How/where do you use your federal employee discount?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should federal employees get any discounts at all?

No one's mentioned the discounted childcare services offered in federal buildings. Usually that is below market rate compared to the centers in non-fed buildings and employees of the host agency get priority enrollment. So I would consider that a significant "discount."

Not in my building, unless $1750 a month is below market for center infant care, which I don't think it is. I checked out multiple fed centers downtown and all were similarly priced (some even more).

I think the only benefit in this regard is the "priority" enrollment. Still took me 11 months + 6 months of pregnancy to get a spot in the center in my agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why should federal employees get any discounts at all?

No one's mentioned the discounted childcare services offered in federal buildings. Usually that is below market rate compared to the centers in non-fed buildings and employees of the host agency get priority enrollment. So I would consider that a significant "discount."

Not in my building, unless $1750 a month is below market for center infant care, which I don't think it is. I checked out multiple fed centers downtown and all were similarly priced (some even more).

I think the only benefit in this regard is the "priority" enrollment. Still took me 11 months + 6 months of pregnancy to get a spot in the center in my agency.

Not all agencies offer it and I have noticed the center in the Reagan building which caters to 3+ agencies doesn't seem very cheap, though it is cheaper than the Bright Horizon centers in DC NW that are not in any way affiliated with the USG (which seem to go for at least 2k/month). But others - like the centers in Commerce, USDA, State Department, and GSA - are in the $1400-1500 range which I think is very cheap for downtown center-based care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the elderly discount is ridiculous. They're the ones I know with the most money. Saving + pensions + social security.

This is my parents. Their frequent lament is how they have no idea how they will spend all of their money. Maybe they saved so much because my dad milked his government discount?

Anyway, I recognize that they are not the rule. There are plenty of elderly people with very limited resources.

[Anonymous]

Life insurance through WAEPA.

[Anonymous]

Federal government daycares are typically cheaper when they are located within the agency because they aren't paying rent. GSA and the sponsoring agencies often provide equipment, trash services, and security.

[Anonymous]

Washington Sports Club charges a lower monthly fee to feds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Federal government daycares are typically cheaper when they are located within the agency because they aren't paying rent. GSA and the sponsoring agencies often provide equipment, trash services, and security.

Commerce Kids parent here--yes, I think Commerce is cheaper than similar downtown center care, and it's because the daycare doesn't pay rent and piggybacks on the building's janitorial and security services. (It's also a non-profit, which helps.)

I also use my fed discount when traveling--some hotels, car rental companies, etc. will give you the government rate even when you're on private travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Federal government daycares are typically cheaper when they are located within the agency because they aren't paying rent. GSA and the sponsoring agencies often provide equipment, trash services, and security.

You'd think this would be the case. My Department's downtown child care is $1650. I don't think it's very reasonable or cheap considering the free rent they get. I think it's a racket. And I walk a mile from the metro to my building with no parking. How would a child get there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Federal government daycares are typically cheaper when they are located within the agency because they aren't paying rent. GSA and the sponsoring agencies often provide equipment, trash services, and security.

You'd think this would be the case. My Department's downtown child care is $1650. I don't think it's very reasonable or cheap considering the free rent they get. I think it's a racket. And I walk a mile from the metro to my building with no parking. How would a child get there?

sorry it's $1850, not $1650

[Anonymous]

I get 15% off T-mobile.

Some hotels will give the fed rate, but be careful because sometimes the fed rate for hotels is higher than the regular rate or what you could find on a website like travelocity.

[Anonymous]

15% off of Sprint and other businesses posters have already mentioned.

[Anonymous]

here is the apple discount page:

http://www.apple.com/r/store/government/epp.html

[Anonymous]

One off site daycare offered a government discount, but we went somewhere else. Think it was Children of America.

[Anonymous]

Cell phone plan

Hotels- especially Marriott and Holiday Inn

Apple, Dell, HP

Gym Membership

Car rentals

ADT home security

Car insurance

[Anonymous]

Oh and at Disney World and at the restaurants inside the Smithsonian Museums.