If you found this article you’re either considering applying for a job, or a new hire trying to figure out exactly how the employee discount at Nordstrom works. In either case, they have a pretty liberal discount for employees and it definitely helps you save money, especially when you can tack it the discount onto clearance and final sale merchandise. Here are the 8 important things you must know in order to use the discount and maximize your savings when shopping at Nordstrom.

They Have a “Variable” Employee Discount

Their employee discount is either 20% -or- 33% depending on your level of employment.

Regular hourly employees get a 20% discount while management gets a very solid 33% discount.

I’ve also been told that some department managers, and what they term all-stars (like employee of the month), can also qualify for the 33% discount for limited periods of time.

See Also: The 15 Best Employee Discounts at Fast Food Restaurants

Eligibility Starts Really Quickly

You’re eligible for the employee discount as soon as you have an employee number and receive your first paycheck.

This is done to prevent people from getting jobs at Nordstrom simply to take advantage of the discount and then abruptly quitting.

The discount applies to both part-time and full-time employees.

Family Members and Spouse are Eligible

Specifically, family members under the age of 25 who live with you, along with your spouse, are indeed eligible for the employee discount.

Potential workaround: If a family member (other than your spouse or child) wants to use your discount in-store, they should pay in cash.

For online orders, you’ll need to place the order yourself using your credit card to apply the discount, and they can reimburse you afterward.

PRO TIP: NORDSTROM DOES EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT AUDITS

I recently talked to a former Nordstrom employee and picked her brain about their discount.

She told me that they’ll do fairly routine audits and look for employees using their discount fraudulently and often fire folks because of it.

She said the biggest culprit was family members using their loved ones employee number, but their own credit card. She told me it was instant RED FLAG and very easy to detect, so DO NOT do it unless you want to get canned.

Basically No Products Exclusions

The only item at Nordstrom that does NOT qualify for the employee discount is Gift Cards.

See Also: Nordstrom Price Match Policy: Everything You Need to Know (and Much More)

Look For a Bump Around the Holidays

Some Nordstrom locations will increase their employee discount around Christmas and other holidays.

From my research, it seems to come down to the discretion of individual store managers, but the discount boost averages 10% – 20%.

“Final Markdown” Stuff is Included

Considering that Final Markdown items are often already 50% to 80% off the original price, the employee discount on top of that makes for a GREAT discount.

PRO TIP: THE DISCOUNT IS STACKABLE

You can indeed stack your discount with a sale price.

For example, if an item is originally $200 and is on sale for 25% off, the price drops to $150.

Then, with your 20% employee discount applied, the price drops to $120 + tax. This isn’t a full 35% off because the percentage discounts are applied sequentially, not added together.

You’ll Get The Discount Online Too

To make it happen you must start the process on this page.

You’ll be asked sign-in to your Nordstrom account or create one if you don’t already have one.

Next you’ll enter your employee number and follow the steps to collect your discount.

On the checkout page, enter EMPLOYEE in the “promotion code” box.

Then enter your employee number in the space provided and you should be good to go.

See Also: Nordstrom Return Policy: Answers to Your 8 Biggest Questions

Gotta Use a Nordstrom Card to Get the Discount

You’ll need to use either a Nordstrom Visa card, Nordstrom credit card, or Nordstrom Gift Card as payment in order to get the discount.

Sound confusing? Nordstrom offers BOTH a retail credit card that can ONLY be used at Nordstrom, and a Visa card than can be used anywhere that accepts Visa.

Both cards will have your employee number on the back which is used for proof of employment.

Ask the Reader: Do you work for Nordstrom? Let me know if I’m missing any details concerning their employee discount.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)