How to use coupon codes properly

A coupon code is a short string you enter at checkout to take a percentage or a fixed amount off your basket. Simple in principle — but plenty of shoppers lose the discount for reasons that are easy to avoid.

The steps

Pick the code that suits your basket, copy it, go to the store, add your items, then look for a field marked "Promo code", "Coupon" or "Discount code" at checkout. Paste it and press apply before confirming the order.

Why a code sometimes fails

Usually one of four things: the offer has expired, your basket has not reached the minimum spend, the code is restricted to certain products or to new customers, or it is limited to specific countries. Check the terms under the coupon before assuming it is broken.

Getting more out of a code

Compare a few codes before paying — the highest percentage is not always best if a fixed-amount discount saves more on your basket. Watch the big sale seasons, White Friday and Ramadan especially, when codes are strongest. And check the code is valid in your country: many global offers exclude the Middle East.

We review coupons daily and remove expired ones, so you are not testing codes that stopped working weeks ago.