Repository of lists of Perks for Local Guides

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

[No longer updated from 1 Mar 2019] As many local and regional perks are sent directly to contributors’ email, and isn’t easily possible to track/verify each single one of them.

To ensure you receive a perk notification (if qualified), make sure “Perks” is set in “Email notifications” in the below link.

https://maps.google.com/localguides/home/settings

== original post below ==

Hi everyone, for the benefit of many on-going questions and posts about perks, especially from newer members, I am building/maintaining a list here of new, existing, old, expired perks with relevant links for reference. I will try my best to update this post as new perks come in. And if I missed any, please reply in comment with a link to the info, so I can update. And if you find any information not accurate, do reply in below as well. Do use/link to this post where needed. Newer perks will be added on top. All perks are sorted based on announcement date.

Please tag relevant people in comment if needed to share this info.

Just an important note that Google Local Guides is a volunteer only program. And there is no payment or compensation in any way for contributions, financially or physically. These perks serves just as a token of appreciation for our participation & contributions, and should not be taken as compensation in any way. There is no commitment or guarantee for any future perks. Our contributions helps everyone else around the world and in this same way, we also benefit from contributions of others.

  1. redBus Discount Coupon (few countries including but not limited to India, Singapore, Malaysia)
    Date announced: December 2018
    Date ended: Redeem by 13 Feb 2019
    No official annoucement, only via email to selected receipients in selected countries

  2. MyPostcard (selected Local Guides, announced via email only)
    Selected Local Guides gets to send 1 custom postcard via a photo upload with a personal message to anywhere in the world for free. No official announcement online.
    *Note that there was no official announcement about this, and the information is gathered from users who shared this online voluntarily, so the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.
    Date announced: started on 20 Nov 2018 (direct email to selected Local Guides only)
    Date of perk: Redeem by 28 Dec 2018
    Details: No official announcement (please check your email)

  3. Local Guides designed socks / Local Guides sticker pack. (for selective Local Guides, in selective countries)
    *Note that there was no official announcement about this, and the information is gathered from users who shared this online voluntarily, so the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.

No official announcement (only through direct email notification), certain members may a pair of Local Guides designed socks, certain members may receive a sticker pack. Not everyone in the geography will receive this.
Date announced: only through direct email to contributor
Date of perk: sometime November 2018
Non official details below: No announcements, only made known through voluntary sharing by members who received this perk.

  1. Google One temporary membership for Local Guides (similar to Google Drive) (for selective Local Guides, in selective countries)

*Note that there was no official announcement about this, and the information is gathered from users who shared this online voluntarily, so the accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.

No official announcement (only through direct email notification), certain members may receive 100GB storage for 3 months, or up to 2TB for 1 year, selective countries only. Not everyone in the geography will receive this. Only for non-existing users of Google One. Terms and conditions apply.
Date announced: only through direct email to contributor
Date of perk: sometime October/November 2018
Non-official details below:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/17/local-guides-offered-100gb-free-google-one-storage-three-months/
https://www.reddit.com/r/LocalGuides/comments/9p11fo/3_months_of_free_google_one_for_being_a_local/
*And from voluntary sharing by members who received this perk.

  1. Free Ice Cream with Google Maps branded paper cups (in New York city, US only)
    Date announced: 27 September 2018
    Date of perk: 29 September 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Announcements/Enjoy-ice-cream-on-us-in-NYC-on-September-29/ba-p/1069541

  2. Gift Card Tokopedia for all Local Guides levels (in Indonesia only)
    *Online train ticket booking and shopping in Indonesia
    Date announced: 3 July 2018
    Date ended: 19 August 2018
    Announced through email only to Local Guides in Indonesia
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Tokopedia-x-Local-Guide/m-p/963265

  3. Smithsonian Earth Perk for selected Local Guides (invited through email only)
    *9 months of free access to the Smithsonian library online service
    Date announced: 22 June 2018
    Date ended: 31 July 2018
    Announced through email only to certain Local Guides
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/New-Perk-from-Google-for-Local-guides/m-p/929610/highlight/true#M262886

https://help.smithsonianearthtv.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004908593?utm_medium=email&utm_source=partner_newsletter&utm_campaign=LocalGuides_FAQ&utm_content=Google_SEFAQ

  1. One Time Discount Flyrobe clothing rental for Level 7 above (in India: Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Mumbai only)
    Date announced: 3 April 2018 (one time)
    Date ended: 18 May 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/New-perk-for-stylish-Local-Guides-in-5-Indian-cities/m-p/721853

