The Best Moving Discounts and Promotions
Here’s the quick answer: Moving discounts can significantly lower the cost of your move. A lot of the best moving companies offer discounts to military members, teachers, seniors, and members of professional groups or organizations.
Moving is expensive. Between truck rentals, movers, supplies, and storage, the costs add up fast. Smart moving discounts can keep more money in your pocket, regardless of your situation.
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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
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Ready to cut your moving costs? Use the quick table below to find the best moving discounts, and use our moving cost calculator to see how much you could save on your move.
Quick comparison table: Top moving discounts at a glance
Discounts change often and may vary by location. Always verify eligibility and terms at checkout.
| Company/Provider | Discount/Deal | Promo Code/Link | Eligibility | Expires | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | Varies (student, military, AAA, online promo codes) | See discounts | Students, military, AAA, general public | Ongoing | Watch for seasonal/local promos |
| Penske | 10% off for military & students; seasonal codes | Current deals | Military, students, AAA, CAA | Ongoing | Some offers stack—ask |
| Budget Truck Rental | 20% off local; 15% off one-way (teachers, students, military, unions) | Current deals | Teachers, students, military, unions | Ongoing | Code required |
| PODS | Up to 30% off for military | Today’s offers | Military, new customers, referrals | Ongoing | Call for code/verification |
| AAA | Exclusive deals on movers, storage, supplies | AAA Moving Discounts | AAA members | Ongoing | Login required |
| Coupons.com | Coupons for moving supplies, trucks & more | Coupons.com | General public | Varies | App available |
| Updater | Avg. savings around $325 on services | Updater App | General public | Ongoing | App required |
Major moving company discounts
Most big moving companies run ongoing and seasonal promos. Here’s how to find and use them.
PODS discounts
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
- Military: Up to 10% off (call to verify eligibility and apply the promo).
- Seasonal: Check the PODS website for rotating offers.
- Sitewide sale: Up to 25% off moving & storage with promo code (limited time; participating locations only).
- Referral offer: $50 Amazon.com gift card for you and your friend after their container is delivered (restrictions apply).
- Storage (3+ months): Free initial delivery + up to 15% off monthly rent with promo code.
- Storage (6+ months): Free initial delivery & one re-delivery + up to 15% off rent with promo code.
- Storage (12+ months): Up to 25% off rent + free initial delivery and re-delivery (limited time; participating locations only).
U-Haul discounts
rating
4.15 / 5
89% of users select this mover
- Student: Occasional discount codes
- Military: 10% off at participating locations (ID required).
- AAA: Show your card for select offers where available.
- Promo codes: Limited-time deals often appear on Coupons.com/Groupon.
How to apply: Enter the code at checkout or present ID in person. Confirm eligibility, locations, and blackout dates first.
Penske Truck Rental discounts
rating
4 / 5
89% of users select this mover
- Military: 10% off with promo code (ID required).
- Students: 10% off with valid student ID.
- AAA/CAA: ~12% off with membership.
- Seasonal: See current deals for rotating promos.
How to apply: Add the code online and bring your ID to pickup. Ask about stacking (membership + seasonal) discounts before you book.
Budget Truck Rental discounts
rating
4.3 / 5
89% of users select this mover
- Teachers: 20% off local / 15% one-way with TEACH.
- Military: 20% off local / 15% one-way with USMIO.
- Students: 20% off local / 15% one-way with STUDENT.
- Union members: Up to 20% via UnionPlus.
How to apply: Enter the code at checkout and show verification (ID or union card).
Other noteworthy offers
- U-Pack: Frequent online coupons for new reservations. Check out their military promos here.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 10% off for military, students, seniors; ask about bundled storage.
- Collegeboxes (by U-Haul): Student storage/shipping specials with pickup/drop-off at campus.
Demographic-specific moving discounts
Military, first responders, police, fire, EMT
- Penske: 10% off with code MILITARY (active duty, veterans, reservists; ID required).
- PODS: Up to 10% off (call to verify and apply).
- Budget: 20% off local for military (code USMIO + ID).
- Roundups: Dealhack and MilitaryBenefits.info often track fresh offers.
Proof needed: Military/service ID, veteran card, or official documentation.
Teacher discounts
- Budget Truck Rental: 20% off local / 15% one-way with TEACH (school ID required).
- Local movers: Ask. A lot of movers offer unadvertised educator discounts.
Tip: If the rep isn’t sure, ask a manager because teacher promos are sometimes offered at specific locations.
Student discounts
- Penske: 10% off with student ID.
- U-Haul & Collegeboxes: Student storage/shipping discounts; some campuses have preferred-rate programs.
- Student Advantage: Up to ~10% on travel partners—handy for college moves.
Senior discounts
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: 10% off (ID required).
- Van lines: Many offer senior discounts, so ask when you’re getting quotes.
- AARP: Check the member portal for moving and storage deals for senior moves.
Union & professional groups
- Budget Truck Rental: Up to 20% via UnionPlus.
