How to get birthday freebies: gifts, money off & more

Reap the rewards of another year around the sun with birthday freebies from your favourite brands. With a little preparation, you could bag all sorts of goodies, whether you’re chilling at home or going out for food and drinks.

It’s as easy as signing up for newsletters and loyalty schemes, although some of them you’ll need to join in advance, and most involve downloading an app.

We’ve rounded up the top 35 birthday freebies and money-off vouchers for you to celebrate your birthday in style, no paid subscriptions required. We’ve kept our list to nationwide chains, so you won’t find any location-specific places (for the sake of brevity!).

Completely free birthday stuff

Let’s start with the good stuff: freebies. All of the below retailers offer a free treat with no purchase required. We’ve categorised these into food, drink, and fashion & beauty. For offers that don’t specify when you need to sign up or register, we’d recommend doing so (and adding your birthday details) as soon as possible.

Free birthday food

Treat yourself with these freebies below, which are particularly fruitful for those who have a sweet tooth – you’ll find plenty of free cakes and treats.

1. Krispy Kreme

The Krispy Kreme Rewards scheme is free to join and means you start earning ‘smiles’ that work like rewards points. You’ll get a free doughnut for joining and a free doughnut during your birthday month. To claim it, download the app, add the reward to your wallet within the app, and show the ID barcode in store. 

2. Greggs

Download the Greggs app (get a free hot drink for doing so), add your birthday, and you’ll get a free sweet treat on your birthday from their confectionery range. Check your Rewards tab within the app to find your birthday treat with expiry date, then open the Wallet section of the app to scan the QR code in store and claim your freebie.

3. Subway

Subway Rewards has replaced the previous loyalty programme, so make sure you’ve got the latest app downloaded. This membership is made up of three levels and you earn a free birthday cookie as a Rising Star, a free cookie or packet of crisps as a Hot Shot, and free 6-inch Sub as a Boss.

4. Chopstix

Download the Chopstix app and sign up for their newsletter to get your free noodle box on your birthday. You can check participating stores here, which includes about 70 major cities across the UK. You’ll get five free spring rolls for downloading and can earn points as per a usual loyalty programme.

5. Lidl

Lidl Plus is a handy app to have if you’re a regular shopper, with tailor-made coupons and freebies as rewards for shopping. Your birthday freebie will show up as a coupon within your app and you’ll have seven days to claim your doughnut from an in-store bakery.

6. Costa

Sweet treats from Costa include a single serving of cake, muffin, sweet pastry, tart, teacake, traybake, cookie, shortbread, bun, or doughnut. Download the app and enter your birthday, which you can only change once a year. You’ll also need to opt in for marketing communications.

7. Burger King

Your free Whopper includes the Plant Whopper version, so this works for meat-eaters and vegans alike. Sign up for YourBurgerKing at least seven days before the big day, add your details, and opt in for email or push notifications (app). Your voucher is not valid at Burger King motorway services, airports, train stations, or holiday parks.

8. Ask Italian

Sign up for ASK Perks with your name, email address, and birthday and you’ll get a ‘treat’ on the day. There’s no app with this one, so just keep an eye on your emails (and junk folder) instead.

9. Las Iguanas

This popular chain offers a free meal (sometimes cocktail) voucher for your birthday as a newsletter subscriber. You’ll also get a 2for1 voucher on mains just for signing up – which likely can’t be used with your birthday voucher.

We've got this under food, but the Sparks birthday ‘treat’ could be anything from food and drink to clothing, homeware and beauty. Make sure you add your birthday 35 days in advance and sign up for marketing communication.

Free birthday fashion & beauty goodies 

If you’ve got a wishlist of skincare goodies, here are a few brands that offer birthday freebies on your big day. The bonus here is that many of these you can nab online from the comfort of your home.

The great thing about these birthday freebies is that they get bigger the higher the tier you are as a MySephora member. You’ll be eligible from the beginning Bronze tier, and the gifts get better as a Silver or Gold member, based on your shopping frequency of the past year. Make sure you add your birthday at least 24 hours in advance to qualify.

