Birthday freebies

When you buy another main. Sign up to 'Zillionaires' Club'

Sign up to the Zizzi loyalty scheme, Zillionaires' Club, and you can get one free adult main meal (normally about £15-£19) around your birthday when at least one other adult main meal is purchased at full-price. The deal is for dine-in only (find your nearest Zizzi).

You'll need to sign up at least two weeks before your birthday to get the main meal voucher, which is valid for 28 days. The voucher can only be used once.

The offer cannot be used alongside any other discounts, set menus, or on delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Just Eat, or Uber Eats.

Via voucher in app

Sign up for the Caffé Nero app (free on Apple and Android) and if you add your date of birth (in 'Manage My Account') you'll be sent a voucher for a free slice of cake on your birthday.

The voucher is valid for 14 days from your birthday. It's redeemable against any cake from the fridge, or any sliced cake, but excludes pastries.

When you spend £10

If you're a Pizza Express Club member (it's free to sign up), you can get a free birthday treat when you spend £10 in one single order. What you'll get depends on what tier you are within the app:

• Bronze tier members – a free dessert (these normally cost from £7.45)

• Silver tier members – a free classic or Leggera pizza (these normally cost between £11 to £16)

• Gold tier members – a free pizza (choose from Classic, Leggera or Romana) or a free bottle of wine or prosecco (wine or prosecco costs between £25 to £35)

To claim this freebie, just find it in the 'rewards' section of the app and apply it to your bill.

The offer is valid all days of the week for six weeks from the first day of your birthday month. You claim your free item when you dine in or place an via collection or delivery.

You can redeem at all Pizza Express locations but excludes airports or when ordering in person at PizzaExpress pod locations.

Or bag of sweets. For your birthday via Sparks app

If you download the M&S Sparks app (available for free on Android and Apple) then update your Sparks profile with your date of birth you can get something sweet for your birthday.

MSE staff have received different offers, though we're unsure how it chooses this. Birthday offers we've spotted within the last six months include:

• Either a free pack of All Butter cookies (normally £2.50) or a pack of white, red or mixed grapes (normally £2-£3).

• Either a free bag of Percy Pig or Colin Caterpillar sweets (both normally £2)

• A tub of 'Mini Bites' (normally £3.50-£3.90)

There's no spend required, this is a total freebie. Just scan your Sparks app at the till to claim.

When you spend £12. For Soul Club members

If you're signed up to Wagamama's loyalty scheme, Soul Club, you can get a free portion of gyoza (normally around £8.80) for your birthday when you spend £12 on food and drink.

To qualify, you'll need to have earned at least one stamp in the Soul Club app either via Deliveroo, click & collect or when dining in during the past six months. In other words, you can't be a 'passive' member of the app, you'll need to have eaten at Wagamama's and had your Soul Club app scanned at least once to get a stamp.

The free gyoza must been redeemed within 30 days. If more than one portion of gyoza is on your final bill, the most expensive gyoza will be deducted.

On your birthday via Subway Rewards loyalty app

Register or update your details with the new Subway Rewards app to get one free cookie (normally 99p) around the time of your birthday. You can redeem the offer by scanning the code in your app next time you order in store or via the app.

If you spend over £150 in a calendar year ('Hot Shot' level), you'll be offered a 'free' cookie (normally 99p) or bag of crisps (normally £1.06). If you spend over £350 in a year ('The Boss' level), you'll be offered a 'free' 6" sub sandwich (normally £5-£6 depending on type) for your birthday.

What else does the loyalty card get me?

You can collect 10, 11, or 12 points per £1 spent, depending on rewards level. When you've 150 points, you can exchange them for £1 'Subway Cash' to spend on anything from the menu. 

Important: If you don't use your card for six months, you'll lose all accrued points and have to start again from zero.

On your birthday when you sign up to the app and newsletter

Sign up to the Chopstix newsletter and download the app for Apple or Android to get a free box for your birthday. 

When you buy another main. Sign up to the Harvester newsletter

Sign up to the Harvester newsletter* and you can get one free adult main meal (normally about £15-£25) around your birthday when at least one other adult main meal is purchased at full-price. The deal is for dine-in only (find your nearest Harvester*).

You'll be sent an email around two weeks before your birthday with QR code that you'll need to show to your server. The cheapest main meal will be free. The offer is valid for one month and can be used any day of the week. It excludes bank holidays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, 25 and 26 December. Voucher can only be used once. 