- Other associations: Check your benefits or ask HR, because lots of companies offer relocation deals.
Membership & affiliation discounts
- AAA: Exclusive moving/storage/supplies deals (member portal).
- AARP: Member-only discounts on truck rentals, movers, and services.
- Credit unions & alumni orgs: Many offer relocation perks. Call any group you’re a member of to ask.
How to access: Log in to your member portal or contact customer support for current codes and documentation requirements.
Moving supplies & storage discounts
You can also find discounts on moving supplies and storage from a handful of moving companies and stores. Take a look at your best options:
- PODS: Free delivery and discounts on the first few months of storage.
- U-Haul: Frequent coupons on kits, boxes, and supplies.
- Home Depot & Lowe’s: Seasonal box bundles and kit deals.
- Public Storage: First month for $1 or up to ~30% off online rates.
- CubeSmart: Online-only storage promos (often up to ~35% off).
- 1-800-Pack-Rat: Bundle discounts when you pair containers and storage.
Pro tip: Bundling (truck/container + supplies + storage) can unlock deeper savings than standalone coupons.
Full-service vs. DIY moving discounts
The discounts you’ll have access to for your move depend on whether you hire a full-service mover or DIY. Generally, moving companies offer lower off-season rates and flexible pricing, while truck or container rental companies offer more outright discounts.
Full-service movers
Here are some of the ways you can save with a full-service mover.
- Seasonal/bundled: Free packing supplies, a month of storage, or off-peak pricing.
- Price-matching: Many companies will price match a comparable written quote.
- Negotiation room: Ask for unadvertised ways to lower your costs (flexible delivery windows, discounted materials, etc.).
DIY truck/van rentals
DIY moves often provide more individual discount options.
- Transparent codes: Membership promos and discounts based on demographics are pretty standard.
- Stackable: You can usually combine ID-based savings with seasonal codes listed on the company’s website.
- Book early: Best rates and availability during busy months.
Which saves more? DIY usually wins on price. For convenience, look for full-service promos that offset the added cost.
App-based & online-only deals
Check out the websites and apps below to find current promotions from movers and other service providers that could help out when your move rolls around.
- Updater: Aggregates moving deals; a lot of users have reported saving on moving and home services through Updater.
- Coupons.com app: Sends push alerts for discounts on supplies.
- Groupon: Provides local cleaning, storage, and moving labor discounts, often 15–40% off.
Reminder: Verify provider reviews and licensing before booking any deal.
User-reported savings tips
Here are a few tips from readers who lowered the cost of their moves:
- Negotiate: It never hurts to ask for a better rate or see if the movers will price match other offers when you get a quote.
- Spot hidden fees: Long carry, stairs, shuttle, and parking permits can all add to the cost of your move. Be aware of these potential fees so you aren’t surprised by unexpected fees on moving day.
- Bundle: Same-provider rentals, supplies, and storage often unlock steeper discounts.
- Go hybrid: Do it yourself with packing and loading then hire pros to transport your stuff in order to lower the cost of your move without having to do everything on your own.
How to find & stack moving discounts (step-by-step)
- Start 4–8 weeks out: Shortlist movers and supply stores.
- Check each company’s discount pages: Grab any current codes.
- Compare aggregators: Look at coupons.com, Groupon, and RetailMeNot.
- Ask about demographic/membership/employer perks: Unpublished deals are out there. Always ask.
- Verify eligibility: Gather IDs/membership proof to present to the movers.
- Apply codes carefully: If you’re booking by phone, mention the promos upfront.
- Stack when allowed: See if you can bundle membership + seasonal + email codes.
- Document everything: Save screenshots and confirmation emails.
Want more moving tips? Check out our ultimate moving checklist to keep things in order.
What you’ll need for verification
Your moving company might expect you to provide the documentation below to verify your profession or memberships before giving you a discount.
- Military/First responders: Service or veteran ID, or official documentation.
- Students: Student ID, .edu email, or enrollment letter.
- Seniors: Age verification (55+ varies), AARP card for AARP deals.
- Union/Professional: Current union card or proof of membership.
- AAA/AARP/Credit union/Alumni: Member number or portal login.
FAQ: Moving discounts
Can I stack multiple moving discounts?
Often, yes. Sometimes, you can combine membership and demographic deals with seasonal/promo codes. Check the terms or ask a representative to confirm their rules before booking.
Are there discounts for local moves?
Yes—many companies discount both local and long-distance moves. Ask local movers about ongoing promos, since their websites might not have a dedicated page for promotions like some larger movers.
Where do I find the newest discounts?
Check out moving companies’ “Deals” pages, newsletters, and aggregator sites (Coupons.com, Groupon) that are updated frequently. Set alerts and check just before you book.
Final thoughts: Move smarter, pay less
Moving doesn’t have to break the bank. Ask about deals, stack offers when allowed, and keep records of your savings. To get personalized estimates and test different dates and options, try our moving cost calculator.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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