Gifts

Discounts, Deals, and Festive Freebies for the Holiday Season

December 5, 2019

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There’s no better time than the holiday season to take advantage of the discounts and deals available through your Columbia University employee benefits. CUIMC Today culled the perks listed below. 

For Culture Seekers

The Arts Initiative at Columbia University offers free and discounted tickets for New York City museums, performances, and movie theaters. Sign up for the Arts Initiative’s e-newsletter to receive information about the latest events and opportunities. 

If you are an employee enrolled in a graduate program, you’ll want to get a current semester validation sticker for your CUID, as students qualify for even more perks, including free admission to more than 30 museums through the “Passport to Museums” program. For those enrolled in graduate programs at CUIMC, get your sticker at the P&S Building, 1-405C. 

The Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of Arts puts on a yearly roster of events. Columbia faculty and staff member can get 40% off single ticket prices. Upcoming events include:

The Wallach Art Gallery at Columbia’s Manhattanville campus is free and currently showing the exhibition, “Waiting for Omar Gatlato: Contemporary Art from Algeria and its Diaspora.” The gallery hosts events, such as “family afternoons” that include crafty activities and storytelling inspired by the current exhibit (the next one is Saturday, Dec. 7.)

Get in the holiday spirit with these free concerts for all Columbians:

Last but not least, if you are an employee who is also a Columbia alum, you’ll want to check out Columbia Alumni Association Arts Access for discounts and invitations to special events. 

For All-Around Shoppers

Corporate Shopping offers deals for a plethora of stores, services, and tickets. Visit the Corporate Shopping webpage for Columbia employees and enter your name, email address, and a password. Once logged in, you will see an option to invite friends and family to access Corporate Shopping deals as well.  

Working Advantage provides employee discounts on Broadway shows, hotels, movie tickets, and retail shops. Register for Working Advantage to access deals (company code is 99042065.)

TicketsatWork is another website plentiful with deals. Become a member with your Columbia email address and company code (CUMC). First-timers who sign up will receive a promo for $10 off their first purchase. 

In addition, the Employee Assistance Program offers Spendless, an online program for discounts at many stores, including Target, PetSmart, and more. Register for Spendless.

Employees with a University ID receive 10% off purchases at Barnes & Noble in the Columbia Bookstore at the CUIMC and Morningside campuses. 

For all deals, visit the Columbia University Human Resources webpage for discounts and perks, which also explains how to access these programs.  

For Travelers

Columbians who enjoy regular road trips will want to check out the discounted membership for the car-sharing network ZipCar. Join Zipcar for $15 in your first year. 

In addition, travel offers can be found on the Corporate Shopping, Working Advantage, and Spendless sites. 

Columbia employees also receive 8% off select hotels on Hotels.com for trips booked by Dec. 31, 2019, for travel from now until March 31, 2020.