The 5 Best Cell Phone Plans for Military Service Members [2025]

Cell phones are a fact of life now for everyone from great-grandmothers to the youngest children. They provide a lot of convenience, but expensive cell phone plans — especially for big families — can seriously tank a household budget.

Those of us who grew up paying for each text message or minute they used on their phone are glad to have left those days behind, but paying a $100 a month per person plan is still too much. Luckily, military personnel — whether on active duty or as veterans — can find solid discounts for themselves and their loved ones.

These are the 5 best cell phone plans for military members, along with what you get from them and other tips for saving on your cell phone bill.

1. T-Mobile

T-Mobile has the best discounts for military members — not just for active-duty members but also veterans and retired service members. Getting the discount requires verifying your military status, but the company offers a $10 discount on phone plans once you do, though it used to offer up to 40% savings.

There are 3 military discount plans: Experience Beyond Military, Experience More Military, and Essentials Military. Each offers different benefits and pricing.

Experience Beyond With Military Savings

The Experience Beyond With Military Savings plan offers unlimited talk, text, data, and other features:

• Cost: $85 per month for 1 line; from $47 per line if you add more lines
• 5-year price guarantee
• Upgrade-ready every year
• T-Satellite included
• Unlimited premium data
• Netflix with ads
• Apple TV+
• Hulu
• Unlimited mobile hot spot
• Unlimited text messages and 30GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
• Unlimited text messages and 15GB of high-speed data in over 215 international destinations
• Inflight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available

Experience More With Military Savings

The next step down is the Experience More plan, offering the following:

• Cost: $70 per month for 1 line; as low as $32 per month with 5 lines
• 5-year price guarantee
• Upgrade-ready every 2 years
• Unlimited premium data
• Netflix with ads
• Apple TV+
• 60GB of high-speed mobile hot spot data included
• Unlimited text messages and 15GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
• Unlimited text messages and 5GB of high-speed data in over 215 international destinations
• Inflight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available

Essentials Military

The Essentials plan is basic:

• Cost: $45 per month for 1 line; as low as $22 per month for 5 lines
• Unlimited talk and text
• 50GB of data

Bottom Line:

T-Mobile offers discounts on several phone plans for eligible military and veterans. This can drop costs down to $22 per month when you have multiple lines!

2. Google Fi

Google debuted its cell phone plan system a few years back, dubbed Google Fi. It’s refreshingly simple. You can take your phone wherever, use an eSim to activate, and not worry about roaming costs.

Google doesn’t offer discounts for the military but lets military service members bring and use their eligible phone plans in other countries without any extra costs. Plus, Google Fi waives its typical restrictions on using too much data overseas if you have orders to be stationed outside the continental U.S. This is a major positive compared to plans from other carriers, which may charge you per call or per GB of data you use outside the U.S.

To keep using your phone outside the U.S., you must verify your government affiliation. You also can only do this for 9 months, after which you need to return to the U.S. or apply for another exception. If you don’t do the verification, Fi can turn off your international data or even disconnect your service, as you’re supposed to use it primarily in the U.S.

Google Fi offers 4 different phone plans: Unlimited Premium, Unlimited Standard, Unlimited Essentials, and Flexible — the only plan that doesn’t include unlimited service.

Unlimited Premium

With the most perks and highest cost, this plan offers:

• Cost: $65 per month for 1 line, $40 per month for 4 to 6 lines
• 100GB of high-speed data per person
• Full connectivity for select smart watches
• 50GB of high-speed data tethering
• Data included in Canada and Mexico
• Access to international data in over 200 destinations
• Connectivity for tablets and laptops
• 6 months of YouTube Premium at no cost
• 100GB of storage with Google One

Unlimited Standard

The next plan moving down the list in price and perks offers:

• Cost: $50 per month for 1 line; $25 per person for 4 to 6 lines
• 50GB of high-speed data per person
• Full connectivity for select smart watches
• 25GB of high-speed data tethering
• Data included in Canada and Mexico

