13 Most Common Promo Codes to Try Before Checking Out

If you shop online, you should never be without a promo code. It’s easier to save money online than in person because you can search for promo codes for your favorite retailers. While there’s no guarantee you’ll always have a promo code, it’s worth a try, right?

What are Promo Codes?

Promo codes are like digital coupons. When you check out online, you’ll see a spot to enter a promo or coupon code. These are short digits you enter into the appropriate spot and if you meet the purchase requirements of the code, it automatically takes money off your purchase.

It’s the digital equivalent of clipping paper coupons and handing them to the cashier, except it’s a lot easier to search for promo codes than it is to make paper coupons appear.

How Much can Promo Codes Save You?

Every promo code is worth something different. You can find codes that take $5 off your purchase or as much as 30% – 40% off your purchase. Some codes are for buy 1 get 1 free offer or a dollar amount off a certain purchase. 

You may also find promo codes for free shipping or for a free product or bonus for spending a certain amount of money.

Where can you Find Promo Codes?

If you don’t want to try your luck at the most commonly used promo codes, there are ways to get ‘the sure thing.’ Google is your best friend when it comes to finding ways to save money on your purchases. Just enter the name of the store you’re shopping at with the word ‘promo’ and you’ll come up with ways to save.

If you’d prefer a more secure way to find promo codes you know will work, check out Koopy. We have thousands of tested promo codes that we know work and will save our readers money on their purchases. 

The Top 13 Promo Codes you Should Always Try

If you don’t have time to search for promo codes or you feel like you’re striking out, try the promo codes below in various combinations to see if you get lucky and can save money on your purchase.

1. Use the word ‘TEST’

Just enter the phrase ‘TEST’ in any checkout and see what happens. Most retailers use this code at some point, and not all put an expiration date on the code. If you’re lucky enough to find a retailer that used it without an expiration date, you could score money off your order just for taking a few seconds to enter a code.

If ‘TEST’ alone doesn’t work, try combining it with numbers, such as ‘TEST10’ for $10 off your order or ‘TEST20’ for 20% off your order. 

2. Try the Phrase ‘OFF’

This one takes a little trial and error. You won’t get anything just using the word ‘OFF,’ but if you combine it with numbers, you might get lucky.

Common phrases are 10OFF, 20OFF, GET5OFF, TAKE10OFF, 25OFF75, etc. Play with the word off, thinking of as many ways as possible to use it to get money off your order. Combine it with words like ‘get’ and ‘take’ to see if you hit the jackpot and score money off your order.

3. Swap out ‘OFF’ for ‘SAVE’

The code ‘SAVE’ works just as often as ‘OFF.’ If ‘OFF’ doesn’t work for you, try ‘SAVE’ combined with the same phrases above. Think ‘Save $10’ or ‘Save 5%’ and try different combinations to see if anything works.

This code may also take a little time to play around with so you get the right combination of terms. 

4. Use the Term ‘EXTRA’

‘EXTRA’ is a common phrase retailers use along with numbers. Save an ‘extra $10’ would be ‘EXTRA10,’ or save an extra $25 would be ‘EXTRA25.’ Sometimes retailers throw the number in front of the word too, so try ‘25EXTRA’ or ‘10EXTRA.’

5. Try ‘WELCOME’ for your First Order

When you’re trying a new store (you’ve never bought here before), try the code ‘WELCOME’ either by itself or with a number after it. Sometimes ‘WELCOME10’ will get you $10 off your order or even 10%. Something is better than nothing!

6. Combine ‘GET’ with Numbers and Phrases to Earn Money Off

‘GET’ is a popular phrase when you want to ‘get $10 off’ or ‘get 10 percent off.’ It’s a common promo code companies use. Play around with the phrase to find one that works, but here are the most common:

  • GET10OFF
  • GET20OFF
  • BUY2GET1
  • GET5
  • GET10

You can also replace the word ‘GET’ with ‘TAKE.’ For example, ‘TAKE10OFF,’ or ‘TAKE5.’

