotspot included
• Unlimited text, 30GB of high-speed data in Canada & Mexico
• Unlimited text, 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries & destinations
• Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available
• New T-Mobile customers and existing customers get the same great phone deals every year
• Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data
• Nationwide 5G coverage
• Exclusive perks with T-Mobile Tuesdays
• Dedicated customer care

Visit the T-Mobile website for more details on the T-Mobile Military Discount Plan.

T-Mobile Military Discount Eligibility

The T-Mobile website states the military discount is available to customers with eligible military status and their families, including active-duty service members, veterans, retired military personnel, National Guard, Reservists, and Gold Star families. The discount is also available to veteran-owned businesses.

There are a couple of notes regarding eligibility:

• The military member or veteran must be the primary account holder and the account must maintain a valid military line.
  • If an active-duty military member is deployed, T-Mobile will work with their spouse or family member to verify eligibility.
• T-Mobile for Business customers are eligible for up to 12 lines; however, government accounts are not eligible.
• No-credit-check and prepaid customers are not eligible.

You will need to provide proof of military service within 45 days of opening your new T-Mobile account or otherwise applying for the military discount.

How Does T-Mobile Verify Military Status or Military Service?

The T-Mobile website states they will accept any document proving the customer is serving or has served in the military. The form must include the veteran’s first and last name, valid dates of service and/or status (e.g., active duty or a veteran with an honorable discharge).

T-Mobile will accept numerous forms of verification, but the most common documents are DD214, leave and earnings statement and military orders.

What Do I Do if my Military Status Changes?

This offer is open to current and former military members, so you will not need to contact T-Mobile. Your eligibility will remain intact and you will not need to change your plan.

T-Mobile Military Pricing

It is important to note that this military discount is permanent – not promotional. However, any discount is subject to change, so it is wise to take advantage of great offers as soon as possible.

Below are the current rates of each T-Mobile Military Plan.

Essentials Military Plan Rates

• 1 Line – $50 (~23% off standard pricing)
• 2 Lines – $90 (10% off standard pricing)
• 3 Lines – $105
• 4 Lines – $120
• 5 Lines – $135
• 6-12 Lines – $150

Experience More with Military Savings Plan Rates

Once you activate the Experience More with Military Savings Plan, there is a 5 year price guarantee.

• 1 Line – $75 (~8% off standard pricing)
• 2 Lines – $110 (~27% off standard pricing)
• 3 Lines – $135
• 4 Lines – $160
• 5 Lines – $185
• 6 Lines – $25/line
• 7-12 Lines – $35/line

Experience Beyond with Military Savings Plan Rates

Once you activate the Experience Beyond with Military Savings Plan, there is a 5 year price guarantee.

• 1 Line – $90 (~14% off standard pricing)
• 2 Lines – $140 (~22% off standard pricing)
• 3 Lines – $180
• 4 Lines – $220
• 5 Lines – $260
• 6 Lines – $40/line
• 7-12 Lines – $50/line

Additional Charges and Terms

• Provider Monthly Fees
  • Regulatory Programs / Telco Recovery Fee – $3.99/line
  • Federal and Local Surcharges – Typically $0.30-4.70/line
• One-Time Fees
  • Device Connection Charge – $35/line
• Government Taxes
  • Varies by location

There is no charge for early termination or data usage.

T-Mobile May Even Pay off Your Current Phone or Early Termination Fees

T-Mobile is doing their best to grow their customer base, and they don’t want something like a cellphone contract to get in the way of adding customers. So they may be willing to pay your early termination fees if you need to break your contract to change carriers. See the terms and conditions of Family Freedom to determine eligibility.

Additionally, T-Mobile may be willing to pay off your phone in return for you switching to their service. Keep your phone and join T-Mobile, and they’ll help pay off your eligible phone – up to 4 lines via an $800 virtual prepaid Mastercard.

As you can imagine, this is a limited-time offer, and there are some terms and conditions, which you can find on their website.

How Much Can T-Mobile Save You?

T-Mobile claims their military discount saves a family of five around 70% more compared to Verizon’s military discount program and around 64% more compared to AT&T’s military discount program. Of course, your savings will vary based on your current cellphone plan and the number of lines you add.

As with all offers, it’s a good idea to run the numbers to see which carrier is the best for your needs.

For my current situation, my wife and I would pay a comparable amount per month for the cellphone line (actually $5 per month cheaper with T-Mobile), but we also subscribe to Netflix, Apple TV, and Hulu, and we pay that out of pocket. So we save an additional $7.99 per month on the Netflix subscription, $9.99 per month on the Apple TV subscription, and $9.99 per month on the Hulu subscription.

$33 per month works out to $396 per year, which is a decent great savings.

We could possibly save more than that, because I pay $10 a month on a mobile hotspot through T-Mobile. Under the T-Mobile military discount, you can use your phones as hotspots. So I may be able to save around $516 per year.

Now we’re talking real savings!

Should You Switch to the T-Mobile Military Plan?

Overall, I have to say that T-Mobile offers the best bang for your buck out of all the major cellphone carriers. Their military discount is also the most generous of all the cellphone providers.

Is it right for you?

Only you can answer that.

I recommend looking at several factors:

• How the T-Mobile network is in your area
• The monthly cost of the T-Mobile Military Plan compared to your current plan
• Other potential cost savings (Netflix subscription; being able to use your phone as a mobile hotspot; unlimited talk, text and data; etc.)
• Additional features – unlimited text and data overseas, unlimited media streaming
• Whether or not T-Mobile will assist you with buying out your current contract

Overall, I’d say T-Mobile will work for a lot of folks. But in other cases, you may currently have a better or more cost-effective plan. If so, stay with what works.

Visit the T-Mobile website for more details on the T-Mobile Military Discount Plan.