Or two 'free' desserts. Minimum spend £25

Sign up for the newsletter at Prezzo to get a free birthday treat of either a free bottle of drink or two free desserts, when you dine in and spend £25 or more. You'll be sent an email around two weeks before your birthday with a unique voucher code that you'll need to show to staff to redeem the freebie.

You can get one of the following: a bottle of house prosecco, or a bottle of red or white house wine, or bottle/660ml pint of Poretti. You have 60 days to redeem this offer from when it was issued. Over 18s only and you must purchase a main dish to get the freebie. This deal does not apply in Scotland due to licencing laws. 

Alternatively, you can get two free desserts when you spend £25. You also have 60 days to redeem this dessert deal. The only offers you can use it alongside are those advertised in the lunch menu. 

You cannot use this deal alongside any other offer, Tesco Clubcard vouchers, set menus or for takeaway. 

See full T&Cs. Please be Drinkaware.

For your birthday when you sign up to its app and make a purchase

You can get a 'free' sweet treat when you sign up to the Gail's app (available for free in the App Store or Google Play) and add your date of birth when you purchase an item in stores. You can choose any sweet treat from the 'Morning Goods' and 'Sweets & Cakes' ranges. It's valid during your birthday month only, and must be redeemed within 30 days of being issued to you. See full FAQs.

Via Lidl Plus app, which also includes weekly coupons. Excluding Northern Ireland

Sign up to the Lidl Plus app to get a free doughnut from the bakery section (normally about 30p) on your birthday, with no minimum spend. You'll receive the coupon in your Lidl Plus app on your birthday and will have seven days from then to use it. See full T&Cs.

Regular Lidl shopper? Check our full analysis of the Lidl Plus app offers.

For your birthday via 'Greggs Rewards' app

If you download the Greggs app for Apple or Android and use it to register for the free 'Greggs Rewards' loyalty scheme, you'll get a voucher on the app to show in a store for one 'single serving' sweet treat such as a cookie or doughnut for your birthday.

The voucher will be valid for one month from the date of your birthday. See T&Cs.

Via loyalty club, voucher sent by email

If you download the Costa Coffee app and join or sign in to your Costa Club account, on your birthday you can get a sweet treat of your choice (subject to availability, see 'More info' below for what's included) for free. 

The voucher will be emailed to you, and you'll have seven days from your birthday to claim your cake. See full T&Cs.

On your birthday via 'Krispy Kreme Rewards' app

If you download the 'Krispy Kreme Rewards' app for Apple or Android and use it to register for the free loyalty scheme, you can get a voucher to show in a Krispy Kreme store for one free doughnut of your choice to claim during your birthday month. You'll need to add your birthday reward to your wallet in the Krispy Kreme app. 

The offer is valid only in Krispy Kreme stores and not concessions, for example, in Tesco. You'll also get a free doughnut just for signing up. See full T&Cs.

For your birthday via Burger King app

If you download the Burger King app (available for free on the App Store and Google Play) and register with its 'Your Burger King' loyalty scheme, you can get a voucher for a free Whopper or Plant-based Whopper burger (normally £6.29) on your birthday.

The voucher will appear in the 'Offers' tab and you can either add your free Whopper to your mobile order, or show the code at the front counter in a restaurant.

Burger King told us you'll need to add your date of birth within the account info section on the app at least seven days prior to your birthday in order to receive the freebie in time. You'll also need to opt in for email or push notifications to receive the voucher.

The voucher will be valid for 14 days from the date of your birthday. You cannot redeem the offer at Burger King motorway service locations, airports, train stations or holiday parks. See full T&Cs.

See our Burger King hacks guide for more ways to save when satisfying your burger fix. 

When you buy another main at select locations. Via its 'Birthday Club'

Sign up to the free Shepherd Neame 'Birthday Club' to get a free pub meal (normally about £13-£23) for your birthday when you buy at least one other main course at participating locations. You'll be emailed a voucher to show in the pub. The cheapest meal will be free.

You must be over 18 and sign up at least 28 days before your birthday, otherwise your voucher, normally sent two weeks before your birthday and valid for two months, might not arrive. See full T&Cs.

On a £5.50+ spend for your birthday via free VIP club

If you download the Hotel Chocolat app you can register for its VIP club to get a 'surprise gift' – usually a £5 voucher (with a minimum £5.50 spend) – for your birthday. You can either redeem in a store, or online where delivery's from £3.95.

It's valid for the month of your birthday, unless you sign up during that month, then it will be valid from the next month. See full T&Cs.

