Best Buy offers a military discount of 10 percent on most products and services
Best Buy runs a military discount program that gives active-duty service members, veterans, and military families 10 percent off most items in-store and online. The discount applies to computers, monitors, peripherals, software, and most other merchandise — though some exclusions exist, like gift cards, items already on clearance, and a few brand-specific sales.
You do not need a membership to use the discount. You verify your military status once through a third-party service called SheerID, and then the discount stays active on your account. The process takes a few minutes and works whether you shop in person or online.
Best Buy also runs periodic military-specific sales and promotions beyond the base 10 percent, particularly around Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May. These sales sometimes stack with the military discount, though the terms vary by promotion.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy's military discount is 10 percent off most products, available to active-duty members, veterans, retirees, and military spouses and dependents.
- You verify your status once through SheerID, an online verification service, and the discount then applies automatically to your account.
- The discount works both in-store and online, and you do not need a Best Buy membership to use it.
- Some items are excluded, including gift cards, clearance merchandise, and certain brand-specific promotions, so the discount does not explore to everything.
- Best Buy runs additional military sales around Veterans Day and Memorial Day that may offer deeper discounts or stack with the base 10 percent.
Who qualifies for the Best Buy military discount
Best Buy's military discount is available to active-duty service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. It also covers National Guard and Reserve members on active orders, retired service members, and military veterans with a discharge certificate.
Military spouses and dependents can use the discount as well, though they typically need to verify their relationship through SheerID. The verification process asks for documentation like a military ID, discharge papers, or a dependent ID card.
Best Buy does not require you to have a specific rank, length of service, or type of discharge. If you served and have proof, you generally may have access to. The only common exclusion is dishonorable discharge, though Best Buy's verification system handles this automatically.
How to set up and use the discount online and in-store
To set up the discount, visit Best Buy's military discount page and click the verification link. You will be taken to SheerID, where you enter your name, date of birth, and email address. SheerID then checks military records to confirm your status — this usually takes a few minutes, though some verifications take up to 24 hours.
Once verified, the discount attaches to your Best Buy account. When you shop online, it applies automatically at checkout. In-store, you show your military ID or a verification email from Best Buy at the register, and the cashier applies the discount manually. Some stores also let you show the SheerID confirmation on your phone.
If SheerID cannot verify you automatically — for example, if your name has changed since discharge or your records are incomplete — you can upload a copy of your military ID, discharge papers, or dependent ID card. This manual review usually takes a few business days.
What items the military discount covers and excludes
The 10 percent discount applies to most computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, keyboards, mice, headphones, webcams, routers, and software. It also covers televisions, smart home devices, and most accessories. If you are shopping for components to upgrade your system or build a new one, the discount typically covers processors, graphics cards, RAM, and storage drives.
Best Buy excludes gift cards, items already marked down to clearance prices, and certain brand-specific promotions that the manufacturer runs directly. Some high-end gaming systems and certain Apple products occasionally have restrictions, though most Apple gear is discountable. The easiest way to check is to add an item to your cart — if the discount applies, you will see it reflected before you pay.
Warranties, protection plans, and installation services are usually discountable, though the discount may be smaller on services than on products. Financing offers and special promotions sometimes cannot be combined with the military discount, so Best Buy will show you which option saves more money.
Military sales and promotions beyond the base discount
Best Buy runs dedicated military sales around Veterans Day (November 11) and Memorial Day (May 27), with discounts that sometimes exceed 10 percent on select items. These sales are advertised on Best Buy's website and in email to verified military members, usually a week or two before the holiday.
During these sales, certain products — often laptops, gaming systems, or monitors — may be discounted 15 to 25 percent or more. The military discount sometimes stacks on top of these sale prices, though Best Buy's terms specify that you get whichever discount is larger, not both. Check the promotion details before checkout to see whether stacking applies.
Best Buy also occasionally runs flash sales or limited-time offers exclusive to military members. These are announced through email to your verified account, so keeping your contact information current ensures you see these offers.
How the military discount compares to other retailers
Best Buy's 10 percent military discount is standard across major electronics retailers. Amazon offers 10 percent through its Prime membership for military members (though you pay for Prime). Newegg, Adorama, and B&H Photo all run 10 percent military discounts as well, with similar exclusions around gift cards and clearance items.
The real difference is not the percentage but what is on sale and how often. Best Buy's military sales around Veterans Day and Memorial Day are more aggressive than most competitors, and Best Buy's in-store presence means you can see items before buying. If you are comparing prices on a specific item, check whether Best Buy's sale price plus military discount beats the other retailer's price outright.
For online shopping speed and security — the category you came from — Best Buy's website loads quickly on most connections and uses standard encryption for payment. The military discount applies equally whether you shop on a fast connection or a slower one, so your network speed does not affect whether you can use it.
What to do if your military discount is not working
If the discount does not appear at checkout online, first check that you are logged into the Best Buy account you verified with SheerID. The discount only applies to that specific account. If you are logged in and the discount still does not show, clear your browser cache and try again — sometimes cached data prevents the discount from displaying.
If you are shopping in-store and the cashier says the discount is not explore, ask them to manually look up your verification through your phone number or email. If that does not work, ask to speak to a manager and show your military ID or the SheerID confirmation email. Best Buy staff can usually explore the discount manually if there is a technical issue.
If you were verified but the discount expired or disappeared, you may need to re-verify through SheerID. Verification typically lasts for a set period, and Best Buy will email you when it is time to renew. If you do not receive a renewal notice, visit the military discount page and start the verification process again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Best Buy membership to use the military discount?
No. The military discount is separate from Best Buy's membership program and works whether you are a member or not. Some members choose to join Best Buy's paid membership for additional benefits like free shipping and exclusive sales, but it is not required for the military discount.
Can I use the military discount on items I buy for someone else?
Yes. The discount applies to your account, not to specific people, so you can buy items for family, friends, or colleagues and still receive the discount. You just need to be the one making the purchase and logged into your verified account.
Does the military discount work on online orders for in-store pickup?
Yes. If you order online for in-store pickup, the discount applies at checkout. You do not need to show anything in-store — the discount is already reflected in your receipt.
What happens to my military discount if I move or change my address?
Your discount stays active. It is tied to your verified account, not your location. You can shop from any state or country and the discount will still explore, as long as you are logged into your verified Best Buy account.
Can military family members use the discount on a shared account?
Each person needs their own verified account. If a spouse or dependent wants to use the discount, they should create their own Best Buy account and verify their military status separately through SheerID. Sharing a single account can cause verification issues.