7. Use the Phrase ‘SHIP’ to score Free Shipping

You’ll need to play around with this phrase to score free shipping, combining the term ‘SHIP’ with the word ‘FREE’ typically. Try phrases like:

  • FREESHIP
  • SHIPFREE
  • SHIP4FREE
  • FREESHIP50 (play around with the numbers too)

8. Use Seasons as your Phrase

Each season try promo codes using the season’s name and combining it with other terms or numbers. For example:

  • SUMMER20
  • SUMMERFUN
  • FALL50
  • WINTER25
  • WINTERFUN
  • SPRINGSAVINGS

9. Use Holiday Phrases

Each holiday season, you can try popular keyphrases that pertain to the holiday to try to get money off your order. 

For example, around Black Friday try different variations of the words Black and Friday. Try BLACKFRIDAY2022 (or the appropriate year), BLACKFRIDAY22, BLACKFRIDAY15 (for $15 or 15%), or any other number after BLACKFRIDAY.

Don’t forget about Cyber Monday too. This occurs the Monday after Thanksgiving and is often filled with deals online. Combining the code ‘CYBER’ with ‘10,’ ‘20’, ‘the year’ or ‘WEEK’ will often score you good deals.

Around Valentine’s Day, try phrases with the word ‘LOVE’; around the 4th of July play with the term ‘JULY’ OR ‘JULY4’ OR ‘4THOFJULY.’ Around Mother’s Day or Father’s Day combine the words ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ with the year or ‘THANKSMOM’/’THANKSDAD’.

10. Social Media Tags

Sometimes we overthink what the promo codes might be when they are something as simple as ‘Facebook,’ Instagram’ or ‘Snapchat.’ Basically these are promo codes the retailer uses to reward followers on those social media sites.

Whether you follow the retailers or not on social media doesn’t matter, if the code works, you can use it – they won’t know that you didn’t see them on social media.

Don’t forget to try the acronym for Facebook, ‘FB’ along with numbers or other phrases to try to catch a deal.

11. Use the Word ‘Flash’

Retailers commonly throw ‘flash’ sales which they mean are spontaneous sales that last only for a short while. During these times, they’ll use variations of the term ‘FLASH.’

You may have to play around with the term a bit, but common examples include:

  • FLASH10
  • FLASH25
  • FALLFLASH
  • SPRINGFLASH

12. Combine the Month of the Year with Numbers

It’s always worth trying to save by using the current month in combination with standard numbers such as 10, 20, or 25. Play with the phrase, putting the numbers before or after the name of the month too. 

You can also try adding the year after the month or adding the word ‘SALE’ after the name of the month. Here are some examples:

  • MAY2021
  • MAY20
  • MAY15
  • 20MAY
  • MAYSAVE

13. Try the Term ‘HAPPY’ around Holidays

Retailers like to use the word ‘HAPPY’ in their promo codes too. ‘HAPPY2021,’ ‘HAPPY15,’ or ‘HAPPYHOLIDAYS.’ Think of any catchphrases around the time of the year you’re searching for a promo code and combine the word with ‘HAPPY’ and you’ll likely find a promo code that works.

Common and Popular Promo Codes FAQs

How do you get the best promo code?

No, two promo codes will be the same. Do some research and use reputable sites like Koopy to find the best deals. Sometimes promo codes won’t work because they’re either invalid or expired, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. There are many promo codes available out there today to get the best deals.

What makes up a promo code?

Promo codes are a combination of letters and numbers usually, but they can be just about anything. They are usually 7 to 8 letters or numbers with no spaces in them. They must be entered exactly as they are shown in order to work.

Do all stores offer promo codes?

There’s no rhyme or reason regarding how or when stores offer promo codes. You’ll find many codes around holidays or during other popular times to shop, but you should always check for a valid promo code if you plan on shopping anywhere online.

Final Thoughts

Don’t get caught shopping without a promo code! The extra few seconds it takes to enter a code could save you quite a bit of money.

You’ll find promo codes for free shipping, dollar off or percentage savings, or a combination of the two. Try out different promo codes and see how much money you can save on your purchases!

Kim Pinnelli is a personal finance freelance writer and koopy.com contributor. She lives in the Chicago suburbs, writing from home for the last 13 years. Kim enjoys helping people understand personal finances and writes on topics about saving money, investing, planning for retirement, and ways to increase income. In her free time, Kim enjoys hanging out with her 3 children, reading, crocheting, and spending time outdoors.

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