What else does the loyalty app get me?

When you sign up, you'll get a code for 15% off online or in-store. You can also show your card or app in-store to get 20% off drinks, ice lollies, or ice creams.

Sign up to mailing list 

If you sign up to the Las Iguanas mailing list at least one week before your birthday, you'll be emailed a voucher for a free main course when at least two people order mains from the a la carte menu.

The cheapest main will be free. The voucher is valid for 30 days after the date sent.

New subscribers will also get a 2for1 on mains voucher.

Via email voucher when you buy two or more mains

Register with Frankie & Benny's Rewards to get a free meal (normally about £11-£18) when two or more main meals are purchased from the main, vegan, or gluten-free menu. It excludes the Ultimate mixed grill. The cheapest main will be free.

A voucher will be emailed to you and will be valid for 30 days from the date of the email.

It's valid at almost all Frankie & Benny’s restaurants, apart from Burleigh House (The Strand), Praed Street and airport locations, but isn't valid with any other offer or discount – check 'More info' for more details. See full T&Cs. 

For Love Your Body Club members

If you sign up to The Body Shop's free loyalty scheme, Love Your Body Club, and provide your date of birth, you'll receive a £5 voucher to use online or in store.

Show your voucher to staff in store or enter the unique numbered voucher code at checkout online to redeem.

This will appear in your account during your birthday month and will expire after 30 days. Make sure you're opted-in to emails and have made a purchase with your Love Your Body Club account in the past 12 months to receive it.

We spotted some items for £3.50 (miniature shower gels and shampoo) so it's possible to get an item totally for free with the £5 voucher.

For your birthday when you sign up to its loyalty scheme 'NDULGE'

If you sign up to the Space NK loyalty scheme 'NK NDULGE'*, you can get a free trio of beauty items for your birthday, provided you've made a purchase online or in store within the last 12 months (there's no minimum spend). Space NK says that the freebie emails are sent out between the 1st and 8th of your birthday month.

Space NK told us the trio of gifts change monthly and are selected based on seasonality and trending products. As this differs each month, we can't tell you the exact cost of the items but some recent examples include:

• JVN Hair Revive Rapid Repair Bond Gloss (mini)

• Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (mini)

• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum (mini)

• Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating (mini)

You'll receive an e-mail with details on how to claim ahead of your birthday. 

If you frequently shop at Space NK, spending £1,000 or more within 12 months, you'll be a classed as a 'Deluxe tier member' and you can get a full-size item as your birthday gift. Though don't use this as an excuse to overspend. 

When you sign up to free club online & buy another product

If you sign up to the Rituals free club 'My Rituals', you'll be sent an offer for your birthday. The Rituals website says it's a 'free' shower oil when you purchase another product, but we were offered a 'free' hand soap with the purchase of another product when we tested the offer, so you could get something different.

You can redeem the offer online via the link in the email, or use it in stores when you show your 'My Rituals' card. To get the offer, you must be subscribed to its newsletter, and add a date of birth when you sign up.

A full-size shower oil is normally worth up to £11.90, and a full-size hand soap up to £14.90, so either way it's a decent offer. The cheapest item we found online to get the birthday 'freebie' is a 10-pack of cleansing wipes for £4.90. If you choose to redeem online, delivery's £3.90 for orders under £35.

Selected accounts only. Via Advantage card app for the month of your birthday

If you're a member of the Boots Advantage Card* scheme, you might get double points for your birthday month via the Boots app*. Make sure you have added your birthday details to your account and have given Boots marketing permission.

This doesn't automatically apply to every Advantage card member, instead it offers this to selected accounts as a "surprise". We're unsure what the criteria is, so don't bank on receiving this deal every year.

You'll need to add the promotion manually to your Advantage Card via the app before swiping it in store, or you won't get your double birthday points. 

With 'Health & Beautycard' loyalty card on your birthday

If you sign up to the free Superdrug 'Health & Beautycard' loyalty card, on your birthday you'll get quadruple points. It's valid for seven days from the date of your birthday. Excludes online doctor services.

For your birthday if you're a Nike member

If you sign up as a Nike member online*or via the Nike app*, you can get 25% off online for your birthday – though note that not everyone will get this offer. This is for selected members and is automatically added to your Nike Members account.

Nike says to be eligible, you'll need to sign up at least 10 days before your birthday month, receive marketing emails, and 'interact online or shop with Nike for a period of time before your birthday month'. The discount is valid for 30 days from the date you receive the communication.

