Employee discounts can be one of the most underrated perks of working for a company. Many employers offer special discounts on products and services as a benefit to their workers, but not everyone takes full advantage of these savings. Whether it’s discounted electronics, travel, or everyday purchases, employee discounts can significantly reduce your spending. In this guide, we’ll explore how to maximize these perks, where to find them, and the best strategies for getting the most out of employee discount programs.
1. Understanding Employee Discounts: What They Are and How They Work
Employee discounts are typically offered as part of a company’s benefits package, allowing workers to purchase goods and services at a reduced rate. These discounts can range from a percentage off certain products to exclusive deals with partnered brands. Some companies provide discounts directly, while others collaborate with third-party platforms to offer a broader range of perks.
Types of employee discounts:
- In-house discounts: Many companies provide discounts on their own products and services. For example, retail employees may receive discounts on clothing, electronics, or groceries from the store they work at.
- Third-party partnerships: Some employers partner with external companies to offer employee discounts on a wide range of items, such as travel, electronics, entertainment, and more.
- Corporate benefits platforms: Websites like PerkSpot, Beneplace, and Corporate Perks specialize in offering a wide range of discounts for employees from different industries.
Pro tip:
- Ask your HR department or manager if your company offers any employee discount programs. These benefits are often overlooked, but they can add up to significant savings over time.
2. Maximizing In-House Employee Discounts
If you work in retail, hospitality, or other consumer-facing industries, in-house employee discounts can be a fantastic way to save money on everyday purchases. These discounts are often quite generous and cover a wide range of products or services offered by the company.
How to make the most of in-house discounts:
- Shop strategically: Plan your purchases around employee discount days or special promotions to maximize savings. Some companies offer additional discounts during holiday seasons or employee appreciation events.
- Stack discounts: In some cases, you can combine employee discounts with sales, clearance items, or coupons. This can result in massive savings, especially on big-ticket items like electronics, appliances, or clothing.
- Be aware of limits: While in-house discounts are often generous, there may be restrictions on how often you can use them or on certain product categories. Make sure to read the fine print and plan accordingly.
Pro tip:
- If your company allows, consider purchasing items with your discount as gifts for friends or family. This is especially useful during the holiday season when you’re shopping for multiple people.
3. Take Advantage of Third-Party Discount Programs
Many companies partner with third-party platforms that offer employees discounts on various products and services. These platforms give you access to a wide range of deals, from tech gadgets and car rentals to travel packages and gym memberships. Some of the most popular platforms include PerkSpot, Beneplace, and Corporate Perks.
How to get started:
- Sign up through your employer: You’ll typically need to register using your company email address to access these platforms. Once registered, you’ll be able to browse through hundreds of discounts.
- Browse categories: Most platforms organize their discounts into categories like electronics, entertainment, travel, and health. This makes it easy to find deals relevant to your lifestyle.
- Check for limited-time offers: Many third-party platforms offer limited-time promotions or flash sales. Make sure to check the site regularly or sign up for email alerts to avoid missing out on the best deals.
Pro tip:
- Some third-party platforms allow you to invite family members to join as well, giving them access to the same discounts. This can be a great way to extend the savings to your household.
4. Finding Employee Discounts for Travel and Entertainment
One of the biggest perks of employee discount programs is access to travel and entertainment deals. From discounted hotel stays and car rentals to cheaper concert tickets and theme park passes, these offers can make your vacations and weekend getaways more affordable.
Where to find travel and entertainment discounts:
- Employee discount platforms: Websites like PerkSpot and Corporate Perks often offer exclusive deals on travel-related expenses, such as flights, hotels, and vacation packages. Some platforms also have partnerships with theme parks, concert venues, and other entertainment providers.
- Hotel chains and airlines: Many large hotel chains and airlines offer corporate discounts for employees of partner companies. Check with your employer to see if they have partnerships with any specific travel brands.
- Membership programs: Some travel and entertainment companies offer employee memberships that provide even deeper discounts or additional perks, such as free upgrades or bonus points.
Pro tip:
- Always compare your employee discount with other travel deals, such as loyalty program rewards or credit card perks, to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
5. Employee Discounts on Tech and Electronics
Technology products like laptops, smartphones, and tablets can be expensive, but employee discounts can help reduce the cost. Many major tech companies offer exclusive discounts to employees of partner organizations, allowing you to save on everything from computers to software and accessories.
How to find tech and electronics discounts:
- Apple’s employee purchase program: Apple offers a special employee purchase program (EPP) where workers of partner companies can get discounts on select Apple products. This is a great way to save on high-end devices like iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads.
- Dell’s employee discount program: Dell frequently offers discounts on laptops, desktops, and accessories through its corporate discount program. This is ideal for employees looking to upgrade their home office setup.
- Microsoft and Lenovo: These brands also offer corporate discounts for employees through third-party platforms or direct company partnerships.
Pro tip:
- If you’re in the market for a new computer or tech gadget, check both your company’s internal discounts and any third-party platforms to compare offers. Some platforms may also offer bonus cashback on top of the discount.
6. Health and Wellness Perks Through Employee Discounts
Many employee discount programs include health and wellness benefits, offering savings on gym memberships, fitness equipment, and even healthcare services. These perks are designed to encourage employees to prioritize their health, often at a reduced cost.
Where to find health and wellness discounts:
- Fitness memberships: Gyms like 24 Hour Fitness, Planet Fitness, and LA Fitness often partner with companies to offer discounted memberships. Some companies also offer in-house gyms with free or reduced access for employees.
- Wellness programs: Employers may offer discounted rates for wellness services like massage therapy, acupuncture, or yoga classes. Check with HR to see if your company provides discounts through partnerships with local wellness centers.
- Mental health services: Some companies offer discounted or free access to mental health services, including therapy, counseling, and meditation apps like Headspace and Calm.
Pro tip:
- If your company offers a health savings account (HSA) or wellness stipend, you may be able to use those funds in combination with employee discounts for even greater savings on fitness and wellness programs.
7. Combining Employee Discounts With Other Offers
One of the best ways to maximize your employee discount is by stacking it with other offers, such as coupons, sales, or loyalty rewards. Many stores and platforms allow you to combine employee discounts with promotional codes or seasonal sales, amplifying your savings even further.
How to stack discounts:
- Shop during sales events: Major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end-of-season clearances are great times to stack your employee discount with additional sales.
- Use loyalty programs: If a retailer offers a loyalty program, sign up to earn points or rewards on top of your employee discount. This can lead to even more savings on future purchases.
- Coupon codes and rebates: Look for online coupon codes or cashback offers that can be used in conjunction with your employee discount to maximize your total savings.
Pro tip:
- Some retailers offer double discounts during special employee appreciation events. Keep an eye out for these promotions, as they can provide deeper savings than regular employee discounts.
Employee discounts are a valuable perk that can lead to significant savings on everything from everyday purchases to big-ticket items like electronics and travel. By understanding how to access these discounts and combining them with other offers, you can make the most of your employee benefits and save hundreds, if not thousands, each year. Whether you’re buying a new laptop, booking a vacation, or simply stocking up on home essentials, employee discounts are a great way to stretch your paycheck further.
