How teachers get discounts, the best offers and registration

How teachers get discounts, the best offers and registration

August 9, 2024

The Blue Light Card website crashed on Wednesday after teachers across the UK were added to the group of key workers who can access the discount scheme.

Previously, the card was available to public sector workers – including NHS staff and members of the armed forces.

In 2022, Asda announced it would reinstate its Blue Light Card offering, joining a host of retailers and businesses that already use the service.

But what is the Blue Light Card, who has access to it and where does it offer discounts? Here you can find out everything you need to know about it.

What is a blue light card?

With the Blue Light offer card you can secure numerous discounts from numerous providers.

In total, there are 15,000 discounts, from larger retailers to small businesses, including on holidays and telephone bills, but also on weekly grocery shopping and cars.

The digital version of the card also includes a map of local discounts in your area. There is also a log that shows you how much money you have saved with the card.

Which teaching staff can receive a blue light card?

Until now, only people in certain emergency services functions or key positions could apply for the card.

Now, however, it is available to all teachers, whether part-time or full-time. All you need is your teacher ID and email address to prove you work in education.

Which other professions qualify for a Blue Light Card?

This is the full list of professions eligible for the card:

  • Emergency services
  • Blood bikes
  • Fire department
  • Traffic police on motorways
  • Her Majesty's Armed Forces
  • Veteran of the British Armed Forces
  • HM Coast Guard
  • HM Prison and Probation Service
  • Ministry of the Interior (Borders and Immigration)
  • Independent lifeboats
  • Ministry of Defense official
  • Fire Department of the Ministry of Defense
  • Ministry of Defense Police
  • NHS
  • NHS Dental Practice
  • Pharmacy
  • police
  • Red Cross
  • Reserved Army Forces
  • The RNLI is a non-profit organization. It was founded in 1972 by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RNLI). It was
  • Search and rescue
  • Social care
  • St. Andrews Ambulance
  • St. John Ambulance
  • Teacher

Where can I get discounts with the Blue Light Card?

The retailers that participate in the Blue Light Card change frequently, so it's best to keep an eye on who is currently offering discounts through this program.

However, the brands currently include:

  • Apple
  • Hotpoint
  • JD Sports
  • My Protein
  • New look
  • Odeon
  • Ray-Ban
  • River Island
  • Samsung
  • Starbucks
  • Superdry
  • Cinema world
  • Domino’s

If you want to save money on a last-minute summer holiday, the card also offers discounts for last-minute sun-seekers at these providers:

  • Booking.com
  • EasyJet Holidays
  • Eurocamp
  • Expedia
  • Hotels.com
  • Jet2 Holidays

How do I sign up for a Blue Light Card?

To sign up, go to the Blue Light Card website where you can either apply for a physical card (registration costs £4.99 for two years) or get a free digital card.

You can use the digital card by downloading the Blue Light Card app from Google Play or the App Store.

To be eligible for a card, you must prove your occupation by uploading a valid ID or a recent pay slip.