Pint-size Perks at Cool Companies: Free Beer!

As company culture grows in importance, check out how some companies are going with the flow: Free beer for employees. Pick up the May/June 2013 issue of Draft magazine to learn about the alcohol-friendly policies at Yelp, Arnold Worldwide, and other companies around the U.S.





You can also view Arnie, the Beer Machine, in this fun video. Why settle for a vending machine with root beer when you can get a free bottle of the real thing?

How to Score a Free Travel Upgrade

If you’re not a business traveler with elite status, getting upgraded can seem like a long shot. Want a better seat on the plane? These days, extra legroom or an aisle seat will cost you extra. Want a nicer hotel room? You can pay a bit more at check-in for a room on a higher floor.

So how exactly do you ask for a complimentary upgrade without coming across as a demanding customer or a complete cheapskate?

I asked travel experts with the power to grant or deny an upgrade -- including a front-desk manager, a car-rental agent, and airline experts -- for tips on how to score that coveted upgrade and other perks even if you’re an infrequent traveler.

Check out my "How to Score an Upgrade" story on CNN.com or pick up a copy of the October issue of Money magazine.

UPDATE: "How to Score an Upgrade" has been picked up by Yahoo! for the homepage carousel. Thanks to everyone who noticed and let me know about it!

Photo by Amy Chen: An ocean-view room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu.

Design a pair of free KLM luggage tags

I first heard about KLM Royal Dutch Airlines giving away free luggage tags on Twitter last month, so I had to try it out. Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I have way more luggage tags than actual luggage, but who can argue with free?

I uploaded a photo that I took of San Francisco's Bay Bridge, filled in the form with my home address, phone number, and e-mail address, and waited for the set of two labels to arrive a few weeks later.

Of course KLM now has my info so since then, I've received some e-mails about fare sales. If you're cagey about giving out your personal info, then these free tags probably aren't worth the spam. Also, I know some people who never write their home address and phone number on these tags. If you prefer to use an office address instead, you can do that as well.

Tips: You'll need one hi-res image, or you can pick from KLM's photo gallery, which includes airplanes (KLM of course), nature (mountains, beaches), and iconic skylines (Paris, Venice, London). The labels will each be printed with the same photo and the same address, and you can only use one name per order. You can also customize a set as a gift, but you'll need your recipient's personal info, including an e-mail address. I'd check with your friend/spouse/relative before giving that out since they'll be the ones receiving the KLM e-mails.

Photo: Amy Chen

Say 'Omm' this Saturday: Free Yoga Classes

On Saturday, hundreds of schools and studios across the country will host free (or nearly free) yoga workshops as part of the 2nd annual Yoga Day USA. Organized by the Yoga Alliance, some classes may request a donation to benefit a charity; others are completely free. Some locations are even throwing in passes for future classes.

I was in Seattle a few weeks ago and saw that the Olympic Sculpture Park pavilion will be one of the participating locations. The free 60-minute vinyasa flow class on the waterfront starts at 11 a.m.; don't forget to bring a mat. Before you show up at any of these classes, it's probably a good idea to check if you need any gear or should reserve a spot.

To find a class near you, check out yogadayusa.org.

Photo: Amy Chen