Unlimited Essentials

This is the most basic plan that offers unlimited service:

• Cost: $35 per month for 1 line; $23 per line for 4 to 6 lines
• 30GB of high-speed data per person
• Full connectivity for select smart watches

Flexible

This is Fi’s pay-as-you-go plan, letting you pay just for what you want without a monthly charge if you’re using it sparingly:

• Cost: $20 per month for 1 line; $65 per month for 4 lines (cost per plan, not per line)
• Pay $10 per gigabyte of data used
• Full connectivity for select smart watches
• Can use data for high-speed data tethering
• Connectivity for tablets and laptops

Bottom Line:

Google Fi doesn’t offer a military discount, but it allows you to use your phone abroad for up to 9 months at no extra charge if you reverify your military service and overseas assignment.

3. Verizon

Verizon can be more expensive than other phone companies, though it does offer reliability and fast internet speeds. Beyond discounts on mobile phone and home internet services, military members can also take advantage of up to 25% off select accessories when shopping online.

You need to verify your military status with Verizon to receive any savings, but they can include:

• Phone plans starting at $25 per line, though it starts at $55 if you’re activating just 1 line
• Waived activation on service
• 25% off accessories purchased through My Verizon
• Fios home internet starting at $29.99 per month rather than $49.99

The $25 option applies to the Unlimited Welcome plan, and you pay $25 per line with 4 active lines. It costs between $31.67 and $55 per line if you have fewer lines on your account.

The Unlimited Welcome plan can be a great deal if you have 4 people in your family. Although it’s an entry-level plan, it still provides decent service, including:

• Unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
• Unlimited international texting
• Verizon Family tools for parental controls and emergency features
• 5G coverage in over 2,700 cities
• 3-year price lock guarantee
• Special smartphone pricing offers when activating a new line

Bottom Line:

Verizon’s military discounts aren’t the best, but you won’t find many unlimited plans for just $25 per month per line.

4. AT&T

The original telephone giant, the old Ma Bell, AT&T, remains a big name among phone providers. While it’s not as cheap as some of the newer providers on the market, it does offer up to 25% savings to the military, veterans, and their families.

You can check your eligibility quickly and easily using this online form. Discounts apply to 3 plans: Unlimited Starter, Unlimited Extra, and Unlimited Premium.

Unlimited Starter Plan

This plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data, plus:

• Cost: $49.49 per month for 1 line; $26.99 per month for 4 lines
• 5GB of hot spot data per month
• SD streaming
• ActiveArmor security

Unlimited Extra Plan

AT&T’s midtier plan provides slightly more benefits, though they aren’t overly plentiful:

• Cost: $56.99 per month for 1 line; $30.74 per month for 4 lines
• 75GB of high-speed data; may be throttled thereafter
• 30GB of hot spot data per month
• SD streaming
• ActiveArmor advanced security

Unlimited Premium Plan

This is the best unlimited plan AT&T offers, and it includes the following

• Cost: $64.49 per month for 1 line; $34.49 per month for 4 lines
• No throttled data
• 60GB of hot spot data per month
• 4K ultrahigh-definition streaming
• ActiveArmor advanced security
• Unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data in 20 Latin American countries

Bottom Line:

AT&T gives service members a 25% discount on 3 of its best unlimited plans, but they’re still pricier than other options.

5. U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular was acquired by T-Mobile on August 1, 2025. As U.S. Cellular works to integrate its services and customers with its new parent company, it has promised that nothing is changing yet for its plans or discounts.

That includes an attractive 15% discount on all plans for active duty military and veterans.

To take advantage of this offer, you need to verify eligibility with U.S. Cellular. To complete the verification, you must already be a U.S. Cellular customer, meaning you can’t attempt verification while shopping around for a plan.

U.S. Cellular offers prepaid plans, unlimited plans, data plans, and home internet plans.

Here are the details of 3 unlimited plans this carrier offers and how they compare.

Unlimited Basic

The Unlimited Basic plan is exactly what it sounds like: the basic option.

