11 Discount Codes You Should Always Try

Many retailers offer promo codes to encourage shoppers to complete their purchases. However, what most people don’t realize is that many of these codes follow similar patterns across different stores. If you don’t have a coupon, you can still try common promo codes at checkout and potentially unlock a discount!

At TrustDeals, we track thousands of discount codes to help you save money. After analyzing years of promo code trends, we’ve found that certain phrases frequently work across multiple stores. Here are eight promo codes that you should always try when shopping online!

1. Holiday Discount Codes

Sometimes special holidays get their own discount codes. For example, NEWYEAR is often used around January 1st, while VALENTINE might work for Valentine’s Day. And don’t forget the codeword HOLIDAY, it might just unlock a hidden discount! Common holiday codes:

HOLIDAY (+number)
NEWYEAR (+number)
VALENTINE (+number)
EASTER (+number)
MOTHERSDAY (+number)
FATHERSDAY (+number)
HALLOWEEN (+number)
SPOOKY (+number)
XMAS (+number)

2. SAVE Discount Codes

A very simple and common promo code format is SAVE plus a discount amount. For example, SAVE10 or SAVE20 frequently work across multiple retailers. Brands often use these codes for limited-time sales and percentage-based discounts. Even if a store doesn’t advertise a promo code, entering SAVE followed by a number is always worth a try.

3. Seasonal Discount Codes

Retailers often celebrate the start of a new season by offering special discounts. Common promo codes include SUMMER, SPRING, FALL, and WINTER, which tend to work best at the beginning of each season. Some stores also add a discount value to these codes, such as SPRING10 or WINTER20, so it’s always worth trying different variations at checkout.

4. TEST (Yes, Really!) Discount Codes

This one might sound surprising, but many online retailers use TEST as a hidden discount code. We’ve manually tested this code on many websites, and while it doesn’t always work, when it does, the savings can be significant. It’s a long shot, but it only takes a second to try, and sometimes, it pays off!

5. Sales Event Discount Codes

Shops frequently create promo codes based on special sale events. On major shopping days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Single’s Day, most stores offer discounts using codes like BLACKFRIDAY, CYBERMONDAY, or SINGLESDAY. They might also use an abbreviation, like BF25 or CM10. Worth a shot!

shopping online
source: Unsplash – shopping online

6. Welcome Discount Codes

Retailers often offer exclusive discounts to first-time shoppers. Many brands encourage customers to sign up for emails by providing a welcome promo code. Even if you don’t subscribe, you can try using codes like WELCOME, WELCOME10, or WELCOME15 at checkout. Another common approach is using “NEW” in discount codes to attract first-time buyers. Popular examples include NEW10 or NEWCUSTOMER. These codes typically apply to your first purchase, making them a great way to save when shopping at a new store.

7. Store Name Discount Codes

Many retailers create promo codes that include their store name to make them easy to recognize. These codes often appear in marketing emails, special promotions, or influencer partnerships. A common format is the store name + discount amount, such as ZARA10 at Zara or NIKE20 at Nike.

8. Month-Based Discount Codes

Some brands create promo codes that include the current month and a discount amount. These codes usually follow a pattern like OCT10, NOV20, or DEC15. Retailers use this format to run monthly promotions and to create a sense of urgency. For the best results, try using the abbreviation of the current month followed by a discount amount. These codes are especially common at the end of the year when brands want to boost sales before the holidays.

9. Free Shipping Discount Codes

If a retailer charges for shipping, you might be able to remove the fee by entering a free shipping promo code. Many online stores use codes like FREESHIP or FREESHIPPING to encourage shoppers to complete their orders. Some retailers set a minimum spending amount to qualify for free shipping. In that case, you can also try FREESHIP25 or FREESHIPPING75. These codes are especially common during seasonal promotions and holiday sales.

10. Back-To-School Discount Codes

While seasonal sales are common, Back to School promotions are in a category of their own. Retailers offer big discounts during this time to attract parents shopping for school supplies, clothing, and electronics. Popular promo codes include BACK2SCHOOL, BACKTOSCHOOL, or simply SCHOOL. These deals are not just for students—anyone can use them! The best time to try these codes is from August to September, as most back-to-school promotions end once the school year begins.

11. Influencer Ambassador Discount Codes

Many brands collaborate with influencers and content creators to promote their products. As part of these partnerships, influencers often share exclusive discount codes with their followers. If you know an influencer is an ambassador for a brand, searching their name along with the store’s name might help you find an active promo code! For example, MyProtein works with many fitness influencers, so trying their name followed by a number could unlock a discount at checkout!

Bonus Tip: Check Verified Discount Codes

If none of these promo codes work, don’t worry! You can always find real, working discount codes on TrustDeals. We track the latest exclusive offers and test promo codes regularly, so you never miss out on savings.

I wish you all the best in finding a discount code that works, because we all like to save some money at checkout, right?!

Florence Stroink