Are you really getting the best deals? If you've ever felt that nagging suspicion you might be overpaying, you're not alone. There's a whole world of savings hiding in plain sight: promo codes.
According to Statista, almost 60% of U.S. shoppers are using digital coupons, and they can be a game-changer for your wallet — if you know how to use them like a pro.
Whether you're a casual shopper or an experienced bargain hunter, keep reading to learn game-changing promo code strategies that'll save you big.
Ready to transform your online shopping game?
What are promo codes and why should you use them?
Promo codes are secret keys to unlocking major savings. Promo codes help you snag discounts at checkout so you don't have to pay full price. E-commerce sites use them to attract new customers and keep loyal ones coming back.
But not all promo codes are created equal. Here's a quick rundown of the common types you might encounter:
Percentage off: "SAVE20" for 20% off your total
Fixed amount discounts: "10BUCKS" for $10 off
Free shipping: "SHIPFREE" to dodge those pesky delivery fees
Buy One Get One (BOGO): "BOGOFREE" to snag two items for the price of one
Want to dive deeper? Read the expert guide on how to find working promo codes.
Common promo code strategies
Before diving into lesser-known tactics, let's review some common strategies:
Search engine queries: Typing "[Store Name] promo code" into a search engine
Mobile app codes: Exclusive discounts for a brand's mobile app users
Coupon websites: Sites like SimplyCodes and Groupon that aggregate promo codes or deals
Now, let's explore nine lesser-known promo code strategies to take your savings to the next level:
1. Sign up for email newsletters
Your inbox can be a goldmine for savings. Retailers often send email newsletters packed with exclusive promo codes for email subscribers that aren't available to the general public.
Being on these mailing lists means you'll also receive early access to sales, making you the first to know about upcoming promotions. You'll receive regular, timely emails so you can shop when the discounts are deepest.
As you engage more with these newsletters, retailers can offer increasingly personalized deals tailored to your shopping habits and preferences. Some retailers even offer special perks just for being on their email list, such as loyalty rewards that can add up to substantial savings over time.
Best of all, new customers can score a big welcome discount, providing immediate savings on your first purchase, when you sign up for a brand's email list for the first time.
Best email signup discounts right now
For new customers, you can sign up with your email address to get a big discount with most online retailers. Here are some great email discounts we found today:
Brand | Email discount |
---|---|
Chico's | 20% off |
Betsey Johnson | 15% off |
Nasty Gal | 15% off |
Ann Taylor | 10% off |
Anthropologie | 10% off |
Here's an example of what to look for on your favorite retailers' websites. Remember, these offers may change over time, so check the retailer's website for current promotions.
2. Leverage browser extensions
Browser extensions are like having a coupon-clipping pro right in your computer.
How coupon browser extensions work
Install the extension (e.g., SimplyCodes, Rakuten, Honey)
Shop online as usual
At checkout, the extension searches for applicable promo codes
It shows you the best promo codes for that store
Copy best code with a single click and apply it at checkout
Brands share major sales and exclusive promo codes on social media. By following your favorite brands, you can unlock deals not found elsewhere.
Where to find the best deals
Facebook: Large user base and robust advertising tools
Instagram: Visual promotions and influencer collaborations
X (formally Twitter): Time-sensitive offers and flash sales
TikTok: Engaging video content from brands and influencers that feature exclusive deals
Pro tip: Use Reddit by going into Google search and typing, “site:reddit.com [brand name of your choice] coupon code”. Look for the most updated discount codes for that brand.
Best practices for finding social media promo codes
To find social media promo codes effectively, use relevant hashtags like #promo or #discount when searching.
Set up notifications for your favorite brands to stay informed about their latest offers. Engage regularly with brands' posts to increase your chances of seeing promotions.
Don't forget to check Stories and Highlights on platforms like Instagram, as they often feature exclusive offers.
Lastly, consider joining brand-specific groups on Facebook, which can be a goldmine for member-only discounts and codes.
How SimplyCodes enhances your social media strategy
While following brands on social media is a great strategy, tools like SimplyCodes can complement your efforts:
Cross-platform verification: SimplyCodes aggregates and verifies promo codes shared across different social media platforms.
Real-time updates: As brands share new promo codes on social media, SimplyCodes quickly adds these to their database.
Community-powered sharing: Users can share and verify working codes found on social media through SimplyCodes, doing the legwork for you.
