Best Buy offers a 10% discount to active military members and veterans

Best Buy runs a military discount program that gives 10% off most items in-store and online. The discount applies to active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard members, and reservists. You do not need to be shopping for military-specific gear — the discount works on laptops, phones, televisions, gaming systems, and most other products Best Buy sells.

The discount is straightforward to use once you have verified your military status. Best Buy handles this verification through a third-party service called SheerID, which checks military records to confirm your service. The process takes a few minutes and you only have to do it once.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy's military discount is 10% off most products both in-store and online, available to active-duty, veterans, National Guard, and reservists.
  • You verify your military status through SheerID, a service that checks military records — this takes a few minutes and you do it once per account.
  • Online, you add the discount to your account before checkout; in-store, you show your verified status or military ID at the register.
  • The discount does not apply to items already on clearance, open-box products, or a small list of excluded brands and services.
  • Best Buy also runs occasional military appreciation sales that stack additional discounts on top of the standard 10%.

How to verify your military status online

Go to bestbuy.com and click on the military discount link, usually found in the footer or under account settings. Best Buy will direct you to SheerID's verification page. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, email address, and military service information — such as your branch, rank, and service dates if you are a veteran.

SheerID checks this information against military records. If your information matches, you will be verified within a few minutes. Once verified, the 10% discount automatically applies to your Best Buy account. You can then shop online and the discount will show at checkout.

If SheerID cannot verify you automatically, you can upload a photo of your military ID, discharge papers, or other official military documentation. This manual review usually takes one to two business days.

Using the discount in-store

If you have verified your status online, you can show your Best Buy account on your phone at the register and the cashier will apply the discount. You do not need to print anything or bring physical proof.

If you have not verified online, you can still get the discount in-store by showing a valid military ID — current or retired — at the register. The cashier will apply the 10% discount to your purchase. This works for active-duty members, retirees, and veterans with military ID cards.

What the discount does and does not cover

The 10% discount applies to most electronics, computers, phones, tablets, gaming systems, televisions, and accessories. It also covers services like Geek Squad installation and protection plans on may be able to access items.

The discount does not apply to items already marked down to clearance prices, open-box or refurbished products, or gift cards. A few brands and product categories are also excluded — Best Buy's website lists these when you shop. Prices that are already reduced for sales or promotions do not get an additional 10% off; the discount applies to the regular or sale price, whichever is lower.

Military appreciation sales and extra discounts

Beyond the standard 10% discount, Best Buy runs military appreciation sales several times a year, usually around Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May. During these events, Best Buy offers additional discounts on specific products — sometimes 15% to 20% off certain categories, or special pricing on popular items.

These sales are advertised on Best Buy's website and in email to verified military members. You do not have to do anything special to see them — if you have verified your military status, Best Buy will show you the military pricing when you browse.

If verification fails or you have questions

If SheerID cannot verify you automatically and your uploaded documents are rejected, contact Best Buy's customer service. Explain your situation and provide details about your service. Best Buy can sometimes manually review cases that the automated system flags.

If you are a veteran without a military ID card, you can use your discharge papers (DD Form 214) or a veteran health identification card from the VA. If you are a reservist or National Guard member not on active duty, bring your military ID or documentation of your service status.

Best Buy's customer service phone number is on their website, and you can also chat with an agent online. Military discount questions are common and the team can walk you through verification or troubleshoot why a discount did not apply to a specific purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 10% discount applies to the sale price, not the original price. So if an item is marked down 20% and then you apply the military discount, you get 10% off the already-reduced price. You cannot stack the discounts to get 30% off.

Do I have to verify my status every time I shop?

No. Once you verify through SheerID, the discount stays on your account. You only verify once. If you shop in-store without verifying online, you just show your military ID at the register each time.

What if I am a surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran?

Best Buy's military discount is for the service member or veteran themselves. Surviving spouses and dependents are not covered under this program. Check with Best Buy directly in case they run other programs that may help.

Does the military discount work on Best Buy's website and in-store?

Yes, the 10% discount works both online and in physical Best Buy stores. Online, it applies at checkout once you have verified. In-store, show your verified account or military ID at the register.

Can I combine the military discount with other Best Buy promotions?

Usually no. The military discount and other promotions do not stack. Best Buy will apply whichever discount is better for that specific item. During military appreciation sales, the special pricing replaces the standard 10% if it is a better deal.