We’re not quite sure what this birthday gift could be, but when all you have to do is sign up for emails, it seems like a no-brainer to us. Make sure you sign up by midnight on the 26th of the previous month, irrespective of when your birthday falls.

Sign up for Matalan Me, add your birthday, and opt in for emails. You’ll be contacted with an undisclosed treat on your birthday – we’re not sure if this is a physical gift, voucher, or money off.

Join Accessorize’s The Treats Club and get a treat on your birthday. There are three tiers to the membership, so your treats will likely be different based on whether you’re Level 1, 2, or 3.

Freebies when you buy something

There’s more free stuff on your birthday when you spend anything from £1 to buying a whole meal. If you have a membership at any of the brands below, you might have already spent enough to qualify, so you’re quids in. Either way, we think this list is still worth checking out.

Bonus birthday food

There’s a bit more variety in this list of free foods, with burritos, tacos, and pretzels along with the sweet treats.

Sign up for MyLindt Rewards with your details and you’ll receive a birthday voucher for a 200g box of Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles on your birthday. This can be used online with a minimum spend of £20 or in store with a £10 minimum spend.

16. Barburrito

Grab a birthday burrito once you’ve spent £6 as a member before your birthday month. Register as a member and download the app to start collecting stamps and earning rewards. Your birthday burrito can be redeemed at any time during the month and excludes the Loaded Burrito and seasonal specials.

This treat comes with a minimum 50p spend, as you’ll need to spend £5.50 to use your £5 voucher from Hotel Chocolat. Sign up as a VIP.ME member, add your birthday, and receive your voucher via email or the app. You can’t use the voucher on sales items or gift cards.

18. Pizza Express

Join via the PizzaExpress app and start working your way through the tiers. As a Bronze member, you’ll get a free dessert, Silver gets you a free pizza, and Gold gets you a free bottle of prosecco. You can earn stamps in restaurants or on selected chilled supermarket pizzas. To earn one stamp, you need to dine in and spend at least £10.

19. Taco Bell

Get a free taco when you sign up for the Taco Bell Supreme account with the app, as well as a treat on your birthday. Your points reset every 12 months, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve made one purchase within the year before your birthday hits.

20. Auntie Anne's

You can sign up for Pretzel Perks via the app or the website with your phone number. Get a free pretzel when you join and a free pretzel on your birthday. Make sure you’ve made a purchase at least 24 hours before your birthday to qualify.

21. Muffin Break

Join the Muffin Break rewards scheme by downloading the app and entering your birthday. You’ll be able to claim your free birthday muffin with the purchase of another full-price item.

22. Zizzi

Join the Zizzi’s Zillionaire’s Club and get a free perk when you do, plus a free main meal on your birthday. You’ll get a voucher within two weeks of your birthday which is valid for 28 days and can only be used when you buy one other main meal.

23. Frankie & Benny's

Planning on heading to F&B’s for your birthday meal? Sign up for emails as a ‘friend’ of Frankie & Benny’s, add your date of birth, and get a main meal voucher for your birthday. You’ll need to buy two main meals, then you’ll get the cheapest free. Not available to use on public holidays, certain locations, set menus or specials – check the T&Cs (linked above) for the full restrictions.

Bonus birthday drinks 

We’ve got deals and offers on all kinds of drinks below, whether you’re looking for a caffeine boost, a sweet treat, or a little tipple. Read on for birthday freebies on coffee, cocktails, milkshakes, and more.

24. TGI Friday's

Download the app to join the TGI Fridays Stripes Rewards, then add your date of birth more than a week Seven days before your birthday, you’ll get the reward within your app so you can visit on your birthday to get a free cocktail (or mocktail) for you and up to five friends when you each buy a main meal.

25. Kaspa's

Rock up to any Kaspa’s with ID that proves it’s your birthday and you’ll get a free medium-sized milkshake or slice of cake if you spend a minimum of £6.95.

26. Boost

You have the option of a digital or physical Vibe Card to join the Boost loyalty club. You’ll need at least one point on your card (one drink = one point). Show your membership and your ID in store to claim your free drink.

