How to Get Money Back on All of Your Shopping
Save £200+ annually without changing your spending habits
Scrimpr helps UK households maximize their savings through cashback optimization and smart money strategies.
Most people don't realise they're leaving money on the table every time they shop. Cashback apps, sites, and debit cards give you money back on purchases you're already making - no catch, no strings attached. UK households can easily save £200+ annually with the right platforms.
How Cashback Works
What cashback is: Cashback is money you get back when you shop through certain apps, websites, or cards. You start by going through the cashback platform, then shop as normal, and afterwards receive a small percentage back — either as cash, gift cards, or credit on your statement.
How cashback sites work: Cashback websites and apps are advertisers. When you click their link to a store and buy something, the store pays them a commission for sending you. The cashback site then shares part of that commission with you — that's your cashback.
Why retailers pay commission: Shops want more sales. Instead of paying for adverts that might not work, they set aside money to pay advertisers (like cashback sites or banks) only when a purchase actually happens. That way they know they're getting results for their marketing spend.
How you get paid: Different platforms have different payment times. Gift card apps give cashback instantly because you pay upfront. Traditional cashback sites can take 30–120 days while the retailer confirms your order and pays the commission. Cashback debit or credit cards usually pay monthly on your statement.
Ways to Earn Cashback
There are three main ways to earn cashback, each with different rates, payment times, and effort required:
| Gift Card Apps | Traditional Cashback Sites | Cashback Cards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback rates | 3-7% | 1-15% | 0.5-1% |
| When you get paid | Instantly | 30-120 days | Monthly statement |
| Where it works | Online & in store | Online only | Everywhere |
| Effort required | Buy gift cards first | Click through links | Automatic |
| Best for | Regular supermarket shopping | Online purchases, service switches | Convenience, all spending |
Types of UK Cashback Platforms Compared
Cashback Debit Cards
Several UK banks and FinTech companies now offer debit cards with built-in cashback features. See my complete comparison of cashback debit cards:
- Uphold offers 1% cashback on almost all spending
- Chase, Nationwide FlexDirect, and Santander's Edge account also offer cashback
- Bank cards usually have stricter restrictions on what qualifies
Best for: All everyday spending
Traditional Cashback Websites
Sites like TopCashback and Quidco are comprehensive cashback platforms covering everything from online shopping to service signups. See my complete list of UK cashback sites. You visit the cashback site first, then click through to complete your purchase or signup. I use both of these regularly and they offer:
- The widest range of retailer partnerships for online shopping
- Fixed cashback amounts for bank switches, broadband contracts, and energy switching
- Often the highest rates for big purchases like holidays, insurance, and utilities
- "Get paid to" (GPT) offers for service signups like streaming platforms and software subscriptions
I track these signup offers across multiple platforms in my GPT offer comparison tool to find the best rates.
Best for: Major purchases, service switching, and planned online shopping
Instant Cashback Apps
Apps like EverUp, Airtime Rewards, and Jam Doughnut specialize in mobile shopping and gift card purchases. See my complete list of cashback apps. They offer:
- Mobile shopping and gift card purchases
- Instant cashback when you buy gift cards for in-store use
Best for: High-street shopping and retail purchases
Compare current in store supermarket cashback offers with my supermarket gift card comparison tool.
Card-Linked Offers
Services that connect directly to your payment cards track purchases automatically without needing to visit a website first. You simply register your card once, then earn cashback whenever you shop at participating retailers.
Best for: Everyday spending where you might forget to claim cashback
Receipt Scanning Apps
Apps that reward you for uploading photos of your shopping receipts after purchase. While technically not pure cashback, these complement cashback sites well. I maintain a comprehensive list of receipt scanning apps if you want to explore these further.
Best for: Claiming multiple rewards from a single shopping trip
The Best for Beginners
First: Get a cashback debit card. This gives you automatic cashback on all spending with zero effort. Compare cashback debit card options here.
