The Blue Light Card offers a range of discounts for emergency service workers across hundreds of top brands and local businesses. This card allows holders to save money on everything from supermarket shops to cinema tickets. In this comprehensive guide, we will outline the many savings you can make as a Blue Light Card holder.
What is the Blue Light Card?
The Blue Light Card is a discount service for emergency workers including NHS, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Prison, and Search and Rescue services. It provides card holders with discounts and exclusive offers at over 15,000 locations across the UK. Brands include major high street retailers, supermarkets, theme parks, gyms, insurance providers, and more.
The card costs £4.99 for two years membership. As the card is sponsored by brands, this covers the administrative fees with no profit made. Frontline workers are eligible for a free card funded by the Blue Light charity.
Who is eligible for a Blue Light Card?
The following emergency services personnel are eligible for a standard paid or free Blue Light Card:
- NHS staff (including volunteers, students, retired members)
- Police officers (including retired police officers, volunteers, and custody officers)
- Fire service staff
- Ambulance service staff (including volunteers)
- HM Prison service staff
- NHS Dental practice staff
- HM Armed forces veterans and volunteers
- HM Customs and Immigration Officers
- St John Ambulance volunteers
- Search and rescue volunteers
Proof of eligibility is required upon application for a Blue Light Card. This can include a valid ID card, payslip, or letter from your manager. The card is valid for two years once activated.
How much are Blue Light Card discounts worth?
Blue Light Card holders have access to over 15,000 discounts in-store and online. On average, members save around £200 per year using their card. However, total savings depend on individuals’ usage. Some of the average savings by sector are:
| Sector | Average Saving |
|---|---|
| Supermarkets | £38 per year |
| Cinema | £22 per year |
| Attractions and days out | £30 per year |
| Food and drink | £25 per year |
| Health and beauty | £35 per year |
| Fashion | £15 per year |
| Insurance | £80 per year |
Assuming card holders use a range of these sector discounts, total average savings quickly add up over £200 per year.
Top supermarket discounts
One of the top everyday savings with the Blue Light Card is at major supermarket chains. Key discounts include:
- Tesco – 10% off two shops per month
- Asda – 10% off food shops and fuel
- Morrisons – 10% off food shops
- Sainsbury’s – 10% off food shops over £30
- Iceland – 10% off food shops
- Co-op Supermarkets – 10% off own brand range and fuel
These regular discounts on grocery shops, fuel, and other supermarket purchases offer great savings over the year. The average Blue Light Card holder saves £38 per year on supermarket shops.
Other grocery savings
Along with supermarkets, some other grocery brands also offer Blue Light Card discounts:
- Grub Hub – £15 off first takeaway order
- HelloFresh – 50% off first box, then 25% off
- Mindful Chef – 50% off first box
Top health and beauty discounts
Looking after your health and wellbeing is important when working in demanding emergency service roles. The Blue Light Card provides discounts on health clubs, vision, dental and more:
- Gym Memberships – Savings at Pure Gym, Total Fitness, Nuffield Health and more
- Vision Express – 25% off glasses, eye test and lenses
- SpeCSAVERS – 25% off complete pairs of glasses
- LloydsPharmacy – 10% off
- Boots Opticians – 10% off eye tests and glasses
Dental discounts
Looking after oral health is made more affordable with discounts at:
- Dental Care Group – 10% off dental treatments
- Dentists.co.uk – 10% off treatments
- The Implant Centre – 10% off dental implants
Top discounts for days out
Making family time more affordable, Blue Light Card members can access discounts on:
- Cineworld – 25% off cinema tickets
- Odeon – 20% off cinema tickets
- Vue – 20% off cinema tickets
- Merlin Entertainments – 25% off attractions including Legoland, Sealife and more
- Virgin Experience Days – 20% off experience gifts including driving, flying, spa days and more
- National Trust – Free entry for card holder and family
Using these discounts on regular family days out can quickly add up the savings.
Top fashion discounts
Blue Light Card members can refresh their wardrobes with discounts at leading fashion retailers:
- New Look – 10% off everything
- Roman Originals – 10% off everything
- Sweaty Betty – 20% off everything
- USC – 10% off everything
- Schuh – 10% off everything
Sportswear savings
Active emergency services personnel can kit themselves out with discounts on sportswear including:
- Adidas – 25% off non-sale items
- Canterbury – 20% off non-sale items
- FitFlop – 25% off
- Score Draw – 15% off
Top discounts on insurance
Some of the biggest individual savings come from insurance discounts. Blue Light Card holders can access exclusive deals on:
- LV= Car Insurance – 10% discount
- Saga Car Insurance – 10% extra discount on already discounted insurance
- Sheilas’ Wheels Car Insurance – £30 gift card with purchases
- Endsleigh Insurance – 10% off home insurance
With car insurance costing on average £471 per year, these discounts provide substantial annual savings of around £80 for Blue Light Card holders.
Regional discounts
Alongside national brand discounts, the Blue Light Card also provides 100s of discounts with local and regional businesses. Deals vary by location across the UK. Some examples include:
- Resorts and spas – Discount on stays and treatments across the UK
- Restaurants and takeaways – Discounted meals out across the UK
- Travel and parking – Savings on airport lounges, hotel stays, parking and more
- Tickets and events – Cheaper tickets for sporting events, music and shows
How to find and use Blue Light Card discounts
Finding available discounts is easy using the Blue Light Card app or website:
- Search for discounts by brand, location or category
- Save discounts for easy access later
- Show digital card or app to redeem discounts in store
- Enter card digits when shopping online to get e-discounts
The app and website are updated with new discounts on a regular basis. So it’s worth checking back for any new savings on offer.
How to apply for a Blue Light Card
Applying for a Blue Light Card is a straightforward process:
- Visit www.bluelightcard.co.uk
- Click “Join Here” and select standard or free membership
- Enter your role and service details
- Upload proof of eligibility
- Make payment (if required)
- Download digital membership after approval
Applications are typically processed within 2 working days. Applicants can use online chat for any questions on eligibility or the application process.
Conclusion
The Blue Light Card provides emergency services personnel with access to over 15,000 discounts online and in-store. Average savings exceed £200 per year with big discounts at supermarkets, on insurance, days out and more. Applying is straightforward for qualifying applicants. Using the website or app makes finding and using discounts simple. With vast savings on offer across essentials, treats and large purchases, the Blue Light Card is a valuable benefit for NHS, police, fire, ambulance and associated emergency services workers.