Comprehensive coverage: With access to codes from over 400,000 online stores, SimplyCodes can get you codes your brands you don't follow on social media.
AI integration: SimplyCodes' AI plugin for ChatGPT can fetch promo codes from its extenstive database to help you find discounts.
4. Time your purchases strategically
Timing, as they say, is everything. Knowing when to shop can be the difference between paying full price and scoring a sweet deal.
Best times to buy
Electronics: Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, Back-to-School season
Clothing: End-of-season clearances like Labor Day, Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Travel: "Shoulder seasons" (travel period between peak and off-peak seasons), January, last-minute or very early bookings
Lesser-known shopping events
National holidays (e.g., Presidents' Day, Memorial Day)
Retailer-specific events (e.g., anniversary sales)
Industry-specific periods (e.g., Travel Tuesday)
Some companies are specific to their country of origin. For example, Lululemon (from Canada) typically has great deals on Boxing Day.
Remember, the goal is to save on items you actually need or have been planning to buy. Don't let the allure of a good deal tempt you into unnecessary purchases. Use these timing strategies wisely, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a savvy, strategic shopper.
5. Stack multiple discounts
The real magic happens when you master the art of discount stacking — combining multiple discounts to maximize savings on a single purchase.
Types of discounts you can stack
Promo codes/coupon codes
Cash back offers
Credit card rewards
Store loyalty program points
Employee, student, senior, first-responder or military discounts
Newsletter sign-up discounts
Referral bonuses
Seasonal sales
Abandoned cart discounts
Price matching
Sounds too good to be true? It's not, but it does take some strategy as some stores may not accept multiple discounts. Here are some pro tips for effective discount stacking:
Best practices for effective discount stacking
Start with the highest value discount
Check store policies on combining offers
Use cash back portals before applying other discounts
Stack manufacturer coupons with store coupons when possible
Combine credit card rewards with other offers
Look for complementary discounts (e.g., free shipping + % off)
Time purchases around major sales events
Use a coupon browser extension to find working codes
Remember, the goal is to get the best possible price. Use these strategies wisely, and you'll be amazed at how much you can save.
Here’s where the community is saving today
Amazon
1,080 coupons
Up to $50 off
+60 used a code here
FIGS
82 coupons
Up to 20% off
+170 used a code here
Temu
37 coupons
Up to 30% off
+1,394 used a code here
Etsy
35 coupons
Up to 10% off
+303 used a code here
SHEIN
29 coupons
Up to 15% off
+35 used a code here
JCPenney
20 coupons
Free shipping
118used a code here
Instacart
19 coupons
Up to $10 off
+83 used a code here
Walgreens
19 coupons
Up to 10% off
102used a code here
Edible Arrangements
19 coupons
Up to 25% off
58used a code here
DSW
16 coupons
Up to $60 off
26used a code here
Vistaprint
16 coupons
Up to $22 off
+185 used a code here
Jiffy Lube
15 coupons
Up to $50 off
4used a code here
Old Navy
14 coupons
Up to 20% off
+126 used a code here
eBay
11 coupons
Up to 5% off
243used a code here
Chewy
9 coupons
Up to 20% off
+277 used a code here
Little Caesars
9 coupons
Up to 10% off
25used a code here
Subway
8 coupons
+22 used a code here
Carter's
7 coupons
Up to 25% off
+11 used a code here
Michaels
7 coupons
Up to 15% off
+137 used a code here
Kohl's
6 coupons
Up to 20% off
20used a code here
Cash back portals offer you a percentage of your purchase back in digital cash. Here's how they work:
Combining cash back portals with promo codes can lead to significant savings. "Shoppers who use both coupons and cash back save an average of 12% on their purchases," according to Voucherify.
How cash back portals work
Cash back portals partner with retailers to offer a percentage of your purchase back as a rebate. When you click through a cash back portal before shopping, they track your purchase and credit you with the cash back amount once the transaction is confirmed.
Here's a rundown of some popular options:
Popular cash back sites
SimplyCodes: Earn tokens for shopping, submitting codes, and testing codes
Rakuten: Wide range of partnered stores, quarterly payouts
Mr. Rebates: Lower payout threshold, referral bonuses
Ibotta: Focuses on grocery and in-store purchases
Swagbucks: Earn points for shopping, surveys, and other activities
How to combine cash back with promo codes
Find cash back rates using a comparison tool like CashbackMonitor.com
Clear your browser cookies
Click through the cash back portal to the retailer's site
Add items to your cart
Use a coupon extension to find working promo codes for the retailer
Apply the promo code at checkout
Complete your purchase
Verify that your cash back is tracked in your portal account
7. Check for student, military, first-responder, and senior discounts
Many retailers offer special discounts to those in certain groups like seniors or military. These discounts can often be combined with other promotions for significant savings.