The discount is not valid alongside other offers, sale items, on Apple products, Nike By You, Jersey By You styles or on gift cards. See T&Cs*for more details and exclusions.

Via unique code for your birthday

If you create an account with River Island and opt in to marketing emails, selected accounts will receive 25% off the cheapest full-priced item in their basket for their birthday. River Island says customers will be selected at random, so it's not a guarantee you'll get the discount.

You have 30 days to redeem the 25% discount in store or online. You cannot use this offer alongside any other promotion.

Via unique code for your birthday when joining its free loyalty scheme

If you sign up to Timberland's free 'Community' loyalty scheme, you can get 10% off full-price items online or in-store for your birthday.

You'll be sent an email one week before your birthday with a unique code that you can enter at the checkout online, or show in-store. The code will be valid for four weeks from the date you receive it. See full Timberland terms and conditions.

Timberland may not be the cheapest place to buy, even with the discount, so always check prices elsewhere to make sure you're getting the best deal.

For your birthday when signing up

If you sign up at Asos, ensure you’re ‘opted in’ for email communication and you may be emailed a 10-25% off discount code for your birthday. The discount amount and length seem to be personalised, so 25% off is not a guarantee for everyone and validity periods will vary.

Asos said it sends the discount code 16 days before your birthday.

You'll only be able to use it on selected full-price items, with a maximum order of £500 after the discount.

With 'Hobbycraft Club' loyalty card on your birthday

If you sign up to the free Hobbycraft loyalty card by registering online, on your birthday you'll get £5 off online or in store with no minimum spend (see full T&Cs).

It's valid for 35 days from the date of issue You'll not be able to use it with any other offer, or to buy gift cards, workshops, or subscriptions but when we tested it we were able to use it on sale items in store. 

Unique discount code for your birthday

If you sign up to the Disney Store newsletter (at the bottom of its homepage) you can get a unique code for 15% off valid for the month of your birthday. Either enter the code at the online checkout or show it to a staff member at a Disney Store.

You have to be over 18 to sign up, but you could buy something for your kids and keep it until their birthday. See full T&Cs. There are a list of excluded products and services, eg, limited edition items, at the Disney Store website.

For your child's birthday via VIP club

Sign up online at stationery and lifestyle brand Smiggle to join its VIP club and you could get a £5 off £20 spend for your child's birthday.

The offer's valid until the end of the birthday month, and you can only sign up one child per account. See FAQ for more information on how to get a birthday code, and full T&Cs.

For your child's birthday

If you create an account with The Entertainer* and register your child to 'Toybox Rewards' (replacing 'Jack's Birthday Club'), for their birthday you’ll receive a code for 10% off an order up to £400 (see help pages for more info).

Make sure to sign up at least three weeks before your child's birthday, as that's when the offer's first sent, or you won't receive the discount until the following year. The discount code is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. 

When an adult signs up to Bonus Club scheme. For example, three-year-olds pay £3

If you sign up to the Build-A-Bear Workshop loyalty scheme, on your child’s birthday they can make a bear in-store (normally £14) and pay their age in pounds. For example, three-year-olds get a bear for £3.

How do I get this offer?

• Sign up to the free Bonus Club loyalty scheme, online in advance or in-store – a grown-up will have to do this.

•  A child under 14 should attend during their birthday month with a grown-up aged over 18 to claim a discounted bear (you can't claim this offer online).

• Let the workshop know you're celebrating a birthday to get this offer.

• Confirm your account details (email address, phone number or account number) at checkout.

As the special birthday bears in this offer are normally £14, it's for kids aged under 14 years.

Build-A-Bear says no proof of age is needed – it’s done on trust – but you might be told to get stuffed if you try telling them your 12-year-old is six.

Which bears can I get and how much are they normally?

The offer only applies to the Make-Your-Own Birthday Treat Bear, usually £14. 

You'd need to pay for any clothing, accessories, sounds or scents you choose to add.

For full T&Cs, see Build-A-Bear's Count Your Candles page.

Chance for your child's birthday card to appear on TV

If you go online to kids TV channel CBeebies, you can find information about how to send in a photo of a birthday card for your child which might be read out on air, or the video on the website above. You can't download the video, and it will change every 24 hours so be sure to check on the date of your child's birthday to see if you've been included.

You'll need to upload a photo of the card via the link above at least three weeks before the birthday – it should be landscape and only have your child's first name and age on the front of the card. You can also include a message and the date of the birthday. Be sure there aren't any identifiable logos (eg, on a school jumper) in the photo.