Consumer Reports: Back-to-school savings with student discounts

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The end of summer marks one of the most feverish periods of shopping, and the National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend $68 billion this year on back-to-school necessities.

Consumer Reports finds college students can get significant savings by taking advantage of discounts that are available for a vast array of purchases.

College students need electronics, clothes and a way to get to school. At Madewell, Banana Republic and J. Crew stores, it's just a matter of flashing a student ID card to get a 15 percent discount.

At Apple, a student ID or acceptance letter will get you $200 off your purchase, either in the store or online. But for a lot of other merchants there can be a hitch.

"For quite a few of the online discounts, we found you have to join a student discount program," Consumer Reports' Sarah Robbins said. "Fortunately, at least one we found was free."

The free Unidays service gives you discounts on online purchases at Claire's, Urban Outfitters, Levi's and many other sites.

Students can also get 10 percent off on Amtrak on tickets purchased online or 20 percent on Greyhound tickets purchased either online or in person. But you'll need to pay to join the Student Advantage Discount program that offers those discounts.

"The Student Advantage Discount costs $22.50 for the first year," Robbins said. "But you might be able to make that back with all the savings you can get with it."

Check out the website StudentAdvantage.com. You'll see a long list of discounts at popular movie theaters, hotels, and shoe stores, among others.

And for the very lucky who will take a new car to college, the General Motors College Discount Program offers discounts for new car purchases and leases. The amount depends on the model you buy, but most are eligible.

GMC will also give the new car discount to those who have graduated within the last two years.

Teachers and graduate students may also qualify for some of these discounts, including those at J.Crew, Banana Republic, Madewell and the Apple store.