What Is a Voucher?
A voucher — also called a discount code, promo code, or coupon — is a string of letters and/or numbers that you enter during an online checkout (or present in-store) to receive a reduction in price, free shipping, a free gift, or some other benefit.
Vouchers are issued by retailers, brands, and third-party deal sites as a way to attract new customers, reward loyal shoppers, or shift stock. Understanding how they work gives you a real edge when shopping online or on the high street.
Types of Vouchers Explained
- Percentage discount: Takes a set percentage off your total (e.g. 20% off). Usually the most valuable for big purchases.
- Fixed amount off: Subtracts a fixed sum (e.g. £10 off). Best when your basket is close to the minimum spend.
- Free shipping: Removes delivery charges. Particularly useful for heavy or bulky items.
- Buy one get one (BOGOF): You receive an extra item for free or at a reduced price.
- Cashback vouchers: You pay full price upfront but receive a portion back after purchase.
- Bundle deals: Savings triggered when you buy a specific combination of products.
Where to Find Legitimate Vouchers
The best sources for genuine, working voucher codes include:
- Retailer newsletters: Signing up to a brand's email list is often the fastest way to receive exclusive codes directly.
- Dedicated voucher sites: Platforms that aggregate codes from hundreds of retailers and verify whether they're active.
- Browser extensions: Tools that automatically surface available codes at checkout — more on these in our Deal Hunting section.
- Social media: Many brands post flash-sale codes on Instagram, X (Twitter), or Facebook Stories.
- Cashback platforms: Sites like these often combine a discount code with cashback, doubling your saving.
How to Redeem a Voucher Online
The process is straightforward once you know what to look for:
- Add your items to the shopping basket.
- Proceed to the checkout page.
- Look for a field labelled "Promo Code", "Discount Code", or "Voucher Code".
- Paste or type your code exactly as it appears — many codes are case-sensitive.
- Click Apply and confirm the discount has been subtracted before completing payment.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Expired codes: Always check the expiry date before attempting to use a code.
- Minimum spend requirements: Most codes only activate above a threshold basket value.
- Category exclusions: Sale items, gift cards, or specific brands are frequently excluded.
- Single-use codes: Some codes are issued for one customer or one transaction only.
- One code per order: Most retailers only allow one discount code per checkout — choose your best one.
Quick Tips for Getting the Most Value
Always compare the voucher saving against current sale prices — sometimes the full-price-plus-voucher total is higher than the ongoing promotional price. Check whether the code works on already-reduced items before adding them to your basket. And if a code doesn't work, try removing any spaces or hyphens that may have crept in when copying.
With these basics in hand, you're ready to start saving. Explore the rest of MeVouchs for deeper guides on stacking deals, choosing cashback platforms, and hunting down the best codes for specific categories.