Martin Lewis’ MSE issues warning to key workers who have just hours left to get extra discounts on clothes and tech
MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert has issued a warning to key workers who have hours left to claim boosted discounts through a specialist service used by millions.
NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces staff with a Blue Light Card have until just tomorrow to snap up shoes, clothes and tech on the cheap, it revealed on its website.
The discount card costs £4.99 for a two-year subscription and it opens up discounts across retailers, restaurants and cinemas.
But shoppers with the card can claim even bigger savings between now and 11.59pm tomorrow night.
The Blue Light Card is running its “Big Blue Weekend” event where cardholders can get boosted discounts.
Key workers can get up to 25% off Adidas shoes, instead of 15% normally, 50% off Lovehoney products instead of 20% normally and extra money off Shark tech goods.
There’s also 30% off Crocs shoes, up to 15% off Parkdean summer holidays and 15% off on thousands of Debenhams’ lines.
It’s worth bearing in mind, MSE said it usually takes around 48 hours to register for a Blue Light Card if you don’t have one.
So if you haven’t already signed up, it might be too late to make the most of this year’s Blue Weekend event.
However, if you already have one of the discount cards, you should definitely check out if there are any deals worth snapping up.
MSE also said customers signed up to the Health Service Discounts website can get dozens of added discounts up until July 16.
Shoppers can get up to 50% off on Garmin watches, 15% off New Look items and 50% off AA products.
You can sign up to the website for free to open up the deals.
Of course, always remember to only buy a product you have seen because you actually want it, not just because it is on sale.
A bargain is only a bargain if you wanted it in the first place.
How the Blue Light Card works
The Blue Light Card offers those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces discounts across retailers, restaurants and cinemas.
You can also get money off holidays, cars, days out and even insurance.
Some of the brands you can get discounts on include Boohoo, Charlotte Tilbury, Cineworld, The Body Shop and Apple.
Blue Light Card says it offers over 15,000 high street and online discounts overall.
The card comes in both digital and physical formats and can be used online and in stores.
It costs £4.99 to sign up which opens up discounts for two years.
You have to be a key worker to qualify though. This is the full list of jobs that make you eligible for one of the cards:
- 4×4 Response
- Ambulance Service including retired
- Blood Bikes
- British Army
- Cave Rescue
- Community First Responders
- Fire Service including retired
- Highways England Traffic Officer
- Home Office
- HM Armed Forces Veterans
- HM Coastguard
- HM Prison & Probation Services
- Lowland Search and Rescue
- MoD Civil Servants
- MoD Fire Service
- MoD Police
- Mountain Rescue
- NHS including retired & volunteers
- Optometrists
- Police including retired
- Red Cross
- Reserve Armed Forces
- RNLI
- Royal Air Force
- Royal Marines
- Royal Navy
- Search and Rescue
- Social Care Workers
- St Andrews Ambulance
- St John Ambulance
You can apply for one of the cards on the Blue Light Card website.
If you are an employed and a paid member of staff, you will have to provide a form of ID that shows your name, employer, job role and a specific date within the last three months when applying.
Other discounts key workers can get
NHS workers can get 20% off all main menu items at McDonald’s when ordering via the app.
But the offer is only valid until December 31 this year and you can only get the discount once a week.
You have to download the McDonald’s app and register for an account using your NHS email address.
Once you’ve done this you have to select the 20% discount within the deals section the app.
Restaurant chain Frankie and Benny’s also offers NHS staff 20% off food when they dine in – you just have to show your ID card.
You can use one card for up to a group of four people.
Plus, Nando’s gives NHS, police, fire or ambulance service employees 20% off on food and drink orders worth up to £20.
Again, you have to show a valid photocard ID when you order and can use the discount once a day.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories