What is the Blue Light Card and who can get one?
There are even shops that people don't realise they can get a discount from
MILLIONS of workers can get access to thousands of discounts thanks to the Blue Light Card.
However in August 2024, the website crashed after teachers across the UK discovered they could now use the card.
What is the Blue Light Card?
The Blue Light Card offers exclusive discounts to a range of workers.
You can grab discounts on clothes, holidays, insurance and cars.
It can be used across thousands of restaurants, shops and venues.
All in all, there are 15,000 discounts to choose from.
You can buy a physical copy of the card for £4.99 or a digital card is free.
Once you’ve got one it lasts two years.
You can use the digital card by downloading the Blue Light Card app via Google Play or the App Store.
It has a useful interactive map feature to help you find local discounts closest to your chosen location too.
You can also keep tabs on how much you’ve saved with the card which is useful if you’re looking to budget ahead of Christmas.
The money-saving card was launched in 2008 and now features a number of partners, including Apple, Alton Towers, and Asda.
Who is eligible to get the Blue Light Card?
Only those in certain emergency services or key worker roles can apply for a Blue Light Card.
In 2024, teachers were added to the list of workers who are allowed to join the discount scheme.
A full list of those who are eligible includes anyone in the following roles:
- Ambulance service
- Blood bikes
- Fire service
- Highways traffic officers
- HM armed forces
- HM armed forces veteran
- HM coastguard
- HM prison and probation service
- Home Office (Borders and Immigration)
- Independent lifeboats
- MoD civil servant
- MoD fire service
- MoD police
- NHS
- NHS Dental Practice
- Pharmacy
- Police
- Red cross
- Reserved army forces
- RNLI
- Search and rescue
- Social care
- St Andrews ambulance
- St John ambulance
- Teachers
How do I register for a Blue Light Card?
To be eligible for a card you have to prove your profession by uploading a form of valid ID or recent payslip.
To sign up, just head to the Blue Light Card website where you’ll have to fill out a form.
Bear in mind, you’ll be asked a couple of questions, for example, about your job title and where you work.
This is where you can use the Blue Light Card
The retailers that participate in the Blue Light Card scheme can change regularly, meaning there isn't a comprehensive list of stores you can use it at.
So it’s worth checking whether the discount is valid on the store website if you’re shopping online, or asking a member of staff when at the till in-store – the worst they can say is no.
Some of the current participating brands include:
- Apple
- Hotpoint
- JD Sports
- My Protein
- New Look
- Odeon
- Ray Ban
- River Island
- Samsung
- Starbucks
- Superdry
- Cineworld
- Domino’s
Always make sure to shop around for better offers before making a purchase to be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Blue light cardholders can also make big savings on their holidays with the following websites:
- Booking.com
- EasyJet Holidays
- Eurocamp
- Expedia
- Hotels.com
- Jet2 Holidays