Where to Get Student Discounts

By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com

Attention students (and parents): Discounts abound at places other than museums. Yes, even big name retailers give students a break.

For students aged 16 and up, the $20 Student Advantage card is well worth the money. For example, cardholders instantly save 15 percent on Amtrak travel, which cuts the price for an average Washington D.C. to New York City trip by nearly $22, to $122.40 from $144. The card also nets savings on more than 70 national brands, including Armani Exchange (15 percent off online purchases), T-Mobile (10 percent off recurring charges), Target.com ($7 off $70, plus free shipping when applicable), and 1800Flowers.com (20 percent discount). A complete list of national brand participants is available on the site.

Related: Where to grab the best deals: Walmart, Kmart or Target

Student discounts unrelated to the Student Advantage card are offered by other national chains, as well. Don't be shy about flashing your student ID card or .edu email address.

The Best Student Discounts in Technology. Mac and PC users can find sweet deals on equipment and accessories. The Apple Education Store offers students, faculty, and staff discounts up to $200 on new Mac computers. Incoming college freshmen (or the parent of one) and teachers/professors are eligible for a $100 App Store gift card, while an iPhone or iPad purchase earns a $50 App Store gift card. (Look for participating Apple stores before making a purchase.)

Related: What are the best inexpensive ereaders on the market

Dell offers a similar program. Students who spend $699 or more on a PC from a select list are rewarded with a $200 egift card. At Microsoftstore.com, students and staff automatically save 10 percent on Microsoft products merely by providing their .edu email address.

The Best Student Discounts in Clothing. Take advantage of student discounts when updating your wardrobe. Show a valid school ID at J. Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell, and The Limited stores and watch 15 percent of the total magically disappear. Note, however, that only some stores participate (so check before setting out) and The Limited student discount cannot be used along with other coupons.

Ann Taylor stores shave 20 percent off the purchase price when checking out with a student ID. Club Monaco, a high-end retailer of men's and women's clothing, offers student discounts worth 20 percent for online and in-store purchases. A splurge here becomes manageable by entering an .edu email address in exchange for a code when shopping online or by showing your student ID at checkout.

Resale chain Goodwill, where many items are already priced in single digits, offers 10 percent off. Be prepared to show a student ID or opt for a rewards card and indicate a student affiliation.

Related: Cheap LCD TV buying guide

The Best Student Discounts in Food and Entertainment. Although not highly publicized, many well known food chains, such as Burger King, McDonalds, Subway, Dairy Queen, Waffle House, Pizza Hut, and Domino's, offer student discounts in select areas (typically college towns).

In the mood to see a movie? Wait until Thursdays, when AMC Theaters cut prices for students with proper ID.

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