Most of us have a few shops, restaurants and subscriptions we spend money with every single month. The groceries, the weekend meal out, the gaming subscription, the odd trip. What if you could earn money back on all of it, simply by changing how you pay?
That’s the idea behind buying gift cards through a cashback platform. And with the Globetrotter plan, you can push those savings even further.
How gift card savings work
Instead of paying full price at the till, you buy a digital gift card for the brand you were going to shop with anyway, and you get a percentage back on every purchase. The rate varies by brand. Supermarkets sit at the low end, while restaurants, experiences and entertainment sit much higher.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer, showing the the standard rate and the higher rate for paid subscribers:
Where the biggest savings hide
Days out and experiences. Buyagift and Red Letter Days are 17% standard and 20% for paid subscribers. WonderDays Experiences Gift Card follows at 16% and 19%.
Eating out. Many pub and restaurant brands are 9% standard and 12% for paid subscribers, including Harvester, Toby Carvery, Frankie & Benny’s, Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and All Bar One. tastecard and The Holiday & Hotel Card are slightly higher at 9.5% and 12.5%.
Gaming and streaming. Xbox Game Pass Essential and Ultimate are 12.7% standard and 15.7% for paid subscribers. Nintendo Switch Online is 7% and 10%, and Disney+ is 5% and 8%.
Gifts and treats. Swarovski is 15% standard and 18% for paid subscribers. Bloom & Wild, Virgin Wines and adidas are each 10% and 13%.
Giving back. Every Dots.eco card, such as plant a tree, clean ocean plastic or support rescued pets, is 14.5% standard and 17.5% for paid subscribers.
Everyday spending. Tesco, Iceland and Farmfoods are 2% standard and 4% for paid subscribers. Waitrose & Partners and Morrisons are 1% and 3%, and Sainsbury’s is 1.25% and 3.25%.
Meet Globetrotter
Globetrotter is the paid plan from Inforens, built for people who want more out of every transaction: more points, more savings and extra support while you plan your next move.
It’s currently £3.99 a month, down from £4.99, billed monthly.
In the cashback list, the paid-subscriber rate is 3 percentage points higher than standard for most brands, such as Starbucks, Harvester and Buyagift. For some, including Decathlon, Deliveroo, Tesco, Iceland and Nike, it is 2 points higher.
Does it pay for itself?
At a 3-point uplift, about £133 of gift card spend a month earns back the £3.99 fee (£3.99 ÷ 0.03). At a 2-point uplift it takes about £200 (£3.99 ÷ 0.02 = £199.50).
A few examples of the extra you could earn:
- £100 on Starbucks: £8 back becomes £11
- £200 on a family meal out at Harvester: £18 back becomes £24
- £300 on Buyagift experiences: £51 back becomes £60
- £500 on supermarket gift cards at Tesco: £10 back becomes £20
The more you spend, the bigger the gap. Your savings depend on which brands you buy and how much you spend.
Tips to maximise your savings
- Buy for what you already spend on. Don’t buy something just because the rate is high. Focus on the shops and restaurants you’d use anyway.
- Prioritise high-rate categories. Experiences, dining and entertainment pay far more than groceries.
- Buy ahead for big occasions. Birthdays, Christmas and holidays are perfect times to stock up on gift cards you’ll use or give.
- Check each card’s terms. Rates and availability can change, so confirm the current rate before you buy.
- Review monthly. If your spend is regularly above the break-even point, Globetrotter is working for you.
The bottom line
Gift card cashback lets you save without changing where you shop. Paid-subscriber rates reach 20% on experiences and 12% at many restaurant and pub brands, and 3% to 4% at Tesco, Iceland, Waitrose and Morrisons. Globetrotter lifts those rates for £3.99 a month.
Ready to save more on every purchase? Join Globetrotter for £3.99 a month and start earning more on the things you were going to buy anyway.
Cashback rates shown are correct at the time of writing and may change. Savings vary based on spend.