Employee discount

Employee discounts are non-wage benefits given to the employees, which are in addition to their regular salaries. There are various types of discounts available to employees, which are essentially introduced to make them feel wanted and good and to appreciate their efforts towards the company. These discounts can range for discount on food and/or merchandise purchased with the same company or store to even those purchased from affiliated partners. In addition, there are also discounts on airlines, holiday packages, and hotel accommodation, international phone calls and even fancy restaurants. These discounts can be anywhere starting from 20% up to 70%, and there can also be certain free gift vouchers. There is no hard and fast rule for this and will usually depend on your employer. The deals will usually be subjected to availability, as companies usually have some fixed quotas of stuff to be given out this way. Companies usually shy away from disclosing the amount of discounts they offer their employees, as they would want their regular customers to think that they are getting the best deals. But the deals are usually good and there could be substantial savings made.

Discount Buy: People working for Wolfgang Puck's diners, and up to three guests pay only 50% of the tab when they dine at any of the fine restaurants at Spago, Chinois and Pucks. Gap employees save anywhere between 30 and 50 percent at any of the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores. Employees at Beringer Blass wineries pay only half the price for company’s vintage wines, and can invite friends and families to free tours and tastings. Starbuck’s employees receive, every week, a pond of whole bean coffee, box of Tazo tea bags, and other goodies free. In addition, all drinks are free during working hours, and 30% of on all foods, beverages and merchandise when off duty!

Automakers, it is said, offer biggest discounts to their employees. Companies like Ford and Chrysler all offer huge discounts on their vehicles. People working for these corporations, as well as their retirees and family members can save thousands of dollars on their new car purchase. Discounts are also available on spares and accessories purchases. However, the deal may, at times, come to be the same as the original price as the car dealers try to pitch in low interest financing, trade ins and other incentives.

Airlines and Travel Discount Programs: Most airlines, as also train companies allow their employees and their families unlimited stand by privileges, which would men that they can travel free as long as there is seat available (including first class seats), though it may differ slightly between different companies. For a small fee, they are also able to make last minute bookings on other airlines. This could, at times, make holiday planning a bit tricky, but employees usually benefit in big way. Discounts are also available for hotel stay. For example, employees of Kimpton group, owner of many luxury boutique hotels, let their employees and their families stay for only a night. Also, on eating at their restaurants, you get a 20% discount. However, as mentioned earlier, these deals are usually subjected to availability. Companies like FedEx provide special discounts to their employees for freight transportation. Even employees of companies like Boeing have discounts similar to those available to an airline company.