Verifying eligibility online
Some retailers might require you to verify your eligibility. Common requirements include:
Students: .edu email address verification or student ID upload
Military: Government-issued military ID or DD Form 214 upload for veterans
Seniors: Date of birth verification or AARP membership number
First-responders: Government-issued first responder ID or employment verification from relevant agency (police department, fire department, emergency medical services, etc.)
Check with the specific retailer you're shopping with for information on what they offer.
Best practices for finding and applying discounts
Always check for sections on retailer websites devoted to the group you belong to
Use a coupon browser extension to automatically find and apply eligible discounts
Sign up for email newsletters to get notified of special discount events
Check with membership organizations (e.g., Student Beans, ID.me, AARP) for curated discount lists
Ask customer service about unadvertised discounts
8. Abandon your cart — strategically
Strategic cart abandonment takes advantage of retailers' efforts to recover potential lost sales, often resulting in exclusive discount offers.
How it works
When you add items to your cart but leave the site without purchasing, many retailers' systems trigger automated follow-up actions, typically email reminders or targeted ads. "18% of abandoned carts are recovered through email campaigns," OptiMonk reported. These campaigns often include discounts to entice you to complete your purchase.
Here's how to get an abandoned cart discount:
Create an account with the retailer and sign
Add items to your cart
Leave items in your cart for at least 24 hours
Provide your email address during the checkout process, but don't complete the purchase
Check your email inbox and spam folder for follow-up offers
Be prepared to complete the purchase quickly if you receive a limited-time offer
Types of discounts to expect
Percentage off (e.g., 10% off your order)
Fixed amount discount (e.g., $10 off)
Free shipping
Gift with purchase
Limited-time offers to create urgency
9. Participate in loyalty programs
Retailer loyalty programs can significantly reduce your overall spending by providing exclusive discounts, points, or perks for repeat business.
How loyalty programs work
E-commerce loyalty programs typically offer:
Points or credits for purchases
Exclusive discounts or early access to sales
Free shipping or other perks
Personalized offers based on shopping history
Rewards redeemable for discounts or free products
Sounds pretty sweet, right? Let's take a look at some popular loyalty programs to give you an idea of what's out there:
Popular loyalty programs
Amazon Prime: Free 2-day shipping, access to Prime Video and Music, exclusive deals
Sephora Beauty Insider: Points for purchases, free birthday gift, tiered system
Target Circle: 1% earnings on purchases, personalized offers, community giving program
Best Buy Rewards: Points for purchases, exclusive offers, free shipping on many items
Here are some pro tips to maximize your loyalty rewards:
Maximizing your rewards
Once you've joined a loyalty program, use these best practices to get the most out of it:
Always log in when shopping to ensure points are credited
Take advantage of bonus point events or multipliers
Consider getting the retailer's credit card for additional rewards, if available
Complete profile information for personalized offers
Engage with the brand on social media for extra points or offers
Check expiration dates on points and use them before they expire
Keep an eye out for birthday rewards
Choosing the right programs
Consider factors like how often you shop with the retailer, the rewards rate compared to industry averages, ease of earning and redeeming rewards, and any associated fees.
Managing multiple memberships
Use password managers, create a dedicated email address for loyalty programs, and use apps like Stocard or Key Ring to store loyalty cards digitally. Regularly review and purge memberships you don't use.
How to find coupons at checkout
Sometimes it's not until you're just about to checkout that you try to find a discount. Here's a few quick tips to try being making your purchas
Check for pop-ups: Many retailers display pop-up offers for coupons when you're about to leave their site or when you reach the checkout page. Keep an eye out for these last-minute deals.
Look for coupon fields: If you see a "Promo Code" or "Coupon Code" field at checkout, it's a good indicator that the store accepts coupons. This is your cue to quickly search for available coupon codes.
Time your purchases: As mentioned earlier, abandoning your cart strategically can often lead to exclusive discount offers sent directly to your email, which you can then use at checkout.
The final word
Becoming a promo code pro isn't about hoarding deals — it's about being smart with your clicks. Use these strategies to level up your online shopping game and watch the savings roll in.