Investors seeking additional value beyond potential market gains can access various freebies and promotional rewards tied to stock ownership. These offers range from annual discounts on insurance premiums to free shares of stock provided by brokerage platforms for opening and funding new accounts. The availability and value of these perks vary significantly, with some requiring ownership of a single share while others depend on the number of shares held or specific account activities. Understanding the eligibility requirements and redemption processes is essential for consumers looking to maximize these opportunities.
Shareholder Discounts and Perks
Certain public companies offer tangible benefits to their shareholders as a courtesy of partnership. These perks can include discounts, free products, or exclusive access to services. However, the value and accessibility of these benefits differ widely. Some offers are available to owners of a single share, while others require substantial share ownership to be worthwhile.
GEICO Insurance Discount
GEICO, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is noted for offering one of the most valuable shareholder discounts available. Berkshire Hathaway shareholders can receive an annual discount on their GEICO car insurance premiums. According to a 2017 report, a shareholder received a $160 annual discount upon providing proof of ownership of just one share of Berkshire Hathaway stock. At the time, Berkshire Hathaway’s B-level shares were trading at approximately $200, making the $160 annual savings a significant return on the investment in the stock.
Other Company Shareholder Perks
Several other companies provide freebies or discounts to shareholders, though the requirements and value vary.
- Starbucks: Starbucks has been known to mail coupons for a free beverage to shareholders. However, this is described as having minimal value.
- Radisson Hotels: Radisson offers shareholders discounts and guaranteed upgrades. This benefit is only available to those who own at least 200 shares, which represents a significant investment of over $6,000.
- Bloomsbury Publishing: This U.K.-based book publisher offers shareholders a 35% discount on its print titles. The discount is available to owners of one or more shares. Shareholders must sign up through the company's investor site to receive a discount code. The offer includes books by popular authors such as Sarah J. Maas, Susanna Clarke, and J.K. Rowling.
- Lindt & Sprüngli: The chocolatier rewards investors with gift boxes of chocolates. To receive a gift box in 2025, investors must exercise their voting rights and attend the annual shareholders meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, or appoint a power of attorney and have a Swiss mailing address to receive the box via mail.
Entertainment and Travel Perks
Some companies in the entertainment and travel sectors offer structured rewards programs for shareholders.
- AMC Entertainment Holdings: AMC stock owners can sign up for AMC Investor Connect to access a suite of perks. These include priority lane access, "double points" on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 50% off tickets. The movie theater chain also regularly offers food and drink freebies. For example, free gourmet popcorn is available through September 30, 2025, to investors who joined AMC Investor Connect by August 31, 2025.
- Carnival: Carnival Corporation rewards shareholders who own at least 100 shares with onboard credits for cruises. The credit amount depends on the trip length: $250 for trips of 14 days or longer, $100 for trips of seven to 13 days, and $50 for trips that are six days or less. These credits can be used on trips across the company's brands, including Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, or Cunard. This offer expires at the end of 2025, and shareholders must apply for the benefit at least three weeks before departure through Carnival's Stockperks app.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises: Carnival is not the only cruise line that rewards investors with onboard credits, though specific details for Royal Caribbean are not provided in the source data.
- Inspirato: This luxury vacation company offers a complimentary vacation to shareholders who hold 50,000 shares of stock for six months and are members of Inspirato (which costs $7,900 a year). The Member Investor Benefit page indicates a requirement of 2,500 shares, but the actual requirement for viewing trips is 50,000 shares. This discrepancy may be due to the stock's low price performance (approximately $0.012 per share as of November 2025). Shareholders can earn this benefit up to five times by holding 250,000 shares. However, finding shares may be difficult due to a low average daily trading volume of 12,000 shares.
Brokerage Platform Freebies
Brokerage platforms frequently use free stock promotions to attract new customers. These offers typically require opening and funding a new account.
- Robinhood: Robinhood offers free stock to new users who open and fund an account. The specific stock received is random, and its value can vary. The platform also has a referral program where both the new user and the referrer receive a free stock when the new user signs up using a referral link and meets the requirements. This offer was noted to expire on July 30, 2017. The platform allows guardians to set up accounts for children, facilitating investing for minors.
- Moomoo: Moomoo also markets its services through free stock promotions for new users who open and fund accounts, though specific details are not provided in the source data.
The Role of Stockperks
The app Stockperks serves as a platform connecting retail shareholders with companies offering perks. It allows investors to browse for discounts, free items, and special experiences. Companies can use the platform to engage and reward their retail shareholders with exclusive product offerings, discounts, and special experiences. For example, Vital Farms (VITL) makes its perks available through Stockperks. If an investor owns 100 shares of Vital Farms, they are entitled to receive free eggs or discounts, though the specific perk varies over time and must be checked in the app.
Conclusion
Stockholders and investors have access to a variety of freebies and promotional rewards. GEICO offers a notable annual insurance discount to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, while other companies provide perks such as book discounts or chocolates, often with specific ownership or attendance requirements. Entertainment companies like AMC and cruise lines like Carnival offer structured reward programs for shareholders, and brokerage platforms like Robinhood and Moomoo aggressively market their services through free stock promotions. Platforms like Stockperks further facilitate this connection between companies and retail investors. Consumers interested in these offers should carefully review eligibility requirements, such as residency status, minimum share ownership, and specific application processes, to ensure they qualify for the advertised rewards.