• Cost: $60 per month for 1 line; $30 per month for 4 lines
• Unlimited talk, text, and LTE data
• Unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico
• eSim international data for purchase
• SD streaming capabilities
• Limited phone upgrade promotions

Unlimited Everyday

If you’d like more perks without a huge price increase, this plan is your best bet.

• Cost: $70 per month for 1 line; $40 per month for 4 lines
• 50GB of priority data
• 25GB of mobile hot spot data
• HD streaming capabilities
• Premium Call Guardian for spam call blocking and alerts
• Increased phone upgrade promotion eligibility

Unlimited Even Better

This is U.S. Cellular’s premium unlimited plan, offering more perks at a higher cost.

• Cost: $80 per month for 1 line; $50 per month for 4 lines
• Unlimited priority data
• 50GB of mobile hot spot data
• 4K streaming capabilities
• Premium Call Guardian for spam call blocking and alerts
• Maximum phone upgrade promotion eligibility

Other Military Cell Phone Plans

What if you aren’t interested in using these cell phone providers or already have a plan with another carrier? Or what if you want to combine additional discounts? You have options.

Military members on active duty are entitled to extra financial benefits beyond just the discounts some businesses provide. There are 2 federal laws you should know about: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA).

Hot Tip:

Check out our recommendations of the best credit cards for active-duty military members with our handy guide.

Both of these limit the interest rates and fees that businesses can charge while you’re on active duty, including annual fees from credit cards. The SCRA limits your maximum interest rate to 6% on credit you’ve obtained before entering active duty. This applies to both consumer and small business lines of credit.

The MLA, on the other hand, limits your maximum interest rate to 36% on credit you acquire while serving on active duty. Officially, it only applies to consumer credit, but lenders may extend this benefit to small business products, as well.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This is a good time to mention the Amex Business Platinum card, a high-end card with an exorbitant annual fee of $895 (rates & fees). It’s our favorite premium travel card for business owners and lets customers earn American Express Membership Rewards points, along with offering numerous statement credits and travel perks to boot.

When it comes to cell phone plans and active-duty military service, if your Amex Business Platinum card is eligible for SCRA relief, you could be eligible for a waived annual fee each year.

The Amex Business Platinum card provides numerous benefits in exchange for its hefty annual fee. One such benefit is a monthly credit of up to $10 toward eligible cell phone plans (up to $120 annually) after you use the card to make a payment for your service each month. Enrollment required.

Pairing this monthly $10 credit with the discounts discussed above can provide further savings.

For example, Verizon has plans starting at $25 per line. If you paid your bill with Amex Business Platinum card and got a $10 statement credit in return, you’d pay just $15 out of pocket for your monthly phone service. That’s a great deal!

Hot Tip:

Not in the military anymore? Don’t worry, we still have you covered with our guide to the best credit cards for military veterans.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

There’s no monthly cell phone credit with the Amex Platinum card, but it’s absolutely a card you should add to your wallet if you’re in the military.

We say that for several reasons, including its annual fee, which is normally $895 (rates & fees). You won’t be charged this $895 if you’re an active-duty service member, thanks to MLA benefits. Even better, if your spouse gets an Amex Platinum card, their annual fee also wouldn’t be charged.

The Amex Platinum card has a ton of benefits, one of which is cell phone insurance. If you pay your monthly phone bill with this card, you can make a claim in the event your phone is stolen or damaged.

There are limitations to be aware of. Your total claim amount cannot exceed $800, and you can only make 2 claims in a 12-month period. There’s also a $50 deductible you need to pay. However, this is a great perk while not paying an annual fee.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous benefits available to both active duty and former military members. Discounts are available in several areas of your life, including with some cell phone providers.

You can take advantage of flexible rules with Google Fi or get discounts with T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and U.S. Cellular. You also can combine these discounts with insurance protections and phone payment credits from some of our favorite Amex cards — and those also offer benefits for those on active duty.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.