A reader, Mercedes, beat me to the punch on free gym but I also wanted to talk about getting free business class airfare all over the world.   How is it done?  If you’re a key employee for a multi-national/global company then you’re likely to travel all over the world in business class for various business affairs.

As you travel the world, you’ll rack up frequent flyer miles which can be redeemed for upgrades or free travel during your own vacation time off.   Most companies allow this perk because globe trotting isn’t the glamorous  activity most people think it is as you’ll likely spend 10 hours flying to Europe only to spend a few hours in a layover to catch another 12 hour flight to another continental destination or return trip.  Effectively, you’ll lose days of your life away from family and friends for the company.

There are other perks too; you might be able to get your company to subsidize an American Express Platinum card which gives you access to world traveler lounges which give you access to free internet, free booze, free food, free showers and more!

You might also be able to negotiate memberships to business clubs, professional associations, and trade groups.   Some companies offer other perks such as free breakfasts, free dry cleaning, free roaming internet access cards and, of course, free gym.

Since it’s Friday, I’ll stop this little series on career counseling but I hope you got some ideas on how to think outside the frugal box.  I titled these “non-frugal” because frugality has nothing to do with getting Free Steak & Lobster lunches, Free Activities, Free Cell Phones, and Free Education but everything to do with career advancement and excellence.