27. Starbucks

Starbucks Rewards members with Gold status can get a free drink on their birthday. For every £1 you spend, you’ll earn 10 stars, and it takes 2,500 stars to reach Gold level.

28. Happy Lemon

The Happy Lemon LoyalTea Card costs £5, so this one is best for people who will make good use of it. Make sure you’ve added your birthday when you sign up and you’ll get a voucher for a free drink on your birthday.

29. Miller & Carter Steakhouse

Register for an account to receive emails from Miller & Carter and you’ll get a birthday voucher for a free glass of prosecco. You’ll need to buy a main meal to qualify, and you can bring up to five friends with you to also benefit from a 125ml glass of prosecco with their main meal.

30. Bill's

Sign up for emails, and next time you dine at Bill’s around your birthday you’ll get a free bottle of prosecco when you buy a main meal. You’ll need to pre-book and order a main meal or from the seasonal set menu.

There are plenty of All Bar One locations nationwide, and once you’re a member of their rewards scheme (app download required), you’ll get a £20 welcome gift. Make sure you’ve given your birthday, then spend £20 at one of their locations to activate your voucher for a free bottle of prosecco.

Bonus fashion & beauty 

It’s likely you already shop with the brands below, so why not add essentials to your basket and qualify for free stuff on your birthday while you’re at it?

Birthday freebies at Clinique are tiered, so the higher up you are, the better the goodies. Sign up for Smart Rewards and as a Tier 1 member (0–75 points) and you’ll get a deluxe birthday sample. Use the code from your email at checkout when you make a purchase to get your freebie. When you reach Tier 3 (201+ points), you’ll get a full-size birthday gift with a purchase.

33. Rituals

If you’re already planning on spending some birthday money at Rituals, why not claim a free birthday gift too? You’ll need to buy one product as a member of My Rituals, and make sure you’ve given your date of birth and signed up for emails.

The Space NK Ndulge Rewards scheme comes with a purchase requirement, but no minimum spend. You’ll receive your promo code by email between the 1st and 8th of your birthday month. Your trio of birthday goodies are usually sample- sized and based on seasonality.

Subscribe to newsletters from Hobbs and get a £20 voucher on a £20+ spend for your birthday. You’ll also get 10% off your first shop, sale previews, and exclusive offers.

Bonus money-saving tips

We’ve got a few last tips to help you make your money go further. Follow these pointers below to make sure you’re getting the most out of your birthday freebies.

 Start checking early

Most of the deals we’ve mentioned require sign up one to two weeks before your birthday, although one requires 35 days’ advance sign up.

 Subscribe to newsletters

Got favourite brands? It just makes sense to subscribe to newsletters. Even if they don’t offer birthday freebies, they’ll often offer you exclusive discounts or early access to sales.

Add your birthday to loyalty accounts

Whenever you join a rewards scheme, you should add your date of birth if you have the option. Then, if you completely forget about it, they might email you something anyway!

 Don’t spend just because

Some of these birthday freebies require a purchase, so make sure it’s something you need or that you wanted anyway. Spending money to get something free otherwise isn’t free at all.

 Can you work them into your plans?

If you’re going out for the day and you plan to get a meal or cocktails, can you stop by one of these brands offering freebies? 

 Dedicate a separate email account

Keeping a separate email account for loyalty schemes can be a good idea to keep your inbox tidy. Signing up to dozens of brands can soon become a lot to organise.

 Check the T&Cs

We’ve included any terms and conditions where we can, but these are susceptible to change (or are sometimes very lengthy). Before you spend any money for your gift, make sure you’re eligible.

 Wait to spend in your birthday month

Got things on your wishlist? Wait for your birthday month to hit and you could get offers and discounts at the brands above, as well as double points for your birthday month at Boots.

 Get cashback

We offer cashback at 6,000 brands online and it’s super easy to get started. Cashback works just like commission, meaning when you use us as a referral site, you get a percentage of what you spend at the brand. Here’s an example:

Go forth & get free stuff

Whether you’re spending birthday money or going out for food and drinks, you might as well take advantage of another year around the sun.

Those who are organised can really reap the rewards of free meals, snacks, drinks, cosmetics, and more.