LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s subscription service that unlocks additional features beyond the free version of LinkedIn. Premium provides more search filters, lets you see who’s viewed your profile, offers more InMail messages, and additional profile features. But a common question is – can you get LinkedIn Premium for cheaper than the listed monthly or annual price?
What is LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium is LinkedIn’s paid subscription service that gives you access to additional features not available with a free LinkedIn account. Some of the key benefits of LinkedIn Premium include:
- Seeing who’s viewed your LinkedIn profile in the last 90 days
- Advanced profile search filters to target your ideal candidates or connections
- Unlimited InMail messages for directly contacting anyone on LinkedIn
- Insights about who’s engaging with your LinkedIn content
- Premium badge on your profile
LinkedIn Premium is available on a monthly or annual subscription basis. As of 2023, the pricing options are:
- Premium Career – $29.99/month or $239.88/year
- Premium Business – $49.99/month or $399.88/year
- Premium Sales – $64.99/month or $519.88/year
The various Premium options provide additional features tailored to job seekers, business users, or sales professionals. But at their core, all Premium options aim to provide more insights and capabilities beyond the free LinkedIn experience.
Can you get a discount on LinkedIn Premium?
Yes, there are a few ways you may be able to get a discounted rate for LinkedIn Premium:
1. Annual subscription discount
Paying annually for LinkedIn Premium is cheaper than paying month-to-month. The annual subscription provides savings of up to 30% compared to the equivalent monthly price. This doesn’t require any special discount – it’s just the standard pricing model LinkedIn offers.
2. Student discount
LinkedIn offers a student discount that provides 50% off the Premium Career subscription. To qualify for the student discount, you must:
- Be a current student at an accredited university or college
- Verify your student status through SheerID
- Re-verify your student status annually
With the student discount, Premium Career is $14.99/month rather than the standard $29.99/month price.
3. Group discount
Some organizations and groups may offer a discounted group rate for LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. For example, alumni associations, student groups, or nonprofits may partner with LinkedIn to provide a group discount code.
To find out if you qualify for a group discount, check with the admin or leadership of any relevant groups you’re part of. Group discounts often provide 10-30% off standard pricing.
4. Third-party offer
Occasionally third-parties like deal sites or VPNs may offer discounted LinkedIn Premium subscriptions, bundled with other offers. For example, a VPN company may offer one year of Premium plus a VPN subscription for a discounted bundle price.
The availability of third-party LinkedIn Premium offers tends to fluctuate, so keep an eye out for any limited time promotions.
5. Use Premium for free with a company account
If your company has a LinkedIn Recruiter, Sales Navigator, or Talent Insights company account, you may be able to access LinkedIn Premium for free as part of your employee benefits.
Check with your HR department or manager to see if Premium access is available through your organization’s LinkedIn subscription.
How much can you realistically save on LinkedIn Premium?
Here’s a realistic overview of the types of LinkedIn Premium discounts available and potential savings:
| Discount Type | Typical Discount | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Annual plan | 25-30% off | $60-$100 off yearly price |
| Student discount | 50% off | $15 off monthly |
| Group discount | 10-30% off | $3-$10 off monthly |
| Third party offer | 10-50% off | $3-$15 off monthly |
| Free with company account | 100% off | Full monthly price discounted |
As you can see, paying annually, using a student discount, or accessing Premium via your company are likely to provide the biggest savings compared to normal pricing. Third-party deals and group discounts result in more modest savings.
How to find and use LinkedIn Premium discounts
Here are some tips for finding and taking advantage of discounted LinkedIn Premium pricing:
Annual subscription
When signing up for Premium, simply select the annual plan rather than month-to-month payment to benefit from the 25-30% discount automatically applied.
Student discount
Go to the LinkedIn Premium student discount page and click “Get verified”. You’ll need to upload proof of your current student status through SheerID’s verification process. Once verified, you can purchase Premium Career at the 50% off price.
Group discounts
Check with the leadership of any relevant professional groups, alumni networks, student associations or nonprofits you’re a part of to see if they offer a group Premium discount code. Usually you’ll need to provide proof of membership to qualify.
Third party offers
Keep an eye on deal sites and third-party subscription providers to find limited time LinkedIn Premium promos. For example, VPNs like NordVPN sometimes offer bundled deals with Premium included.
Company account access
Ask your HR or talent management team if you already have a Premium license available through an existing company LinkedIn Recruiter, Sales Navigator, or Talent Insights account. Many companies that invest in LinkedIn’s talent solutions offer Premium as a free employee perk.
Downsides of discounted Premium subscriptions
While discounted LinkedIn Premium pricing can save you money, there are a couple downsides to consider:
- Limited time offers – Third-party and group deals for Premium often expire. You’ll have to re-verify your eligibility periodically.
- Billing hassles – Jumping between annual plans, group deals, and student discounts can make billing and payments more complicated.
- Missing out on features – Some discounts only apply to Premium Career rather than Premium Business or Sales, limiting your feature access.
Weight the convenience of easy monthly payments against the savings from discounts requiring more effort. And double check you’re getting the Premium edition with the particular features you need.
FAQs about LinkedIn Premium discounts
Does LinkedIn offer a free trial of Premium?
Yes, LinkedIn offers one month free trials of Premium Career, Premium Business, and Premium Sales. This allows you to try out Premium features before paying. Some third-party offers may also include an extended free trial period.
Can I cancel LinkedIn Premium at any time?
Yes, you can cancel a self-purchased Premium subscription at any time. However, if you’re using Premium through a company program or third-party promotion, cancellation may depend on that specific agreement.
Can I gift a discounted Premium subscription?
Unfortunately LinkedIn does not allow gifting discounted Premium subscriptions. The gift recipient would pay full price. You’d need to use the discount when purchasing Premium for yourself.
Can I get a refund for unused months if I cancel Premium early?
No, LinkedIn does not offer prorated refunds if you cancel a paid Premium subscription before the billing term ends. You’ll retain access until the end of the current billing period.
Do Premium discounts automatically renew each year?
Discounts like the student rate require re-verifying each year. But annual plans and group/company discounts will renew at the discounted rate by default. You’d just need to re-verify student status annually.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Premium provides valuable benefits like seeing profile viewers, unlimited InMail, and premium profile branding. While Premium is already reasonably priced for the access it provides, you may be able to save further through an annual plan, student discount, group deal, or company program.
To maximize savings on Premium:
- Pay annually rather than monthly
- Use a validated student email for 50% off
- Ask about group and company deals in your network
- Watch for time-limited third-party bundled offers
With discounts bringing the monthly cost as low as $15 or providing Premium for free, the upgrade becomes very affordable. Just be sure you are getting the Premium edition with the features you need.
For professional social media users, the benefits of LinkedIn Premium often make the investment worthwhile, even without any discounts. But discounts can provide some nice savings on top for budget-conscious users looking to maximize their professional networking potential.
