A. Yes, it's true, and here are some good shareholder benefits programs:
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) (BRK-B)
Owners who can afford at least a single share of Berkshire Hathaway also are entitled to discounts on Geico insurance. The rate varies by state, but it can be as much as 8 percent.
However, the biggest perk of Berkshire Hathaway ownership is access to the annual shareholder meeting. Beyond getting to be in attendance while Buffett and his partner Charlie Munger offer investing insight for hours, shareholders also get to shop at the exclusive store during the meeting that offers markdowns from Berkshire Hathaway subsidiaries.
Carnival Cruises (CCL), Royal Caribbean (RCL)
Shareholders who own at least 100 shares of CCL or RCL can apply for a stateroom credit on sailings. How much investors get in onboard spending money depends on the length of the cruise. RCL is more generous than CCL in terms of credits given out.
Ford
Investors who own at least 100 Ford shares for at least six months can get a few percentage points off on some new car models.