How to Find Coupons and Vouchers That Actually Work

Most coupons and vouchers you find online are expired. Knowing where to look — and in what order — is the difference between a working discount voucher and ten minutes wasted at checkout.

Where to find coupons and vouchers

The best sources of working coupon codes, in order:

• The retailer's own newsletter — first-order vouchers are usually the biggest
• The retailer's app — app-only coupons and vouchers are common
• Your account page — loyalty vouchers often sit there unused
• Coupon sites — check the date and success rate, not just the code
• Abandoned cart emails — leave items in your basket for 24 hours

Types of vouchers worth checking

• Percentage off — best on expensive items
• Money off — best on cheaper baskets
• Free delivery — often worth more than a small discount
• First-order vouchers — the largest discount most stores offer
• Verified discounts — student, military, teacher, healthcare and senior

How to use coupons and vouchers properly

1. Find and copy your coupon code first
2. Click through a cashback site last
3. Add items to your basket
4. Paste the code at checkout
5. Pay with a discounted gift card if you have one

Order matters: clicking a coupon link after a cashback link can cancel your cashback.

Why coupon codes don't work

• The code expired
• It was a one-time or single-user code
• Your basket is below the minimum spend
• Sale items are excluded
• The code is region-locked

Money saving deals beyond coupons

Coupons and vouchers aren't the only way to pay less. Discounted gift cards, cashback sites and rewards apps all cut the final price — there are even legitimate routes to free Netflix and Spotify gift cards