Back-to-School Deals Just for You

When reams of paper and dorm room decor replace beach towels and patio furniture in your local stores, then you know: It’s time for kids to go back to school.

It’s also time for parents to plan for some big expenses. The National Retail Federation estimates that families of K–12 students spend about $600 to $700 on back-to-school purchases. The figure is even higher (upwards of $900!) for those with college students.

But your AAA Membership can help lessen the sting of back-to-school shopping. In 2018, members saved nearly a million dollars on back-to-school items through their membership discounts. Dozens of stores (both online and brick-and-mortar) offer member discounts and rewards.

Here are a few examples of back-to-school deals before the school year begins:

From crayons and calculators to glue sticks and graph paper—no matter what grade your student is starting, they’ll need supplies.

Try skipping the crowds and buying the basics online. When you go to the AAA Dollars Online Mall, you can shop at stores you’d probably visit anyway—and you’ll earn AAA Dollars on the things you buy. (When your AAA Membership is up for renewal, those AAA Dollars will be subtracted from your dues. Boom—instant savings!)

Among the stores you’ll find: Staples and Office Depot, as well as eCampus.com for textbooks.

Back-to-school season is a smart time to get your kids’ eyes checked. Experts recommend children have their first eye exam at around six months old—and definitely before starting first grade. They also recommend school-age kids have an eye exam every couple of years if they don’t need glasses and every year if they do.

The good news: AAA Members save 30% on eye exams and 10% on contacts—and get discounts on frames and lenses—at LensCrafters. And at Glasses.com, you’ll get 25% off when you spend $200 (plus free lenses!).

Digital learning is the norm these days, with virtually all college students and many high school students bringing laptops and tablets to class. You can save an additional 10% on Dell PCs, electronics and accessories. Or, save up to 35% on HP products. You can also visit the AAA Dollars Online Mall and check out Rakuten.com to earn AAA Dollars on computers, electronics and software.

Nothing beats a little last-days-of-summer bonding—and an outlet shopping spree could be a fun way to spend time with your kids while checking items off your back-to-school deals list.

AAA Members can get a free coupon book with discounts of up to 20% at Tanger Outlets. Plus, save 15% when you spend $75 or more at Eddie Bauer Outlet Stores, 25% at Crocs retail and outlet stores, and 20% at Reebok Outlet Stores.

Rather shop online? At the AAA Dollars Online Mall, you can earn AAA Dollars at stores like JCPenney, Shoe Carnival, Target, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Kohl’s and more.

Your child’s dorm room will be their home away from home, so they’ll want to make it cozy. You can stock up on dorm supplies—from sheets and comforters to minifridges and TVs—at the AAA Dollars Online Mall. You’ll earn AAA Dollars at stores like The Home Depot, Macy’s and Best Buy.

And when all that new stuff is too much to fit in the back of your SUV, you can rent a truck from Penske. AAA Members save 12% on truck rentals and moving supplies.