If you’ve graduated from university or college, there’s a good chance that you get access to alumni discounts. These deals could apply to retail, accommodations, insurance, entertainment, and more. While your post-secondary education status might not be the first place to look for deals, some can be worthwhile. Here’s how to get the most out of your alumni discounts. 

Keep your alumni e-mail active

You might need an active e-mail address from your post-secondary school to take advantage of some alumni discounts. While many schools will allow you to keep your e-mail address indefinitely for free, some will charge you to maintain things once you’ve graduated. Admittedly, it may not seem worthwhile to pay for an e-mail address when plenty of free ones are available. However, one of the easiest ways to prove that you’re eligible for an alumni discount is by having an e-mail address connected to your alma mater. 

Another reason to have an alumni e-mail address is to ensure you get any alumni correspondence. Since most schools no longer send out physical mail, having an alumni e-mail ensures you’re always updated on deals and happenings.

Check the alumni website

Checking out the alumni website may be low on your priorities list, but you might be surprised to find how many discounts are available. Just about every post-secondary school has staff dedicated to alumni, so negotiating deals is part of their job.

On the website, you should be able to find all of the available offers. Some of the best deals include insurance (health, dental, auto and home insurance, and more), newspaper subscriptions, retail, entertainment venues (museums, theme parks, aquariums, etc.), and even professional development. The alumni website lists the discounts you’re entitled to, so it’s easy to determine if it’s a deal or not. Also, the alumni portals are often used to purchase discounted tickets, so it’s best to become familiar with the site.

Use campus amenities and venues

You may get discounts at campus fitness facilities and cultural venues depending on where you went to school. For example, if your school has a fitness centre or recreational facilities, you could save money on workouts, swims, squash courts, indoor tracks, and more.

Another consideration is any live events your school may hold. Many universities have concert or theatre venues where alumni can get discounts on show tickets. Some venues can even be rented out at a discount for events such as weddings or photography sessions.

Be active in alumni events

Many alumni associations also hold events at various campuses, which are completely free as long as you sign up. For example, in the summer, there might be a barbecue and games day aimed at alumni with family. Alternatively, there might be a free lecture on different trending topics, such as AI or popular culture.

While some of these events may appear on the alumni websites, you should also check the alumni’s social media pages. This is where you’ll get the most up-to-date information on upcoming events.

Always check to see if your school has an alumni discount

Even if your alumni site doesn’t specifically list a discount at a certain retailer or company, it might be worth checking to see if you have one available. For example, it’s very common for insurance companies to provide discounts for alumni. When getting a quote, ask if there’s a deal for your specific school. Major businesses such as car rental agencies, hotels, and attractions near your school typically offer discounts to alumni, so don’t be afraid to ask if there’s an offer available.

Barry Choi is a Toronto-based personal finance and travel expert who frequently makes media appearances. His blog Money We Have is one of Canada’s most trusted sources when it comes to money and travel. As a completely self-taught, do-it-yourself investor with no formal training, he makes money easy to understand for all Canadians. His specialties include personal finance, budget travel, millennial money, credit cards, and trending destinations.

Barry Choi is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.