Then add these two platforms for higher rates on specific purchases:
Why these two? TopCashback has the highest rates most often and covers the widest range of retailers. JamDoughnut gives instant cashback on supermarket gift cards with no tracking issues. Together, they cover 90% of cashback opportunities without overcomplicating things.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Here's what real cashback rates look like right now for your weekly grocery shop:
| Supermarket | Platform | Gift Card Cashback | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Highest rate
Tesco
|
EverUp
|
5.5%
on gift cards
+ £1.50 sign up bonus
|
|
|
Tesco
|
JamDoughnut
|
5.3%
on gift cards
+ £3.00 sign up bonus
|
|
|
Tesco
|
Tuck
|
5.0%
on gift cards
+ £1.00 sign up bonus
|
|
|
Tesco
|
Cheddar
|
4.0%
on gift cards
+ £5.00 sign up bonus
|
Your Potential Savings
Based on £4,800/year Tesco spending:
Best rate (EverUp - 5.5%)
saves you £264/year
Plus £1.50 signup bonus!
And here's current cashback rates for onlines purchases at some of the most popular online retailers:
| Online Store | Category | Best Cashback Site | Cashback Rate | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Currys
Best Rate
|
Electronics |
TopCashback
|
15.0%
cashback
|
|
ASOS
|
Fashion |
TopCashback
|
6.0%
cashback
|
|
Argos
|
General |
Rakuten
|
4.5%
cashback
|
|
eBay
|
Fashion |
TopCashback
|
1.0%
cashback
|
Your Potential Savings
Based on £1,500/year online shopping:
Best rate (Currys via TopCashback - 15.0%)
saves you £225/year
For other categories/shops:
- Petrol: Use Tesco giftcards to pay at Tesco Petrol Stations
- Sainsbury's: buy discounted One4All gift cards via NX Rewards to save 20% (must convert One4All to Sainsbury's in Boots/Currys)
This shows you can easily save £100s without changing your spending habits.
The Golden Rules of Cashback
Cashback is straightforward, but following these rules will help you get paid reliably and avoid missing out on earnings:
Rule 1: Start With a Cashback Debit Card
Get a debit card that pays cashback automatically on most purchases. Just use it instead of your regular card - no apps to remember, no links to click through. Check which spending categories are included.
Rule 2: Gift Cards Are More Reliable
Apps like JamDoughnut let you buy gift cards and get instant cashback. This tends to be more reliable than traditional cashback sites - fewer tracking issues and you get paid immediately rather than waiting for the advertiser to pay out.
Rule 3: Start Fresh for Each Purchase
Before shopping through cashback sites, clear your browser history or use a private/incognito window. Accept cookies when asked. Don't use coupon extensions like Honey as they can interfere with cashback tracking. Click the cashback link and go straight to checkout without visiting other sites first.
Rule 4: Check Online Tracking Works on Your Device
Before making big purchases, buy something small (like a £5 gift card) to check the cashback appears in your account. This confirms the tracking works properly with your browser and device.
Rule 5: Take Guaranteed Discounts Over Cashback Promises
Always choose a definite discount or coupon code over potential cashback. Some cashback sites won't pay if you use discount codes, and a guaranteed saving now is always better than a promised payment later that might not arrive if something went wrong with the tracking.
Rule 6: Withdraw Your Earnings
Don't leave money sitting in your cashback accounts. Take it out regularly once you hit the minimum withdrawal amount.
Advanced Cashback Stacking
What is Cashback Stacking?
Once you're comfortable with the basics, cashback stacking allows you to combine multiple cashback methods on a single purchase to maximize your returns. Instead of earning cashback from just one source, you can potentially layer several methods together.
Simple stacking example:
- Use a cashback debit card to buy a gift card (+1%)
- Purchase that gift card through a cashback app (+4.5%)
- Use the gift card to shop via a traditional cashback site (+1%)
- Total return: 6.5% instead of the usual 1-4.5%
4.2 Why Stacking Matters
For your regular large purchases—weekly groceries, monthly shopping, or annual expenses—stacking can turn modest cashback rates into significant savings. A £100 weekly shop earning 6.5% instead of 1% means an extra £286 annually with the same spending.
4.3 The Strategic Approach
While stacking sounds appealing, it requires understanding:
- Which combinations are actually allowed by platform terms
- When the extra effort is worth the additional return
- How to avoid common mistakes that can void your cashback
- Which categories benefit most from stacking techniques
4.4 Ready to Stack?
Stacking represents the next level of cashback optimization, but it builds on mastering the fundamentals covered in this guide. Once you're comfortable with individual platforms and have your basic routine established, cashback stacking can significantly boost your annual savings.
