This post was written in collaboration with Quidco cashback site, but words are mine. If you sign up to Quidco using the affiliate links on this review, you will receive a new member bonus of £15 and I will receive a small commission. More information on affiliate links can be found here.
When it comes to making a bit of extra cash, I’m a huge advocate of cashback sites. Whenever I do any shopping whether it’s online or in store, I try to check first whether I can use an app to get something back.
If you’re going to be spending anyway, it’s basically free money and I think we can agree that free money is the best kind of money.
The first cashback site I joined was Quidco, which I joined back shortly after it launched – 20 years ago! – so I’m writing this Quidco review from a position of experience. It has long been my go-to cashback site for getting a bit of cashback on yearly insurance premiums, new finance products, broadband etc, as well as saving money when it comes to online shopping at birthday and at Christmas time.
Over time, and with very little effort on my part, I’ve managed to earn over £2500 in cashback which is paid directly into my bank account, or cashed out as Amazon gift cards or other shopping vouchers with a little extra cashback on top.
How Does Quidco Work? A Beginner’s Guide
In summary, Quidco is a cashback website that allows users to earn money back on purchases from participating retailers and service providers. The idea is quite simple: when you shop through Quidco’s platform, they receive a commission from the retailer for directing your purchase. Quidco then shares a portion of that commission with you as cashback. Over time, these savings – which might only be a few quid here and there – can really add up.
Getting Started with Quidco
- Sign Up for Free: Creating an account on Quidco is straightforward and free. Visit Quidco’s website or download the Quidco app to get started.
- Browse Retailers and Offers: Quidco partners with thousands of retailers across various industries, offering cashback deals on everything from clothes to white goods, to luxury holidays. Simply search for a retailer or browse categories to find relevant offers.
- Click and Shop: Once you’ve found a deal, click through Quidco’s link to the retailer’s website. This ensures your purchase is tracked, allowing Quidco to credit your account with cashback after the transaction is confirmed.
- Track Your Cashback: Cashback doesn’t appear instantly. Retailers typically validate purchases after the return period has passed, which can take a few weeks or months. Once validated, your cashback will be credited to your Quidco account.
- Withdraw Your Earnings: When your cashback balance reaches the minimum threshold, you can withdraw it as cash (via PayPal or bank transfer) or convert it into gift cards for even better value.
Cashback Basics: How You Save Money With Quidco
Cashback works by reimbursing a percentage of your spending. The cashback rate depends on the retailer and the type of product or service purchased. For instance:
- A fashion retailer might offer 5% cashback on clothing purchases.
- A supermarket may give you a small percentage (1% or under) on your weekly shop.
- Travel companies might provide up to 10% cashback on hotel bookings or car rentals.
- Utilities or broadband providers sometimes offer flat cashback amounts, such as £50 for switching to a specific energy plan.
The beauty of cashback is that it applies to purchases you would make anyway, effectively putting money back into your pocket.
Types of Retailers and Services Available on Quidco
Quidco partners with over 5,000 brands across various industries. So what can you save on?
1. Groceries
Save on everyday essentials by earning cashback on grocery shopping. Quidco frequently features major supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda – I use it for my weekly Ocado delivery where I currently get 0.8% off my weekly shop until the fifth visit (and £8 for the first one). Cashback deals might also extend to online grocery delivery services, meal kits, or subscription boxes.
2. Fashion and Beauty
Popular fashion retailers such as ASOS, H&M, and Marks & Spencer offer cashback on clothing, shoes, and accessories. Beauty lovers can also save at stores like Boots, The Body Shop, and Sephora.
3. Travel and Holidays
Booking holidays through Quidco can result in significant savings. From flights and hotels to car rentals and package deals, brands like Booking.com, Expedia, and TUI offer generous cashback rates. Even train tickets and travel insurance purchases can qualify for cashback.
4. Electronics and Gadgets
Retailers like Currys, Argos, and Apple provide cashback opportunities on laptops, smartphones, and other tech gadgets. Whether you’re upgrading your home office or splurging on the latest gadgets, Quidco has you covered.
5. Utilities and Financial Services
If you happen to be looking for new financial products such as credit cards, insurance premiums, breakdown cover or utilities like broadband, you can often get a set sum for signing up and often these can be well worth it. Using Quidco Compare you can search to find the best deals for insurance, loans, energy, mobile phone contracts and other utilities and then get cashback on top. For example, when we moved we had already decided to take on a new broadband contract, and I got £67.50 cashback for signing up via Quidco at no additional cost to myself.
6. Home and Garden
Home improvement projects, furniture purchases, and even DIY supplies can earn you cashback. Retailers like B&Q, IKEA, and Wayfair frequently participate in cashback promotions.
7. Dining and Entertainment
Some cashback deals extend to food delivery services like Deliveroo, restaurant bookings, or entertainment subscriptions like Spotify and Netflix.
Top Tips for Maximising Cashback on Quidco
How can you make the most of Quidco cashback?
1. Check for Offers Regularly
Retailers often update their cashback rates or introduce time-limited promotions, so browse Quidco’s website or app regularly to catch the best deals. Enable notifications for exclusive offers.
2. Use the Quidco App or Browser Extension
Quidco’s app makes it easy to access deals on the go. Additionally, their browser extension alerts you whenever a cashback deal is available on a website you’re visiting making sure that you never miss an opportunity to get cashback.
3. Stack Cashback with Discounts
Combine cashback with retailer discounts, promo codes, or sales for double the savings.
4. Compare Rates Across Categories
Before making a purchase, compare cashback rates for similar retailers. For instance, if you’re shopping for electronics, check if multiple stores offer cashback and (assuming prices are the same), choose the one with the highest rate. Remember that cashback is not guaranteed, so it’s always best to go with the cheapest option and then have the cashback as a bonus!
5. Upgrade to Premium Membership
Quidco’s premium membership costs a small fee (£1 per month taken from your cashback when you’re active) but often comes with higher cashback rates and faster payouts. If you’re a frequent shopper, this upgrade can pay for itself quickly.
6. Use Referral Bonuses
Quidco’s referral program allows you to earn bonuses when you invite friends or family to join. You’ll receive a reward after your referral earns their first cashback.
7. Don’t Forget Utilities
Utility providers often offer the highest cashback rates. If you’re planning to switch broadband, energy, or mobile services, doing so through Quidco can result in substantial savings.
8. Remember renewals
You can save more money by inputting your insurance renewal dates to the Quidco website; they’ll then send you a reminder when they’re due and you can start searching for new cover – saving money at the same time.
9. Use Gift Cards for Extra Value
When withdrawing your Quidco cashback, you can opt for gift cards instead of cash. Some gift cards offer a bonus (e.g., 5%-10% extra value), stretching your savings even further. I usually go with Amazon gift cards which give me an extra 2.75% on top!
10. Plan Big Purchases Strategically
For large purchases like furniture or appliances, check Quidco first. Even a small cashback percentage on expensive items can result in significant savings.
Common Questions About Quidco
1. What happens if cashback doesn’t track?
If your cashback doesn’t appear in your account within the expected timeframe, Quidco allows you to raise a claim. Keep records of your purchase (e.g., order confirmation emails) to facilitate the process.
2. Is there a catch to using Quidco?
There’s no catch, but patience is required as cashback can take weeks or even months to confirm, especially for travel bookings or utilities.
3. Can cashback be combined with loyalty points?
In most cases, yes. You can earn retailer loyalty points alongside cashback.