Best birthday freebies and discounts

There’s nothing like bagging a good discount, and on your birthday you’re often overwhelmed by them. Here’s our round-up of the best birthday freebies and discounts

Man holding decorated birthday cake on a plate
(Image credit: Getty images)

Inflation has driven up prices on everything from a supermarket shop to fuel and even a Friday night takeaway. But don’t let that be a dampener on your birthday. 

Restaurants and retailers have made birthdays a marketing frenzy by offering customers a huge range of birthday freebies and discounts. 

You can access most of them at a small price: by taking the time to sign up to their newsletter or loyalty scheme.

To help you celebrate your special day, we’ve compiled a list of the best birthday discounts from the biggest retailers and restaurant chains, plus the freebies up for grabs, from meals and cocktails to cakes and toiletries. 

Best birthday discounts from retailers

When there are discounts involved, there’s more of a reason to go shopping. (Although only use these discounts if you do actually want to buy something from these shops, otherwise you’re just spending money to save money - never a good look).

Here are some of the best birthday discounts from big retailers. 

H&M | 25% off | Valid for two weeks 

H&M is offering 25% off one item for your birthday. All you have to do is sign up as a member online or on the app. You will be emailed a unique code, which you can use online and in-store. The offer lasts up to two weeks from your birthday.

New Look | 20% off | Expiration varies 

New Look is offering its customers 20% off everything if you sign up for its newsletter. To receive the discount you must register at least 30 days before your birthday. You will receive an email with a unique code and an expiration date, which you can use online and in-store. 

Pretty Little Thing | 20% off | Valid for five days 

Get 20% off everything on your birthday from online retailer Pretty Little Thing when you sign up as a member online or on the app. You will receive an email with a unique code. 

Boohoo | 20% off | Expiration varies 

Boohoo is giving its customers 20% off items for their birthday. All you need to do is create a Boohoo account online and you will be sent a unique code by email on your birthday along with an expiration date.

Cult Beauty | 15% off | Valid for one month

When you sign up for a Cult Beauty account, you will get a 15% off code emailed to you during your birthday month. The code can be used on a minimum £25 spend. 

Urban Outfitters | 15% off | Expiration varies 

Sign up to the free Urban Outfitters reward programme to get 15% off on your birthday. You will get a unique code by email and it will tell you how long the code is valid for. 

Nike Store | 10% off | Valid for one month

Sign up for the Nike Store newsletter and receive 25% off a purchase for your birthday. This offer is valid for up to a month after your birthday and you will get a unique code by email to use online. 

Asos | 10% off | Valid for 2 weeks 

Asos gives its customers 10% off on their birthday. All you have to do is create an account and you will receive a unique code two weeks before your birthday. The code will expire at 11.59pm on your birthday. 

Best birthday discounts from restaurant chains

Zizzi | One free main meal | Valid for 28 days 

Zizzi offers a free main meal on your birthday if you sign up for its newsletter. The offer is valid for 28 days from the date of your birthday. You will receive the voucher by email and it isn’t valid for takeaways or in conjunction with another discount. Sign up two weeks before your birthday to get the discount. 

Bella Italia | One free main meal | Expiration varies 

Bella Italia offers one free main meal to customers who sign up for their newsletter. T&Cs apply, and these are outlined when you receive the email containing the offer. Also, check if the branch you’re visiting is participating. 

Frankie & Benny’s | One free main meal | Valid for 30 days

When you sign up for Frankie & Benny’s rewards, you get a free meal on your birthday when you buy at least one other main dish. This does not include the ultimate mixed grill. You will receive the voucher by email 10 days before your birthday and it’s valid for 30 days. Show the voucher on your phone or as a printout. Check if the voucher is valid at your chosen location before use. 

Las Iguanas | One free main meal | Free main meal | Valid for 14 days 

If you sign up for the Las Iguanas newsletter, you will receive a free main meal when you buy another main. You will get the voucher by email seven days before your birthday, and this is valid for 14 days from the date you receive the email. You can’t use another offer at the same time as this voucher. 

Beefeater | One free main meal | Expiration varies 

Get one free main meal on your birthday when you buy another main at Beefeater. All you need to do is sign up for its ‘Reward Club’ card and you will get your voucher by email. You can only use this discount on its own and you should check it is valid at the branch you are visiting. 

Table Table | One free main meal | Expiration varies 

Table Table is giving customers who sign up for its Tasty Rewards card one free main meal when you buy another main. You can’t use this offer in conjunction with another and you will receive the voucher by email. 

TGI Fridays | Free drinks for up to six people | Expiration varies

When you download the TGI Fridays free rewards app, you can get one free cocktail or mocktail for every main course you buy (valid for up to six people). The offer and expiration date will be shown on the app and will show seven days before your birthday. 

All Bar One | One free sharing cocktail | Expiration varies

When you sign up for the All Bar One newsletter through its app, you get a free sharing cocktail when you buy two main meals. You must be over 18 years to redeem the offer. As an alternative, you can ask for four bottles of Peroni or draught soft drinks.

Birthday freebies and gifts

Here are some freebies to take advantage of on your birthday. 

Rituals | Free shower oil 

When you create a Rituals account you get a free shower oil gift for your birthday. You will receive a unique code through email that you can use online or in-store. 

Muffin Break | Free muffin 

Sign up to Muffin Break’s rewards card online to get a free muffin on your birthday. 

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts | Free doughnut 

Valid for your birthday month, you get a free doughnut from Krispy Kreme when you download its rewards app. The offer will show on the app, and you can claim in-store. 

Costa Coffee | Free cake slice 

Download the Costa Coffee app and join the Costa Club account to get a free cake slice on your birthday. You will receive the voucher by email. 

Greggs | Free sweet treat

Get the Greggs app and sign up for Greggs Rewards to claim a free sweet treat. You can choose from a doughnut, cream cake or cupcake. The voucher, which you can find on the app, is valid for one month. 

Hotel Chocolat | Free surprise gift

Join the chocolate retailer’s free VIP scheme and you can get a free birthday treat. Usually, the surprise is a £5 voucher that can only be used on purchases of £5 or above. They are normally issued two weeks prior to your birthday and are valid for 30 days.

Vaishali Varu
Staff Writer

Vaishali graduated in journalism from Leeds University. She has gained experience writing local stories around Leeds and Leicester, which includes writing for a university publication and Leicester Mercury. 

She has also done some marketing and copywriting for businesses.

When she is not writing about personal finance, Vaishali likes to travel and she's a foodie.