Armed Forces Discounts

Used properly, Armed Forces discount schemes can save some households hundreds of pounds a year, on food, fuel, travel, days out and big household costs.

The problem? Most Forces families only use a fraction of what’s available, or rely on discounts randomly rather than strategically.

This guide shows you:

• Which Armed Forces discount schemes actually matter
• Where discounts make the biggest difference to household costs
• How to build them into everyday spending so the savings add up

If you’re already spending the money, this is about paying less for it.

Why Discounts Matter More for Armed Forces Families

Military life brings:

• Fixed income structures
• Posting-related moving costs
• Deployment-related childcare strain
• Transition gaps between roles
• Injury and health-related income disruption

The 3 Essential Armed Forces Discount Schemes to Activate First

If you only do one thing today, make sure you’re using at least one of these:

Defence Discount Service (DDS)

Defence Discount Service is the official discount platform for the Armed Forces community. It is exclusive to eligible serving personnel, veterans and families.

Best for: free access + big-name brands

What it is: The official Defence Discount Service for the Armed Forces community. It’s free for eligible serving personnel, veterans and families.

What you’ll save on

• Retail, tech & gifts
• Travel & days out
• Food & essentials

Typical savings: 10–30%

TOP TIP
Before you buy anything online, check DDS first. It’s the fastest way to save money without changing how you shop.

WORTH KNOWING
Most offers are online-only — you usually need to click through DDS to activate the discount.

Defence Discount Service Christmas Deals for the Armed Forces Community

Blue Light Card (BLC)

Blue Light Card is a UK-wide discount scheme for public service workers, including the Armed Forces, NHS, emergency services, social care and teachers.

Best for: everyday spending + in-store savings

What it is: A popular discount scheme for the Armed Forces, emergency services, NHS, social care and teachers.

Cost:  £4.99 for two years

What you’ll save on

• Supermarkets & high-street shopping
• Restaurants & takeaways
  Travel, tech & home

WORTH KNOWING
Blue Light Card and Defence Discount Service are run by the same parent company, which is why you’ll often see the same retailers and offers appear on both platforms. DDS is positioned specifically for the Armed Forces community, while Blue Light Card is available to a wider public service audience.

Reward for Forces

Rewards for Forces is a discount programme designed for the Armed Forces community.

Best for: broad eligibility + extra perks

What it is: A free discount programme for the wider Armed Forces community — including veterans, families, reservists, cadets, MOD civil servants and service widows/widowers.

What you’ll save on

• Dining & retail
• Holidays & travel
• Cinema & days out

UPGRADE OPTION
Premium Gold Membership

• £4.99 one-off lifetime fee
• Physical card
• Extra exclusive and stackable discounts

WORTH KNOWING
Some of the best offers sit behind the premium card — but the free version is still useful.

Which one should I use?

In practice, most people use more than one.

• Defence Discount Service (DDS)
  Armed Forces–exclusive and feels more “official”. Best to check first. Free to join, but some in-store discounts require the paid Defence Privilege Card.
• Blue Light Card
  Usually has more discounts overall, including many of the same big-name brands as DDS. It’s paid, but often easier to use day to day, especially in store.
• Rewards for Forces
  Broader eligibility and some genuinely good offers, but the platform is clunkier, so it takes more effort. Still worth checking as a back-up.

The honest approach:
Sign up to all three.
Check DDS first, then Blue Light Card for big names, and dip into Rewards for Forces if you’re comparing or looking for something specific.

Where Forces Discounts Make the Biggest Financial Difference

Some savings add convenience. Others move the needle on monthly costs. These are the highest-impact areas for real household financial relief:

Housing & Utilities

• Broadband & mobile contracts
• Energy supplier offers
• Home insurance
• White goods & appliances
  Moving & storage services

Even a small discount on utilities or insurance can free up significant money across the year.

Travel & Transport

• Fuel cards
• Car servicing & MOTs
• Vehicle purchase schemes
• Rail travel
• Car hire

This is especially valuable for long-distance family travel, postings and commuting.

Everyday Essentials

• Supermarkets
• Clothing & footwear
• School uniform
• Baby and childcare products
• Gym memberships

Fitness. Wellness Camps and Gyms for the Armed Forces Community

Holidays & Downtime

• Package holidays
• UK breaks
• Hotels
• Theme parks
• Attractions

A Simple Monthly Forces Discount Routine

To make discounts work properly, build them into your normal admin routine:

• Check all three platforms before any large purchase
• Stack discount + cashback where possible
• Search for “military discount” before booking travel
• Re-check energy and insurance deals annually
• Use discounts for Christmas, birthdays and school costs

This one habit compounds into hundreds of pounds saved per year for many Forces households!

When Discounts Aren’t Enough: Extra Financial Support Exists

Discounts help stretch money, but they don’t replace proper debt, benefits and crisis support. If money stress starts to build, these organisations exist specifically to help the Armed Forces community:

Royal British Legion (RBL)

The Royal British Legion provides tailored financial support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families when they are struggling with money, debt, or sudden financial hardship.

How they help:

• Emergency grants to help with essentials like rent, utilities, food, and heating
• Debt relief support, including help with priority debts such as rent arrears and council tax
• Benefits and financial guidance, ensuring people receive everything they are entitled to
• Long-term financial recovery plans, not just short-term fixes

SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity)

SSAFA offers specialist financial guidance and welfare support to serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families, often working alongside other military charities.

How they help:

• Debt advice and budgeting support
• Help with benefits, compensation, and pensions
• Grants for essential living costs, white goods, and emergency expenses
• One-to-one caseworker support, including home visits if needed

StepChange (Debt Charity)

StepChange is the UK’s leading free debt advice charity and supports anyone struggling with debt, including members of the Armed Forces community.

How they help:

• Free, confidential debt advice online and by phone
• Personalised debt solutions, such as Debt Management Plans (DMPs) and breathing space schemes
• Support with creditor communication, taking the pressure off individuals
• Practical budgeting tools to regain control of finances

Turn2Us

Turn2Us helps people in financial hardship access benefits, grants, and money advice that they may not realise they are eligible for.

How they help:

• Online benefits calculator to check what financial support you should be receiving
• Grant search tool that identifies charitable funding based on individual circumstances
• Simple, accessible financial guidance
• Crisis support resources for those in immediate difficulty

Debt help and support on Troopr

There is no shame in using this support, it exists because military life brings financial pressure ordinary budgeting can’t always absorb.

How Troopr Helps You Save With Confidence

Troopr exists to take the search fatigue out of Forces life. In one trusted place, you’ll find:

• Armed Forces discount schemes
• Forces-friendly employers
• Money and debt support
• Housing and cost-of-living guidance
• Mental health and family support
• Education and training opportunities

Whether you’re saving for everyday life, steadying finances during transition, or simply protecting your household budget, Troopr keeps everything in one clear, trusted place.