Discounts and Other Perks for Being a Shareholder

(Updated July 22, 2021)

Did you know some companies give discounts and other rewards to their shareholders for owning company stock? These companies reward their retail shareholder base not only through stock appreciation and in some cases, dividends, but also in discounted purchases and other perks. How cool is that? Below I have outlined verified shareholder rewards on select products and services that companies provide.

Like Wine?

A perfect perk for wine enthusiasts, Willamette Valley Vineyards (Tii:WVVI) has a preferred stockholder perks program that offers a dividend return of 4.5% annually that can purchase $115 worth of its wines for every $100 in dividends if applied to the purchase of the company's wines. Preferred shareholders are also allowed 25 percent off of any wine purchase as a stockholder, free wine tours for up to four guests (which typically cost $30 each), exclusive access to limited wines, and more.

Rewarding Loyalty

If you're a buy-and-hold investor, Aflac Inc. (Tii:AFL) has a shareholder perk that's up your alley. The company rewards those who have held the stock for at least four years. Each share of the company’s common stock is entitled to one vote until it has been held by the same beneficial owner for a continuous period of longer than 48 months prior to the record date of the meeting, at which time each share becomes entitled to 10 votes.

The North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit, The Shyft Group, Inc. (Tii:SHYF) invites shareholders to get their swag on. Holders of at least 20 shares of the company's stock for at least five weeks are eligible for a $60 Credit for free YETI Rambler or Nike Apparel in the Shyft Group Shareholder Store, powered by TiiCKER. With just 10 shares held for five weeks, stockholders are entitled to their choice of a $25 Amazon gift card, $25 Kroger gift card or $25 VISA card redeemable with national retailers.

Going on a Cruise?

Norwegian (Tii:NCLH), Carnival (Tii:CCL) and Royal Cruise (Tii:RCL) lines all offer onboard credits to verified shareholders. If you own 100 shares of any of the following companies a month or so before sailing, you could be eligible for up to a $250 onboard credit while soaking up on the sun. Each cruise line has their own verification process that must be followed to receive the credit that can be found at their respective investor relations' websites.

Buying a Car?

Any shareholder holding a minimum of 100 Ford (Tii:F) shares 6 months prior to purchase (must be held for at least 6 months) is eligible for X-Plan or “Friends and Neighbors” pricing on their qualified Ford vehicle purchase. Their Investor relations site and Ford itself isn’t very vocal about the discount offered to shareholders, however, if you email their investor relations department at stockinf@ford.com they will send you the information that you need to become eligible. This could potentially save you thousands of dollars on your next vehicle purchase!

If you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, used car consignment marketplace CarLotz (Tii:LOTZ) offers two perks for shareholders who have owned the company’s stock for at least four weeks. The first, for holders of at least 100 shares, provides a $100 consignment credit through any Carlotz Hub. The other, for those holding at least 50 shares, is a $60 store credit redeemable for Nike apparel or Yeti Rambler 18 oz Bottle with Chug cap in the Carlotz Shareholder Store.

Paying Too Much For Car Insurance?

If you own at least one share of Berkshire Hathaway (Tii:BRK.A, Tii:BRK.B) stock you are eligible for an 8% discount on GEICO car insurance. To see if you are eligible call GEICO’s customer support line and they will direct you to the appropriate contact to receive the discount. Another stock perk that Warren Buffett offers to his loyal retail shareholders (other than great returns).

I don’t know about you, but I think it's pretty cool that these companies have elected to not only reward their shareholders through traditional routes like share buybacks, dividends or stock appreciation but also through many of the products that we know and love. Consuming the products and services of the company in which you also own shares in feels almost second nature too. Hopefully, we’ll see more companies elect to go this route further down the line so I can continue adding to this article and others.