paga doble = a bonus or double the normal paycheck?

Question

I was curious about the phrase "tuve paga doble" in the test.  Does it simply mean a "bonus" (which could mean any amount extra over the normal salary) or does it mean double the normal pay?

Answer

Hola Rebekah
When we talk about "una paga doble" we normally refer to an extra pay (normally the equivalent to a full month pay) that people receive in December and in July. So, generally, although it may vary depending on which job and company, the annual salary of a person is divided into 14 (not 12) pays, and those 2 extra pays are received in December before Christmas time and in July, so there are two times in the year when people receive double. You may also hear this as "la paga extra".
Un saludo
Inma