  2. Discount Hotel Room through Airy, different Levels of discounts (Indonesia only)
    Date announced: 7 March 2018
    Date ended: 8 May 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Bahasa-Indonesia/Bonus-baru-untuk-Local-Guides-di-Indonesia-untuk-memesan-kamar/m-p/667936/highlight/true#M16958

  3. Discount Voucher Ayopop, different Levels of discounts (Indonesia)
    Date announced: 17 Jan 2018
    Date ended: 1 March 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Bahasa-Indonesia/Dapatkan-diskon-untuk-pembayaran-tagihan-pembelian-voucher-dari/m-p/602940#M14125

  4. 20% Discount ASOS (USA only)
    Date announced: 12 Dec 2017
    Date ended: 9 Jan, 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/U-S-perk-save-20-at-ASOS/m-p/565984#M156813

  5. Free movie ticket from Atom for Level 8+ to 10, discounts other Levels (USA only)
    Date announced: 1 Dec 2017
    Date ended: 31 Dec 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/U-S-perk-save-20-at-ASOS/m-p/565984#M156813

  6. redBus Discount Coupon (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Colombia, and Peru)
    Date announced: 31 Oct 2017
    Date ended: 31 Jan 2018
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/New-perk-save-on-a-trip-with-redBus/m-p/519621/highlight/true#M145940

  7. New Achievement Badges on Google Maps
    Date announced: 11 Oct 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/News-Updates/Introducing-new-badges-on-Google-Maps/bc-p/494928#M7212

  8. Free Access to New York Times (U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.)
    Date announced: 6 Sept 2017
    Date ended: 12 Dec 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/New-perk-free-access-to-the-New-York-Times/m-p/442171/highlight/true#M106544

  9. Zalora online discount coupon (Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia)
    Date announced: 21 Aug 2017
    Date ended: 1 Oct 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Perk-in-Taiwan-Malaysia-Indonesia-save-at-Zalora/m-p/422933/highlight/true#M100719

  10. Free Magnum Ice Cream Level 6+ to 10 (London only, New Points System)
    Date announced: 17 July 2017
    Date ended: 1 Time, 26 July 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/London-perk-free-ice-cream-at-the-Magnum-Pleasure-Store/m-p/375061/highlight/true#M90992

  11. OYO Rooms discount Level 4+ to 10 (India, New Points System)
    Date announced: 24 June 2017
    Date ended: 31 Aug 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Perk-in-India-Recharge-with-an-offer-from-OYO/m-p/335417/highlight/true#M79854

  12. 3 months free Google Play Music for Level 4+ to 10 (Many countries, New Points System)
    Date announced: 13 June 2017
    Date ended: 1 Sept 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/New-perk-Google-Play-for-Local-Guides-Level-4/m-p/313903/highlight/true#M66702

[13 June 2017] Move over to new Points System (Level 1-10)

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/News-Updates/Announcing-new-levels-amp-ways-to-help-your-community/ba-p/313904

  1. Free upgrade Ola Select for Level 3+ to 5 (India, Old Points System)
    Date announced: 25 May 2017
    Date ended: 24 June 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/News-Updates/Perk-in-India-Free-upgrade-to-Ola-Select/bc-p/285772#M4578

  2. Temporary 1 year - 100 GB Google Drive for Level 4+ to 5 (WW, Old Points System)
    Date announced: 7 July 2016
    Date ended: 17 March 2017
    Details: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Google-Drive-Storage-Promotion-Ending/m-p/145512/highlight/true#M22208

  3. 1-time gift, Local Guides T-shirt (Teal/Turquise color) for Level 5 (WW, Old Points System)
    Date: Mid December 2015
    Date ended: 1 Time Gift only
    Details: N/A

  4. Temporary 2 years - 1 TB Google Drive for Level 4+ to 5 (WW, Old Points System)
    Date announced: 13 Nov 2015
    Date ended: 6 July 2016
    Details: https://maps.googleblog.com/2015/11/get-your-favorite-places-on-map-with_13.html

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Thanks for this great share Chettaa @StephenAbraham

:heart_eyes::heart_eyes:

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@StephenAbraham Just Very important article just great job :smiling_face::+1:

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@ErmesT , @YK1001 , @KarenVChin , @Csaba , @iyudhi , @FaridTDF , @LudwigGermany , @PaulPavlinovich , @IlankovanT , just tagging for the post above.