Complete Cashback Stacking Guide →
For detailed stacking strategies, platform-specific rules, and step-by-step tutorials, check out my comprehensive stacking guide. It covers everything from simple two-method combinations to advanced multi-platform strategies that can deliver 8-12% cashback on major purchases.
Also see my Amazon Cashback Guide for how you can save specifically on Amazon purchases!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions about UK cashback.Is Cashback Taxable in the UK?
For most users, cashback is considered a discount on purchases rather than income, so it's not subject to tax. However, if you're earning substantial amounts from referral bonuses or operating as a business, it may be taxable. Consult with a tax professional if uncertain.
How Long Does Cashback Take to Process?
Tracking typically appears within 24-72 hours, but the time until cashback becomes payable varies by retailer—from a few weeks to several months. Quick-paying categories include retail shopping (2-4 weeks) while slow categories include travel and financial services (3-6 months).
Can I Use Discount Codes with Cashback?
It depends on the platform and retailer. Some sites allow specific “approved” voucher codes while others invalidate cashback if any code is applied. Always check the cashback site's terms for each retailer before applying discount codes.
What Happens if a Retailer Goes Bust Before Cashback is Paid?
Unfortunately, if a retailer goes into administration before paying the commission to the cashback site, you may lose your pending cashback. This is why it's often worth accepting slightly lower “accelerated” cashback options when available for troubled retailers.
Do Cashback Rates Apply to VAT and Delivery Charges?
This varies by retailer. Some calculate cashback on the total spend including VAT and delivery, while others only apply it to the product price. The cashback site's retailer page usually clarifies this information.
Are cashback sites safe?
Yes, established cashback sites like TopCashback, Quidco, and others are legitimate businesses that have been operating for years. They make money by taking a commission from retailers and sharing part of it with you. Always stick to well-known platforms and check reviews before joining newer sites.
Which cashback site is best in the UK?
TopCashback and Quidco are the two largest and most reliable options, each with different strengths. TopCashback often has higher rates for online shopping, while Quidco excels at utility switching deals. I use both regularly and recommend comparing rates for your specific purchases using comparison tools.
Is cashback actually worth it?
Yes, especially if you're making purchases you'd make anyway. With typical household spending, you can easily save £100-300+ per year through cashback without changing your shopping habits. The key is being consistent and using cashback for all eligible purchases, not just occasional ones.
Is Cashback Taxable in the UK?
For most users, cashback is considered a discount on purchases rather than income, so it's not subject to tax. However, if you're earning substantial amounts from referral bonuses or operating as a business, it may be taxable. Consult with a tax professional if uncertain.
How Long Does Cashback Take to Process?
Tracking of online purchase cashback typically appears within 24-72 hours, but the time until cashback becomes payable varies by retailer—from a few weeks to several months. Quick-paying categories include retail shopping (2-4 weeks) while slow categories include travel and financial services (3-6 months).
Can I Use Discount Codes with Cashback?
It depends on the platform and retailer. Some sites allow specific “approved” voucher codes while others invalidate cashback if any code is applied. Always check the cashback site's terms for each retailer before applying discount codes.
Why isn't my cashback showing up?
Common causes include using ad blockers, not clearing cookies before shopping, or clicking away from the cashback site during purchase. Always disable ad blockers, clear cookies, and complete your purchase in one session. Most sites have missing cashback claim forms if tracking fails.
What Happens if a Retailer Goes Bust Before Cashback is Paid?
Unfortunately, if a retailer goes into administration before paying the commission to the cashback site, you may lose your pending cashback. This is why it's often worth accepting slightly lower “accelerated” cashback options when available for troubled retailers.
Do Cashback Rates Apply to VAT and Delivery Charges?
This varies by retailer. Some calculate cashback on the total spend including VAT and delivery, while others only apply it to the product price. The cashback site's retailer page usually clarifies this information.
Scrimpr Cashback Tools
Use my tools to instantly find the highest cashback rates across TopCashback, Jam Doughnut, EverUp and more. Updated daily so you never miss the best deals.
Supermarket cashback
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