Cashback platforms pay you a percentage of your purchase price when you shop through them. They receive a commission from retailers and share some of it with you. It is one of the simplest ways to save money on spending you were planning to do anyway.
How cashback platforms work
You sign up to a cashback site, click through to a retailer via the platform, complete your purchase, and the retailer pays the platform a commission. The platform shares a portion with you, usually as a percentage of the purchase. Some platforms pay in cash, others in vouchers or gift cards.
Main types of cashback in the UK
- Shopping portals: click through a platform to retailers like John Lewis, M&S, Argos, insurance providers and more
- Cashback credit cards: earn cashback on purchases made with the card (only useful if paid in full each month)
- Bank account cashback: some current accounts offer cashback on direct debits
- Supermarket loyalty schemes: Nectar at Sainsbury's, Clubcard at Tesco offer cashback-equivalent rewards
Making the most of cashback safely
- Only use cashback on purchases you had already planned to make
- Never spend more to earn more cashback — the maths almost never works
- Check cashback is tracked before completing a purchase
- Keep records of your cashback claims in case you need to follow up
- Withdraw or use cashback once it clears — do not let it build indefinitely
Where Ask Fin can help
The Cashback Finder tool in Ask Fin helps you explore cashback opportunities relevant to your regular spending patterns — without encouraging you to spend more.
General guidance only — not regulated financial advice.