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Complimenti per il bel lavoro @StephenAbraham

Sarà utile mettere un bookmark per questo post che risponde alle molte domande che vengono fatte.

Oggi le mie risposte sono in italiano, per celebrare il giorno della lingua Madre https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/A-Tribute-to-the-Language-Martyrs-in-International-Mother/m-p/643075/highlight/true#M179605

Ermes

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Hello @StephenAbraham

Thanks for sharing the full info. Hope it will be helpful for us.

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Good information. You are really awesome

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Good post @StephenAbraham this will be helpful to be able to direct people to when they ask. Thanks.

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Thanks for the great share…

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Great work @StephenAbraham !

If I may suggest, could expired perks are differentiated somehow? Perhaps a simple strikethrough on the top line, or a lighter grey for the text. Just something easily recognised at a glance rather than having to look closer at the dates.

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Uhh…

Nothing current for Finland. I don’t see why you parrot the past perks?

What I really wanted to know:

Who will be invited to a Local Guides “event” in Europe, for instance.

What does it take? Which level - or is there more to it? :smile:

Cheers, Jaana

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Thank you for sharing this comprehensive list @StephenAbraham ,

We know Local Guides love helping others and enjoy the rewards and recognition they receive for their contributions. Our team is always working on different opportunities for Local Guides, whether it be a perk, recognition opportunities, or access to other features and I invite you to please check out our core values post in which we discuss what being a Local Guide is all about. I’d like to also remind Local Guides that visit this page that there is no financial compensation from being a Local Guide as this is an at-will program that you are free to contribute to at your own leisure.

Lastly, Local Guides who have opted in to receive benefit emails will be updated with any new perks. Please visit your email-settings and be sure to check your email preferences as well as your spam or promotions folder to make sure you don’t miss any news.

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@BruceDM Thanks for the note. A lot of us do understand that. So, just to make sure that everyone else does, I have added this back in the main post. Thanks for your kind help always.:slight_smile:

“Just an important note that Google Local Guides is a volunteer only program. And there is no payment or compensation in any way for contributions, financially or physically. These perks serves just as a token of appreciation for our participation & contributions, and should not be taken as compensation in any way. There is no commitment or guarantee for any future perks. Our contributions helps everyone else around the world and in this same way, we also benefit from contributions of others.”

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@StephenAbraham

It is you who can do it for us.

This post is easy for new bees to Connect .

Keep doing useful things .

But what to do with the 1 TB storage after it is expired . Is there an option for continuous contributors to retain it .

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@Sariga , will need to pay for it if you want to keep the 1TB… :slight_smile:
or buy a big hard disk and transfer back to local storage.

@Sariga wrote:

@StephenAbraham

It is you who can do it for us.

This post is easy for new bees to Connect .

Keep doing useful things .

But what to do with the 1 TB storage after it is expired . Is there an option for continuous contributors to retain it .

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@StephenAbraham thanks for sharing this useful links with everyone :slight_smile:

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@StephenAbraham That is a good job! Thanks for sharing!

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Hello @StephenAbraham - Thank you for updating your post to include that helpful information. At the end of the day we’ll still get the same questions asked but like you said, the Local Guides program is about benefiting from each others contributions and not necessarily the bonuses that come along with being in the program.

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@Sariga

With the end of the free storage promotions, one of the most common question in Connect is: How can I use my space in Google drive?

Of course, with a quick search you will find all the answer, but for an easy reference I will try to summarize in here the most common questions.

The biggest mistake that I did, when I got the free storage, was to save a copy of all my photos in Google Drive. Loading photos in Drive is using your storage space

With a correct setting, you will be able to store:

  • Photos, in Google Photos, at High Quality (16MP), for free (unlimited storage)
  • Videos, in Google Photos, at High Definitions (1080P), for free (unlimited storage)

This is the storage I’m actually using:

Total storage.JPG
Total storage.JPG388×352 7.92 KB

Most of the space is used for documents that I have in Drive. As you can see from the details, I am not using space for photos

storage details.JPG
storage details.JPG419×399 13 KB

And I have more than 9000 files (photos and videos) stored. The image in here is old

foto totali.JPG

So, don’t worry about space for photos in Google Maps. Make the correct setting, and you will have no problem in storage due to Google Maps or Youtube videos

For more information, here are the links to the help pages:

Hope this can help you

Happy Mapping

Ermes

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Great Post! @StephenAbraham

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