Terms and conditions apply. Check the full details on Cheddar Cashback's website before signing up.
Cheddar Cashback Offer Summary
About Cheddar
Cheddar is a cashback app that gives you instant money back when you buy gift cards for Tesco, Sainsbury's, Costa, and 200+ other retailers. It is authorised and regulated by the FCA. One of the easiest bonuses to claim in my cashback app roundup.
But Cheddar works slightly differently to typical cashback sites: instead of clicking through Cheddar to a retailer's website, you buy a gift card for that retailer inside the Cheddar app. Giftcards aren't just for birthday presents! Cashback (currently 3–7% depending on the retailer) credits to the in-app wallet within seconds, then you use the gift card as normal — online, in-store, or via the retailer's own app. It works because Cheddar is buying gift cards at wholesale and passing on a slice of the discount.
Realistic "savings" depend on how much of your regular spending routes through gift-card-friendly retailers. A weekly £80 supermarket shop at Tesco or Sainsbury's via gift cards can clear £100+ a year just on groceries. Add the occasional Boots, Costa or Treatwell purchase and it can scale to £200+. Really, it is best suited to people who already shop with the same chains regularly — if your spending is spread across smaller independent shops that aren't in Cheddar's catalogue, then you might not find much use for it.
One of the best things about these giftcards is that you can "stack" them with other cashback methods. Cheddar's cashback pays when the gift card is purchased; the retailer's own loyalty scheme (Tesco Clubcard, Boots Advantage Card) still earns on the actual purchase; and if the retailer is also on Quidco or TopCashback, a click-through there before checkout adds another layer. x3 cashback on a single transaction!
Tips for Using Cheddar
The easiest (and sensible) way to activate the £5 bonus: pick a gift card for somewhere you shop frequently. A supermarket is a good choice! And use within the month (current rates run 3–7%). A £100 gift card at 5% gets you halfway; pair two and you've cleared the £5 threshold. You must earn £5 in cashback in your first 30 days to get the bonus fiver.
The bigger trick is stacking — I buy the gift card on Cheddar to earn the app's cashback, then use the gift card at the retailer via a click-through from Quidco or TopCashback to earn their rate too. Both pay on the same purchase. Payment is via open banking, so is fast and smooth.
How To Get This Deal
Step 1 — Download the app
Get Cheddar free from the App Store or Google Play
Step 2 — Create account
Sign up and enter code SCRIMPR when prompted
Step 3 — Link your bank
Connect via Open Banking - this is read-only and FCA regulated
Step 4 — Buy gift cards to earn cashback
Choose from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Costa, or 200+ other retailers
Step 5 — Get a £5 bonus
£5 added to your balance when you earn £5 cashback in your first 30 days
Cashback Details
Minimum withdrawal threshold: £5
Stacking with Other Offers
Boost your cashback further using my cashback comparison tool to check cashback rates for sites where you can use your gift cards.
Qualifying Retailers
- All gift cards available in the app
Important Information
- This offer is for new customers only.
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- Use referral code SCRIMPR at signup to qualify for the £5 bonus
- Earn at least £5 in cashback within 30 days of signup to release the bonus
- Bonus is for new accounts only — not stackable with other Cheddar referral codes
- UK residents only; must be 16+
- Open Banking connection required (read-only access via an FCA-authorised account information service provider)
- Bank connection must be reauthorised every 90 days
- Cashback rates vary by retailer (currently 3–7%) and are subject to change
- Cashback is paid into the in-app wallet; minimum £5 to withdraw
- Withdrawals are processed instantly to the linked bank account
- Gift cards are non-refundable once purchased
- Cheddar may take a small commission on the cashback rate before paying out
The Bottom Line
One of the easiest free fivers going. Buy gift cards for shops you visit regularly, and get a £5 bonus once you have earned £5 in cashback. New to cashback? Read my complete cashback guide to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The £5 bonus credits as soon as you've earned £5 in regular cashback within 30 days of signup. So if you buy gift cards worth around £100–£170 in your first month (depending on the rates available), you'll trigger the bonus on top of whatever cashback you've already banked.
Open Banking is a read-only system regulated by the FCA. Cheddar can see the transactions needed to verify gift card purchases, but it can't move money out of the account or make payments. The connection has to be reauthorised every 90 days and can be revoked from the bank's own app at any time.
Yes — and this is where Cheddar earns its place. Buy the gift card via Cheddar to earn the app's cashback, then click through Quidco or TopCashback to the retailer's website and spend the gift card there. Both rates pay out on the same purchase, often beating either site on its own.
The £5 referral bonus is forfeited and can't be reclaimed. Any regular cashback already earned stays in the wallet, but the bonus is tied strictly to the 30-day window.
You will be directed to Cheddar Cashback's website. T&Cs apply.
This page is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Always verify current terms directly with Cheddar Cashback.